Hi all,

I am at Ballmers hostel in Interlaken. Great place. A lot of Americans and Canadians here. Let me tell you, it is relieving to speak to someone in English with confidence for a change. This seems to be a good night spot, too.

I spent the day up at Grindelwald (sp?). It is near the highest peak in Europe. The Swiss Alps are absolutely stunning. I will try to log back on from Italy tomorrow. I have not yet been able to find a way to upload photos on these pay-as-you-go computers. Nor can I use contractions. I will do what I can. Off to check email now.

Best,
Paolo

Update: I am not going to Interlaken. Apparently it is way too touristy. In the words of a fellow traveler, "Would you tell someone who wanted to see America to go visit Disneyland?" So I am sticking to the original plan and am heading to Milan tomorrow. Need to focus this trip on Italy. Plus the weather just sucks in Switzerland right now.

Speaking of Disneyland, I think the whole Disney company should be sued for fraud. From what have seen, the Swiss are not a bunch small children yodeling and singing "It`s a Small World." I feel deceived. What a crock of shit.
_____

Update Update: Going to Interlaken afterall. I have time for it. The weather is supposed to be better today. You have won the battle, Jeanna, but you have not won the war. Leaving now.

I am here in Europa. Flights were not a problem. Once I got into Zurich, that was another story. Three problems with Switzerland:

1. They speak too many languages, mostly German, so I cannot communicate worth shit.
2. They use Swiss Francs instead of Euros.
3. WiFi is sparse at best. Thus, I am journaling in addition to blogging.

God, typing on these foreign keyboards is a bitch. They need to switch the y and z letters back.

Everyone dresses very well here, and the women are gorgeous. I mean American women might as well turn their keys and start acting like men in comparison.

I have seen three Starbucks in Zurich thus far. One was three stories tall and it was packed! These people are seriously lining up to pay six bucks for a latté. Ridiculous.

I mostly ran around today taking pictures. I discovered the local university on accident. I think I have seen most of what I want to see out of Zurich and think I will head southwest to Interlaken tomorrow -- a little detour before Milan. I will post when I can. I miss you all.

- Paolo

I woke up early today to finish reading the final Harry Potter book before leaving for work.

I had to. I was just too close to the end to not finish it before my trip. No spoilers here. I say to those of you who are in Harry Potter denial: You are depriving yourself of the greatest literary series of modern times. Classifying the series as "children's books" or "fantasy" is blasphemous. Harry Potter is THE TRUTH.

Now I need to finish photocopying and packing before I apparate (via Contiental Airlines) to Zurich.

Scary thought of the day: Matt will be teaching math and computer science to middle school students.

Congratulations, China. American education has taken its final blow, and you now have the opportunity to dominate the world economy. Americans will slowly devolve into neanderthals under Matt's supervision over the next fifty years.

I just got an email from my bank and I can withdraw money in Chinese Yuan already. This should have been a sign...