Everyone dip your head!

Rafting was quite the experience. When we showed up for our trip at 4 PM we were expecting an American type deal where everyone is lined up, explained the rules, then we get on the bus. Well, we waited around for about 30 minutes after we were supposed to start and all the guides looked as if they were still at some party that never stopped. We got a little worried when they were all snuffing something up their noses, especially some guy who looked like he needed a 3 day nap. But they promised it was just tobacco and totally safe (told you Europe knew nothing about cancer). They even offered us some, but we respectfully declined. We had to wear wet suits, wet shoes, wet jackets, and life jackets to go on this river. You may have assumed that by now we knew what we were getting into, but nope... So we get on a bus and take a 20 minute train ride to the top of one of the mountains. We get out, make sure all of our gear is on, and then we have to run practice drills in the boat. There were a few Vandersloot guides, but our guide was great. Most of them were from New Zealand; typical, those guys are so outdoorsy. We got onto the river and the first place we put the boat in, (by the way, WE had to put the boat in down this rocky cliff) we hit a huge rapid. Liz and I somehow ended up in the front of the boat. This is where all the major paddling is done and we weren't sure we could handle it. About this time Liz was looking scared, but don't worry I assured her I was an excellent rafter. The Switzerland level 3 rapid is about a level 5 in the US. I have blisters on my hand and we were both exhausted to get down the river. We ended up being glad we were in the front because the rest of our boat was from India, did not speak one word of English, and couldn't understood the guide's orders. At one point, we looked back when he yelled row forward and most of our boat was sitting down in the boat not doing anything at all. We are lucky we made it out alive. The guide told us that we could jump out to float if we thought we were competent swimmers. So of course, I did. Maybe I'm not as talented as I thought because as soon as those 6 degree waves started to hit me in the face, I felt like I couldn't breathe. But I made it through and Liz jumped out too. We then floated into the lake and took the bus back to the Funny Farm. Now we are going to shower and hit up the hot spots!