The weather here in France is very similar to the weather in Florida. However, it does get a little cold late in the night and early in the mornings. For the most part it’s not freezing yet. I felt a little cold last Saturday because I traveled 6,000 ft. above sea level to the Alps. Two trains and two and a half hours later, a few friends and I finally arrive in a city called Tende.

There was a tour guide on the train explaining the different sites as we spiraled up the mountains, but I was way too tired to be going back and forth and jumping over people to barely get a good glimpse. Furthermore, every picture I took had my reflection in it so I gave up taking pictures on the train and slept the rest of the way. With just over 2,000 inhabitants, Tende has its own kindergarten, elementary school, a library, two museums and a few bakeries and restaurants.

After the train ride, we started hiking up the Alps until we got to our meeting place. Staring, at the mountains, almost in daze, I was amazed at what my eyes beheld.

Stunning.

On our hike down the Alps, we stopped at a little river. It was really shallow with big rocks protruding out of the water. A few friends took off their shoes and socks and painstakingly went into the ice-cold water. I’m not exaggerating when I say ice cold either. With hopes of jumping onto one of the dry-looking rocks above water and posing for a picture, I gave my camera to my friend. Bad idea. The rock was actually very, very slippery and I slipped and fell into the shallow, toe-numbing river. With water seeping out of my Free-run’s with every step, we continued down the mountain.

It was a great experience going up to the Alps. I’d like to come back later in the semester when there is snow so I can ski and snowboard down the mountains.