30 December 2008

The Alps

Everywhere I look, I see a panorama of jagged peaks. Rugged,untamed, and powerful, the Alps are the only thing to ever conquer Switzerland. Today I went cross country skiing with the fam in a nearby valley, and the landscape was AMAZING! We explored the area to find some lunch and we found a very humble town (Tasch), but compared to its surroundings, how could it not be?

A few observations from Tasch
~The mail is delivered on foot by a man who carries it over his shoulder in a large, santa-like sack.
~The houses, built from timbers that have seen centuries are built up on stilts and they tightly line the alley-like streets
~Kitties roam freely from barn to barn and around the village.
~I was served the best cheese fondue I have ever tasted in a tiny towny tavern.

26 December 2008

First encouter with the French

I've arrived! 2 days late and without any luggage, but I've finally arrived in Switzerland and caught sight Europe from outside of an airport. On the flight with my family from Amsterdam to Paris I payed special attention to the travelers, and thought to myself: so these are the french. Even though it may be poor form to base judgments off of such a minuscule encounter...um...I did it anyway: they were very thin and looked put together, they were unafraid of public displays of affection, and the food was beautiful-it was airplane food, and it tasted good and looked even better! I wasn't surprised by any of these observations, they are all pretty typical french stereotypes, but for some reason it felt different to observe these people and know that they would be surrounding me for the next 5 months. It was intimidating, but not nearly as intimidating as listening to the beautiful flawless French that casually flew from their tongues. Because we had no luggage upon arriving in Geneva, I had to report our missing bags and talk to an agent about getting them delivered to our hotel in Zermatt, in French. Until then all the French I had spoken was to order a soda from the flight attendant...and even saying that was kinda shaky. I was so (so so) nervous at first, but it went pretty well. Afterward, he told my dad in English "You'll be traveling in good hands." I felt silly afterward for acting as the translator for my family, but I'm glad that he humored me because that simple conversation did a lot for confidence. Since then, I've been speaking French every chance I get.

Love and Happy Holidays,

Lauren

20 December 2008

Dear Friends,

As you may know, I will be studying in Nantes (France) next semester. Because I will miss you all terribly while I am away, I decided to start a blog to keep you updated on any mischief that I may cause while I am away. Don't expect anything too fancy, all of my posts will be fairly casual. In fact this will be more like a journal than a blog, but I will try not to bore you too much. Please leave comments, questions, or rude remarks to show me that you care. They will be much appreciated. I miss you already!

Bisous,

Lauren