THE SOUND OF MUSIC (you saw that coming) - BERN, SWITZERLAND - DAY 14
Switzerland!
Still full from the evening before, we took the early morning train from Paris. We tried to sleep, but once we crossed borders it was simply impossible. We were very lucky, and it recently snowed here, so we got to see all of the mountains, rolling hills and valleys snow capped. We walk out of the station, and try to read signs to get our bearings. We stop at one sign with the entire alphabet in one word, and the only thing that could unfreeze the stupid look on my face is Kay saying, "The words here in Switzerland look like they’ve had a stroke".
Kay contacts our Airbnb host, and he picks us up in the cab he drives for work. We quickly discover that our Airbnb is located in the ghetto in Bern because that’s all that was affordable. No problem though, we’re still right by the river, and experiencing fantastic street art, (graffiti). This may sound like I was making a sarcastic joke, but actually the street art is very vibrant and the city is known for it here. I’m aiming to photograph and video it tomorrow. We immediately drop our stuff and head to Thun to meet *cousin Christopher, and our host heads out for work- No time for introductions.
Christopher has never been to Thun before, but has already explored before meeting us at the train station, and he takes us up this nearly vertical hike. Kay and I weren’t ready for it, but Kay’s humor got me through. As we were going up our spontaneous hike she says, “I sound like a fat man trying to have sex”. We were dying, in more ways than one. It was completely worth it though. The views were spectacular!!! It was SO nice to see Christopher- Both of us being from the States, what an amazing thing to say where we could meet in the world! The hike took the rest of the afternoon. We trekked through the city a bit just as it was getting fully dark, and saw a nearby castle and church. It’s breathtaking here.
We said our goodbyes, hugged tightly twice, and went back home. I’m just sitting down to chicken and rice that I made, a few packed sandwiches for tomorrow, and a can of Jupiler beer I saved from Belgium. We caught up a bit with our host finally. It turns out his father is Swiss, and his mother is South American. He decided to live in Switzerland to work. He speaks French and Spanish, so Kay speaks a little Spanish to him, and I speak a little French. What a small, cool world.
After eating we’re completely exhausted, but another early morning tomorrow! I hope my pictures can better capture what I can’t describe.
Love you!
-eM
