Things that I have observed

I forgot to mention that I have an official U.N. badge that lets me into the vicinity without too much hesitation or long lines. I feel very official. It's just for using the library and café. And, if I am stopped by security and I just so happen to be in a briefing/conference room where important negotiations are being held I am escorted out and banned from the premises. So, I will try to stay on my good behavior to avoid that from happening.

I do not know if it is as big a deal back in the States as it is here, but the woman with the new transplanted face was all over magazines, newspapers and the news here. They released some photos of the before and after and she looks pretty normal now. Except you can definitely tell that she was the one with the face transplant.

I have to eat! I'll write more later.

Happy Valentines Day!!!! This is my second favorite holiday of the whole year. I know I am very wierd, but I don't care. I like it because for the most part everyone is nice and everyone has smiles on their faces. I made valentines cards for my host family and bought them roses. They were impressed that I didn't make a single error on the cards. I then sheepishly told them that I had them corrected by my french teacher before writing them. Haha.

On with the observations. The transit system in Switzerland is based on an honor system. Therefore, you almost never have to show proof of tickets to the drivers of buses or trams. Really, it's for convenience sake. There are so many people that take public transit it would take forever if drivers were to check every time someone got on. The other week I was riding the bus in Geneve by myself. I was by myself because I was going to meet friends for dinner. This younger man was standing next to me talking on his cell when all of a sudden the bus stopped and two bus patrol people got on. They were asking to see everyone's tickets. They were the infamous ticket-checkers or people who spontaneously got on buses to make sure that there are no free riders. Everyone had them except for this dude next to me. He had to pay CHF45 and was very indignant about the whole situation. Then they escorted him off the bus at the next stop. I was a little scared. I will NEVER think I can outsmart the system especially in a foreign country. I wouldn't know how to explain my way out of it...but at least now I know what happens.

One last thing before I go to bed. The idea of civic duty here in Switzerland, as well as else where in Europe, is very strong. They have a different sort of mentality, as opposed to the value of individualism that American culture has. The Swiss are very environmentally savvy. Everytime someone in my host family leaves a room they turn out the lights. Even if they know they will be back in 2 min. Also, they eat a lot more of the food they prepare. They will save the food they don't eat and eat it at a later point in the week. Ok, we save stuff back in the States, but the Swiss are sure not to be wasteful. I don't have any conclusive evidence why they do this. It could be because they don't want their electricity and grocery bills to be high, but it's just what I have observed.