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Published: September 4th 2008
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Chamonix
Our first sighting of snow-capped peaks. So I'm a little behind in the blogging... lack of computer access makes it hard to write. I don't think I can catch everything up in one blog either, so I'll just see how far I can make it. (In case I don't make it all the way, I'm currently in Rome and just had the most ridiculous day of sightseeing imaginable).
I left off in Annecy, about to head to Chamonix. We got to Chamonix, and (as usual, it seems) instantly fell in love. The town is basically a ski resort, but European style. Everything felt so laid back and relaxed, it was just fun to sit and soak up the atmosphere. Oh - it didn't hurt that the town sits down in a valley surrounded by 10,000+ ft. mountain peaks. It made for some pretty good scenery. Sadly, we weren't really able to experience the town too much because our hostel turned out to be about a half hour walk out of town, and we didn't arrive until really late and had to spend over an hour just finding it. That was disappointment number one. We still had a pretty good time at our hostel that night, but
Chamonix
View from the train ride up to Chamonix. it probably could have been better.
Our next disappointment came the next morning. We had plans (very cool plans, if I can brag a little) to take lifts up Aiguille du Midi, a reeeeally tall mountain next to Chamonix that offered spectacular views, including a view of Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in the Alps. From there we would take a lift to Hellbronner Point, the border station with Italy, and then take lifts down into Italy. So we would cross into Italy by lift/foot, then bus/train to Milan from there. Sounds awesome, I know. Well... it was cloudy. And the lifts weren't going. So we couldn't. Huuuuuge disappointment. Instead we had to take a bus into Italy and then trains to Milan. So basically we saw Chamonix, but didn't really get to DO anything. It feels like it just had so much unrealized potential. Luckily, Josh and I may be making a return in a few days, but we'll see.
So after that sadness, we got to Milan, and were officially in Italy. It was interesting how you can cross an imaginary line and just like that, the culture changes. The change wasn't complete - there were
Chamonix
Twilight over the valley Chamonix lies in. still French signs and place names around close to the border - but there was definitely a noticeable change. Also, I found out everyone in the region around the border grows up learning both French and Italian, which made me pretty jealous. I wish I had a second language that I'd had since birth... lucky Europeans. One thing that definitely changed, though, was the sudden abundance of Pizzerias everywhere - kind of funny.
Back on topic - Milan. Milan was strange. I've never seen so many suits before in my life. It was crazy. I felt that I could instantly tell a tourist from a local... tourists weren't wearing suits. Unless they were young locals, in which case Armani or Louis Vatton was acceptable. Milan just didn't seem like the most welcoming of cities. It felt very business-like and industrial, with some random historic sights thrown in. We went and saw the Duomo, the massive Cathedral in the center of the city, and climbed onto the roof to see the city from above. The roof was cool, but I definitely thought being inside was better. The feeling of being inside so huge of a cathedral is just awesome... very
Chamonix
The morning in Chamonix... Clouds covering all the nearby peaks. much like the cathedral in Koln. We also went inside the famous Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele, the covered shopping plaza with top names (like Louis Vatton) and a bunch of restaurants with €20 desserts, and much higher entrees. It was fun to see, and just to watch the people rushing around everywhere in their perfect dress.
Alright that's all I can write about for now, and I probably only got half way to my present situation. From Milan it's been simply amazing, so it will take me quite a while to write about I'm sure - hopefully I'll be able to soon.
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Auntie R
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Italy
Josh, I am soooo jealous. Every place sounds wonderful. But...Milan is "My Kind Of Town". Suits, great clothes, Vittton. Everyone looking gorgeous. I'm sorry, I'm very shallow!!! Not that I would 't want to be riding through the air in the Alps and enjoying every place you have been. Enjoy--school starts soon!!! Love, Auntie R