I know it's been forever since I actually updated my blog, but such is life....well my life at least.
As many know, I had it planned to go to Switzerland for a week in July. However, three weeks before I left I ended up dislocating my knee cap. Which, to my luck, put me in a knee brace that I had to wear for 8 weeks. That being said, the Dr. still gave me the go-ahead to go on my trip (with knee brace entail).
Well, I went....and the trip was AMAZING!
Switzerland was pretty much everything I had hoped it would be and then some. There were nothing but mountains and greenery everywhere! It was un-like anything I was use to seeing the states.
As many know, I was really nervous for this trip. It was the first time ever flying overseas, and I had no idea what to expect. In my mind I had made up many scenario's, all of which usually ended in my niece and I missing our flight and not getting to Switzerland/ going home.
I did a lot of research before the trip as well, planning on what to pack and what I might need in case of an emergency.
Well, now that the trip is all said and over with, I did learn quite a few things that I'll remember for future trips and will hopefully help anyone else traveling overseas for the first time.
1). Keep track of your flight.
Luckily our flight wasn't cancelled or delayed in any way on our way there and back. In fact, I believe we were early both times. However, it was crazy how much I saw flights getting delayed, which if I had been on a connecting flight, would have sucked. People were flat out RUNNING through the airport at times to catch a connecting flight that was getting ready to leave.
2). Make your suitcase stand out
At first I thought I had done a good job. I had a normal blue suitcase, and I simply put a sticker on it and scrawled my name in ink on the side. However, at baggage claim, it seemed like there were a million other suitcases exactly like mine. That and both times the suitcase had been flipped over concealing the sticker. My niece, on the other hand, has a brilliant mind. She tied a bright silver ribbon to her suitcase to make it stand out. And it worked. We usually spotted hers before mine. Something to keep in mind...
3). Airplane food isn't as bad as you think...
This might be my own personal opinion, but beforehand I had read so many horror stories about the food on the airlines. In my mind, I was expecting the meal to taste like cardboard with melted ice cream on the side. But actually, the meal was fairly decent. Pasta, chicken and rise, yogurt, coffee, lots of water....of course all this being said. It could really just depend on the airline. We flew Swiss Air....others may not be as nice.
4). Don't expect to get a lot of sleep.
Maybe if you're flying first class or business...but in coach. Forget it. I got in some light cat naps on both the way there and back, but nothing I would consider a decent sleep. Not that I was expecting it. And the airline was nice enough to provide a pillow and blanket (which helped considering our flight there was a night flight). But still....I was definitely jet lagged both going there and coming home.
5). Bring a language dictionary or get a translator....
Luckily, we had family translating for us who spoke the language. However, I can't imagine going there just out of the blue without knowing any German. Sure, in Zurich, English was common...but outside of that...like the trains...good luck. They speak English, but it's really hard to understand. Oh, and Switzerland is Swiss-German....just find a translator.
6). Don't eat out....
Or at least, don't go there with the intentions of eating out every night. Luckily, again, we stayed with family. So we had the luxury of home cooked meals, and food at our finger tips if we wanted it. But to just go to restaurant's for an entire week....well plan on taking a lot of money with you if you intend to do that. People aren't lying when they say Europe is expensive.
7). Don't drive.
At least in Switzerland anyway. They have enough public transportation to get you from point A to point B without the hassle of driving on the roads. Plus, it was an experience all in its own to travel by the trains. Something we don't do a lot of in America.
8). Don't be afraid to try new things.
Like jumping into a river and crashing into the metal grating at the end, or any and all the food there. You'll miss out a LOT if you don't try everything a place has to offer.
9). None of these tips will fully impact you until you travel.
And, I'm following suit to the hundreds of blogs that have already listed all of these tips before. Honestly, mine aren't any different from those before except for this honest tip. You can read and re-read this a hundred times and think you're prepared. But honestly, until you just go out and do it, you won't fully understand any of them and the impact of how true they are.
Traveling, in it's own, is an experience that I would encourage everyone to get the chance to do one day. Until then, my words here, will be just words.
Anyway, I LOVED Switzerland. If it's not on one of your places to travel, I highly recommend you put it there. It's a beautiful country, and I enjoyed my entire stay there. Every city is uniquely different in it's own way. The people are friendly. And, they DO have really good chocolate.
My niece and I in Luzern, Switzerland
Chur, Switzerland
My niece Megan, Lina (our family in Switzerland), and me.
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