Hotel Bern

... zig-zag. Stones called schindles sit like heavy checkers on old rooftops, awaiting nature's next move. These stones protect the slate from the violent winter winds. Gimmelwald's biggest building is the school in which 2 teachers share one job. There's nothing but air between Gimmelwald and the rock face of the Jungfrau a mile or two across. Kick a soccer ball wrong and it ends up a mile below on the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor. Gimmelwald ...

... and celebrated my birthday and the yank's (his was on the 9th) with some champagne. It was ok, but after a couple of wine glasses full my head was spinning, it was more fun walking around after that. I also watched the terminal because as we found out there isn't much to do at night in Bern, they even turned the fountains off which I was going to jump around in. I also got to try Swiss truffle chocolate (dark and white). They were very good.

... br>So, I got to the hostel, checked in, and then set off to the river to swim. On the way out, I saw some German guys from my hostel also clad in swimsuits with towels. They, too, were going to swim in the river. One of the guys had already done it and had told me that it was great, which eased my nerves a little because the guy at the front desk of the hostel made it sound like I had to be as good a ...

... we arrived we went to the tourist office to get some info on Bern and than went to the phone with the list of Bed and Breakfasts to make calls as the only hostel available was in a 20 bed room. We made some calls but everything was full. We finally just went to McDonalds and had something to eat because we were so tired and hungry. After we ate we felt better and decided to go and check if there was a train to Varenna the same ...

We arrived in Bern in the early evening and caught another above-ground trolly to our host's flat. There was time for toasting our host's new job and not much else before we turned in for the night. The next day, the rain had finally stopped, but a cold fog had rolled in. Our gracious hosts showed us around the old town while the clouds reluctantly lifted to allow in some warming sunlight--but not a view of the Alps, unfortunately ...

... The houses started to get older the further we walked and eventually we found ourselves crossing the river to the famous bear pits of Bern. The reason for the bears is that the guy that originally founded Bern in 1191, named it after the bear that he killed there. The bear is still the mascot of the city, and entire canton of Bern, and there are flags everywhere featuring the bear. On the other side of the river from the old town are bear pits, which are quite horrible ...

... negative), you need good boots (NEG a bloody TIVE), warm cloths (did have that even if they did look very inappropriate), good gloves (negative and they would have been very handy, especially for my snow playing!), a helmet (negative), climbing belt (negative) with attachments and ropes etc (negative negative negative). I just had to laugh at the ridiculousness of my situation. I could not believe that was where i was going! But there was heaps of lovely white shiny bright ...

... mountains. I woke up everz morning, looked outside and could see the alps! We went on 2 hikes, and saw the best views Ive ever seen in mz life. Along one there were tons of waterfalls 1000 meters high... soo beautiful. also did the extreme sport of canyoning+ running out of time on internet so will explain detais to zou upon request at home... ahve pics too+ bye+

... for one more night here, and they tell me the night is free because i've stayed so long. Most hostels kick you out after a certain number of nights. I had been hanging around with a couple in their early twenties that were here. The girl is actually in Iraq and was vacationing here for 2 weeks with her husband who she hadn't seen for 7 months. She was awesome, and I still can't get over the idea of her driving a truck between all the bases ...

... that Kurt and my dad found in Kurt's attic...the table is absolutely perfect for our kitchen...Thanks Kurt!) and assembling all kinds of IKEA furniture!!! A very handy tool indeed! Thanks daddé! After a few fun days with the Nigglis (Kurt and family), my dad drove me back to Neuenhof (extremely early in the morning) which was very nice of him, otherwise I would have had to take the train back (carrying the table too). Dad dropped me off and I said bye:( and off he went ...