Welcome to Switzerland; please open your wallet.

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Familiar climbing faces

Some nice climbing back muscles

back flip in the lake

Just Clowning Around

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Switzerland Sucks. No wonder they have the largest suicide rate. Hell, I wanted to commit suicide when I was there!
I went to Geneva, Luzern, and got tired of Switzerland (it didnt hold a candle to any of the other countries I have visited) so I decided to get the hell out of dodge. I booked a flight to Greece from Milan, Italy. How to get to Milan? Well, 350+ Swiss Franks (I told you to pull out your wallet) so I thought, "hell no!" and set off to hitch-hike to Milan. A wonderful gentleman dropped me off in a small town on the border of Italy, and I decided to stay for the night. the bus ride the next day to Milano would only be 26 Swiss Franks. (Grampy... you taught me well!!)
Do the math... the difference between 350+ Swiss Franks and 26 Swiss Franks... well, I rest my case.

So let us talk hitch hiking here for a moment. It is VERY common. In fact, the gentleman that dropped me off ONLY spoke Italian, and was only slightly younger than my grandfather. I have been picked up by every age range, and every type of person. It is very common, and it is called "auto stop" in this land. Meaning, "car stop" which has a much more normal connotation. Whereas in America it is considered dangerous and sometimes illegal... I was perfectly safe here. Not to mention that I save money which I can now use on more fun things.

Okay, folks... keeping it short and simple here since I dont have much to say about Switzerland.
I am in Greece now and much happier.

Before we go, let us have a quick economic lesson.

Supply = Demand.

Risk = Reward.

ooooh, I like that second one, let's focus on that.

For the climbers who are willing to take risks (fall and take falls) they are always much better climbers. Since most of climbing is psychological, it is important to remember that while climbing, you can take safe falls. You simply push your legs out and you will fall safely assuming that the belayer understand to take a small jump and take in any extra slack. It does'nt really matter to your psyche that it might be safe to fall since for your mind, you are going to DIE. (however, some people do seriously injure themselves.)
So, for those willing to fall and take risks, they become the fastest and best climbers. they may fall... they may hurt themselves at times, but they know that it is part of the game, and they dont fear it.

For all climbers, it is either a constant battle between mind and body or a constant synchronization. But for those climbers who fear risk, they will only advance so far, and stall.


I AM IN GREECE!!!!!
(more movies to come)

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Photos

Swiss Yoga, Esercizio 3
Tell me this is more creative advertisement than; "Got Milk?"

Climbing with Fred in Leaz in France
Warming up... I love these kind of weird climbs. But it was too polished. :-(

Danger of Falling
Fair warning: Just a reminder that climbing is dangerous, and so is this area.

Crystal's wedding cake
Jul and I were celebrating Crystal's wedding with French pastries.

Reto
Remember Madeline from France? This is her college sweetheart! I got to meet him in Switzerland. How cool to have met them separately and to know them both.

Luzern
Me and Luzern, Switzerland. Okay... moving on.

Montebello, Switzerland
Collegiata dei Pietro e Stefano

bugs
found while climbing... this is for you, daddy, who is the family's nature lover.

Finally!
I find someone else who has weird thumbs like me!

Natalie
Despite the feet (and thumbs) Natalie is quite beautiful. She was born with 6 toes! in India she would have been worshipped.

unknown but known climber
I still dont know what his name is, but I met him in Ceuse while climbing. (Here we are in a different part of the world two weeks later) I offered him and his friends cheese to go with their bread, and they in turn offered me sausage.

Cool Caterpillar
Jul found this!

At the top of the climb
and cleaning the route. (thank you Duncan for teaching me this in Vegas)

At the top of the climb
and here is a close up

and Done!
This is not a sport for people who are scared of heights.

Taking off the quickdraws
it is time to go home. :-(

Comments

[travellingmum]

there are others like you!
oooh I know a family with thumbs like that!! half of them have it.... They call it the (their last name) thumb

[Tim Stich]

I guess I should have mentioned it was expensive
Yeah, I noticed that about Switzerland as well. But it was free to walk around the Eiger.

[Monica Roslow]

you're amazing
I am so enjoying vicariously bopping around the world with you. Stay well and happy.

[Auntie Lyn~]

I'm Confused
Hey Girl Loved the bugs!!!!! and the twin thumbs - and hey I have a cousin with the same thumbs!!!! So what I am confused about is why Switzerland bummed you so ~ with all those mountains were there no places to climb? No matter though - Greece has amazing food - eat and be happy! Love ya: Lyn~

[michael]

geneva sucks
I was warned before I came here that they can be rude to Americans. I was just refused lunch at a small cafe by the owner. I know it was because I was American. The minute I open my mouth here people either become uncomfortable or rude. Hell, I don't hold it against them that they stole the Jews money during the holocaust, knowing they were being sent to the gas chambers so why do they have to hold G.W.'Bush's crap against me? Should if stayed in Amsterdam, the people are much more laid back.

[hehe]

You are right, Switzerland sucks
I lived there for 4 years and you are right, the country is an overpriced, hellhole, even funerals are more exciting than Switzerland. Time to move on.

[Lylla]

Geneva stinks!
Geneva is so polluted as well because there are way too much cars for the size of the city and I didn't enjoy it.