If I lived anywhere but the states, it'd probably be with the Swiss; they're giving my love for Canada a run for its money.
This may become a blog-novel, so here's your chance out if you want. I've sat down on my bed with my green tea (that I drink entirely too much of) to update you all from the past week. I'm not sure where to even start but I suppose the beginning will do.
Thursday Shelley & I raced out of Italian to make our 12:15 train. Having learned from previous train rides, we knew to book our seats in advance; mission accomplished and we went on our way to Milano. A little less than 2 hours northwest we arrived and had a 'layover', if you will, until we could jump on the next to Geneva. Crossing from Italy into Switzerland was unreal, the next four hours of scenery.. beyond beautiful. Villages spread out along the perimeter of a dark blue lake. Each house different from the next, all with cobblestone pathways, interesting choices of paint for the walls, and suspended tall because of all the snow fall. Just about dusk and all the tiny lights of the towns were turning on. Snow patches still on the roads and between the cottages, with the Alps behind them. Talk about fairy tale.
Shelley's family friend, who we stayed with all weekend, picked us up from the train station and greeted us with a nice big "HI" that we've missed hearing so much. She (Nan), her husband Raphael (who's French), and baby boy Roman (10 months old) treated us like we were part of their family. Too good to us.. they spoiled us; cooking, sight-seeing, etc.
Friday Shell and I spent exploring all parts of Geneva. Figured out the tram system and we were on our way. Love public transportation, really. Geneva has Starbucks, need I say more? So that venti coffee helped start the day. We saw the largest fountain in the world! Huge geyser looking fountain in the middle of their harbor, but very cool all the same. Made our way across the bridge and into "Old Town" where a kind of medieval church stood and plaza area.
It was weird not being able to communicate with the people here, not because we're not (very) used to that in Italy, but because this was no longer Italian we were hearing. Everyone speaks French here, so we got by as far as we could with our 'merci's and 'bonjour's.
After a couple hours of wandering and souvenir buying, Nan brought us back with her from work to the flat to get ready for the night. She had a few co-workers over then the adults and us two little nomads headed to downtown Geneva. They had a birthday dinner to go to, so we find ourselves eating dinner and watching the Six Nations Rugby game at Picwick's Pub. Lots of passionate males cheering for Wales and France, but let's talk about what's really important.. the hamburger. Yes fat juicy greasy american hamburger and fries, never tasted so good.
We ended up sitting in front of the comedian hired for the night, but didn't perform because rugby was the more popular choice; he kept us laughing though. Cool guy from London, he gave us some tips too for when we make our journey there in another 2 1/2 weeks.
Walked to meet our little Swiss family down the street at the club they ate dinner in, and spent the rest of the night dancing to (some kind of bizarre) French songs under ground.
Saturday and Sunday were my favorite.
We loaded into their SUV early Saturday afternoon and crossed over the French border to a small village called Chamonix Mount Blanc, at the base of Mount Blanc, which is the tallest peak in Europe.. 4807 meters up. Not as towering as Everest but we saw the best mountain Europe had to offer. Snowboarders and skiers filled the streets of Chamonix, not to mention a whole lot of snow. The sun was shining and the whole vibe of just the winter love was awesome. Enjoyed some french crepes in a little restaurant chateaux.. chocolate & banana, my goodness.
Raphael cooked for us that night, what a wonderful little French chef he was. Chicken, rice, carrots, salad.. simply a feast. Embraced the food coma that followed dinner and spent the rest of the night lounging on the couch, watching Vicky Christina Barcelona (..interesting movie to say the least). I forgot how nice it is to veg sometimes, reminded me of home; we don't have a couch nor a tv in our apartment, but I'm thankful for that. We're doing such different things here every day there's no need for couch potato time anyway.
Sunday Shelley and I got up early to catch two different trains to take us into a "typical Swiss village" in the words of Nan. And that's exactly what we got. No one warned us about the snow that would be, well.. everywhere, but it didn't hold us back. The city's name is Gruyeres and is home to a Cheese Factory. Took full advantage of the 6 franc (Swiss's money) tour that included three different cheeses to sample as we self guided our own little tour. They provided those little hand-held one way phone things, you know what I'm talking about? Gives you information and specific spots of the tour? Well our animated talking tour guides name was Cherry.. she's a cow from Switzerland and apparently loved and accepted us as one of her own. Hah, this sounds weird now, but if you only heard little Cherry talking to you while you walked around the factory with us, you'd laugh too.
So after the whole 20 minute or so tour, we headed out in search of the castle. Pretty impossible to interpret the French signs, but we did our best. Headed through a small forest, across a bridge, and up a snow covered path. Did I tell you there was snow everywhere? Well there was, and please don't forget this important fact as I tell you the rest of the day's events. Snow everywhere, more than I've ever seen in my life, anywhere; even on tv. Okay. so.
Trudged up this path, falling.. oh I don't know, 4 or so times; only twice I think for Shelley, and finally make it to the top. What do we see? Nothing. (Beautiful view of the village, but no castle). We continue looking around Gruyeres then see, on the other side of town, up the opposite hill, is the castle.
Since we're such determined, motivated, and at this point slap happy travelers, we semi-gladly make our way back down this hill of doom to embark on our second and larger hill of doom to the castle. I was doing fairly well for the first part of the journey, just slipping and sliding a little but keeping my balance. We get about 3/4 of the way there and the luck went away. I'm just glad I'm not easily embarrassed. Ate it in front of the only two Australian men I've ever met, what's worse is they felt bad for me.. it would've been better if they just laughed.
Once at the top, in the castle's walls, the views were even more breathtaking. Love Switzerland. Maybe too much.
It's too rad to believe last week I spent my time thanking our Lord for the rocky beaches and ocean experiences; then just a week later I'm treking through the snow, falling too much, and completely grateful again but this time for a whole new situation and country.
I'm so blessed. I know I say that every time I blog, but it never ends. The train rides have become more wonderful too as the journeys continue. I love journaling more than ever and am blown away by all the encouragement and support I have from loved ones. This trip and experience is not even possible without everyone's prayers. I'm here praying for all my loves back home as well.
One of my best friends lost her cousin this past week to go be with the Lord, please keep her and her family in your prayers, they need all the love and comfort possible. She's so strong, but needs to know that God is stronger and will take care of everything
Florence is really beginning to feel like home. After being away for one of the longest weekends, dragging our bags back into our apartment was comforting. It's crazy knowing my way around this town, back streets, alleys, and piazzas. I would call Europe as a whole addicting if I picked one word, but that doesn't change the fact that my heart is still very much at home. I'm pretty sure a part of it will be left here too.
The rain hasn't stopped since we've been back and it's supposed to end with a boom this week, thunderstorms. I'm anticipating the sunshine more every day, I miss it so much. Puddles and umbrellas are a different kind of fun though, change is good.. healthy.
Change. yes. mm.
Can't wait to see how much more happens over the next 2 1/2 months.
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