Tutto Posto

It is sunny and BEAUTIFUL today, so this will be rather short. But, after last Friday we were free to do whatever we wanted to. So, four of us went to Siena in the Tuscan country side. It was fun, but cold and rainy the whole time. It could have been nicer, but it was still fun. I ate SO much food. I literally thought I was going to die. The first night the waiter kind of liked us, so in addition to the food we ordered we also recieved a free bottle of wine, a bottle of dessert wine, and two traditional desserts. It was all good food, just too much eating. The next day we walked around, ate more excellent pasta and ravioli. Then we actually went to the Duomo in Siena. It reminded me a lot of the movie Beetlejuice. Odd, I know. But here's why, it was decorated with black and white stripes everywhere. Also, at the very top of the walls, there were stone busts of all the popes. The creepy thing is that they were all looking down at you, so during a service I'm sure you would always feel like someone was watching you. Also, there were angels plated in gold on the alter that were as big as me and I couldn't help but think if they ever came to life, they would be the scariest angels I have ever seen. All in all, it was a good trip. But, the thing is, it took 14 hours to get home. I woke up at 5:20 and did not get off the train until 7:30 PM. It was rough.

Overall, if anyone wants to go to Siena, call me and I will give you the names of excellent places to eat, stay and shop. Ok, now I can go outside and play!!

Tutto Benne!

Last week I was all over Switzerland. First, we, as a group, were in Bern for an educational excursion. Except the person we were to meet with in Bern copped out on us. Well, they were "really sick." So, we took a walking tour of the capital city of Switzerland. It was nice. Some pictures will follow. There's a famous clock tower in the center that was very intricate. Every hour on the hour, there's an elaborate dance or "timeless procession" of small wooden bears, kings, and jesters that spin, ring bells etc. It was built over 500 years ago, so it was an amazing feat of mechanics. We also saw the bears that Bern is famous for. Except, it was incredibly sad. The bears obviously wanted out of their small pen and were starting to go crazy.

Next it was on to Lucerne, located in the center of Switzerland. Very beautiful because it is located on a lake with a tributary of the Rhine running through it. A lot of ancient bridges, buildings etc were there. We spent the night there, and the next morning we went on a walking tour of Lucerne. At the end of the tour, we sat on the banks of the river, in the sun and had a tea/coffee. It was one of the highlights of my week. Both Bern and Lucerne are in the German-speaking sections of Switzerland, so thank goodness one of my friends speaks fluent German. It's fun living in a country with so many languages because I am learning small phrases in German and Italian.

The next destination was Lugano. IT WAS GORGEOUS! On the border with Italy, on a lake front, in the middle of the Alps. Are you imagining this magnificent place yet? Plus, it all of a sudden it got warm, so we ate outside on the lakefront almost everyday we were there. In Lugano, I felt we actually had a purpose. We met with FOSIT, the Federation of Swiss-Italian International Organizations. We were briefed by three International organizations specific to humanitarian aid in developing countries. It was really interesting, but unfortunately you have to speak Italian to work with them. So, I guess I'll be learning Italian in the near future...

I loved the city though. It was funny to be walking around and have people speak to me in Italian. Mainly because I didn't even know how to say "I don't speak any Italian" But, I managed with a combination of French, Spanish and English. It was really an amazing mixture of communication. Ok, so as not to bore those who have a short attention span, I will write more later.

Chocolate Fun

I didn't actually drink from the fountain of chocolate, but the magic was still present.

Annecy, FRANCE

That's right. I went to France today. It's awesome how I can get in a car and drive half an hour and be in a different country. Today, Julien, Wilhelm(sp?) and I all went to Annecy, which is a town thirty minutes outside of Genève. It was really cute and quaint. It's on a lake front and there was a little river that went through the Old Town. We walked around a little, then got some lunch. There was a little puppy with huge, begging eyes that wouldn't leave me alone while I was eating. It was difficult not to pay attention to it.

