We're Walking We're Looking...

After a long nap yesterday afternoon we got up refreshed and ready for dinner. We went to a youth hostel here called Balmers. Our travel books told us it is THE place to be. It was a wild place. We ate some good hamburgers and paid around $4 for a beer and we met tons of other students. Most of them were from the states and we actually ran into 4 people from Austin. We had a great time and made a lot of friends and got some good advice about some of the places we are about to go to.

This morning we woke up and ate the excellent breakfast served by the very nice couple who run this hotel. They are the nicest people ever. My mother loves bed and breakfast places and I think she would have a hard time leaving this one. Every time we leave the lady, Ursula, hands us a map and asks us where we want to go and what we want to do. She is also beautiful. Her husband is really nice and very patient too.

After breakfast we slowly got ready for the day and waited a bit for the rain to settle down a bit. Finally we left and caught a train down the way a bit. We took a cable car up an alp. The clouds were very low earlier today and it was very interesting as we disappeared into the clouds. This is the same place where the Bond in the alps was filmed. I can't quite recall the name of the Bond film, but clearly remember it during the Bond Marathon on TNT. We got up to the top hoping to hike down, but there had been quite a bit of snowfall and it became evident we wouldn't be able to hike. Even the cable operator said it is impossible. Here is a picture of where the hike would start (Yeah not possible):

We took the cable back down and took a different hiking trail to the next city to see some waterfalls and just enjoy the surroundings. We walked 6 kilometers each way. It was intense but the scenery was spectacular. Halfway through the trek we came to a cave waterfall place. An elevator took us up to the top and we had to walk about a million more stairs. The water was gushing at an incredible pace. It was amazing. Here is a picture of me attempting to jump in:
I can't describe how strong this current was. We had a great time looking around.

We then began our journey back to the train to get back to Interlaken. Another six kilometers later in the cold we were ready to get back to the hotel. On the way to the hotel we went into a chocolate shop and bought some very tasty treats. Mom, I got chocolate covered caramels in honor of you and some excellent cranberry chocolates. It was expensive, but amazing. We still can't decide what is put in the chocolate here to make it so amazing.

After a short nap at home we went to find a place for a traditional fondue dinner.

Here we are at dinner. It was again, very expensive, but so good. We sat next to two dutch men. We discussed politics and stereotypes. Needless to say, we have run into many Europeans and they are very frank about their feelings for our President. They are very well read and aware of the different issues involved. I do wish the US had a better presence in the world. It has been very educational talking to everyone here and I feel I have a better grasp on the world.
The rapper Chuck D urged students at his talk at UT to not just become US citizens, but World Citizens. Through our talks with Europeans I feel we have each understood this more and more.
This is the last night in Interlaken. Tomorrow we head for Munich. Thanks to Bob Ikel and my Dad for the tips on Munich. We have wireless internet here, but probably won't for a while so no promises on pictures and posts, but as always I will do my best.