Beautiful Switzerland, even in the rain!

Our first indirect train journey went surprisingly smoothly. We began with the knowledge that we had a ten hour trip ahead of us with four changes, all with only a few minutes between trains and so we felt fairly tense. All stations en route seemed only to have a few platforms but no, not ours. Our stops were all in stations equivalent in size to London Kings Cross and so we had to get set, ready and sprint to our connections, lugging our month in bags with us.

At the first change over we got stuck behind parent and toddler which is a bad combo to follow when you're itching to get past and not miss your train. Though we smiled and waved, assuring them it was OK, we were deeply frustrated. But we made it having run as fast as possible with the weight of a body on our backs.

The second change was probably our most flukey one. We initially had twelve minutes to play with but due to crossing the France-Switzerland border and travelling extra slowly through security, we were only left with two. Yes, that's right, TWO MINUTES to get across another huge station. I kept pessimistically remarking that we'd never make it. To start with, we didn't speak Swiss/French/German/Italian/ whatever language they speak and we couldn't see a board with platforms on either. However, chance was on our side and we rushed about (it's all a bit of a blur) and somehow came upon the correct train, seconds before it departed. Mission complete!

Feeling great about ourselves, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Switzerland and arrived at our lovely hostel right on the lake. Even though it was raining and gloomy, the view was spectacular so in the sunshine I know it would blow you away. We stayed in a little village which added to the cuteness and tranquility and by the time we sat down, we felt that we deserved a drink. So, we enjoyed a large local beer while trying not to strangle the irritatingly loud Americans taking over the communal area - cheers!

Our first experience of dorms on the trip came with a four-man width bunk bed meaning that you were literally touching the sleeper next to you and the body heat was high. Not to mention the fully grown man snoring his head off all night after erotically face timing his wife before bedding down - we won't go there! We slept well though, a bed is a bed after all.

The rain didn't show any sign of stopping throughout the following day but we still felt so peaceful as we wrapped up and enjoyed the wonderful view while sitting under shelter and reading. We only left to grab some breakfast, and later for some snacks, wine and a hideously trashy poncho with the Swiss flag on the back because my sister hadn't packed a waterproof. We finished our relaxing stay by treating ourselves to a restaurant meal, a massive luxury to backpackers!

Auf Wiedersehen/ Au Revoir Switzerland, hello Italy!

Things I've learnt in Switzerland:
-tiredness on travel days soon vanishes when you enter the next country and become excited for new things
-no matter how little time you have, you'll make your connection if you believe!
-they speak all sorts in Switzerland so good luck trying to convince them you're not 'Brits Abroad'
-this place is stunning, whatever the weather