Welcome Switzerland, Goodbye Italy!

Hello all!!!!

How I wish I could use my own computer so that I could not only type on a normal keyboard (where the letters and symbols werent all switched around), but so that I could actually upload pictures!!!... :( It seems that either my computer time is extremely limited, or I find one, but the right programs arent installed, or there is an actual lock on the computer, not allowing me to do diddly squat!!! This is quite frustrating.. :/
Anyway, we are in Zurrich now, spending the day doing kind of whatever we want, and in about a day or 2 we will be in Germany staying with Jasons friends to where I will (keeping fingers crossed) finally be able to upload all the wonderful photos Ive taken!.. there are quite a few :)

So lets see.. where to begin in my story telling of the past few days?...

ROME:
In Rome we saw quite a bit, including The Colosseum (Fabulous building!!!.. pictures dont to that fantastic piece of architecture justice), the Vatican (as well as St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.. oh my what beauty!!!) and all sorts of ooooooooold buildings/architecture/statues/etc.

Interesting Side note... though Rome holds history, and is the home to a number of ladmarks... its really not like what the textbooks show. Youd think that the Colosseum for example would be out on its own, surrounded by more ancient architecture n such, but no.. its in the dead center of town! Not even 100 feet from it, and theres all the main, traffic-filled streets, flooded with construction zones, crazy drivers and hoards of travelers and tourists! Not as romantic as the books and magazines show.. eh well, doesnt take away from the fact that the old architecture is still amazing!!!

PISA
...train ride there...
Anywho, post Rome, we went on to Pisa... the trip.. AAARRRGHHHH!!! Let me just put it this way, the train ride was the worst experience thus far. Picture this: a stuffy, hot, smelly and shaky ride at 1am (when youre already lacking sleep), standing or proping yourself against a dirty wall, crammed in a 2 ft wide hall with a bunch of other stinky travelers, constantly being pushed, inhaling the only clean air available (SMOKE.. and lots of it), and clinging onto your stuff hoping someone doesnt jack you the first chance they get. Trust me, that 3+ hour ride was as close to Hades as I wanna get! I think we were lucky we made it, cuz that train looked like it was waaaaaaay past retirement!
Both jason and I did survive it tho (so you can rest at ease mother dear) and have rsted and breathed clean air since! :)
In Pisa:
Once in Pisa (ETA 4:30am) we grabbed a teeeeny tiny cup o joe (ps. have I mentioned yet how much I miss Starbucks?!!!..), and headed towards the Leaning Tower of Pisa to watch the sun rise. In the same park area is a Bapistry and a Cathedral (2 other landmarks) and lemme say of it all: what a GORGEOUS site to behold!!!! Of course there were lots of pictures taken, and TONS more walking.. dur!
After walking around what felt like the entire city (partly in search of the beach.. it was sooooo warm that all we wanted to do was jump in a body of water!), we gave up when we had been on our feet in Pisa for over 2 hours, and headed towards the train station to make our way towards Milan.. whats to be a quick stop!

MILAN
ah yes... Milan. The quickest stop EVER! It was at this point I was yurning to escape Italy and move on.. Smoke, smoke and more smoke, heat and himidity, way too many vendors trying to scam any traveler they can, aching feet and back, and complete exhaustion on our part enhanced that desire..
While in Milan though, we saw the largest cathedral (Possibly in Europe?.. dont quote me on that one just yet!), took pictures, la di da di da (you know the drill!), "got" myself a boyfriend (dont remember his name tho... ha!) who gave me a "good luck" bracelet... and then of course tried to charge me 5£ for it (pffffsh!!! I had to remind him I was a stingy American :) and then were on our merry little way!.. for food! >>You like my run-on sentence Deedee??? I did it just for my favorite soon-to-be English teacher!!! Und ich liebe dich, meine schwester!<<
FOOD!!!!!
We found. We ate. We conquered.

Zermatt, SWITZERLAND:
After one of the best Italian meals (pasta of course), we made our way through the mad crowds, jumped on train number 5 million and 3, and made our way to Switzerland! >>>Best train ride ever, because we finally got our first class seating that we purchased (yeah, we are just that rich!.. oh wait... we only got it upgraded cuz Jason is an old man :) hehehe jk<<<
So 3 hours and a nice long nap later, we arrived in Brig, Switzerland, quickly jumped to another (private) train, and headed for Zermatt, Switzerland. WOW. AMAZING. BEAUTIFUL! Those words barely scratch the surface. The train ride took us up through the Apls, and straight to the Matterhorn (yes, like what the Disney ride is after Neen!!!) The little town was gorgeous and clean and rich with color and greenery (Jay and Gayle, I thought of you guys!), the air was cleaner and crisper than any Ive ever breathed, and.. oh gosh, I know I could go on an on! It was wonderful, and if anyone ever wants to know of a great little place to get away to to relax, hike, explore, relax some more, and just enjoy peace and quiet with a side of adventure, go to Zermatt! Do it. Really.
It was there that we met tons of people too!
--Robert, an older (and extremely sarcastic and dry-humored) gentleman from Mississippi/Canada/Italy/California/ you name it!- very much my kinda character! He held quite an entertaining conversation with both Jason and I :)
-- A chior group from Utah- Approximately 300 of the best HS singers were selected from Utah alone, and are in the process of traveling all over to sing. Gosh, where talent can get you!!! (Seth, you should look into that!) :D
--A family from NY.. didnt get much outta them... darn Americans! oh wait... :)
-- Tons of random world travelrs from all over!

Zürich, Switzerland
When we (sadly) left the beautiful Zermatt, we did more train hopping and landed ourselves in Zürich.. which is where I sit now, typing this looooong entry. We paid an arm and a leg for this hostel, so there is free net.. just a LOT of limitations (no camera access...bah!)
So we are off to explore this capitol of Switzerland, and gradually make our way north to finally begin our exploration of family heritage!

So soon hopefully, I will have pictures...
Until then!!!