Welcome to the third article of the European Tour series!
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As we finished our journey in the City of Love, we continued on a long bus ride to Switzerland. While most slept during the road-trip, I was taking pictures of the beautiful countryside. Our countrysides in Oklahoma, or any of the mid-western states for that matter do not come close to comparing to this. The beauty is breathtaking.
We knew we were getting close to Crans-Montana because we started driving up a very winding road to get to the top; where the little town proudly rested. We passed many houses, little markets, and the sides of the mountain consisted of little orchards, which I assumed were grapes. When we reached the area that we were staying in, we knew it right away. Mostly because two of the residents were holding a sign that said "WELCOME TO CRANS-MONTANA, AMBASSADORS". I felt so special, as I'm sure everyone did.
We exited our buses and headed to our assigned hotels. Since this is a common place for vacationing (specifically for skiing), there were tons. My hotel was near the middle of the town square, and the balcony (3rd floor) had a view of the mountains which peered beautifully between the buildings. We got settled in our rooms, and we set off to the event that some of the residents had planned for us. Inside a make-shift building, there were enough tables to seat all of us, along with a big stage, and a bar to the side. I gladly helped myself to the drinks (because 16 is the legal drinking age there). Throughout the night, we enjoyed our dinner and the cultural performances that they gave us, whether it be playing instruments or showing short skits that they wrote. The main thing I remember from that night was pure happiness, endless laughter, and the locally brewed alcohol (I'll admit, those three might have gone hand-in-hand. Regardless, it was a fun night.)
We made way back to our hotels to get ready for the next day. Before sleeping, I stepped outside on the balcony to call my mom and update her on the trip thus far. During this conversation, I couldn't help but recognize our bus drivers walking along the street and go into a building next to my hotel; Harry's Cabaret Club (for those who are unfamiliar with the term, it's a bar and strip club. Google it, I dare you). I couldn't help but laugh, and my mom had about the same reaction when I told her. I see you guys, I see you. What the wife doesn't know won't hurt her, right? (haha)
I woke up the next morning for the events for the day. I stepped outside for fresh air and saw light fog throughout the town. It added another layer of beauty to the sights. The sunrise, the fog, the mountains. Obviously I took a picture, because oh my God.
We went down for breakfast, everyone ready to go. The day consisted of all of us going up the ski lifts to see the mountain. None of us went skiing though. We mainly went "hiking" and the lifts were mostly for more sight-seeing. The chaperones basically let us go for the day, so (another s/o) Brandon, Lexis, and I ventured through the town. We low-key raided a supermarket because...well food. That day is a little blurry to me, but I know we had fun.
Maybe the same day, or maybe another one (I don't know), we got on our buses and drove to Montreux. This is a little resort town off of Lake Geneva (Google it. Do it). We took a tour of a castle and walked around the town. In the town square stands a statue of an iconic performer: Freddie Mercury. (If ya'll don't know who that is, you're uncultured. Sorry, not sorry.) The bronze statue of Freddie was placed in 1996 as a commemoration to him. When he visited Montreux, he had fell in love with it and decided to settle there at one point. Freddie said "If you want peace of soul, come to Montreux", and I can see why. Lake Geneva is the most beautiful shade of blue I had ever seen, the people are the nicest and most wonderful I've met, and the architecture is gorgeous. It is by far one of my favorite places.
Our last destination in Switzerland was the Matterhorn, one of the most beautiful (and near symmetrical) peaks of the Swiss Alps (straddling a border between Switzerland and Italy--which is next on the list!). Unfortunately, when we got to our chosen viewing area, the fog was SO thick that we couldn't see past the edge. As a result, we weren't able to see the Matterhorn, so Google has helped us a lot with what we missed out on. BUT we did take pictures with their two signature "mascots", St. Bernard's (the female, Sadie is expecting puppies!!).
If I ever got a chance to go back to any of the countries in this series, I would go back to Switzerland, no hesitation. It's so calming and I would live there if I had the option.
Stay tuned till next week!
