Upon Arrival...

So I made it.



And one thing I have observed is that people are a lot more relaxed about things here. There are no foot traffic patterns. People just wander in whatever direction they want. No staying to the right of a side walk or hallway. And once you get use to it, it's not so bad.



Oh and remember the visa. Well, I had some moments in the US when I doubted I'd get into Switzerland without it. Little did I know how RELAXED they were here. The guy barely looked at my passport - he didn't even touch it. I just held it up and walked through.



And you know how Americans are sticklers for loitering. Not here. They don't even mind you taking a nap at a table at a restaurant. It's great. You can sprawl out and no one says a word.



I am having a wonderful time doing unforgettable things.



I heard the best cheese was at the grocery store Migros. So I had to go and get it. It's called Gruyere. And they're right. It is the best cheese I iver put in my mouth. The grocery store in and of itself was an adventure. Remember what I said about foot traffic patterns. It was chaos, but so cool at the same time. One of the best ways to know a place is to visit the grocery store. And don't just look - buy stuff. I bought my cheese, a warm baguette, some juice, and a pack of the most amazing cookies. Oh man! And then I ate my meal/snack out by Lake Geneva. What a view.



As I ate I noticed the Bain de Paquis (the beach) and people swimming in the lake. I felt inclined to join them, but wasn't sure if I could get to the hostel for my bathing suit and back in time before things shut down. And so I got up early this morning and went out there before check out time at the hostel. The beach was much less crowded and less overwhelming. The water was very very clear and a wonderful temperature. It was cold, but the good kind of cold. And there were all sorts of people to look at. And did I mention the ducks and swans swimming too. Then I had more of my baguette and cheese and a hot chocolat out by the water with birds, ducks, and fish for company. I have a feeling it was my bread and not my charm that attracted my guests. Mitch Hedburg was right, it is the plight of ducks that they love bread and yet can't purchase it.



I've had a wonderful time. It's been good to just wander around aimlessly in this very European city. I had dinner with my roommates for the night. Two very lovely British gals. And I realized that I'm even funny to the Brits. So there Mom, I am funny!



I am surprised at how diverse it is here in Geneva. I don't think I've seen one person that was stereotypically Swiss. Everyone seems to be of some other nationality. And it was difficult to find a restaurant that represented typical Swiss/French food. But maybe that's the point. Maybe Geneva is just a mixing bowl like DC. Either way it's charming in its own right. (After I wrote this I went into the Old City. I found the French food. I think one of the things I'm going to learn is there isn't a typical Swiss person or place, it will be more typical Swiss German or Swiss French. The population is diverse in Geneva, but it is definitely a French city. I'll post some pics from the Old City next time I get a chance.)



Oh yea, and I owe Ms. Brady a big thank you for teaching me French and then how to use it.

The week before...

I am not a blogger. This will be my first attempt at writing something for someone other than a professor to read. Hope it is entertaining enough and helps all y'all keep up-to-date with what I'm up to in the Big Ass Swiss Alps.


So here goes nothing...


I was chosen to be an Autumn Volunteer at Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland. Our Chalet is a World Centre of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Their website is http://www.ourchalet.org/ if you need more explanation. I am a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, got a plastic card and everything, and was eligible and charming enough that they asked me to join them for three months to do some cooking, cleaning, tour guiding, activity leading, and whatever else they need. So I'm going.


This week is the big countdown. I leave Friday, August 29th, and will return December 2nd. Just in time to see my sister big as a blimp ready to give birth to my first niece on December 23rd and to spend Christmas with my family, especially my dad who about died when I wasn't home last year.


I have a brand new bright green suitcase, courtesy of my amazing and amazingly GENEROUS mom, who has agreed to support my broke ass while I'm there. If I haven't said it yet, I love her. I think I have everything I need except for the visa. Oh did I mention that the visa I need to get into the country still hasn't arrived. It's only three days before I leave, and I don't even know if they'll let me in. Cross your fingers.


Before I end my first post, I want to leave you all with this.


I got these great new hiking shoes/boots for while I'm in the Big Ass Swiss Alps and decided to break them in. We have this wonderful trail down to a creek in our back yard, and I figured I'd break in my shoes by going down there. I took my camera to take some photos to show all you folks in DC who couldn't understand why I'd want to be in SC just one reason why I love it here. Because what's in the photos would be my back yard.


So I reached the creek, accompanied by my trusty mutt Lola, and her pet dog, Spike, and sat down for a while to contemplate life. After a while, I got up and decided to follow the creek up to our pond. See, a while back, my dad dammed up a creek and made us a pond out behind our house. And how many creeks could there be right? The one I was at had to follow behind our house to the pond. So I followed it. And man, I took some great photos and had a great time with Lola and Spike. But I lost track of time and after a good while I figured I should make my way back towards the house. See I hadn't reached the pond, and so I was sure I made a wrong turn somewhere. So I found a path that headed in the direction of the house and took it.


Well I ended up at a house, but it wasn't mine. And it took me a few minutes to build up my courage to walk through these people's yard trying to think of how I was going to explain how I ended up there. But luckily, I didn't run into anybody, and eventually I discovered I was in the yard of a good family friend. So it all turned out okay.


The thing is, some of the photos are my back yard, but some of them - I have no idea whose yard it is. It's still beautiful, and where else can you traipse around someone else's land without getting shot or arrested AND have your dog(s) with you the whole time not on a leash or having to bag their you-know-what besides in South Carolina?


The boots worked great by the way.