Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Everything happens for a reason...
If there is one thing that I have definitely learned here in Switzerland, it is that NOTHING is free! And if it is, you have to take advantage of it. So that is what we did, Teresa and I, two weekend ago when the Chateau De Chillon was offering free entry.
After Mass on Saturday night we took a train from Geneva to Montreux to have a late night tour of this Castle. It was so cool! We arrived at around 10p and it was freaky! The atmosphere was amazing and actually, it was my very first time inside a real castle. And this one was old! It was first contructed in 1150 but was the subject of continual additions and improvements over the next hundreds of year. I told Teresa that it made me want to dress up in mid-evil clothing and pretend to be in pain. Her reply was simple, "I know Marie- I know."
We walked in and out of the many secret passages that they had, up and down corridors, examining the many bedroom chambers, bathrooms, the old kitchen, the huge dining hall, the quart yards, a light with burning torches. Men and women dressed in costumes in character appropriate for the times. One room was filled with people, dancing traditionally and enjoying live music (I can't really describe that part). Oh and in another room there was a bat (!!!!!!!!) flying around in a circle. This scared me so much that I turned around and basically plowed Teresa over. I thought this was funny, she did not. Then we went down to the prison. It was so creepy! We saw where people had been hanged, and the dark dungeon that was actually build around the huge rocks that jetted out of Lake Geneva. Even though we were above water level, the rocks and high walls gave the impression that we were actually below, which, to be quite frank, just wasn't that fun.
On the way home, (and this is where my title comes from). We met the coolest people. A really sweet girl name Kate, who is from England, along with another Brit, two South Africans, and an American. They were so nice and we had such a nice time talking to them. Before I even the chance to ask for their information, our stop was upon us, and we had to get off the train.
So there we were, Teresa and I, in Nyon, talking about how much we liked our "train friends" and how we should have just taken their information. At the same time, we didn't want to be freaky you know? "Hi! Nice to meet you! What's your phone number and ah... could I get that social number while we're at it?" Being the positive sort that I am, I expressed that everything happens for a reason and if we were supposed to see them again, we would.
The very next day, we were at Place Neuve, having a little birthday party for my friends Marios and Reshmi, when who did Teresa spot, weaving their way through the gigantic chess boards? But- Kate and Gemma! It was such a lovely surprise! Since then, we have been getting together with Kate (Gemma returned to England), and it just so happens that she just became a Christian and is basically wonderful! Oh how I love the way God works!
From Tallest to Shortest: Teresa, Kate, Gemma and Me :)
the results are in...
Well, it is official- I did not get my work permit. I will be going back to the US in July- the 9th to be exact. I have a great peace about this, although I am still disappointed. I just believe whole heartedly that everything happens for a reason. Who knows why I am supposed to go home, or where God is leading me. Ah... the great mystery of life, of faith, of trust! ah! I feel like I have been taking a crash course on all of the above, thankfully, being filled with enough grace to stay hopeful and positive.
There was one really great thing that came out of the present circumstances- I had to go to Barcelona! Because I officially didn't get my visa, that meant that I was definitely only on a tourist's visa, which means you have to leave the country every 3 months. Well, the last time I left Switzerland was in March, when I went to Paris, and when you travel by train they don't stamp passports. The time before that was February, when I went to Spain for the first time. It just so happened that the weekend we found out that my permit was a "no go" was the anniversary of 3 months, meaning I had to have a new stamp. Barcelona happened to be the cheapest ticket, which was perfect because I have friends there. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever been forced into.
I arrived in Barcelona on Saturday night. It was pouring, POURING rain there. Sheets of wet drenching me from head to toe. I showed up at Miguelangel's apartment soaked and tired but happy to find he and his room mates dancing around to the CD I had burned them as a welcoming. It was so sweet! Miguelangel let all of the friends that I had made during my first visit, know that I was going to be in town and so they all came over Sunday night and we had a little party. The Spanish girls made Tortillas (Carla is amazing at these by the way) and Alessandro and Luigi, the Italians, made delicious pizzas. We had wine and chocolate and dancing (well I danced, with the occasional partner of my choice) and then, at 4:30a on Monday morning, my cab came to pick me up.
