The End

I spent my last weekend in Zurich. Zürifäscht, which is the largest public festival in Switzerland, held every four years for three days, was taking place. It was kind of like Albanifest in Winterthur. It featured music, 30 minutes of fireworks set to music each night, and other attractions (rides, food, etc) throughout the old town. It started on July 2nd, so even though I wasn't home for Canada Day, I got to have fireworks anyway (a day late, but oh well)!

I am now home safe and sound. This was probably the most memorable and rich experinece of my life so far. I've learned so much about myself, met some unforgettable people and had some amazing experiences. Goodbyes were really hard and I think adjusting to my old life in Regina will be a little tough at first...but at the same time, I get to see all my loved ones again!

Thanks everyone for following my blog, posting comments, sending emails, and making phone calls while I was away. See you soon!

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam was an amazingly beautiful city...great architecture, canals, easy going people (hmm...wonder why). I think that gets lost in all the hype about legalized drugs and prostitution. I had this feeling that it would be a scuzzy city, but it was anything but. The Red Light district is actually a really cool place to hang out. You see all sorts there...from people looking at the women in their windows and smoking pot to old, civilized couples just strolling through. The area has a lot of energy and it doesn't feel dirty or anything. It seems somehow...professional. Christian and I had a really relaxing time while we were in Amsterdam. We did a lot of walking around, shopping, watching FIFA games, took a canal cruise...really great time. Amsterdam is definitely in my top three favorite European cities.

Jungfrau Region, Switzerland

After finishing my final (which I think went well), I set off to central Switzerland for two days of hiking in the Alps. I was supposed to go with Tatjana, but she threw her back out the day before and was unfortnately immobilized :( I spent my time hiking near Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. I am certain that in those two days I hiked about 40km. The area itself is straight out of a fairytale...waterfalls, rolling green hills, gigantic snow covered mountains, babbling brooks, cows with cow bells...amazing. It reminded me a lot of Banff actually...even had a tonne of Asian tourists :) One of the people in my hostel dorm room was from Kelvington, Saskatchewan...smallest world ever!

I managed to spend some time with Tatjana before she left for Italy and I left for home. She lives with her grandmother and they had me over for a traditional Swiss meal, Raclette (melted cheese). That evening, I attended Albanifest with her and some of her friends. Albanifest is the largest annual festival in a historic town in Switzerland. It is kind of like the exhibition. The whole old town is filled with rides, food vendors and music for three days. I had time to take in one evening and one afternoon before departing to Amsterdam.