Day Nine: Grindelwald

Cory: So really quick I want you to think of what you would imagine a postcard from Switzerland would look like and if you have a few images of different things in your head, be it the mountains or old houses, it doesn't matter. Why you may ask? Because we are currently in that postcard. Not trying to rub it in or anything but this is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. So at the moment I'm sitting at a cool wooden table in a beautiful wooden home on the far side of the valley under the North Face of the Eiger. 

Today started off kind of sad as we were once again leaving the home of another wonderful family. Nina, Rainer, and their two incredibly adorable boys Daniel and Lukas kindly took us in for the last few days. The boys and I were once again slow to get up this morning causing us to have to rush through our morning. For breakfast we ate a delicious traditional Bavarian meal of white sausage and sweet mustard. We then said a sad goodbye and headed to Mannheim with Nina to catch our train to Interlaken, Switzerland. We said goodbye to Nina and got on our train, finding seats fairly close together. The ride lasted about 4 hours and I slept a lot of the time. We went through some smaller towns in Germany and Switzerland and also went through the capitol of Switzerland, Berne. Berne looked interesting and fortunately I think we may be heading back there later this week because we only got to drive through. 

Upon our arrival in Switzerland we were greeted by au pair number 1, Rita. We started our visit off right by taking a tram up to a spot called Harder Klum which is a restaurant that overlooks all of Interlaken. It was an amazing view that cannot be described, it must be seen. 

Those photos go side by side to give you the full view. The first one being the left and the second the right. We were about 762 meters above the town for this. After hanging out at the top for a bit and getting some lunch we headed down and made our way to Grindelwald. Unfortunately I don't remember the ride as I was asleep, but Parker informed me that it was very beautiful and he saw a lot of waterfalls.

Waking up in Grindelwald was pretty darn cool. The experience was like being a small child in a big city; big eyed, staring in awe up towards the expansive masses rising around you. Even more significant is that Grindelwald sits at the base of one of the most famous peaks in the Alps and maybe even the world, the Eiger (whose North Face is the namesake of the North Face brand). We were heading to the house we would be staying at and I don't think I could've imagined a cooler house and location. Rita's house is on the edge of a hill somewhat overlooking the beginner ski hill of Grindelwald and we are staying in the top floor of a house right next to Rita's. While it is the top floor it's more like an apartment and we have our own entrance and its isolated from the house below. Our view is incredible, looking right up at the Eiger and a few peaks next to it. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy and rainy today and the clouds obstructed some of our view but we were still able to see a lot of it. After getting into our apartment, Elliott took a nap, Grant returned to Interloken with Rita to look for his still lost phone, and Parker and I went on a walk in the surrounding area. As early evening approached, some of the clouds dissipated and the sun was able to peek through some of them, illuminating the North Face and some of the other peaks nearby. Ontop of that two rainbows appeared in the sky, making the view even more breath taking. 

[Photo Credits to Parker for this awesome thing.]

We then headed up to Rita's house for dinner and enjoyed some incrediy delicious cheese fondue, followed by some locally made ice cream, homemade cake and a few other desserts. During dinner we discussed plans for the week and it's going to be quite fun. We are planning on attempting to climb one of the 4000 meter peaks nearby and I am really excited. I'll write soon. XOXO Gossip Girl