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Switzerland...I fell in love with you the second I crossed your border! I had the most amazing experience in Interlaken, Switzerland for orientation from Sun January 18 to Tues January 20. As we drove through the valleys of the Swiss Alps, I couldn't contain my excitement! I'm always the happiest driving through beautiful landscapes, and Switzerland's is easily one of the most exquisite I've ever seen. Some areas were covered in snow which made everything that much more picturesque. We got settled in our hostel, Backpacker's Villa, before exploring Interlaken for dinner. Almost all the little restaurants were closed because it was Sunday night, but we found a cute Italian place (yes, more Italian food!) where I had a delicious gnocchi dish. After dinner, we enjoyed a walk around Interlaken before returning to the hostel. I needed to be rested for snowshoeing the next day!
Monday January 19 was the very definition of a perfect day. It all started when I went snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps! After getting fitted for snow boots and gear, we loaded up in a bus and began our journey up the Alps. We had to take a cable car higher up the mountain to get to Sulwald-Isenfluh to snowshoe. The views were already incredible, but I couldn't wait to climb even higher. When we got up the first steep part of our journey, I did not think I was going to make it. The higher altitude made it all the more challenging, but I kept hiking anyway. Boy, was I glad I did! No picture or detailed description would be able to capture the true beauty I saw standing 1,600 meters above Interlaken. Snow capped mountains with evergreen trees dusted in snow surround you, and pristine white snow covers the slopes down to the bottom. At the highest point we snowshoed, we were able to look down at the entire town of Interlaken. Absolutely incredible! I'll remember this experience for the rest of my life. Next came the fun part: getting down the mountain. When our tour guides, Ronny and Mustard, told us we'd be running down the Alps, I thought they were joking. I quickly discovered they weren't. I literally RAN down Swiss Alps to the cable car. I've never had so much fun in my life gliding down the mountain (and falling several times). As I was trying to keep my balance running down, I just took in the beauty around me. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
After making it safely back to Interlaken, we decided to clean up and go shopping. We stopped at a Swiss Chocolate store called Schuh Swiss Chocolates, and noticed they were having a private chocolate show in 20 minutes. We decided to go, so we bought our tickets and nearly bought all the truffles in the display case while we waited. The Swiss Chocolatier came to get us, and he showed us to a small room in the back of their store/ restaurant. We learned the history of chocolate, and got to watch the chocolatier make their truffles. We even got the chance to make our own! The best part, we got samples of whatever chocolate we wanted! Needless to say, I was happily full by the time the show ended. We picked up some chocolate bars for the road, and continued shopping. I got some authentic Swiss Army Knives, and then we headed back to the hostel for dinner. We had a yummy Italian meal that we shared with everyone in the program.
After this wonderful weekend, I was so sad to leave Switzerland. I never imagined I'd be sad to go back to Italy. Don't worry Switzerland, I'll be back!
Monday January 19 was the very definition of a perfect day. It all started when I went snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps! After getting fitted for snow boots and gear, we loaded up in a bus and began our journey up the Alps. We had to take a cable car higher up the mountain to get to Sulwald-Isenfluh to snowshoe. The views were already incredible, but I couldn't wait to climb even higher. When we got up the first steep part of our journey, I did not think I was going to make it. The higher altitude made it all the more challenging, but I kept hiking anyway. Boy, was I glad I did! No picture or detailed description would be able to capture the true beauty I saw standing 1,600 meters above Interlaken. Snow capped mountains with evergreen trees dusted in snow surround you, and pristine white snow covers the slopes down to the bottom. At the highest point we snowshoed, we were able to look down at the entire town of Interlaken. Absolutely incredible! I'll remember this experience for the rest of my life. Next came the fun part: getting down the mountain. When our tour guides, Ronny and Mustard, told us we'd be running down the Alps, I thought they were joking. I quickly discovered they weren't. I literally RAN down Swiss Alps to the cable car. I've never had so much fun in my life gliding down the mountain (and falling several times). As I was trying to keep my balance running down, I just took in the beauty around me. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
After making it safely back to Interlaken, we decided to clean up and go shopping. We stopped at a Swiss Chocolate store called Schuh Swiss Chocolates, and noticed they were having a private chocolate show in 20 minutes. We decided to go, so we bought our tickets and nearly bought all the truffles in the display case while we waited. The Swiss Chocolatier came to get us, and he showed us to a small room in the back of their store/ restaurant. We learned the history of chocolate, and got to watch the chocolatier make their truffles. We even got the chance to make our own! The best part, we got samples of whatever chocolate we wanted! Needless to say, I was happily full by the time the show ended. We picked up some chocolate bars for the road, and continued shopping. I got some authentic Swiss Army Knives, and then we headed back to the hostel for dinner. We had a yummy Italian meal that we shared with everyone in the program.
After this wonderful weekend, I was so sad to leave Switzerland. I never imagined I'd be sad to go back to Italy. Don't worry Switzerland, I'll be back!