It was sort of silly because my flight home was not direct, I had to stop in Zurich. And the only reason I am mentioning this is because of something funny that I saw in the airport. I was walking to my gate, past the little cafes that airports have, you know the kind with the really expensive food that you buy any way because you are hungry and you have no other options? Any way, at about 8:30 in the morning, there sat two older men drinking a pint of beer each! I was surprised, but also kind of pleased to see this. Just thought I would let you in on the little amusement that made my day :)
I suppose it won't be long at all until I am home and we can have real conversations about everything that has happened, both here and there. I truly do miss everyone, and the knowledge that I will soon be with all of you make me happy. Talk to you!
There was one really great thing that came out of the present circumstances- I had to go to Barcelona! Because I officially didn't get my visa, that meant that I was definitely only on a tourist's visa, which means you have to leave the country every 3 months. Well, the last time I left Switzerland was in March, when I went to Paris, and when you travel by train they don't stamp passports. The time before that was February, when I went to Spain for the first time. It just so happened that the weekend we found out that my permit was a "no go" was the anniversary of 3 months, meaning I had to have a new stamp. Barcelona happened to be the cheapest ticket, which was perfect because I have friends there. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever been forced into.
I arrived in Barcelona on Saturday night. It was pouring, POURING rain there. Sheets of wet drenching me from head to toe. I showed up at Miguelangel's apartment soaked and tired but happy to find he and his room mates dancing around to the CD I had burned them as a welcoming. It was so sweet! Miguelangel let all of the friends that I had made during my first visit, know that I was going to be in town and so they all came over Sunday night and we had a little party. The Spanish girls made Tortillas (Carla is amazing at these by the way) and Alessandro and Luigi, the Italians, made delicious pizzas. We had wine and chocolate and dancing (well I danced, with the occasional partner of my choice) and then, at 4:30a on Monday morning, my cab came to pick me up.
It was sort of silly because my flight home was not direct, I had to stop in Zurich. And the only reason I am mentioning this is because of something funny that I saw in the airport. I was walking to my gate, past the little cafes that airports have, you know the kind with the really expensive food that you buy any way because you are hungry and you have no other options? Any way, at about 8:30 in the morning, there sat two older men drinking a pint of beer each! I was surprised, but also kind of pleased to see this. Just thought I would let you in on the little amusement that made my day :)
I suppose it won't be long at all until I am home and we can have real conversations about everything that has happened, both here and there. I truly do miss everyone, and the knowledge that I will soon be with all of you make me happy. Talk to you!
the weekend in Zurich:
Just when I thought things couldn't get any more expensive or that I couldn't see any more banks, I ended up in Zurich! Welcome to the Financial heart of the country. Men strutting around in suites that cost more than a small house and women who walk with heals that make my feet hurt by just looking at them. And as a soundtrack to this, we have the sing/song style of Swiss German that literally made me miss hearing French (which is a language that I don't even really like). Which gives you a deeper insight into my high opinion of Swiss/German.
The friend that I met up with is an Austrian girl named Renate. She was actually the one who helped me out in England when the family I was staying with met their limit of hospitality and I was out of options. I was so very thankful for Renate giving me a place to stay for the night, and I was especially excited to get together with her again- this time, under less strenuous circumstances. Daniela- Renate's best friend was able to join as well. They are both really nice people, but I have to admit that I felt like the third wheel. My German skills are none-existent, with the exception of "Danke" and, well yeah, "Danke".
The three of us would be walking together and they would be chatting away in German and suddenly we would be taking a left and I would, in my state of confusion, inquire as to what the plan was, "Oh we are going hiking now, we just decided." Right! Hiking! Great, I wanted to do that anyway- thanks for asking!
The thing is, traveling with people is difficult. Even if you really like someone, or get along with them, once you are both out of your comfort zone that can really shake things up. In retrospect I am happy that Renate and Daniela were making so many plans, they were in fact, good ones, just not exactly inclusive of, well- me.
We spent more time outside of the city than in it, which was a bit of a disappointment at first, but once we got to where we were going, I could see why we did it. In the pictures you can see the beautiful water fall that we visited. I was so amused by the Italian models that were there! It was so funny! They were so passionate about their performance! I couldn't stop laughing!
don't know what this is, but I like it- a building in Zurich
The Rhine Fall- the biggest waterfall in Europe
The Italian models, workin' it for a purse add
Daniela and me near the Rhine Fall
Renate and me on a REALLY big rock :)
The friend that I met up with is an Austrian girl named Renate. She was actually the one who helped me out in England when the family I was staying with met their limit of hospitality and I was out of options. I was so very thankful for Renate giving me a place to stay for the night, and I was especially excited to get together with her again- this time, under less strenuous circumstances. Daniela- Renate's best friend was able to join as well. They are both really nice people, but I have to admit that I felt like the third wheel. My German skills are none-existent, with the exception of "Danke" and, well yeah, "Danke".
