Jan. 13
Where to begin! I suppose I will start at the beginning and work my way through this crazy day. Friday afternoon we left on the bus for Interlaken. About ten miles outside of Interlaken we got stuck in traffic for an hour because someone got in an accident on the crazy mountain roads of Switzerland. So upon arrival at the hostel (Balmer’s), we had 15 minutes to check in (44 of us), find our room, change into winter clothes, and make it to the train station where we would catch our bus to night sledding. Somehow we managed to make it, and we were on our way to a night of fun….
Our hostel.
When we were dropped off at the bottom of the mountain, a gondola took us to the top. This ride was freezing and kind of scary/cool! We were so high up and fog was surrounding us. We had one tiny light that constantly was going out, so it was dark too.
At the top of the mountain, we were treated to a great meal of cheese fondue with bread and potatoes. 44 loud Americans in a restaurant was not exactly what the waiters wanted/liked. So after winning the waiters over with our charm and kindness (this didn’t really happen because apparently Germans don’t like Americans no matter what we do), we went to find our sleds…
A young man named Sam attempted to give us instructions, but most of us couldn’t hear him, so we just grabbed our sleds and followed the crowd. The instructions must have gone something like this: helmets and headlamps are advised, do not put more than one person on the sled unless you want to go at warp speed down the Alps, heal in on the right to turn right (because this slope is very curvy), and wear snow pants and other such warm attire.
Whitney and I (and the rest of our crew) clearly missed such instruction because we did not have helmets or headlamps, we got one sled to share, we had no idea how to steer our sled, and Whitney was wearing yoga pants and sneakers (I at least had warm clothes on). What came next was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.
As we sat in our sled and pushed off onto what looked like a slight decline, we slowly picked up speed until we were around 40mph. We proceeded to bail off the sled because we had no idea where to go (the little lights that were supposed to “guide” you around the course were hardly visible with the intense fog) or how to stop. One wrong turn off the path and we would be sent careening down the face of the Alps, most assuredly to our death. Needless to say, we made it down to the beginning with only a few bumps and bruises. Whitney, having been brave enough to take the front seat in our sled, was one giant snow ball- from her eyelashes to her sneakers, there was not one dry spot on her. It was an experience to say the least.
Jan. 14
Saturday was a much more relaxing day. A few people chose to go paragliding, but I am very afraid of heights, so I chose to watch this adventure and not participate. When everyone was done with that, we had lunch at a little restaurant next to our hostel. I had a burger that tasted like no burger I have had before- definitely not an American burger. After exploring the town and picking up a few souvenirs, we went back to the hostel to get ready for dinner and dancing.
Where the paragliders took off (top of the mountain).
We went to a very cool Irish Pub for dinner. With good food and company, it was a great way to start the evening. After dinner, we went to a small club in our hostel and continued to bond and enjoy being in Interlaken. I actually recognized an Italian song that came on (from the Coyote Ugly bar), so that was pretty cool. Our bus driver happened to be at the bar too, so that was kind of awkward watching him drink the day before he had to drive us back down the crazy roads.
Jan. 15
The drive back took forever because apparently it is custom for bus drivers to take 10-20 minute breaks every hour. The sleep arrangement was pretty uncomfortable at the hostel, so I did not get much sleep this weekend, and I think I may be catching a cold, so I am going to bed early tonight (and no class until 1:30 tomorrow!). Next weekend we go to Munich, Germany! Should be more to do there than extreme sports.
