Europe Part Two: Gimmelwald, Switzerland

On our third day in Europe we got up early, ate breakfast with Philipe, and headed to the car rental place.  Isaac was a little worried about driving out of Paris but he handled it like a boss.  I am convinced that in his second life he will be a race car driver.

driving through Paris 

This is the car we drove through Europe, from Paris, France to Venice, Italy, it was a champ. We clocked about 20 hours in our little Citron Picasso.

As we drove through Europe, Isaac kept referencing a show called Top Gear . Ever heard of it? Basically it is a very popular show out of the UK about cars and such.  Isaac would talk about all the cars we would pass in an english accent, this made for very good entertainment throughout our 20 hours in the car.

I mean...is this not the most mystical thing you've ever seen? Sorry these photos may seem a little blurry, they were taken in transit.

Driving from Paris to Interlaken was a dream, everything is so green and beautiful.  The drive was about 6 hours to our destination but it didn't feel like it because everything was so exciting and new.  For a while we thought we were a big deal because we were driving super fast...we soon found out that 130 kph actually converted to something around 60 mph.  Not as cool as we thought.

The cows were SO cool, I just couldn't get enough of them.

Between Paris and Interlaken we went through about 8 or 9 tunnels!  So cool! I am proud to say I held my breath through 5 of them, it's the small things that get you through the day, right?

We couldn't have asked for a better landscape.

So we finally arrived in Interlaken and then headed up to Gimmelwald.  The drive up that canyon was incredible.  Think about the most majestic mountains you've ever seen and times that by 100,000 and then you have the Swiss Alps.  I loved seeing all the quaint little homes and farms amongst the epic-ness (I know that's not a real word...but I am using it anyways) of the Alps.

inside the cable car to Gimmelwald, this guy was legit, not to mention the guys in the corner as well who just purchased a one way ticket up because they were base jumping down...that's right, you read correctly, base jumping down.

we spent our nights up there playing cards and drinking a LOT of hot chocolate.

this was the most beautiful hotel in Interlaken, Isaac and I joked that next time we will stay there.

I don't know why, but I was so fascinated with all the animals

There were gardens everywhere and they were absolutely perfect.

The mountain hostel was so much fun, we were surrounded by so many others who were doing the same things we were.  We made some great friends from New Zealand, Jordan and Helena, we would stay up late, playing cards, tell stories and laugh...a lot.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture with them! But they were great, we were coming from opposite directions so they gave us some good tips and places to visit.

The Jump:

Our second day we planned to do a canyon swing up in Grindelwald.  After taking the cable car down we found out it had been cancelled.  To be honest, I was a little relieved, I was extremely terrified so I was glad I could enjoy the rest of the trip and relax...that was short lived.  They rescheduled us for the next day.

Now you all have to understand how scared I am of heights.  I hate high dives, going up ladders, overlooks, bridges...and I think you get the point.  Not only that, but I was signed up for this thing with out consent!

So it was our third day in Switzerland or what I thought could be our last.  We were picked up in a large van where we met three guys from Australia who were also making the jump.  I hesitantly climbed into the van, smiled nervously and asked if they were as nervous as I was.  They replied, "oh, we're completely blaaaind!" Translation, they were absolutely wasted.  Later on this made for great entertainment, but at the time I wasn't too amused.  All that was going through my mind was, "if this is so terrifying that these guys have to be absolutely wasted to get through it, hand me a drink, now!"  Ok, so I wasn't thinking that...but maybe just a little.  I was scared out of my mind! Can you blame me?

We arrived at the canyon swing, and it was snowing. SNOWING! We get to the platform and they strap us up with all the gear and get us all harnessed up.  As one of the guides was helping me with my harness I said to him in my shaky voice, "Is this safe?" He replied, "You're in Switzerland! Everything's safe!"

This is where we made our death jump.

That was it. I was jumping to my death, this was the end at least I was ending with a bang, right?  Ok, maybe this is an overreaction, but I was terrified, mortified scared out of my mind.

It was now time to make the jump. I insisted that someone go first, so one of the Australian guys did.  He jumped out like it was no big thing.  He did what you call a "starfish" jump.  He survived, it was now my turn.

Now I can't say I completely remember what happened the next couple minutes, I can't even tell you what went through my head.  But I think this video shows it pretty well...

So I did it and I even lived to tell the tale.

from the bottom looking up.

That night we went back to the hostel to eat some dinner and played cards.  That night a big snowstorm was coming in so we were lucky enough to wake up to a winter wonderland, it was incredible.

Switzerland was amazing, it was such a neat experience and we could have stayed there for weeks.  We are already looking forward to our next trip, hopefully someday.  Right Isaac?

Europe Part One: Paris, France

DAY 1:

About a month ago Isaac and I had the most wonderful time traveling through Europe.  Our adventure started in Paris, France. We stayed in a quaint little B&B owned by a man named Phillip in the 17th District across from the most amazing park.  

planning out our day.

Our first day we arrived in Paris around 2:00 pm so we only had time to hit a few stops.  We were lucky to have the most beautiful weather, it was overcast but still fairly warm.  Our first destination was the Arc de Triomphe.

The cutest most charming group of ladies asked if they could take our picture for us...they took about 50 on Isaac's phone but we couldn't even be mad because they were so nice.

The clouds were out of control that day, making for the most epic pictures.

From there we walked to the Eiffel Tower.  Walking through Paris was an absolute dream.  Everyone is dressed so perfectly, it's a beautiful thing.  I really had to step up my game.  It was really impressive when I saw a woman running down an escalator in high heels...running! I was tripping over myself in my flats, it was pathetic.

So the Eiffel Tower was sort of incredible, aside from the obnoxious street vendors it was so charming.  

We loved watching the cute families playing with their kids on the grass.

Obligatory cheesy kissing picture...sorry...not sorry.

I mean...

We continued walking and ran into a little Gelato/Bakery place and just couldn't resist.

As we walked back to our B&B we ran into an abandoned fountain that was turned into a skate park.

DAY 2:

The next day we got an early start and ate breakfast with a charming family who was staying at the same B&B as us.  We ate on the top floor of our building, and had so much fun talking with Phillip and the Australian family about our plans for the day.  We started with the Louvre. It. Was. Big. So incredible how much art they can fit in one building.  It was so much fun going through with Isaac because he is like a fountain of knowledge when it comes to art history.  

We then walked along the water and then crossed Love Lock Bridge to head over to our cooking class. We ran into the cutest little cafe that unfortunately had the worst food.  Fortunately the ambiance made up for the bad food...sort of.

It was on to our cooking class after that where we learned how to make french macaroons.  Although our macaroons looked far from perfect or anything close to perfect for that matter, they were delicious.  I think the worst part was having to wait 24 hours to eat them, but it was well worth it.

After the cooking class we walked over to Notre Dame and then went to a charming little book store called Shakespeare and Company...I have just realized I may be using the word "charming" a bit much but there is no other way to describe this wonderful city.

We ended our day with a night time walk to the Eiffel Tower to see the twinkle lights.  Paris was a dream and although we were only there for 2 days, we had a blast.

this is where we ate breakfast

waiting in line at the Louvre

How cute is the little cafe?

I am pretty excited about the macaroons.

Isaac was a pro.

Don't judge too harshly, but I will say they were quite delicious.