"Yeah...we're in the Rockies..."

ILO meeting in Geneva 

My first train ride!

The train to Interlaken was an adventure, possibly more so than the metro. It was my first time on a train, and the high speeds and lack of air conditioning made for an interesting journey. The ride was smooth, but the constant smell of sweat was not.

With a stroke of genius, I previously asked Timothy to share a suitcase with me so we could pack a fan in the other. We were staying in a 15-person hostel in Interlaken, and figured we could use the fan. Upon arriving at Balmers, Interlaken, we enter our room. It’s a small room with 5 twin bunk beds, 15 beds total. Close by, 5 more beds. So 15 total in our group. No air conditioning and 10 guys. This is going to be interesting.

And we're in Interlaken!

After 10 minutes of a diva-off, I convince Timothy that the hostel isn’t awful. I set up the fan (no big deal) and I was ¼ of the way to air conditioning. The first night was brutally warm, but I was too excited for canyoning the next day to pay much attention. That, and I wanted to seem less high-maintenance than others in the room...not mentioning anyone in particular...

So Friday morning comes and it's time to canyon. The pamphlet describes it as a fun, all-ages, let's float down the river party. So I'm excited and ready to do some serious floating.

We get to the Balmers excursion place, and are immediately put in wet suits, special boots, helmets, jackets, and life vests. At the time, I was thinking, "This is awesome! Super extreme!" rather than, "I should probably not sign any contract stating Balmers isn't liable for my life." Anyway, they drive us about 20 minutes up a mountain, and the entire time, play loud Limp Bizkit to REALLY make me feel extreme.

So we get to our "drop off point." Next, we walk up about 10 minutes totally vertical to the top of a mountain. No longer extreme. I felt like that blonde in "The Parent Trap," when she said, "My trainer says I'm in such good shape..." and she's panting going 4 miles. Anyway, I don't have a trainer, but if I did, they'd be in some SERIOUS trouble, because I was basically hyperventilating going up that mountain.

We get up there, and look down. Miles and miles of rocks, waterfalls, canyons, and ropes. Sounds cool right? Yeah, totally. Just check out our video on the previous post.

The entire day consisted of everything going wrong for me. I am an avid direction-follower. That's why I'm an awful cook; I NEVER deviate from a recipe. So every time our guide said to do something, I did it perfectly. However, this is NOT the right way to canyon. I can attest to this from the gallons of water that went up my nose and down my throat. All part of the experience, right?

I must thank Timothy for basically saving me every time. I almost drowned about 5 times, and luckily, I'm light enough for him to rescue me from water. EXTREME.

After, I needed a drink. Badly.

The guys at Metro

Your favorite 2L Vice President and President

Later that day, the rest of our group took a nap. Timothy, on the other hand, convinced me to go exploring around Interlaken. Sidenote: I say "convinced" very lightly; he really just promised me chocolate and photo opportunities. We found AWESOME sights, including the "North Face" symbol on the inside of its clothing.

Timothy with the "North Face" symbol

We found awesome bakeries (as usual) and chocolate shops. SInce we were in Switzerland, we maybeeee ate too much, as the Swiss are KNOWN for their chocolate.

One of the chocolate shops

 We explored a bit more and bought a few souvenirs (postcards, anyone?)

I'm the most outdoorsiest girl around!

 Next, I was ready for a nap. Was Timothy? No way. So then, we bused it to a nearby beach. It was a little cool to be laying out, so we rented a paddle boat and paddled our way into the middle of the glacial lake.

My view of the lake. As you can see, I was paddling very hard. 

He looks happy, but he really wasn't. :)

When we got to the middle, I tricked Timothy into jumping in. Since it was 40 degree Fahrenheit water, he regretted it immediately.

Just checking out the Swiss Alps, in my American flag bathing suit. 

After this, I put my foot down, and it was time for bed. I needed to get back to my 15-person-hostel and no air conditioning. Robb Mongole put it perfectly that evening when he said, "I am lying in a pool of my own sweat." It was a little warm, but I was definitely not going to be the complainer in the group. :)

The next morning, it was white-water rafting time. I brought my camera for before and after shots, which ruled.

Before white water rafting, in our wet suits!

Our group before rafting. Team name? TEAM USA!

