Venice and Verzasca Dam: Matt

Hey so I figured I would catch you all up on our adventures! So after Florence we took a train over to Venice. And here are some random things I didn't know about Venice: It's actually an island, it's shaped like a fish, there is a couple mile long causeway linking the island to the mainland, it is a 500 Euro fine to jump in the canal or lagoon, and there are water buses that get you from one place to the other (we had to take one to get to our hostel). Venice was a lot of fun but we were pretty tired out from all the museums we have been seeing along the way so we just saw St. Mark's Basilica and the square. After that we walked around Venice for a few hours finding random roads and canals. The whole time in Venice we were dying of heat. We seriously were always sweating it was SOOO humid and hot! It messes with your mind too because you are right next to water yet you can't jump in it (nor would you want to as there is trash in it and it looks green...) but we did manage to make it out to Lido which has a beach on it. Here is a picture from the Rialto bridge over the grand canal.


This morning we got up way early to take a train to the Locarno area of Switzlerland. Northern Italy (specifically Lake Como area) is amazing! We saw it from the train as we were headed towards the Locarno area. Switzerland is also a beautiful country with lots of mountains and lakes and rivers and waterfalls. I am proud to be Swiss! However it was raining and overcast all day (not totally bad as we had been burning up the last few weeks). We were headed to the Locarno area to visit the Verzasca Dam made famous by Goldeneye and the most recent season of the Amazing Race (I am huge fans of both, that's why I had the idea). It took us a while to figure out the bus route up to the dam but eventually we figured it out. We arrived cold, hungry and nervous a little past 3:00pm but Mike was stoked to jump. I was on the edge about it (both figuratively and literally) and when I looked over seeing a couple other people jump I was like...this is insane! Mike was still stoked about it so he got harnessed up and then did it! I will let him tell you more about that...

As for me, I just wasn't feeling it today, it was rainy and cold (I could see some fog being blown up over the dam). It had a beautiful view though and I was stoked to see it! However, afterwards I really regretted not jumping... I felt like I failed which is a fear of mine that surpasses my fear of heights...(Biggest fears: Failure, Rejection, Heights). So definitely afterwards I was beating myself up over that...I mean how often do you get such a sweet opportunity. I guess it will just give me a reason to go back and do it sometime (the dam can't win the war!). I think I just needed encouragement...and lots of it! I was definitely humbled by the dam. It's crazy how something so silly as bungee jumping can cut to your core as who you are as a person. For example, Mike is always to one to take more risks of all of us boys. I think it's because Tim and I always made him do things we were too scared to do first. In this case we were too scared to do it at all after we saw him!! But it also made me question myself and why I sit by idly for things that have great rewards. I knew it was perfectly safe to jump (some of you may not believe me...but seriously it looked even safer in person) and that it would be a huge thrill. However, I let my fear get the best of me which is something I HATE to do. As I mentioned before about my fears, if I can't start getting over them then I will end up a jobless (especially in this economy!), lonely (I should make some moves...), and non-bungee jumper (I thought I conquered my fear of heights by skydiving...totally different!) of an old man...and I don't want that!!! So I could definitely use some prayer :) Here's a picture on the dam...I am happy because I saved 120 Euros...


Well we are currently in Interlaken which seems to be the happening place for young people and thrill seekers. All of us are going to go canyoning on Sunday which is basically hiking, swimming, jumping and rapelling down a river and rapids. I think it might actually be more dangerous than bungee jumping but it doesn't feel like it, thus why it will be easier to do!