Greetings from Milan

Switzerland. Freakin. Rules.

I don't know how else to say it. From the moment we woke up (5:50am a few days ago in our train) and looked out the window until the moment we left the country (a few hours ago via the Bernina Express through the Alps) every bit of the country was incredible.

A night train from Vienna deposited us in Zurich and from there we made our way via train and gondola to the small town of Gimmelwald, the scenery a gradual crescendo from lush, green hills near Zurich to the unbelievable peaks at our destination. Even with this gradual introduction, when you get off the final train in Gimmelwald you stand around in complete awe. Vertical mountain faces, thousands of feet tall, tower around you, snow capped peaks and glaciers in the view across the valley, and a small town where cattle out number people. Words will do only slightly less injustice than the pictures, so I'll move on.

After settling into our room, we headed down to the Mountain Hostel and met up serendipitously with a friendly San Fransican named Mike. He was in the process of assembling a hike to the top of the Shark's Tooth (Tanzbodeli). After gathering Esther from Columbus, Ohio, and James from Melbourne, Australia, we took off. MaryBeth and Esther took off to see Chilchbalm, a meadow area surrounded tremendous mountain faces, and Mike, James and I continued on a total quad busting ascent (apparently the Swiss do not believe in switchbacks). 2.5 hours later we were rewarded with yet a further incredible vista panning out in all directions.

Today we departed from Chur on the a scenic train, the only one to traverse the Alps from north to south. Moving from scenery akin to New Hampshire to pure alpine meadows akin to Alaskan tundra, the 4 hour ride dropped us off in Tirano, Italy. From there a 3 hour train ride to Milan.

Tomorrow we'll head out to Venice, and then after that, Cinque Terre.