Londres

I know you, if there is anyone reading, are all probably anxious to hear about my trip to London. I'm sorry to say you will have to wait a week. I am taking my SAT2s this Saturday and want to get as much studying in as possible. I promise the wait will be worth it though! Have a happy halloween :)

The "Mechanical" Garden

Yesterday,  I went with Barbara to work in Geneva knowing that there was supposed to be a little bit of rain, but hoping that it wouldn't prevent me from visiting and taking photos. The weatherman, however, was very wrong with his report. Heavy rain all day, until about 4 o'clock. I didn't let it stop me though.

    I got up very early, had a small breakfast, then headed to Geneva with Barbara. I read for a little while and had some tea in her office, til I no longer considered it to be ridiculously early but just early enough. I said goodbye, then began my walk around a city I know absolutely nothing about. The Botanical Gardens, or as Barbara says the "Mechanical" Gardens, are about a mile walk from the ICRC office. Luckily, this was prior to the heavy rain. A light drizzle began around the time I reached the park, and 10 minutes later it was raining cats and dogs. With some resourcefulness on my part, I was able to keep my camera dry and get a lot of great shots of the park. The colors of the leaves are just starting to change and it looked incredible. After that I put my camera away because, as many of you know, I'm not a fan of big cities. Taking a picture of an office building with modern, boring architecture doesn't really appeal to me. Around 11, I began my trek back to ICRC to have lunch with Barbara and when I arrived I looked like I had taken a shower with my clothes on. I literally had to wring out my hair so it would stop dripping on the furniture. All I have to say is, thank goodness I had a rain coat on.

    After a nice lunch with Barbara and some other very interesting people, I decided to head downtown to try to find a suitable purse (one with a zipper, clasp, and flap) for London. Finding my way to downtown was a challenge. I took the bus, managed to purchase the wrong ticket which wasn't much of a problem, wandering around the train station until I saw exit signs, and promptly followed them. Eventually, I came to one of my favorite chocolate shops, so I had to buy some chocolate (framboise et chocolat blanc/white chocolate with raspberries). I found a purchase at Manor (a department store kinda) and it was reasonably priced, which is hard to come by in Suisse. After my errands, I got a chai latte at a Starbucks (I knowww I was excited too) and sat down for an hour and a half to read, eavesdrop, and listen to music.

   Around 5 Barbara let me know she was all done with her meetings, so whenever I found my way back we could head home. I made my way to the bus stop, with some help and a bit of French I bought my ticket, and made it back to the ICRC without incident.

    More things happened, but it's too much to type at the moment. Hope everyone has a good Thursday, I will post again when I return from London! :)

I know I know

     I'm sorry it's been so long since I lasted posted. I haven't had many photo-taking opportunities since the Monet exhibition from the weekend before this one didn't allow photography, and I didn't want to take my camera to a club, and I was too busy shopping to take photos at the market in Divonne, France.

But then again, you all didn't get to hear about these things.
     Last weekend I went with Tara and Barbara and Hachemi to a Monet exhibition in Morges. It was incredible (even though they wouldn't let me bring in my camera :( ). I cannot even describe how amazing the paintings were.  I saw some of the most well-known paintings in the world up-close. People probably thought I was weird because I spent about 5 minutes staring at each painting. I had a bad habit of standing very close, then backing up. "Look at that weird American, she must have a vision problem." Who cares though, because I saw true talent on canvas, and got myself a poster of course.
     Here is a fairly famous Monet painting, in case you have no idea who he is or are just confused perpetually.

     This weekend was the beginning of Tara's October break. I wish I had a two week break at the end of October when I was in school. Unfortunately, I'm all alone though because Hachemi took Tara to visit her grandmother in France starting on Saturday morning. So, to celebrate my first month here, Barbara and I went for a night out in Nyon and saw some awesome live music and had fun. We went to a local bar owned by a friend of her's, called La Parenthese. It was very cool and completely packed. One of those places that you would only be able to find if you knew it's location beforehand. I liked it a lot :).
     Then on Sunday, Barbara and I went to a market in Divonne. There was a wide selection of everything you could possibly think of: fruits, veggies, spices, clothes, cheese (of course), table clothes, furniture, you name it. I got a couple sweaters and some caramel covered almonds... so delicious. After the market, we had lunch with Luc at the restaurant where his paintings are all displayed. It was fun, and we were all acting so ridiculous that I'm surprised they didn't throw us out. Typical.
     Tomorrow I am going to Geneva to spend the day wandering and taking all the pictures I wanted to take last time I was there. I promise to post before I leave for London on Monday!
     Bye for now :) I have to go study for my French class tonight.

Nyon

     Hello everyone, just thought I'd take the time to post a quick photo of myself in Nyon. Tara has her piano lessons there on Tuesday, so I get to spend some time by Lake Geneva just relaxing before my french class. If any of my blog viewers have their own blogs, feel free to send me the URL :). Have a nice Wednesday.

Tchao

        Yes, I know it's been awhile. Yes, I know people usually spell it "ciao", but that is the correct French spelling. Yes, I think it's weird too.
        Anyway, I have been busy busy busy. I am finally getting into a routine here and time is going by quickly. Three weeks already! I'll be back home before I know it. Tomorrow I have my third French class, and here's hoping we learn something that will help me communicate with the many people who try to speak to me (in only French of course) on a daily basis. Personally, I don't think telling them what their nationality is or counting to twenty makes for good conversation.
        This weekend I planned my first trip, since I have a week off at the end of October. Ladies and gentlemen, I am going to London: where people speak good, old English. I'll be there from the 24th to the 29th, taking in as much as possible and hopefully going on a day trip to Brighton. Cross your fingers for beautiful weather, but I need to buy some wellies just in case :).

       Also, this past weekend I went with Barbara, Tara and a few of Barbara's friends to a British car show in Morges (about halfway between here and Lausanne). There were so many beautiful old cars, it was unfortunate my camera was having technical difficulties. Luckily, I managed to snag a few good pictures.
In the coming week and a half, I hope to have the motivation to post two more times... once with a photo-timeline of my normal activities, and another showing the Swiss alternatives to popular American locations (grocery store, restaurant, house, etc,).
      Anyway, here are the photos from the car show. Enjoy!

To reassure my mother and other worried family members, I am indeed alive and healthy. You all worry too much... seriously though.

Above, a song that's been stuck in my head. Sleep well everyone.