Switzerland

Well, unfortunately we cannot post pictures because of internet reasons but don't worry, we are safe and sound in Geneva. It's basically France but cleaner. The dog poop is nonexistent which, makes us very happy and the graffiti is about half that of most major cities in France. We have had a good time but unfortunately will not be visiting Annecy. We wanted to visit but it is somewhat difficult to get there but we are probably climbing the French alps tomorrow so that is pretty exciting!

Friday morning we leave for Interlaken and could possibly go either hang-gliding or canyoning. The scenery is beautiful and like most other cities, they are all uphill to get to the center. Switzerland is extremely expensive but the exchange rate is much better. The swiss franc is just under a dollar but things cost much more so it doesn't help too much. Some things are excessively overboard such as a movie ticket costing 18 francs. Yes we know, you could buy the movie for the same price. Oh well, Harry Potter will just have to wait!

We will post pictures of Switzerland when we have the availability so prepare for massive blogposts. Pictures and all that will come as well and there are many great pictures to share with everyone! On to answering some questions from Erika's mom:

1) When you think of your time in France, what is your most vivid memory?

AJ: Most vivid memory would probably be the scooter ride through Marseilles as we have never been on scooters before and to see what we saw while riding was incredible and up to this point a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Erika: AJ STOLE MINE!!!! :) I am so glad that we had the same memory! It really says something about how special it was! The images, the excitement of something new, standing on top of the world with the wind blowing wildly was simply amazing and something I think we both know doesn't come along very often!

2) What was your favorite "touristie" thing to do?

AJ: Sacre-Couer because I was not well aware of what it was and it was a stunning surprise that sticks with me.

Erika: Climbing the Eifel Tower. You see images of it everywhere and now I can say, 'oh yeah! I've been there! No, not just in front of it, climbing it!'

3) What was your favorite meal?

AJ: Quiches in both Dijon and Marseilles cooked by couchsurfing hosts.

Erika: This is so hard to choose because we have had so many great meals!! Trying rataouille for the first time was so fun and delicious! Having different quiches in three different cities, Dijon, Montpeliier, and Marseille was fun and they were all so good! And definitely Maider's salad in Lyon was mmmmmmm!!!

4) What was your favorite new food?

AJ: Quiche because they were delicious and even though I have had the small ones, these were completely cooked from scratch.

Erika: The gelato in Nice was so good! It tasted like blended fruit that was frozen! The watermelon really tasted like watermelon!

5) If you could only go back to one place, where would it be?

AJ: Impossible to truly answer but the Notre Dame de la Gared in Marseilles is definitely at the top!

Erika: I would want to go back to the Louvre but when there are no tourists...fat chance, I know. But they have so many magnificent paintings and we didn't get to see half of them. I am glad we got to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but I would love to have a day to wander and spend as much time in front of each painting as I would like!

6)What would you tell your friends not to miss?

AJ: How about a list- Notre Dame in Paris, Notre Dame in Marseilles, Sacre-Couer in Paris, Notre Dame de Fourviere in Lyon, All of Chartres because it was incredible and many more. Those come to mind most easily though.

Erika: It is easier to say what not to do that list what to do! There are simply too many things! I will say thought that we have made it a point to walk more than any other mode of travel and I think in this way, we have gotten to know each city more intimately. Getting lost and taking the long way to something has definitely allowed us to stumble upon some of the best surprises!

7) Where were the friendliest people?

AJ: Our couchsurfing hosts hands down but from the everyday people it would probably be everyone except Parisians.

Erika: AJ says it all :) We were so lucky to find couchsurfing! Everyone we have been able to meet through couchsurfing has been amazing! They have all been so hospitable, so helpful, really fun to talk to, and people we want to keep in touch with!

8) What is your favorite new wine?

AJ: Every red wine we tried in Dijon because they were very good! Our wine-making host definitely treated us very well when it came to that aspect especially!

Erika: Real champaigne! So delicious!

9) How many cathedrals can you look at in a day?

AJ: I can look at cathedrals all day but get somewhat bored with the gothic cathedrals that are almost identical to each other. We have seen sooooo many cathedrals but typically, the Notre Dame's are the biggest and most luxurious per city.

Erika: Although we pass by a ridiculous amount of churches in a day, we never let one pass us by. There is always something a little unique about every one that makes it memorable. Notre-Dame in Paris was the most impressive, Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille had the most breathtaking views, and a small church in Lyon had the most amazing statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus!

10) Will what you experienced in France change how you travel in Switzerland and Italy?

AJ: Well considering we have never really travelled on buses, trains or trams, just having the knowledge of how the system works has helped tremendously. It is much easier to figure out where we are and how to get places after all this time.

Erika: We have gotten much more comfortable with living out of our suitcases, figuring things out that are in a different language, we ask anyone and everyone for help, and living moment by moment that things are much easier now than they were in the first two weeks.

11) Do you still like each other having spent the last 5 weeks together?

AJ: Yes we like each other.

Erika: Sometimes AJ hogs the bed, but I still love him :)

Hopefully we will have internet connection and be able to post some of our photos ad memories!