swiss pics

Here are some pics of switzerland

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=553598561&security=YefbJR

Swiss Alps

My second trip to the Jungfrau region in Switzerland cemented its spot among the top of my list of favorite places in the world. It is literally jaw-dropping beautiful. It is very hard to explain the views and the landscape of the reagion in words. You just have to go. Cozy little Swiss villages nestled on slopes of some the steepest mountains in thw world. Thousand foot waterfalls line the steep and jagged mountain walls. Derek and I stayed in the sleepy town of Murren. The only access to the village is by gondola and there are no cars. This is probably the only thing that keeps this spot from being extremly touristed, which is wonderful. We rode up on another gondola to the top of the Schiltorn mountain in the morning of our first day. At the top were more eye popping views. But we didnt ride up just for the views. our goal was to hike back down, 4000 ft worth, to Murren. Wehn we got there, Derek asked some locals about the hike down and then promptly laughed at him because they saw he was wearing on some new balance running shoes and I was in my nikes. They said "Ha, no way you will make it down. You will slide on your ass all the way down unless you have have hardcore hiking boots." We obviously went anyway. It was the hardest and steepest hike i had ever been on, but we conquered in. The hardest and scariest thing we had to came across were two massive swiss cows in the middle of the trail near the bottom. We went on to eat rosti and drink beer that night to complete an amazing day. We had to leave the next day but I will be back!

pics

I am posting some pictures on webshots.
http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=553439038

i think that link should work, more pics to come next time i have internet!

Brugge

Well today I was very sad to say goodbye to Belgium as we headed east to Germnay. Belgium is famous for its waffles and chocolate, but its beer is its true passion. Belgium beer is the finest that I have ever tasted, some of my favorites being the Westmalle trappist and the Leffe Bruin (Brown). Medievel Brugge is a feast for the eyes with its towering belltowers, castles, and narrow cobblestone streets. The highlights of the trip to Brugge were eating waffles with chocholate, bananas and ice cream for breakfast, taking a tour at the local Brugse Zot brewery, and, at night, drinking the world's finest beer while mingling with the extremely friendly locals in cozy pubs. My favorite pub is the 't Brugs Beertje in brugge. I will visit Brugge again someday if only to go there once more and have a Westmalle Trappist. There is so much more to say, i didn't even finish up the rest of my trip in Amsterdam (which was amazing, one of my top 3 favorite cities in the world) but there is no possible way to explain everything I've been seeing and feeling. Germany tomorrow and switzerland after that!

19 August-Amsterdam

Well, after a long and tiring travel "day" from Denver to Barcelona, I made it from Barcelona to Amsterdam last night with ease. Amsterdam took my breath away right when I walked out of the train station. It is a beautiful and unique city. After arriving at 23:00 (11pm) Derek and I set out to fulfill our hunger and explore the city. About 4 hours and 5 miles walked later, we came back to our very cool hotel in which my dad and Graham stayed in two years ago. Amsterdam is very easy to get lost in because just about every street looks like the one you just came from...except the ones with all the whores on it. The red light district was unlike anything I've seen before. Girls advertising themselves to you by knocking on the window and waving at you as you walk by. Black drug dealers walking past you every 50 feet or so asking if you want cocaine and other stuff. Barcelona and Amsterdam have much different vibes. Barcelona is an electric city, while Amsterdam seems a little more laid back. Barcelona is a bit more intimadting, as it seems that english is a bit looked down upon...while in Amsterdam it is frequently spoken. Well, the 10 day journey from Amsterdam through Brugge, Belgium to the Rhine Valley down to the Swiss alps has gotten off to a great start. I want to continue to update this writing but am not sure how accessible internet will be at the next stops. I have to go, we are trying to go to either the Van Gogh meseum or the Anne Frank House or the Heineken Factory Today. I am new to this blog stuff but I think you can make comments and you should. Gotta run, hope you are all doing well!