mmm chocolate!

Hello from Switzerland! After nine hours of train rides, we arrived in Interlaken around 9:30 pm. Before we left France, we went in the morning to the palace of Versailles. Wow, what an incredible place!! We expected it to be beautiful, but were not prepared for how beautiful it was. The kings that lived there were quite into extravagance. I can't imagine having one room for parties, one room for playing cards, two bedrooms, one room for "planning" one room for war, and don't worry, one room for peace. Plus, a HUGE hall full of mirrors, 26 chandeliers and gold statues to hold up even more crystal candleholders. We have really been enjoying the Rick Steves audio podcasts we have been downloading- he is quite the humorous chap. After Versailles, we ate at this delicious crepe place. There was probably 150 different kinds of crepes. Ben had a hamburger, tomato, and garlic. I had ham, cheese, and mushrooms. For dessert we had milk chocolate and pear... yum!! Of course 9 hours of train rides do not come without many stories :) We started off our adventures by trying to use the bathroom in the station in France. I got up there and realized that they charge to use the potty. After getting some euros, I went back up and handed them to a lady. She gave me a token and some change. She was very rude and annoyed at me that I couldn't figure out which one of the like 10 doors to go in. First, I attempedt to go through a turnstile until I realized that there was a man peeing in a urinal right in front of me.. eek! Then I found the "dames" bathroom, and I put in my token, but the turnstile didn't turn. I looked over at the lady for guidance, but she just kept yelling at me in French. Finally she came over and let me in the exit. oh well. Our next adventure came when our first train arrived 10 min. late so we missed our connection. We were running frantically around Geneva trying to figure out where to go. Luckily we hopped on one shortly after. Our last connection in Bern was also an adventure. Because we were running late, we were catching random trains. The one we got on that was heading towards Interlaken was reallly nice and so we thought it might be reservations only. We kept getting on and off deciding if we should stay or not. Finally we decided to risk it and it paid off because it went straight to Interlaken. Today is very cold and rainy, so we plan to do some laundry, do a town walk, maybe go swimming and if it clears up, we will go on a boat trip to some nearby caves. Switzerland is beautiful from what we have seen. Our current hotel/hostel reminds us of being in college again. There is two twin beds pushed together and the bathroom is down the hall. Time to bust out the flip flops! I have banged my head on the wall in the room about 10 times and counting now :) And Mark, we are taking your suggestion and have been eating many desserts. Tomorrow we will head up to Gimmelwald, and it is semi clear, we will take the lift all the way up to the Schilthorn. We are having a great time- many laughs and many more stories. Hope all is well!