The misconceptions we have

Pisa was interesting. What the post cards and TV doesn't show is that it is a small town, and does not appear to reflect it's income. We drove through the neighbourhoods on the way to the official bus parking lot - the size of which is evidence of how busy it gets in summer. 

Our driver and guide were both stunned they'd finally fixed the road leading into town, apparently for years it was in a very bad state of repair - this is a town that gets €200 per bus that comes in - and in summer, that'll be at least 200 buses a day!

The town itself looked low-mid socio-economic. It's hard to describe without sounding elitist or worse. However once we passed through the gates to the town centre suddenly it was picturesque, perfect postcard looks, neatly manicured lawns with beautiful classical, but well maintained, walls.

It's very evident that Pisa knows where it's money comes from and only spends it precisely where it must. Money does not flow outside the walls.

My tour guide explained privately that despite the significant wealth coming in, somehow a lot of it "disappears". 

I am reminded, on a much smaller scale, of the great pyramids of Egypt and what they look like from the other direction, facing towards the town. 

Time: 1730h

Welcome to Italy

Time: 1131h

We just pass over the border into Italy. Switzerland was a beautiful place, it started to snow as we left. 

Swiss Alps

We are nestled in a valley between two ridges, the sheer cliffs on either side of us defy imagination. It's as if someone took a knife to a cake roll and cut out the middle bit. There's a waterfall they light at night and it is quite beautiful, but photographs do not do it justice.

The clouds roll through this valley with some frequency - but only briefly. The cliffs reveal themselves and 5 minutes later they will be shrouded in clouds, not longer later they are exposed again.

We are at 2600ft, and whilst cold, it's not snowing - indeed it's that dangerous time with rain where temperatures are on either side of zero. The water falls and quickly turns to ice.

There is a beautiful covering of snow on the mountains, I'd say it's like a postcard but this is the country where those sorts of postcard pictures are taken.

I'm spending the day relaxing, not because I'm tired, but because this environment seems to provoke a reaction of enjoying the environment. Whilst I could be up on the mountain by taking the train all the way to the highest place in Europe, but that seems almost wrong to me. Somewhere that high should not be that easy to reach.

The trains here tend to be short and push their carriages, it's slightly more efficient to do so, and when you're doing these slopes, every Newton matters.

I was going to do the skydiving, but sadly it was cancelled today due to poor weather. I don't mind, this is the sort of place where it's difficult to mind anything.

Location: Lauterbrunne, Switzerland

Altitude: 2600ft

Temperature: 2°C

Music: Ave Maria

Paris Wanderings (retrospective)

So as I said in my previous entry, I have been busy and haven't had a chance to document what's been happening.

Bandwidth in the Swiss Alps

So it turns out that it's hard to get Internet in the Swiss Alps. Lots been happening, but this is the first chance I've had to write anything, and now I can't upload much, if any.

I'll keep it short, stuff happening

Am in Lauterbrunne in Switzerland, and there's a giant cliff beside us. I'll take photos and upload them at some point in the next few days.

Temperature: 3°C

Location: Lauterbrunne, Switzerland

Internet: really unreliable

Altitude: 2600ft (800m)

Paris wanderings

Today is the full day in Paris, a rather tasty breakfast and then the bus dropped almost everyone off at the Eiffle Tower. Unfortunately the top (3rd floor?) was closed, but I walked up to the 2nd. That was 600 steps to the 2nd floor. It wasn't that bad of a walk, though I'd advise against it for anyone afraid of heights. 

(TODO insert photos 😝)

The view would have been good if it weren't so cloudy. Whilst it's probably great in the summer, the queues are longer, one person said it was usually 20min queue for the stairs, and 1.5hrs for the elevators in the summer(!!).

I then walked around Paris, down the river, through some beautiful parks. Paris really is beautiful (shame it's full of the French 😛).

I did of course visit the louvre, which is only slightly less required visiting for tourists in Paris. I did not see the Mona Lisa, because that's what everyone sees, and no one says it was worth the queues. I did try and see the oceanic exhibit, but, after an expedition rivalled only by Jules Vern, I found it, and it was closed.

They say it would take you over 70 days to view every piece of art there, due to the number. I have another theory; the maps of the place are so damn awful and seemingly deliberately confusing that it takes 70 days to find every section.

Whilst I'm exaggerating, it's not by nearly as much as it might seem. There were numerous signs pointing to dead ends, including one delightful "Exit" sign that pointed downward, with no stairs in sight. 

Speaking of exiting, I reveal to you the stairs to the exit in the main foyer;

Yes, the exit was closed. It was another expedition to find another exit, it really did feel like the place was designed to trap people in - I've found casinos easier to get out of.

Anyway, I continued my walking around Paris, and tonight is a burlesque show with the group.

France Post Day 1

Forgot/too-tired too post last night. Have a group dinner at the Hostel, then did a night tour of France.

The tour was quite good, but photography was quite difficult at night. Spoke to Chelsea on the drive around and learned a lot about Victorian and early 20th century history. 

Earlier yesterday I also met Mickie who works at a expensive resort in Australia (I'm being vague about the precise details to avoid actually identifying the innocent :-D), she's doing the round the world for similar reasons to myself, likes her job, but it's a bit boring so needs a distraction for a few months. 

Anyway, about to arrive at the Eiffle tower for the tourist thing. It's a required thing to do before you're allowed to leave France. :-)

Time: 0930

Location: 5 mins from Eiffle Tower

Temperature: 7°C

Effile Towers Seen: 1