Reflection on Fall Break

After visiting four countries in nine days, I've composed a little list about the things I've learned while being away. This list is a reflection about my wonderful fall break and serves as a nostalgic remembrance about my time in Paris (France), Geneva, Interlaken (Switzerland), Milan, Venice (Italy), and Vienna (Austria).

23 Things I've Learned From Fall Break:

1. Wine, bread and cheese taste a trillion times better when sitting next to the Eiffel Tower.
2. Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, it can actually serve as a clock. Every hour on the hour it lights up and seems as if it is sparkling. I have a video of it if you want proof for yourself.
3. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is probably one of the most amazing views in the world.
4. An Eiffel Tower shaped lolly-pop tastes like a candy apple and is absolutely delicious but rather hard to eat.
5. Although fascinating in its own respects, the Mona Lisa is actually quite small and next to impossible to get a good picture of due to the massive crowd of people gathered around it.
6. It's probably not the best idea to run your hand along a priceless mosaic inside the Louvre. Fortunately for me I didn't get kicked out but I did get a "Don't do that!!" from one of the thousands of guards and a "What were you thinking??" from Steph.
7. Crepes filled with nutella and any flavor of gelato are two of the most delectable desserts on this planet. I would advise eating 2 or 3 of each a day.
8. Versailles has probably the biggest palace I've ever seen or will see in my life.
9. Geneva has a 140 meter tall water fountain (Jet d'eau). That's really freaking tall.
10. Although it doesn't sparkle like the Eiffel Tower, the Flower Clock of Geneva is beautiful in its own respect and, along with the Jet d'eau, serves as a symbol of Geneva.
11. The Swiss speak French in Geneva and German in Interlaken. One country, two languages. Something doesn't match up here to me. Shouldn't there be a national Swiss language? It would make sense to me. But hey, who am I to tell the Swiss what to do?
12. If you ever get the chance to visit Interlaken, you'll most likely end up wanting to buy a little cottage and retire there. You'll understand what I'm talking about if you go there and/or see my pictures.
13. It's a dangerous combination when nine people have a room to themselves in a hostel. Hilarious things are bound to happen, especially when you have five crazy guys along with you. You most likely won't get any sleep either, by the way.
14. Milan really wasn't all that great. I don't know if we were way outside of the inner city or what but it was quite boring and unattractive. I would have preferred to stay in Interlaken for another day and bask in its beauty and take advantage of its wide selection of outdoor activities.
15. Despite its beauty, Venice is a rather smelly city.
16. Venice is probably one of the most confusing cities to navigate around in the entire world.
17. When booking a hostel room online, be prepared to stay in a totally different room than what was displayed on their website.
18. Never wear a skirt if you're planning to visit a Catholic Church. Old ladies will scorn you and the priest will give you his most disapproving face and shake his finger at you. Once filled with shame and humiliation, it's best to just get out of the church as fast as you can.
19. No matter what country you're in, pigeons are still the most vile and annoying creatures in the world. They are particularly obnoxious in Venice, especially when people decide to gather a huge group of them by feeding them bread and then jump right into the middle of the pigeon crowd, sending the pigeons every which direction and most likely centimeters away from your head.
20. Even though a night train seems like a good, efficient idea, I definitely would recommend spending a few extra Euros to reserve a bed. I had to learn the hard way that a second class seat just doesn't cut it for seven hours, especially when you're seated in a tiny room crammed with five other people.
21. Vienna is actually a beautiful city with lots to do. I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
22. Language can be the biggest barrier between people. Therefore, it's not a good idea to try to find your way back to your hostel by yourself relying on German roadsigns, and it's also not the best idea to have a taxi driver who can only speak Arabic and German take you to the Vienna International Airport.
23. If you ever get the chance to see four different countries in less than two weeks, let alone live in one for four months, you are a truly blessed person.


I hope that you've enjoyed this list, and I also hope that it sparked a little list of your own about your time away from London.