So far feeling underwhelmed in Switzerland. I think Lauterbrunnen will probably hit the spot but having done Banff and Jasper in past can’t help feeling Banff/Jasper are both superior to this, so far. I am ready to change my mind in next few days though.
With a view like this I would never finish my breakfast
And the miserable wretched rain has followed us into Switzerland. All through the weather was looking gorgeous only to change yesterday and now it’s raining and gloomy - just the kind of weather I absolutely hate. Ugh! Second time in alps and seems like this is normal.
We had no idea and it turns out the day we came to Switzerland is also their Swiss national day. So lots of celebrations around the small village however we headed back coz of the insanely steep hill we have to climb to get back to hotel. I regret my hotel decision so badly it’s not funny. I knew my gut was telling me not to book this place lol. Oh well lots of cardio for next few days I suppose.
View from our room for next 5 days!
The public transportation is so good in Paris that in spite of being in a packed stadium, we were back in our hotel on other end of town in less than 45 mins. I am hard pressed to believe that even LA can pull this off in 2028. Plus it’s hard to see how LA even is going to top the grandeur of Paris setting.
What an insane night at Olympics swimming finals last night. Lucked out with great races. First Katie Ledecky with her complete dominance of 1500m freestyle that she created yet another Olympic record for. Then, Pan Zhanle’s world record 100m free style. But the best part was the double win by the local boy Leon Marchand with 200m butterfly AND 200m breast gold!! Nothing beats energy in stadium than host country winning. What a night to be at Olympics ooof! Easily the best night of the vacay so far! So glad we could see all of these live!
Absolutely stunning race by Leon Marchand and complete dominance by Katie Ledecky! The atmosphere in this stadium is absolutely electric and thrilling. Watching Olympic finals is an experience of a lifetime!
Can you believe it this place just hosted Taylor swift concert 4 weeks back and now is center of Olympic swim finals!
It’s magical - practically everyone in this city speaks great English now. Whether it’s the train ticket agent or a bakery or restaurant or a volunteer at the games - it’s like someone told the French to be at their best behavior in these Olympics and just converse in English if they see someone not speaking French. Compared to two years ago we had so much trouble even with a French speaker in our group 😆. Dear French, just be like this all the time please!
We are still few hours away but the kid’s got her Olympic and country spirit on already!
At various squares within the city they have setup Olympic square where you can cool off, grab a beer or food and watch the games on big screens while chilling. Lovely lovely thing this!
The rings of power
I am so glad we came back to Paris. This time I truly feel like I saw the “city” rather than main attractions and I honestly I am in love with the city - far far from last time where I genuinely did not feel like visiting Paris again. Thanks to Olympics feel like I got to experience Paris a lot more closer.
Our second experience in Paris has been a complete 180 degree from the first time we visited 2 years ago. Also, I am a merino convert! Hot sweltering 95 degrees today and my merino blend t-shirt kept me cool, wicked sweat away and is odor free.
This view was absolutely stunning. The Olympic cauldron is quite something for its scale and size! Will post the close up ones later. Oof, Paris pulled off a spectacle with this cauldron allright!
Ok finally seeing some Olympic festivities and cheer in areas near to lourve and le marais. This part of city definitely looks liked it’s brought on the games!
Hello Paris, we see each other again. The city is deserted! It’s like everyone decided Olympics will be a bad time to visit Paris and no one showed up. Even in 40 degree weather last year in March it was crowded as hell to weirdly sparsely busy streets! Feels like Olympics sucked out the life of the city? On the other hand not minding this at all as it will be nicer to explore the city this way!
That whole Kamala endorsement phone call video featuring the Obamas was so cringe!
The hardest part of going on vacations now is leaving the doggo behind. While we are going to have someone stay with him in the house overnight and spend more time with him in the day too, I am still just worried and stressed about him being without us. After last year we have taken an approach of having a sitter in the house rather than housing him, and while expensive still makes us feel better he is in familiar surroundings. However even with this it’s not like sitter spends entire day here. I know he will be fine but our emotional bond with him is now so strong that everything just feels wrong leaving him like this.