a man and a castle

In Switzerland, while Matt was at work, we decided to take a train and a bus to a little town with a gorgeous castle called Le Chateau de Chillon.  It was a mere train and a bus ride from the apartment – easy enough, right?  Well, the train ride was easy but when we got to our bus stop, there was no ticket machine.  We got on the bus anyway and figured we’d just handle it with the driver.  The bus was very crowded and the driver was angry so we just got on.  We both noticed there was a ticket machine ON the bus but in the back surrounded by a group of people.  The whole scene was pretty intimidating with not knowing the language and all – while we discussed how we thought we were going to get a ticket, the policeman got on the bus.  

The biggest jerk of a policeman you’ll ever meet.  

We tried to tell him our situation…about how there was no machine when we got on and he insisted there was.  Total jerk.  There was NOT a machine.  Everything happened so fast, it was very obvious we wanted to pay but he decided to screw us instead.  ”80, two times….80, two times….”  That’s all he would say, and he wanted it in cash right there on the street.  He sorta looked like a Nazi so we didn’t want to put up a fight.  The $4 ride ended up being $160.  

Uggh.  

Whatever.  Matt says he rides the bus for free all the time, too.  Blahhh.  

Well, the castle was gorgeous.  And all my favorite pics have Dalin in them.  He’s a model now.  :)  

This one is his fav, for obvious reasons

He’s huge in Europe

This one was just funny to me

My favorite #1

My favorite #2

Next up…MADRID!!  :)

swiss-land is a funny place

We just arrived in Madrid after a few days in Lausanne, Switzerland (they call it “Swiss-land”) at our friend Matt’s place.  It was really great to see our him – he’s one of Dalin’s best friends, he knows all the hot spots, has a washing machine , and not to mention…is one of my most favorite photographers.  I always learn something new when he’s around, even when he’s not trying to teach me.  

I liked Switzerland…not like I LOVE Paris but it was perfect spend-time-with-a-friend-don’t-go-to-museums-time.  And I love how Matt talks so much crap about his city…it really is a really funny place – but Matt’s sarcasm had us laughing the entire time.  

Here are a few images…hope you likey…

Yes, that would be a $12 combo meal at McDonalds – we are 1/1 with their currency.

The GIGANTUAN chocolate wall in their 7-11-esque shop called CoOp..mmmm

We think Switzerland is like one giant super-clean mall

Even though everything closes at 7pm and they give you tickets for EVERYTHING (that will be detailed in another post)…the thing I like most about Swiss-land is that there are really cool things to look at.  For example….

Random Green Uplighting

Random Blue Spotlighting

Really Sweet Graffiti

More Sweet Graffiti

 Silver Diamond Canopies?? (that’s Matt by the way )

Glass Buildings

More Glass Buildings

And cool window shopping…

Funny place, right?  I mean…who charges that much for a combo meal?  Crazy…but good times.  

Well, it’s time for me to go…I need to figure out the details for our bullfight tomorrow (gross!!) and I still need to read the Obama/McCain debate transcript all before Dalin realizes I’m not giving him any attention. hahaaa  I love you guys and I can’t wait to speak English again.

xoxo

 

aaaand away they go!

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

- St. Augustine

It’s honeymoon time!  YES!  Our flight leaves this afternoon out of LAX and we arrive in Paris around 3pm-ish on Thursday (it will still be Wednesday in the USA – we are time travelers).  I couldn’t be more excited!  There will be time for me to blog (train rides, airports, while my husband plays games on his PSP and such) so I hope to keep you updated at least a bit while we are gone.   

I haven’t been on a 2 week vacation since 2003 when my mom took me to Europe for my college graduation.  It feels so good to be going back.  I love the culture and the people, the lack of plastic surgery (truly!), and the FOOD!!   I am thrilled to share it with my new husband.  We have so much to see and just the right amount of time.  

What I do not miss though is the day-before-you-leave-for-vacation stress.  Geez.  It kicked my ass today.  I feel even worse for my man who had to go to urgent care, found out his property that he’s trying to sell is being tampered with AND had his car break down today.  Oh well – what are you gonna do…?  Ignore it until we come back.  Sounds like a plan to me!  I am sad I will be missing my mom’s Friendship Festival and the San Diego Chargers Monday Night Football Game at Home (haven’t missed one of those bad boys in years!), but I guess I can sacrifice that to a glass of wine atop the moonlit Eiffel Tower with my hunk of a man husband.  Hmmm.  Yeah.  That sounds fantastic actually.

The other exciting piece of news that I have is that I’m going to be getting an early birthday present from him in the morning, something I have been wanting for quite some time:

The Nikon 18-200mm – A kick-ass lens to go with my kick-ass camera.

I am going to be all hooked up by the time we get to Europe but don’t expect any earth-shattering images quite yet.  I am an uber-beginner.  We’ll see what I can pull off though!!  At least I’ll have a few things to take pictures of.  (hahaa)  Our first stop is Paris for 5 days, then Lausanne (Switzerland) for 3, then Madrid for 5 more, and an overnight connection (rallytime!) in Rome.  We’ll be back on Oct 1st to tell everyone how badly we’d like to move there.  (Wouldn’t that be amazing??)

Ok – it’s WELL past our bedtime.  I will miss you tons and tons family and friends.  Au Revoir!

Peace & Love…