Interlaken!!!

Interlaken is awesome!!! This might be the most scenic area I have ever been to, including Yellowstone, and I haven't even been up hiking in the mountains yet. The train ride to get here was rough - hungover, not air conditioned, and about 6 hrs. But, it has already been well worth it. I am staying in Balmer's Hostel (the oldest in Europe I think), highly recommended by my friend Lesley, and it is great - the night life revolves around happy hour and the underground Metro bar here, it's huge and has a very friendly, social atmosphere. People come here from everywhere as a good jumping off point specifically seeking extreme outdoor activities, and I was convinced by my roommates last evening to go Canyoning today. If you don't know what that is, it's basically 40 foot jump after 40 foot jump into deep pools, and 50 foot slide after 30 foot slide, and rapelling down endless waterfalls. I have done nothing like it ever in my life, and it's probably the coolest thing I have ever done. On one jump of about 35 feet, you had to jump from a ledge to bump off another cliff wall about 10 feet away and then slide/fall down from that point into the pool below. If anyone knows my huge fear of heights, I honestly don't know quite how I did what I did today, but the adrenaline rush was certainly off the charts and I'm still buzzed from it with a few bumps and bruises to show for it. I'm certainly proud of myself. That used up most of today and I'm thoroughly drained, but I've got enough time to go explore the town for a bit until happy hour and the evening festivities begin. Tomorrow I've got a good long hike planned up in the mountain areas around Lauterbrunnen, Mannlichen, Kleinn Sheidigg, and Grindelwald, if anyone wants to sort of follow the route. One of the coolest things about the mountains here, which set them apart, is the endless number of waterfalls that come pouring out of the shear mountain cliffs all around the range. The huge several hundred feet falls are everywhere and can be seen from almost any point, even in the valley. Tomorrow I hope to check out the biggest ones called Trummelbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen. The other cool thing about being here at this time is that I'll be here for Switzerlands Independence Day (SWISS DAY) tomorrow, which means fireworks and partying all day/all night, once I get back from a long day of hiking. The hostel takes its annual photo of everyone on this day, which means I'll probably be in their internet posting picture for the next year which is kinda cool I guess. I couldn't take the camera for canyoning unfortunately and the ones they wanted to sell us, which definitely would have been nice to have, were around 50 franks/50 dollars, and I decided against it. But, I'm sure I'll have a lot to show tomorrow. Did I mention this place is awesome!? Back soon.