Turin, Italy; Lyon, France; and Mount Blanc

So, this week I went to Italy, visited the cullinary capital of France and saw the highest peak in Europe. For only a few days, I accomplished a lot! I had a great week and have lots to report. Turin, Italy: In Turin, there is lots of history and lots to see. We saw ancient Roman Ruins, and the chapel of the Holy Shroud. We walked all around the city and took tons of pictures. I loved the ambiance there and enjoyed the way that they preserved the old city. We were there on a Monday and the museums are closed on Monday's. I was sad in the beginning, but we were able to actually see a lot. We ate pasta and the best pizza of my life! The album of Turin shows just how beautiful I thought it was. Lyon, France: Lyon is the cullinary capital of France, and I had great food there as well. We enjoyed lunch in an Irish pub and dinner at a traditional French dinner with food from the region. I had spicy sausage and a chicked dish that was great. I finished with a chocolate mousse. We then walked in ancient Roman ruins and stumbled upon R.E.M. rehearsing for a concert that evening, and were able to sit less than 10 yards from them and listen to them rehearse while sitting in an ancient roman stadium. I can't even put into words what it was like! We then walked around and saw some great things in the cathedrals and enjoyed a great evening ending with a crepe! Mount Blanc: Well, this was awesome! We rode a train to a large glacier called the sea of ice, and were able to walk around inside an ice cave. It was a museum and it had sculptures inside. We then rode a cable car up to the top where we had a view of Mount Blanc (tallest peak in Europe) and a view of the Matterhorn. I was a amazed at the beauty, and loved how clear and crisp the air was there. I loved this week, and plan to check out of my room on Saturday and head to Paris. As long as I have internet, I'll keep updating my posts, but I can't promise anything. I head to Prague after Paris and finally to the South of Italy and to Rome. I'll hopefully be able to keep up on my blog, and send you picutres from my adventures!!!

Bern, Switzerland

I'll start off by saying that I'm sorry for not writing anything for so long, I just have been terribly busy this week. I've had to write two separate ten page papers for one of my lectures, so I've been researching and writing all week.

Other than than, last weekend was fantastic. I went to Bern, Switzerland. This picture is of part of the city with a view of the bluest river I've ever seen! Also, I jumped in this river and rode the current from quite a ways. Anyone that knows me understands that doing that sort of thing is not quite my cup of tea. I was brave though, and just did it! I'm attaching an album that is only of Bern, and also one that is of the day before in Geneva that included the World Trade Organization, the World Intellectual Properties Organization, and a tour of the old city. So, I hope you enjoy it.

In Bern, the highlight is that this city is protected by UNESCO. It is an organization that works toward the preservation of beauty and cities that are historically important. So, it is wonderful! Also, Einstein lived here for around two years, and his apartment is a museum. He actually developed the theory of relativity here, and I was able to stand in the apartment where that took place. The energy there was indescribable, and I was brought to tears a couple of times thinking about the magnitude of what took place there. I took a picture next to his actual desk, and was able to see and touch the furniture that he lived there with. I was moved by the experience and enjoyed it.

The rest of the city is fantastic, and you will see from the pictures. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Going back to the World Trade Organization, I was so excited to go there, and was very disappointed. They showed us a film and gave us a secretary to answer our questions that insulted us and made us feel stupid. I was sad because I wanted to learn so much, and when I asked questions, instead of answering he danced around the question and didn't give us an organization. I was sad at the way it turned out.

The rest of the trip was great, and you will see how much I enjoyed it from the pictures!