Hello All!
Most of the computers we have access to do not have usb ports. This means we often cannot upload pictures from our camera. We will however upload a bunch when we can. I know pictures are the best way for you to share this experience, so we will do what we can when we can!!!
Corey and Trisha
This is probably one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world. Luckily, I had Trisha and…errr…my sister-in-law, Sherene along to truly appreciate the enchanting qualities of Switzerland 
No, but seriously…Switzerland I have decided is even better than you’d ever imagine….even better than the postcards if you can dream up such a thing.
It is however, expensive. I mean really expensive. For instance, if you think you might be able to get a cheap meal at McDonald’s, think again. How about paying $9 for a double cheeseburger. And $16 for that quarter-pounder combo. There is no where cheap to get by here, but the beauty of the place lures you in and causes you to forget about things like money and real life.
Our first full day we took a bike ride to both of the lakes that surround Interlaken. It was no easy sailing and Sherene and I got so hot we even jumped in the lake. This literally took our breaths away due to the fact that it was snow melt! Nonetheless, totally worth it!
However, even though biking in the alps was great, the best part of my time in Interlaken was spent on a canyoning expedition. Canyoning is a mixture of rapelling, mountain climbing, jumping from extremely high rock ledges into pools of water, and sliding down natural rock slides. It was honestly the craziest thing I have ever done in my life. Even though I was with professional guides, I thought that I could possible die or be seriously injured on multiple occasions. There was one particular jump the guide pointed out and said, ‘If you hesitate even a bit…you could get seriously…’ And then he followed by using a slew of swear words that I will save you from at the moment. Luckily, I did not hesitate once throughout the day and I am all in one piece!
Even though the experience pushed me beyond belief, it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I will always remember this day and I would do it again in an instant!
We took our first train to Seville and I have to admit that I absolutely love traveling by train. We have taken several now, including a night train, and it is far superior to traveling by air. It is practical, very accessible, and peaceful, compared to flying which is out of the way and hectic. Not that it could ever work in the states, but in Europe it is definitely the way to go!
On the opposite side of the spectrum is taking a taxi in Spain. It is an insane experience that I’d rather not repeat. The drivers do not yield to pedestrians until the very last moment…even in the case of an elderly woman or a women pushing a stroller. And given that the streets were designed to fit carriages and not cars, buses, etc., it can be more exhilarating than going to Six Flags. Seriously, if you are into extreme sports come to Spain and ride in their taxi’s.
Seville
Our visit to the cathedral in Seville was certainly a highlight of our time in Spain. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third largest in the world. As well, it was transformed from a mosque into a cathedral and it still bears the remnants of this transformation. Most visible of which is the bell tower, which once used to be a minaret. As you can see from the pictures, the Islamic style “key holes” still testify to the bloody wars that used to take place in Southern Spain.
The same transformation can be seen in the cathedral/mosque in Cordoba.
Cordoba
Cordoba has a very small town feel to it that is inviting after coming from larger cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Seville. There are far less tourists and it is very easy to get around by walking.
Here are some highlights:
The Cathedral/Mosque of Corboba: This site was at one time the site of a church leading up to the Moorish expansion into Spain. As the number of Muslims began to grow in Cordoba, they were in need of a bigger building to house their worshippers. In order to meet this need, the Muslims actually bought the church from the Christians and turned it into a mosque. However, as the Christians began pushing out the Muslims during the Crusades, they took over the mosque and converted it into a cathedral. This is just one of the buildings in Southern Spain that international Muslim groups are currently trying to get returned.
Our hotel! Absolutely amazing! It is actually built on top of some old Roman ruins and the hotel restaurant has a glass floor which looks down on the ruins. Pretty cool!
