Well, today we didn't do much. We had breakfast, which consisted of yogurt, cereal and chocolate-filled croissants, and then we accidentally sat in on a meeting for the teen-aged counselors before we realized as teachers that we didn't need to do it. I found out I will be teaching English in the mornings instead of Science in the afternoon, which suits we fine. It means freeing up my afternoon.We took the train into Geneva, which is a cool city. Very international, and it was interesting that for the first time in my life the white people were diferentiated by their nationality. People of hundreds of countries speaking dozens of different languages. Funny that there is a huge Starbucks which as just packed, and was the only place to get coffee after 6 pm. EVERYTHING is closed here after 6 and all day Sunday, so it was my last chance for coffee. But, dammit, they wouldn't accept my Sbux gift-card.
Afterward, we went to the Jardin Anglais and had pizza in the middle of a huge celebration where they were watching the beginnings of the America's Cup on a huge outdoor screen. Apparently, team Switzerland is kicking a little New Zealand-ass, and wants to hold on to the cup they won in 2003. It was a fun atmosphere, and I hope they hold on to it for another 4 years.Other interesting sights included a string of banks notorious for holding Nazi wealth during WW II, a bunch of watch stores, and, oddly, a Columbia store, which is Erin's and my favorite clothing line. It was closed, but I plan on returning when they open to look for some goodies for Erin.
After that we ran back to catch our train back to Versoix, which only leaves cerntral Geneva at the top of the hour. We got there exactly as the train was pulling up, which was good because one of our girls had a curfew of 10:00 and it was the 9:00 train we barely made.Now, it is 10:30 Sunday morning, and I overslept, missing breakfast. Unfortunately, NOTHING is open, so I'll have to wait for lunch, but I'm filling in the time writing this here blog. I am hoping to find someone who brought disposable razors, as I am looking a little scruffy for a teacher and there is nowhere to buy one today.
3 comments:
Oh your trip sounds divine. Will you be viewing any architecture while visiting? Any old architecture? Do they have any special gardens or outdoor preserves? If so, I hope you will have time to post some pictures.
The Nazi stuff sounds cool. Every year I teach "Night" to my students. Then we go online and look at things like Darfur. It is a very engaging unit for my students, and suddenly young angry people who face abject poverty everyday feel grateful and powerful and even hopeful about the choices and opportunities in their lives.
I have forgotten, how long will you be staying? And where in Switzerland exactly are you? It sounds wonderful, and except for Erin and Nick, it sounds like coming back to the U.S. may not be something you anticipate eagerly.
I would love to travel... so for the next how ever many days you are there, I will be living through you vicareously!
e
Or rather... through your blog.
Chocolate-filled croissants, you say? Sorry, you may have said more after that, but I stopped reading after "chocolate-filled croissants". I had to run to the kitchen where, in desperation, I tried to whip up my own make-shift version using two stale oreos and a piece of Wonder bread. If I close my eyes real tight and beg God for mercy, it almost tastes like the real thing.
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