Famille de la Harpe

Slt!

I arrived at the Lausanne train station and the Swiss counterpart was late!!! Can you imagine! Haha. But I sent all the kids off with their respective host families and everything seems to be going well. There was one girl who was petrified of her host mom because she looks like a 50 yr old chain smoker who likes to party. I couldn't help but find that a little funny.

I am staying with the de la Harpe family. They are farmers and they have a small vinyard and some chickens. They live in a beautiful old, HUGE farm house in a small village. The cielings are high and there are a bunch of nooks and crannies all over the house. It has been in the family a long time. They have four kids, one of which is home. Sabine is 16 and seems to be nice and very happy that I can speak French. They have hosted at least 5 people before and I guess they all spoke English only and developed their French as they were in Suisse. The father, who doesn't speak any English was very excited that I speak French, but seems to have a short patientce when I speak with him. At least I am making an effort. They have a huge garden and backyard that I will take pictures and post later on. For now, it's time for dinner so à l'attaque!

Suisse, Suisse, Suisse!

I did not realize how much I had missed Suisse! As we were flying into Corntrain airport I could see the vicinity where I had lived and it brought a huge smile to my face. It feels so good to be back and speaking French! I'm surprised that I remember where certain things are and I'm also surprised that I don't remember all the street names, stores, and cafes! But, nonetheless, I am here. I am loving it. The kids are fun. They were so excited to go at the airport, but now they are all tired as to be expected. Air France lost our luggage, surprise surprise, but it should be arriving any minute now.

My Swiss counterpart is very nice, very approachable if you have a question--but also very controlling. I guess that is a Swiss trait and she did ask if what she had planned was ok....but I knew that if I had said no...well you get the idea. But, I am in Switzerland and I am enjoying just sitting in my room with the window open looking at the sky as it changes from pink to purple to blue. Also, the breakfast is brought to our rooms, so I don't even have to get on decent looking clothes to eat!

Tomorrow will be our first "real" day and we start it off with a tour of La Vielle Ville, which should be good. Then we have a brief orientation followed by a lunch and a tour of the UN. I'll keep everyone posted on the kids and try to take some more pictures tomorrow!

ps my spelling is not perfect and I know it and I am working on it. That being said, please don't make foolish comments to me regarding it. Thanks!

Brattleboro, VT

This is what I look at every morning as I eat my breakfast!



I slept on top. Don't worry mom, I made my bed everyday!



My dorm in the woods.

One More Day!

I have one day left in the cold mts. of Vermont before I go to Suisse. I can not explain my excitement to meet these kids and show them one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Training ended yesterday, so today I have the day off. I'm planning on just relaxing because we all got aboout 3.5 min to relax the last 4 days. I want to be rested and ready for the kids anyway. Next time I poste I will be in Switzerland!!!!!!!!!!

Brattleboro, VT

Having never been to Vermont, I didn't know what to expect. But, I was blown away by the beautiful foothills, the lush greenery, and the streams that weaver their way around the mountains. Just wait until I post pictures!

Training is a lot like stuff I did for Concordia Language Villages. Well, except the part where I get $3,000 to disperse over the next 4 weeks for the kids. The people here are all world travelers and have plenty of connections and world travel stories to tell. One kid stayed in the Amazon in a hammock and ODed on his malaria pills. Is there any validity to these outlandish stories? You be the judge. The short of it is: this is going to be the most fun trip I have gone in a while because it seems like I won't have to spend a dime (except on all of your presents!)

Exciter...the good kind

I am so excited to actually be returning to Switzerland so soon. It took my dad 30 years to go back and it is taking me a little more than one. I will keep everyone abreast as I travel through the Alps and tote these American high schoolers along. Can't wait.