"Romen' around Italy to Skydiving in the Swiss Alps

Wow, where to start. So much has happened in the last nine days- most once in a life time experiences. I guess I will just start with Rome. when in romeeeeee (had to), we basically just roamed (had to again) around the city the first day seeing the big sights- the pantheon, colosseum, the outside of the roman forum, had some gelato from old stone bridge, hung around Trevi fountain, and ended at looking through the keyhole- which people said was overrated, but i absolutely loved. You basically just look through this keyhole in the door and there is like tall bushes and garden that lead to a direct view of the vatican. I thought it was pretty, while others were like "that is all." Hummm...oh well, I liked it. It is a bit strange how it is so much different being around these places than looking at them in pictures. Every statue, architecture, bridge, etc. is just sooo big. It is remarkable the history and skill seen in many of these sights. It is also a bit strange walking by random ruins and just thinking what could have happend there years ago. The second day we decided to walk to another country- aka the Vatican. We saw the art gallery, where you could see the progression of art throughout the centuries. I feel like I could spend most of a day in this building alone, sooo manyyy beautiful pieces of art. We had the chance to see the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica. Michealangelo amazes me. The Basilica was MASSIVE. Beautiful piece of architecture.
We also got the chance to experience authentic Italian cuisine- yum yum. We made friends with the pizza man one day, who was pretty amazing...his pizza was pretty grand as well. I also realized during the trip that Italian is very similar to Spanish...I found myself understanding bits and pieces of Italian, I think I should study it more, it sounds like a beautiful language.
We stayed in Alessandro's Palace where we had one of the best hostelmates ever. We were all sitting around talking after a long day, and this little tiny guy with a backpack bigger than him comes in and with his amazing English accent says, "Is there any room for me?" For you, of course. His name was Ben from Portsmouth, England, and he was traveling around Italy by himself. Unfortunately we left the next day, so we didn't get to hang out with him other than that night, but we all loved him...hehe
The next day we decided to go to a beach outside of Rome to soak in the burning sun. It was only a 30 min train ride...costed only one euro. So pretty sweet deal, if I do say so myself. The beach was quite beautiful, the sand black in contrast to the very very blue sea. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. That night we took a sleeper train to Bern, Switzerland....which was quite hilarious. I don't quite know what I was expecting, but not six people in a space the size of a little bathroom. Kinda caustrophobic at times for there wasn't much head space cause there were three beds on each side. In our room, there were two girls from Canada- which Max absolutely loved...he loves Canadians cause he has duel citizenship (American and Canadian). There was also a guy from Senegal, Africa...who only spoke French and Italian..and some rap songs, haha. Molly, who is pretty good at French was our translator.

We woke up in Switzerland at 6:20 in the morning. Because check in wasn't till two, we had a full day to explore Bern. Getting in this early, the city was completely dead. It was kinda neat to see the progression from 6 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. By noon, there were people everywhere, markets and vendors everywhere. The city has a midevil feel- with cobblestone streets, fountains, and this giant clock that over looks a street. My favorite part of the city was definitly the bear pit. In the middle of the city there is a bear pit, where lives Pedro the bear from Barcelona. He was pretttyyy sweeet. Humm...we basically just wondered around and enjoyed the beautiful trees, water, and distant view of the Alps. We went to a rose garden- which had no roses, but it did have an excellent view of the city. O, and our hostel was very nice...it had a balcony that overlooked the river, and two kids from Australia were in our room...who were verryy nice. The next day during a long walk, we found a petting zoo..with donkeys, pigs, horses, llamas...and flamingos!! Can I just say...flamingos are hilarious. After seeing a lot in Bern, we decided to head on our to Interlaken, Switzerland...which could be one of my favorite cities thus far.
