Rome Week Five

This weekend (February 21-24), I ended up jumping off of one of the tallest mountains in Europe! 

Cat, Corinne, Jamie and I traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, for the four days. While we were there, we took a bus to cross over the French border and got to see both the Swiss and French Alps. Once we arrived in the small French town of Chamonix, we got off of the bus and tried to find our way around. None of us speak a second language, so transitioning from English to Italian and then to French was a struggle. The town, though small, was confusing to get around- especially with the hundreds of skiers making their way up to the lifts. Our phones did not work because our Italian SIM cards through Vodaphone do not have service outside of the country. We eventually found our way to a tourist office, where they did not speak English, and asked about things to do around the town. Enamored by the parachutes in the sky as we walked away from the desk, we decided that we wanted to go paragliding. Having no idea where to go, we began walking up the mountain towards the ski lifts. Eventually we found an office that was advertising guided rides and waited inside. After about 20 minutes of waiting and getting surpassed in line by French-speaking people, we tried to work our way up to the front and ask for a reservation. The only man working the shop told us to call a number (to which we explained our phones did not work) and see if there were any spots left. To make a long story of miscommunication short, we booked a flight time for three people to go first and then one go up at a later time. 

The trip up to the top of the mountain and running off of the cliff of Mt. Blanc was breathtaking. It was like a real-life version of the Soarin’ ride in Disney World. Each one of us was in the air for about 25 minutes. Time- as well as my fingers and nose- froze. I will probably never get an opportunity like this again in my life, and I sure am glad that I had enough nerve to make the jump. 

The only generally negative thing that I found about the whole day was that the language barrier and stereotypes of Americans from others’ eyes had an effect on us. While trying to reserve a paragliding pilot, order lunch (to which we were turned away), and shop at stores, we were met again and again with downturned glances and people who would not serve us because we did not look or speak French. This happening made me feel really self-conscience and want to get back on a plane to Italy (which is strange because Rome is feeling more and more like my home). Again, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my life, but there were some moments where I disengaged and let others handle a situation that I didn’t think I could.