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
Wow. It is really neat to see you and all these famous places. I know you are having a great experience, but we can't wait to see back here at home too.
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