A simple travelogue did not seem like the way to continue writing about Europe especially since I am home, until I read my previous posts. There are some places that cannot be ignored. The Alps cry out for more description than I can write. While there we saw Switzerland's tallest waterfall, right at the cable car station in Lauterbrunen. The valley of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks looks like a model train layout out without the tracks. It's so perfectly laid out, green grass, dark wooden roofs, windy roads and a rushing stream nearby. All framed by jagged snow capped peaks. Perfection.
Except for the Swiss people. Not the friendliest sort. Our hotelier was Scottish so he was hoot. But the Swiss, not so much. We ate lunch in a local restaurant with 4 other tables filled with people. Not a word amongst them. Our party of 4 made the only conversation in the place. No real interest in selling souvenirs either. No worries on that score, I waited for the world's most expensive chocolate in Vienna.
But they are a hardy and self-sufficient sort. Every house had a garden full of vegetables and flowers. The streets in Murren where we stayed were narrow with no cars. It was so small a car would do you no good. Murren was one of the only places we stayed that did not have cobblestone streets. I didn't realize how nice that was until I'd spent nearly 13 days walking on cobblestones.
While in the Alps we visited Trummelbach Falls. I've given you the YouTube website below if you want to have a look. These falls corkscrew through a mountain at an incredible rate. They are glacier run-off so it's cold in the mountain. A previous owner of the mountain built stairs and landings next to the falls so others could enjoy them. What a great guy! It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site I think. It was awesome in the true sense of the word. These falls are wild raw power. I couldn't contain my exhilaration climbing up and down the wet stairs. Water seeps continuously out of all the granite walls and spray from the falls keeps everything wet. The inside of the mountain is lit by strategically placed electric lights so you can see the force of the water surging around rock made smooth by millions of years of sanding.
My advice to all, see the Alps. Rain, fog, or sun it's always a great day in the Alps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMKSbi43d38
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