Jungfraujoch- Close to the top of Europe

Would be going to the top, but I am already feeling sick from the altitude.





I will go as high as I can stomach.

2 Days Left.

I fly home from Paris on November 4th. Two days and plenty to do. I accomplished my goal of seeing three countries and six days.

Today I go to the Einstein museum and up to Interlaken. Tomorrow, I will try and vote at the American Embassy and see the Matterhorn.

I will rest on the plane ride to DC.


Then back to Boston.

Liechtenstein

I spent my Halloween in the 6th smallest country in Europe. Liechtenstein is barely the size of Manhattan. And it is governed by a Prince who lives in a castle on top of a hill. I am writing this on the train from Zurich to Liechtenstein. There are cows grazing outside. Someone told me that cows were given hemp to mellow them out so they can produce more milk. There are old cathedrals on the hilltops and what looks like an old castle with the Liechtenstein flag on top.

The valley is flat and green it looks as though you could see out as far as 100 miles. Then you are directly confronted with snow capped mountains and all its stunning natural beauty. More to come later.

Snowy Switzerland

Today was the first day of snow in Zurich. I just arrived to town. Not too sure if I will stay here for Halloween or continue on to see the Matterhorn. I am super sleepy from traveling so much. On the other hand, time is running out.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg looks like a scene in a fairytale. A striking forest covers Luxembourg city and in the distance a mist wraps around the countryside. It is especially pretty here because all the leaves have changed colors.

This mini-country has a lot of wealth because of it being known for the capital of international banking. The valley is where the town's people live while the hill has all the historical stuff including a castle where the great Grand Duchy (no joke) resided and left over galleries built into the hillside from the 17th century that was used to protect the city's fortress.

I only have a day to explore this city before I go on.

äddi

Click here for pictures from Warsaw and Lodz

In Bruges

I made it to Brughes. I know, I know, I saw the movie and heard how its a tourist trap and a bit fake. But look here, the first thing I did when I arrived was attend a Belgium beer tasting at the hostel. Find my notes below about Belgium beers:

Duvel beer : 2nd most favorite drink amongst the locals. Give the bartender the hand sign of devil's horn when ordering it in Belgium. Each Belgium beer has its own distinct bitterness and served in the proper glassware. The glassware brings out the beer's distinct and original taste and smell. The glassware in particular for duvel has a laser engraved "D", in the bottom of the glass. The glassware makes you drunker faster apparently.

A good bartender serves beer should leave a bit of beer in the bottle and give the bottle. Beer here, should not be drunken fast, it is about savoring the flavor with good conversation.

Trappist beers are brewed by monks. There are only 7 Trappist beers in the world, and six of them are from Belgium.

These beers aren't for commercial sales, they make the beer just for appreciation of the taste. The money goes back to the monks only so they can make more beers.

2. Orval beers- 6.2 % alcohol. Monasteries brew this beer. The legend of how the beer was developed is the following. A woman's husband had just finished battling in war. The only thing she had of their love was a ring. The wife lost her ring while bathing in a pond. She lost her ring and prayed to God that if someone found her ring she would build a monastery. A giant fish jumped out of the water holding the ring in its mouth. And she opened a brewery that to this day brews orval beer. This beer is bitter and has a sour aftertaste.

3. West malle triple- strongest of most of the Belgium beers. 9.5 % alcohol. Any beer over 13% is considered a sparkling wine. This beer has a alcoholic finish with a sweet start.

4. Chimay- comes in three colors- blue, red, and white. The blue is the darkest of the three. It is a sweeter beer, but not sugary sweet. It's a full body dark beer with malted hops.

5. Brugs - more refreshing than most beers. It should be served cold and goes down the smoother than most beers.

More notes to come the internet connection is good in Brughes.