After, we walked around near the lake front. It was really beautiful even though it was overcast and cloudy. I imagine on a clear day it would be magnificent because Annecy is situated in the mountains. It kinda looked like a scene from Lord of the Rings on the lake front because on the other side of the lake began the mountains. The water there was crystal clear and COLD because it came from the Alps.

We then went to the Musée-Chateau d'Annecy. It was nice. There was an art exhibit, an aquarium, religious iconography and other random stuff there. I liked the architecture of the castle more than anything though. All the hidden doorways and windows. There was a well too. And I saw what toilets looked like back in the Middles Ages. We determined that if you were too tiny, you could have easily fallen into the toilet and been sucked into the abiss of well...you know.

All in all it was a good day trip. Next week I'm going to Bern, Lucerne, Lugano and hopefully Sienna, Italy!!! Who's excited? That's right, I am.

How I Love Paris

The picture in the middle is of me and my French host family!

In Paris, I'm pretty sure we stuck out. We traveled in groups and spoke loud. We dressed differently and I am willing to bet we smelt differently too. (No offense to any Frenchies). So, obviously, people knew we were not Parisian. Therefore, people would often start speaking English right off the bat, even if we spoke to them first in French.

Some people in the group had a huge problem with that. They thought it was rude and they thought that Parisians didn't give them a chance. In the states, they claimed, they would never start speaking in Spanish or French to someone who couldn't speak English very well. They would let them try and congratulate them on their efforts. Is anyone else seeing how ridiculous this is? Frankly, I was fine with people speaking to me in English. No one ever said, 'Stop speaking in French, you suck at speaking.' Therefore, I believe that it was to accomodate us more than anything. Also, in a big city, people value their time. So, if they have to repeat what it is they are asking three times, why not just skip the grief and say it in a language we both know? Often times people think Parisians are rude, but they don't stop to think about their own culture and how they would react under similar circumstances. And I call that ignorance.

Plus, it's not like the waiters in Paris speak perfect English. They have to practice too, so why not practice with people who are actually American or English. That way, when they stumble across someone who really doesn't speak any French, they are prepared. I guess I am an optimist in that I don't let little things like 'The waiter spoke to me in English before I even said anything' get me down. Therefore, I LOVE PARIS. Disclaimer: Like every culture the French have their share of mean people, and no, not all of them live in Paris.

Sidenote, while I was in Basel, before the France extravaganza, I met a German who told me that I would be a princess in heaven and sit with Jesus if I could only accept him into my heart. He then wrote me a ten page letter filled with important verses and things I should know about Jesus and religion. Why do I attract wierdos???

Photos de Paris

Hurray for Pictures!

Paris Part Deux

On with the Parisian adventures.

While we were walking around on Saturday we stumbled on a protest against abortion. There slogan was 'Arreter le genocide des Francophones et Francais' meaning 'Stop the Genocide against the Francophone and French babies' A little overkill. People at the UN still can't decide if Darfur is a genocide, so for these crazies to start throwing around the word genocide was a little much. But, it's France. They have the right to protest.

Also, there's a new law in France that says you can fire kids below the age of 26 without notice. Obviously, us young people don't approve. Hence, there was a huge riot at the Sorbonne while I was there. It was actually kinda cool. I didn't get arrested, don't worry. But, it was the first time the Sorbonne had been taken over by students since 1968. I'll keep you updated on what happens.

While I was in Paris, it wasn't all play (although it mostly was). We had briefings on Médecins du Monde and UNESCO. The MdM representatives were really cool. They actually go to the field and tangibly help people by providing mainly medical assistance, but also some awareness and capacity building too. They are an orgainzation that I would want to work with.

