Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Switzerland. Climbing Day 1.

After camping a few days in the rain, we decided we had had enough. We down shifted and headed to Switzerland from France. After paying 65 Euros it tolls ($87!!!!!), we arrived to our destination. Ticino, Switzerland. The town we settled in is called Bellinzona, and it is amazing. After a short stay in an amazing campground right below a 300' tall waterfall we decided to get out of the rain. We went to the tourism office in Bellinzona and the woman there very graciously called 20 or so different people to inquire about flats/apartments/houses for rent. Finally, she found one.

For the same price as camping (18 Swiss francs a night), we get to stay here:

Front door view

Kitchen

Top of the morning to yah Andrea

The living room with heated floors

The GIANT bed...



A shower.... finally!
Swanky bathroom.

Another view...


Today was an amazing day....

The weather was perfetto.

The scenery was bellissima.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Chironico, Switzerland



Sunday, March 21, 2010

A few words

After a month and a half one would think an area would get old. One would think that the mind would start to ponder the idea of moving to a new region to try new things and meet new people. This is not so. People say that time flies when you’re having fun. Never has this been more accurate than the last month I’ve spent here. In the blink of an eye I’m forced to begin thinking about moving to new places.

Our time here has been filled with amazing people, good times, and plenty of rock scaling. We’re living in a six person gite with 11 people. After climbing we stop at the store, buy food for the night, and hurry home to eat. The corks are pulled, the cans are cracked, and bottles are opened. We sit around the table and tell stories of the day, the past, and of our friends and family. I relate to others not just through climbing, but also through situations that other climbers tend to get themselves in. Everyone has their epic stories, their trump card, and it never gets old to hear them.

If you ever travel to the Bleau to climb be forewarned that weather is the issue. It is fairly hit or miss. The first part of the trip was loaded with snow, rain, and clouds. Then the heinous cold came. A week of perfect weather then commenced, enough time to go to a new area everyday and get projects all over the forest. Then came the heat. Not hot enough to not climb, but enough to make you long for the cold. It’s good though… If you like excuses, Font never ceases to supply them.

Alex and I have begun to think about what is next. We seem to have settled on going to Spain, and enjoying the company of our new found friends Doug and Andrea. We’ll find new language there, a new culture, and many new experiences.

This is my trip. A once and a lifetime excursion where I can lay it all out on the line, and see what happens. I can’t wait for the next four and a half months. I love waking up excited, spending all day excited, and going to bed ecstatic for the next day.


Pictures to come.