The trip started out in Metz, France. This town had a neat Cathedral and near the area at Verdun, I saw various places where World War I battles took place. After this place, I arrived in Strasbourg, France. This place was fun and had another cool Cathedral to see. The next and most exciting place I got to go to was Wilderswil, Switzerland. The hotel we stayed at was incredible. It had a volleyball court in the back as well as a castle near it that we could go to and climb all over. Switzerland's mountains were breathtaking, and I got to ski on them! There was a part of the mountain that was pure white; all snow and no trees. Switzerland also had probably the best chocolate I have ever tasted. Here's some of the pictures I got of it all:
This is the view from Wilderswil
This is a view from our Hotel that was amazing
View from top of Ski slope. I think I was above the clouds.
Picture I took while taking a break from a ski slope.
After Switzerland, I arrived at Taize. Taize, France is a small village where a monastery can be found. This monastery/Taize community was an interesting experience. We were somewhat forced to live our lives more simply. No electronics, "prayer/praise" time three times a day, and service. It was definitely different than church camp, and it was very neat to meet and talk with French and German people. Before Taize, my idea of a German was blank and naive. After talking with various people from all over French and Germany, I really began to like them. The Taize experience was definitely not for everyone, but it was definitely a place where people from all around the world can come together as one, no matter what their background is or what views they have.
After Taize, I arrived in Paris. Paris was shockingly amazing. In my mind, I thought Paris was going to be a disgusting city full of smokers and trash etc. However, Paris was way cleaner than London and most of the big cities I have visited. I was impressed. The day my group arrived, I went on a fat bike tour that went on through the night. We even got to ride on a boat that went around Paris. The next day, which was the last day of our trip, we were allowed until 6:15 pm to view whatever we wanted to see in Paris. So, that morning I went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa and a few other highlights found in that museum. But I only stayed an hour because I really did not have much more time. From the Louvre, I walked to the Arc de Triumph (the huge arch thing that sits in the middle of a crazy roundabout). After the Arch, I went to the Eifel Tower, ate lunch, and relaxed. It was an extremely long line to go up to the Eifel Tower, so I did not do it. Next, I saw Notre Dame. Notre Dame definitely met up to my great expectations. Even though I sat and watched people, I did not see the Hunchback of Notre Dame. After this I ended the day with a good Nutella and Banana crepe from a random place I found near my hotel. Here are my pictures from Paris:
The Louvre
Me with Nike
Me with Mona Lisa
Me with Venus de Milo
Eifel Tower at Night
