Switzerland Travels Part II

This is my continuation of my travels in Switzerland.  Check out Part 1 here!

Thursday of my trip Alice took me to Neuchatel where my grandma spent 2 years studying at the University. It was a beautiful city right on the water next to Lake of Neuchatel.  The lake was so pretty to look at and there were so many swans everywhere!  I don't think I've ever seen so many swans before!!

Look at all those swans!!

Around the docks were boathouses that had paintings on them.  They all had their own personality which was cool to walk along and see.

We also went to the Basilica on top of the hill.  It was a bit of a steep climb but the view and the church was beautiful.  The Church was reformed by Guillaume Farel in 1530.  He lived in one of the houses right next to the church during his time in Neuchatel and it still stands today.  The church was very simple but beautiful at the same time.  There were stars painted on the ceiling which I imagine must be really cool to look at during the night.

My last full day in Switzerland, Alice set me free to explore Laufen on my own.  Laufen was a cute town with a ton of adorable shops.  I just meandered around for the morning and enjoyed the fresh air.  I walked along the river which runs through town.  Not much was happening on a Friday morning so I headed back to Alice's for a nice lunch which she prepared a relaxing afternoon before our big dinner I mentioned in my first post about Switzerland.

The main center of town

Down by the water

A COW!!

The Ricola Factory

I was sad when my trip came to close because I was enjoying getting to know Alice.  There is so much more of Switzerland I want to see so I'm hoping to go back in the near but probably distant future.

Till next time for my trip in Germany!!

Switzerland Travels!!

My last post talked about my hostess and experiencing some family history while in Switzerland.  This post is going to be about where Alice took me during my AWESOME stay.

Our first day we explored Basel.  Alice showed me New Basel, Old Basel, Big Basel, Little Basel.  I did get confused sometimes.  However, Basel was beautiful.  Alice took me on a complete walking tour up and down side streets and main streets.  Probably the most beautiful building was the Town Hall.  It was bright red with beautiful paintings and designs everywhere.  It was stunning.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

As we were walking we came across Johann Wanner's store.  He is apparently very popular with important people for holiday ornaments.  I have to say from the window everything looked beautiful!  Unfortunately his shop wasn't open yet when we walked by so I didn't get to go in.

 We also walked down by the Rhine River and saw some of the boats go by.  It also has one of the best views of Basel and a Helvetica, the Lady of Switzerland, statue.

Helvetica

Alice also took me to the Basel Zoo where I tried to learn some animals in German but please don't quiz me!

The next day Alice took me to Interlaken, which is a place my mom knew well on her visits to Switzerland growing up.  It would also a good place to see the Swiss Alps if it wasn't so cloudy like the day I was there. Well, I guess this means I got to go back.  Anyways, while in Interlaken we saw the cutest train ride which tours the town.  We didn't do this train tour but we did do another one through the mountains.

The mini train we saw

Our train ride ended in Luzern.  The famous covered bridge for Switzerland is located in Luzern and I walked across it!  Alice and I spent some time just walking around Luzern.  On our journey I noticed a lot of buildings also had paintings like the town hall in Basel.  I really liked seeing all the different art work and designs on everything.  I think it added to the architecture.

The Bridge

On the bridge

One of the many colorful fountains

A beautiful detail on the side of the building

My favorite painting

Alice and I thought this family was hilarious

One last painted building...

So I'm going to stop this post here since I put in a lot of pictures.  However, Part 2 will just be around in the next couple of days!

UPDATE:  Check out Part 2 here!!

Learning about Family

When I went to Switzerland I wanted to learn a bit more about my family.  My grandparents grew up in Switzerland and my mom traveled there a lot growing up.  I used to hear stories and have always wanted to ski in Switzerland.  I didn't end up skiing this trip there but I did learn a bit about my family.

A really good friend of my grandma, whom is like a sister, lives in Switzerland.  She took me in for a week of my spring break.  I couldn't have asked for a better hostess in Alice.  I can see why my mom has taken to calling her Aunt.  The last time I met Alice, I was 6 months old so it has been awhile.  It goes without saying that I don't remember her visit.  I will always remember this last visit.

Alice and I

English isn't Alice's first language but she has been learning for sometime now.  We got along well and kept our sentences simple so we were able to manage just fine.  Her neighbor, Marlis, used to live in England so we had her to help out if we really needed too but we were able to manage.