After a quick lesson and safety speech (more pictures later), we were on our way. Instantly, we were thrown into Swiss Alps, glacial water. It was FREEZING. Next to me in the raft, was Nick Westley. If you don't know him, he's that huge guy in the picture, second from the left. Figuring the guide was joking when he said if Nick fell in, I'd have to rescue him, I chose Nick as my buddy.

It was intense and exhilarating. I've found that excursions are the best when you think you might die at least once. This one, maybe twice. The guide constantly yelled at me for some reason, to much amusement for everyone else.

Half way down the river, the guide told everyone on the left to jump in the pool. And there Nick went. Our job? To pull in our buddies. Everyone was in the boat, and I was still desperately trying to pull Nick in. Between Nick screaming due to the rapids quickly approaching and everyone else dying laughing, I was in no position to pull in such a...big guy. I struggled and struggled, trying my best, until...a few other people helped him in. Hilarious.

Next, the right side got in. I was pulled our quickly, and was somehow told to pull Timothy in. Timothy CLAIMS he pulled himself in, but I stick to that it was 100% me. No big deal.

After rafting!

After rafting was over, we floated in a lake. Our guide said we could swim, or paddle to shore. Looking right behind us, we see the German rafting boat close in second. Now, what did "Team USA" do? We took on the challenge. The boys instantly began an in-sync chant, and we were going about 30 MPH down the lake. The Germans were close, but we prevailed. After winning this obvious competition, we did a quick, possibly offensive "USA!" chant and were on our way home.

We were extremely hungry after rafting, and one thing came to the guys' minds: Hooters. So there we went. After about 300 Francs worth of burgers, fries, wings, and beer, it was nap time.

Good ol' Hooters!

My nap tim was cut short by 5 guys running in the room, saying it was "time to rent motorbikes!" Once again. I was tricked to get up and do something dangerous.

The group before motorbiking time!

While renting our bikes, I say, "I'll get my own." Timothy shot that down, just about immediately because "he'd be worried." ....Yeah, he just wanted me to teach him how to drive one (like the stickshift in Paris). Sly boyfriend.

AMAZING

The sights we saw on the ride were AMAZING. We went about 30 miles north and about 3000 feet up. It was FREEZING, and every gust of wind was another bone-chilling squeal from the guys.

I must admit, I was terrified at riding with Timothy at first. Last time he told me he had "driven" this new vehicle before, I swear, we almost took out the Eiffel Tower. Luckily, we were around mountains, so it was legit.

Just trusting Timothy with my life, again. 

Nom nom!

We finally entered the town Grindelwald (Harry Potter, anyone?). We saw the glaciers that poured into the lakes, which was amazing. We also got a few desserts and espressos at the top, which warmed us RIGHT up.

The waterfall on the glacier

After a quick lunch/dinner, we followed a cute path downhill. What we found next was adorable at first , then terrifying.

A very unhappy bull

Yes. there was a bull, and it had two baby bulls/cows. We wanted to go closer, so we did. Terrible idea. This bull FREAKED. It charged at us, and pushed us further down this "hill." Then, we realized this hill was actually a driveway, and we needed to get BACK up, past the bull.

The meanest bull around, when we were at the bottom!

So Drew tells us to "quietly" tip toe up the hill, and not to look at the bull. Timothy and I are last, and I legitimately think I might die. When we barely pass it, it starts charging, and we start running for dear life. "Running for dear life" consist of me stumbling up and Timothy behind me, pushing me, but whatevs. 

After the bull incident, happy, but terrified. 

What an awesome day!

Back home, I took a quick nap, then got ready for the evening. We decided to take a quick bike ride before going to the nearest watering hole, just to check the "sun-setting scenery." What happened next was not planned. Somehow, I flipped over my handlebars and landed in a pile of glass. Perfect.

One hour later, Timothy and I had visited the nearest Swiss hospital, had the glass surgically removed, I had dissolvable stitches, and I was in bed. So much for my last night in Switzerland. But, hey, I'm a trooper.

The train ride back was eventful, starting with Drew planning on spreading out, only to be assaulted by 3 tourists.

Drew, entertaining the tourists...or, well, us.

We finally got back to Lyon. Now I'm in bed, blogging, not ready for finals week.

Bring it on, LSU LAW in LYON.

Lesson learned: Bicycles are harder to maneuver in Switzerland and bulls are super protective of their babies."