Wednesday, June 11, 2008

***Switzerland***

Isn't this beautiful?? Danny and I are traveling to Switzerland next Tuesday. I'm super excited, I've never been out of the country before. Danny's grandma is from there and his grandpa served a mission there. so they have always wanted to take their kids back, so were going!! Aren't we soooo lucky. Hello world here I come!!!
Are there any tips on traveling outside the U.S you want to share?? Please do!!
I want to take some sleeping pills at night and on the plane so that I can sleep...should I??

8 comments:

FOUST said...

MOO YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE SWITZERLAND! It is one of my favorite places. It is so clean and the land is such a vibrant green. They have very stricked littering laws there- so no one does it! When I was there years ago the fine was $500.00 for anything littered (like gum). You will have to let me know what the fine is nowdays??? Anyway it is seriously prestine and just breath taking!
ENJOY *ENJOY
OH and I have no idea about the sleeping pills -but it sure sounds like a fabulous idea!

Katie said...

Have so much fun Moo I love that you will have this experince!!

Nate and Marie Johnson said...

I am super jealous! One day... Anyway, have fun!

Silus Grok said...

Tips for traveling abroad?

Here are a few things that come to mind:

Let's start with packing: photocopy your passport, and put the copy in your check-in luggage. Keep the original on your person. Also, have about $100 in smaller bills on your person for an emergency… but use your credit/debit card as much as possible (they do the currency conversion for you).

At the airport: the TSA is a marketing gimmick, but it's unavoidable… so be sure to wear slip-on shoes (you have to remove them) and avoid any metal on your body.

In the plane: the air on a plane is dryer than the air in the Sahara desert. 2%. So that means your skin will dry-out and your nasal passages. The skin is annoying, but dry nasal passages can actually lead to illness (they need to be moist to do their germ-fighting). So be sure to drink more than your share of liquids for the 24 hours leading up to the flight… then drink as much water on the flight as possible (ideally, 8 oz for every hour you're in flight). Bring some really good lotion, and use it liberally.

As for actually being in the country:

Don't over-plan. Have a few things you "must do", and have a general "theme" to your trip. For me, my themes are almost always the same: "walk around the town, browsing book shops and outdoor cafés; buy a toy and a book in the country".

Take a sheet of Avery mailing labels with you that have been pre-printed with addresses to all your friends and family… a post card with a pretty stamp, sent from the country you're in is a wonderful souvenir. And it's a no-hassle way to get the folks you love a little something from the country. As for real gifts: running around trying to buy stuff for folks is a real drain. So promise yourself to only get something for one or two people (besides the postcards for everyone).

Remember that this isn't the last time you'll be in Switzerland… don't rush around trying to do everything. It'll ruin your trip.

Also: learn how to say "do you speak English" in German and in French. Most folks will speak a little, and will be appreciative of the effort you made to ask. The German one (spelled for pronunciation) is "sprecken zee ain-glish" and the French is "par-lay-voo ahn-glay".

:)

The YOUNG'S said...

I am so jealous and totally wish I was coming! I think I have given my two cents about travelling to much already! Have fun! I am going to miss your bro-in-lae so much!

Brando and Annie said...

I am so jealous I would love to go to Switzerland! You guys are going to have so much fun. I can't wait to see the pictures!

schaars said...

Oh you are so lucky any place in Europe is amazing! I never made it to Switzerland but did go to Germany and Austria and the Alps are the most amazing things you will ever see! Also for being so old they keep it so beautiful and clean. The only advice I can think of is always have your money safe and same with your passport I wore mine inside my clothes. Pit pocketers are everywhere I got 50 euro stolen out of my front pocket and had no clue how creepy is that???? So have fun. I took ambien (sp?) and it helped. Take lots of pics. Once again you are so lucky!
Ash

likeschocolate said...

You are most likely here in Switzerland. So have fun. It is a beautiful country. I know! I am here right now. You can check out our blog and see some of the things I have seen. JungFrau is a must and the Rheinfalls. Also, Lucern is a great city you can see this really nice sculture in rock that is a lion. If driving, be careful of tickets. They will cost you. NO joke! I have a friend who is paying $57,000 because it is her third ticket and not even for going very much over the limit. Sleeping on plane is good, but when you get there try to stay up to your normal bedtime. This will help fight jetlag. Good Luck!