My new extended family!

Upon arriving in Switzerland, Alice treated me just like family with a big hug when I stepped off the train at the station and an Easter basket waiting for me in my room at her house.

Yummy Swiss Chocolate!

Marlis and her son, Jerome, also accepted me into their family.  I didn't spend so much time with them but when I did they were the most welcoming people ever!  For my last dinner in Switzerland, Marlis made me a delicious traditional Swiss dinner called Raclette.  It is a dinner where everyone melts a slice a cheese and then pours it over potatoes.  You can add in ingredients as it is melting such as bacon or onion.  After you can spices too!  I tried a bunch of different combinations and they were all delicious!

The setup

My cheese melting

My first attempt!

 One of the great things about this trip was Alice knew a lot about my grandma's life in Switzerland and was my great-grandfather's caretaker for awhile.  As we were traveling around the northern part of Switzerland, Alice pointed out places where my great-grandfather liked to visit and told me a bit about what he liked to do.  Alice also took me to where my grandma used to live during her years at University in Neuchâtel.  To thank her for everything I went to the store all by myself and bought her a potted plant since she loves flowers!

A little dark but she was so happy!!

A bit more about my travels in Switzerland to come soon!

Easter with the Pope!

Sorry it has been awhile!! I haven't had internet access in so long!  However, expect a lot of updates from my travels this week!

I had an AWESOME Easter last weekend!!  I spent it in Rome with Pope Francis.  I attended a trip through WSA.  WSA is a program designed for study abroad students or backpackers where they host trips throughout the semester in major cities where students generally want to visit.  I highly recommend looking into them because it was totally worth it!!  I loved every minute of my trip, even when my feet were killing me from walking so much!!  (http://www.wsaeurope.com/)

My first day in Rome wasn't too exciting because it was an arrival day.  However, throwing the schedule out the window (not really but it was unplanned), our tour guide, Andy, took us to some local churches where they decorate the alters on Holy Thursday for people to come and pray.  People normally go from church to church looking at each setup and saying a short prayer.

 

Our next day was super busy!!  We started off our day touring the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel.  Both were AMAZING!!  I have to say I was good and didn't take any pictures while in the chapel.  Our tour guide explained the history of the Vatican and explained to us where certain rooms and artifacts came from.  She did her best to keep us together but it was hard with the amount of people!

I loved the artwork everywhere!

After our tour we got gelato!  Yep my first taste of gelato was amazing and messy!  I ending up getting it everywhere including all over my jacket!  (No worries it came out clean!)

Yum!!

We then climbed up to the top of the hill next to Vatican City where you could see all of Rome.  The view was AMAZING!!

That night we went to Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum given by Pope Francis.  It was packed to the capacity with people and it was a great experience!

The Pope is the white on the right under the red tent

Saturday gave me an experience not many people get to have.  Our original tour to visit St. Peter's Basilica was cancelled because they closed it for preparations.  We tried to go really early but there was already massive crowd there!!  Andy made a few phone calls and brought us in through a side entrance so we could get in before our next scheduled tour!  So, yes, now I can say I snuck into St. Peter's Basilica.  Don't worry the Swiss Guards let us through!

Sneaking in

The Swiss Guard

Inside the Basilica!!!

After St. Peter's we headed over to tour the Colosseum.  It was cool to actually go inside somewhere I only have seen in pictures.

We then toured the Roman Forum and walked through some back street to get to the Python.

That night we had a huge feast!  Two types of pasta, pizza, bruschetta, and dessert!  I have to say I was stuffed by the end of the night.  We also received our Vatican tickets at dinner!

We stopped off at the Trevi Fountain on the way!

My two AWESOME tour guides and I after dinner

Yep I officially have access!

Sunday was the main reason most people where in Rome at that time:  Easter mass.  Mass was Spectacular!  I was able to get 6th row seats so I had perfect view of everything that went on!  Hearing Pope Francis give his first Easter mass as Pope was a really cool experience.  It was just surreal being in Vatican City with everyone else there!  I couldn't have asked for a better memory.

Made it to Vatican City!

Beginning of mass

Pope in the Pope Mobile

The Pope giving a blessing after mass

I highly recommend looking into WSA.  Going to Rome through them was the best choice I ever made!  Switzerland updates soon!