The name Interlaken literally means, between two lakes. The train we caught is considered a "scenic train" by Eurorail standards...and indeed it was. You are surrounded by the Alps and pretty water. When we arrived, we checked into Balmer's Heritage hostel, which was a very young fun place. The ultimate highlight of Interlaken was skydiving. I have always wanted to do this, and what better place than in the Swiss Alps??? I would not be giving the experience justice by just telling you about it, but I will surely try. Max, Molly and I head out to the skydiving grounds...I was so pumped. Molly just went to watch Max and I. We started by putting on these fashionable blue suits, which made us look pretttyyyyyy hard core. hehe. We learned the techniques slash what was going to happen. Then after waiting awhile, I was harnessed up...and soon after, Hans (the person I jumped with) said ...ready..lets go. They kinda mixed up the order. They thought I was with this kid from Texas instead of Max..but jumping Karma, they couldnt redo the order. I didn't really care if Max was in the same plane as me; the other kid was a little upset he wasn't with his friends..ooo well. Well, any who, the others in the plane were extreme skydivers, jumping solo. They were all German, speaking in German on the way up. Hans was amazing. He kept trying to scare me...it didn't work, I was ready. Hehe. On the way up he looked at my harness and said "uh oh, we got you an extra large harness" I looked at him and said. "It's your fault if I die." He replied, "It's your life." Good point sir. hehe. He just laughed. The ride up was incredible. In the clouds, surrounded by mountains. 13,000 feet above ground...no big deal. hehe...OoOO, I saw the highest part of Europe. Kinda creepy that I jumped from a point that was comprable to the highest point in Europe. Kay kay, now about the actual jump. I was only really nervous for a couple seconds, which was actually quite surprising. I think I was just more excited. When the door opened, i think it all hit me at once. O crap...what am I doing. But then I was distracted by how fresh the air was up there. The extreme jumpers all gave each other the "have a good dive" handshake...wished me luck and just jumped out. I was the last one to go...readdyyy...one, two, threee, head back, smileeeee.... and then followed a couple seconds of my stomach dropping, followed by 45 seconds of free falling. Which, was just like flying. The wind was pushing my face back. Hans then did some spins, which was kinda dizzy...but amazing. The rush was incredible. It was just me looking down at the city and mountains around me. After the free fall (dropping about 7000 feet in 45 seconds), the parachute opens up, and is quite relaxing after that...just an amazing view. It is here were I could take photos and videos. Then I prepared for landing...and it actually went quite smoothly, landing on my feet, opposed to Max's slide in on his butt. hehe. Gosh, just thinking about this experience make me smile. I then got to watch Max's plane take off, and him parachute in. Basically, it was the best experience I have ever had in my entire life.
The next couple days in Interlaken we went hiking and exploring. We walked to one of the lakes with our new friend from Argentina, Sabrina. It is just so beautiful...I'll put up pictures to show you all. The last night in Interlaken, Max, Molly, new Canadian friends, the kids from skydiving, and I all decided to get a beer and watch the Chelsea Liverpool soccer game in the hostel's bar. At the end of the game, I heard my name, turned around to my friend Jo from high school (who also is studying at NUIG). WHAT?! Same country, same city, same HOSTEL....biggest coincidence ever. I still really can't get over it. haha
Well, the next day was our journey to Paris. Because the early trains were all booked, we had till 7 till our train departed from Geneva. So we journeyed the two hours to Geneva...which is almost France, but still in Switzerland. We hung out here for awhile, just walking around, took a nap in a park. Then at 7 caught our train to Paris. We got into Paris at 11 PM. Considering our flight back home was the next day at 9:30; we really didn't have any time to explore the city, and didn't feel like wasting money on a hostel. Sooo, we decided to just sleep at the airport. Well...now this is a story.
We quickly found out that not many people spoke english at the train station. We have always heard that you kinda need to speak french for people to be nice to you. Molly, knowing some french, finally figured out that there were no trains or buses to this obscure airport that ryanair had us flying out of. Crap. We didn't really know what to do...so we asked someone how much it would be for a taxi to the airport. Well first of all...barely any one knew of this airport...bad sign. So, we waited in line for a taxi, where I got swatted at by this old French woman for no reason. We finally got a taxi; he looked up where it was on his GPS system, and said it probably would be 80 euros (all accomplished through Molly and her French). Although this really stunk, we decided to just do it cause there wasn't another way to get there. An hour later, still not at the airport, and he was kinda lost. Shoot. An hour later, we finally arrived...and the damage was....123 euros. I. Hate. Ryanair. We were now in another city outside of Paris at an airport that only Ryanair planes fly out of, which doesn't open till 6 in the morning. It was 1:00, and it was freezing outside. Welcome to our last hostel on the steps outside of the airport. This could have been one of the worst nights of my life. But, I am alive to tell the tale so that is good. I put on two pairs of leggings, jeans, pajama pants, two shirts with two underjackets and my over jacket...and was still cold...so i piled all my other clothes over me...and was still cold. Miserable. ooOOO, thanks for making me bring my coat mom and dad!- I could have literally froze to death if it weren't for it. The whole time in Rome and Switzerland I was pissed I had to carry it around everywhere in the hot hot weather, but once again...both of you, in the end, were right. Dang it. hehe...well, we all decided that something bad was bound to happen to us because of all the good luck we were having with people, hostels, trains (minus the one to Paris being booked until that night). So, needless to say..I got a realllyyy bad impression of Paris. It was so intiminating, unfriendly..but on the other hand, I am sure it is very beautiful if I would have gotten to explore it. After waiting and more waiting, and annoying staff people, we finally got to Ireland, and bused it back to Galway. Now...I am quite bored, cause I only have two finals, one on wed and one on thursday. Eh, I guess I will just relax a bit.