UNESCO on the other hand...the presentation was less than interesting. The man that presented to us knew little about what was actually being accomplished in terms of positive advancements. Everything we asked about, like migrant rights, land rights, indigenous peoples, were not in their mandate and therefore, they weren't knowledgable. So, when we asked what exactly UNESCO does, we got a round about answer that left us more confused than before. Also, because the UN has this thing about remaining politically unbiased, which I can understand has benefits. But, other than making declarations and having countries sign and promise not to have child laborers, for example, they never reprimand a country. Just because a country ratifies something doesn't mean that it must abide by it either. Zimbabwe for example is continuously violating human rights and the UN does nothing. Not to mention the rest of the world, who is equally accountable. (P.S. the US isn't a saint in terms of upholding human rights either...) I left dissatisfied with what UNESCO stood for.

That was the one bad experience in Paris. And, for real, if that was the one, then my trip was a success!! There is still more to come, but tomorrow.

Paris Part 1

Although the weather was cold and rainy, my spirits were high because I was in PARIS! All the stories will come out at one point or another, but because I was there from Tuesday until Sunday, there is far too much to write in one sitting.

When we arrived we took the Metro to our hotel and were then turned loose on the city. It was fantastic. So, we got some lunch at a cafe. I spoke French to the waiter and in spoke English with us. At the end of the meal I told him he spoke very well and he told me that when I spoke in French my eyes got larger and he thought they were very pretty and then he said that I was tres belle. That's how the French impress the ladies! Then because it was rainy we went to this wonderful tea room. Really, they had the best tea I have ever had in my life. It was in the Marais quarter and it was called Mariage Freres. If you get a chance, go there. They had at least 150 different kinds of tea from all over the world and the three that we all tried were fabulous. Even if you don't like tea, go there to buy it for someone who does. They also have a little store in the front where you can buy almost all the tea on the menu and the people there were all helpful.

There was a lot of walking around Paris. A LOT. I didn't go to many of the touristy places because I have already been there and I could see them in passing and be satisfied. But, I did go to the Louvre on Friday night because it is free night for students under 26, which was awesome. I only saw the Islmaic art (hurray Mom!) because I didn't want to fight my way to the front of the line to see the Mona Lisa. They had some pieces on loan from the Met in NYC because I think they might be renovating...but it was beautiful and I had never really looked at Islmaic art before. There were some beautiful, vibrant colors and lots of patterns.

Anakin went with me too! I got to stay with her Friday night which was so much fun. After the Louvre we went to a swank cocktail lounge called la Mezzanine de l'Alcazar. (Dad: it was so awesome and I can't wait to tell you about it!!) They have CD's that the DJ's there have compiled and my dad and I really like them. Anyways, we sat on the sofas, where they had huge, velvet pillows. There was mood lighting and a ton of people were there just enjoying Paris on a Friday night. I ordered this cocktail called a Rose Rosita, I think..., and there was 'deep house' music playing and it was just a fun night in general. Good times were had by all.

Ok, part two is coming, probably tomorrow because I am exhausted and don't want to make this the longest blog entry in history.

A plus

Marisa and the Chocolate Factory

That's right. I went to a chocolate factory for French class yesterday. Not only did I learn about the where cocoa comes from, the differences between dark, milk, and white chocolate, but I was able to try all of them and eat as much as I like. The first part was the actaul learning part. Then, we were able to go 'behind the scenes' and see how the actual chocolate was made. Where does the chocolate come from you ask: a glorious chocolate fountain that moderates the temperature. It's actually a long process making chocolate. You have to heat it up, make it cold and then heat it up again until finally, you put it into a mold. We made a cow mold. It was amazing. And then after the demonstration was done, the man let us take pictures and eat chocolate from the fountain. I felt like I was in Charlie and the Chocolate factory and was wondering when the Oompa Lumpas were going to come out. He also let us try some of the chocolate truffles. Seriously, it was the most fabulous thing ever. I will upload pictures as soon as possible for all to see the wonders of chocolate making.

Even better, all the students in my French class recieved certificates that said we had passed Chocolate School. It was cute. We then walked back to Nyon, which was good, but I feel like I have to do some serious working out now....

Exciting news to come. I'm going to Basel this weekend, which should be fun. On Monday morning they have their big Carnival party where all the lights in the city go out and there's a huge, non-directional parade. I heart Suisse.