The three of us would be walking together and they would be chatting away in German and suddenly we would be taking a left and I would, in my state of confusion, inquire as to what the plan was, "Oh we are going hiking now, we just decided." Right! Hiking! Great, I wanted to do that anyway- thanks for asking!
The thing is, traveling with people is difficult. Even if you really like someone, or get along with them, once you are both out of your comfort zone that can really shake things up. In retrospect I am happy that Renate and Daniela were making so many plans, they were in fact, good ones, just not exactly inclusive of, well- me.
We spent more time outside of the city than in it, which was a bit of a disappointment at first, but once we got to where we were going, I could see why we did it. In the pictures you can see the beautiful water fall that we visited. I was so amused by the Italian models that were there! It was so funny! They were so passionate about their performance! I couldn't stop laughing!
don't know what this is, but I like it- a building in Zurich
The Rhine Fall- the biggest waterfall in Europe
The Italian models, workin' it for a purse add
Daniela and me near the Rhine Fall
Renate and me on a REALLY big rock :)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Geneva on a Saturday Afternoon...
The Mont Blanc in the distance...
the Jet D'eau sporting a little Euro Cup pride (which will be held in Geneva this June :)
one of my favorite places by the lake: Turc Des Bains
Bridge over River L'Arve
Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. -Dr. Seuss
To celebrate my birthday, a group of my friends took me out to Emilios, a Greek Restaurant in the Plain Palais neighborhood. It was so much fun! I think one of the funniest parts of the night was when I called Teresa to make sure she was still coming. "Who is gonna be there?" She asked. "Well," I replied, "Ah-hem... Marios and his girlfriend; Sally and her boyfriend; Reshmi and her boyfriend and well, you and ah, me." We both burst out laughing, acknowledging the normality of this situation. It is no rarity that the two of us, find ourselves surrounded by couples. I have to say though, we do make a fine couple, an odd one at that, but fine none the less.
We were able to sit at a table near the live music, which was great! At one point (and I doubt this will surprise anyone) I did get up and dance. Do you know that Greek dancing is actually traditional and not interpretive? Well, I didn't and between the jumping up and down and air plane arms, I arrived at what could only be called, an Irish Jig with a bit of "Opa"!
The night was full of laughter (lots of laughter) and good food and drinks, but most importantly, friendship. I felt so grateful, so blessed and filled with hope! I think this year, is going to be a good one :)
We were able to sit at a table near the live music, which was great! At one point (and I doubt this will surprise anyone) I did get up and dance. Do you know that Greek dancing is actually traditional and not interpretive? Well, I didn't and between the jumping up and down and air plane arms, I arrived at what could only be called, an Irish Jig with a bit of "Opa"!
The night was full of laughter (lots of laughter) and good food and drinks, but most importantly, friendship. I felt so grateful, so blessed and filled with hope! I think this year, is going to be a good one :)
Me and Teresa
Marc and Reshmi (Swiss/French and English/Indian)
Chris and Sally (England and Philippines)
Marios and Lia (Greece)
joyeux anniversaire
The morning of my birthday I walked though my bedroom door and a series of brightly colored streamers that Jill and Maddy hung from the door. The kitchen was full of about 20 balloons and Maddy was decorating a chair which would serve as my "Princess Birthday Chair" for the day. This was so very sweet! I had a relaxing morning, worked out and read. Both my Mom and Dad called and it was so great to have a chance to speak with them! I picked Audrey up from School and we baked cookies, which I will say right now are not my specialty, but with numerous calls to Teresa (AKA, bakery 911) they were edible.
We had a nice family dinner, and Teresa was my honored guest. As a gift, she brought me a Gerbera Daisy plant (which is my favorite) and I was honestly delighted. Jill made my requested Birthday Meal: Coconut Curry with Naan bread and Salad with Cucumbers. We drank champagne and for desert enjoyed a Fresh Fruit Tart with White Chocolate Ice Cream. It was a very sweet evening. I felt so blessed!
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