My First Swiss Sunday!

Today we went to the lake. Lake Constance. You might remember it from my poster. From one spot where I stood. I could see Germany to my left. Austria right in front. Switzerland to the right. And liechenstien in the distance. You can't even see that many states from somewhere in Missouri! Anyways, at Lake Constance we went to a sandcastle contest festival thing. They were amazing! So much detail. Someone from the US got 2nd place(who-hoo USA!). And they were so much detail. I have no idea how they stayed so perfect either because it rains all the time! Also, I have no idea how they got all that sand there. I know I haven't been in Switzerland for very long. But, I have yet to see a beach with surplus sand. Here are the pictures!

AVATAR!

Everyone, I found Big Foot.

I don't even know what this is.

I thought this was the coolest one. In person it was ridiculously detailed. Just like real hands.

This is a swimming house from way back when women and men had to swim  on different days and wear things that fully covered them. And yes there were people swimming. Crazy Swiss.

If you look closely someone is swimming. And I have no idea how they got that far out there without turning into an ice cube.

Tonight we had spaghetti for dinner. I helped make the sauce. It takes two days to make. And it doesn't come out of a can! Who knew?:P All it was was peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, a dsah of wine and this and that and some herbs from the garden. You heat it up then let it sit and repeat this over two days. And let me tell you, all that work was totally worth it! I will be so good at italian cooking by the time I get back Zio's will be reqruiting me! Now, I want to cook them something. Something American that they don't have here. Yet all I seem to come up with are different varieties of cookies. Obviously I eat way to much dessert at home and not enough real food. So any ideas let me know!

See! Totally ready to run Zio's kitchen!

So amazing! And I learned to eat it with a spoon and fork. I felt so Swiss! Apparently the Italians don't do that. And Americans should start!

Freittag 13!

Nothing of consequence happened even though it was the tirthteen thankfully! Today I went to the grocery store and it was very interesting. In order to get a cart, you must insert a dollar. then the cart is unlocked from the other carts. And when you bring the cart back you lock it into the other carts and you get your dollar back. I was trying to figure out the purpose of this because if you were to steal the cart you would still have your dollar coin. It would be in the insert spot on the cart. So can't exactly figure that one out. ANy ideas??? Then when we checked out you have to bag your own groceries! That is hard labour! haha. I had no idea how to do it either. i felt like I was smashing everything. And I wanted to protect the chocolate. Their chocolate section takes up a whole side of an aisle. Of course their aisles are smaller than ours. But still so much beautiful chocolate! Then tonight was St. Gallen fest. It lasts three days. There are lots of stands for food and drinks all down the streets and music. But to me it just looked like a very big celebration to drink beer. Espcially since the mayor started it off by opening a keg. He was a very small man too and a very big keg so it took awhile. Haha. I have some pictures from the festival. And yes I promise, I AM in Switzerland!

Trudy, Me, Tobias, ANd Nino

Yes that is an indian. I was confused too. So was Tobias.

Mom I promise I didnt run away to China.

So Much German!

Today has been a very long day! I woke up and watched the British news. At home I don't even watch the American news. But it is the only english channel! Then I helped Nino cook lunch. Actually all I did what cut up an onion, then cry, then set the table. But setting the table here is long process! They use lots of forks and spoons for each portion. And they change bowls and plates for each thing. It is weird to me because then you just have to wash more dishes???? After that we went into the town. I rode a bus! Like I waited at an actual bus stop and then put in coins and everything! Then I went to see the government building. I got a tour and got to go on the top of the roof. You could see everything! After that I set up a bank account. At the "Raiffeisenbank". Then I went with Nino to a swiss nursing home for a ceremony presentation. young people that like photography go there and they do things with the old folks and help out and take a photo that represents their experience. The Cozzio's oldest son that died, Raphael, his friend won and so Nino went, also with Nino's job as the social person in the government he has to go to things like that. The friend Dominic was very cute but i could not say anything. Him no english, me no german. What a waste. Haha. Then I almost fell asleep during the presentations. You think presentations in the US are boring. Try one where you can't understand anything. Boring and you get a head ache. Then After that I ate some chocolate and it was all good! We went to dinner at markus Morant's house. He is from rotary and helps me with administrative things. There I got information and money :) haha. My monthly allowance. Money here is beautiful! Pink and blue and purple. Very bright. We had dinner with him and his wife and my third host parents. I can't remember their names but they were nice! He is CEO of the bank i have my account at and she is a lawyer for that bank. The first course was a cucumber soup and it was too strong for me and Tobias and we gave each other the look from across the table as to say eww. I really felt like he was my brother right then! Of course Chat probably would have said it out loud. Other than that I can't write anymore. i am to exhausted from hearing all the German today. Oh I did see something funny in town today. I saw a construction van that the city mantience drive. But it was a mercedes benz. Who new mercedes made vans??? Also, i have never seen so many smart cars in my life. They are adorable!!! Mom I want one :)

St. Gallen

This morning I went swimming! I didn't even think I would need a swim suit. But second day, swimming. It was a little pond/lake in the city. And it was freezing!!!!!!!!!!!!! Colder than the when the water is on cold in the shower. But they think it feels "very nice" Haha. It was very interesting. Then we went on a tour of the city. At one point Nino was talking about the baroque style of a church. I thought he kept saying "Barack" and was talking about Obama. Very confusing! But no Obama did not build a church in St. Gallen as I soon discovered. I also saw my future school. And the buses I will take to get there. I will post pictures because words can't describe how adorable this place is.

SWIMMING!

all the cows here wear bells!

Meine Haus (my house)

The Kitchen! All red!

First Day!

Currently I am sitting on the Cozzios couch eating the most amazing chocolate and watching the only english channel- British News. Tobias got me all set up and made me a post it note, just in case I forget the one channel. Haha. . Well I am here:) after having a major breakdown in Chicago and a runway delay in New York things have improved greatly. No one was sitting next to me on my flight so I got TWO seats! It was the way to travel. I slept mostly the whole way. Right through dinner and two movies. Nino picked me up from the airport and kissed me on each cheek. Left one twice. I felt SO european! When we arrived we sat down for breakfast and they were shocked to discover that I do not on a regular basis drink coffee. Apparently Americans are only pictured with starbucks in their hand. Then we went on a walk/hike. They called it a walk. I call it a hike. It was gorgeous. You could see the entire city from the top and Lake Constance and Germany. On the way back down I slipped in a mud puddle and had a lovely brown butt pattern on my pants. I blame changes in elevation for my clumsiness since I also tripped going down the stairs. When we got back I began to unpack. Trudy was worried I had muddied up my only shoes. Hehe. She was oh so surprised as i began to pulled out ten other pairs from my bags :) Next came lunch. They eat very strange over here. First off they don't have beverages with their meals. Second the ate each thing individually and changed bowls before the next. We had vegatable soup. Then they took away those bowls and I got up. Thinking we were done. Oh no we weren't. We still had this mushroom rice thing. But we had to get a different bowl. Couldn't use the plate that was under the soup bowl. Next Tobias taught me to use all the electronics. #1. The Bathroom. There is no flusher. There are two large square white button on the wall. You push it. There are also no light switches. All white square buttons. #2. The heat in my bedroom. It comes through the floor. yes the FLOOR. And my window, I can lower the blinds by pressing a button. And the blinds aren't on the inside or outside. They are in the middle. . . The kitchen is red and it's beautiful. Red as in a red frig and cabinets. Not wall. All the walls are white. Very modern. The weather here is wonderful. So much better than 100 degrees :p. Oh and did I mention they have a moped??? Yes. And they ride it to work and stuff. A moped. A moped. Okay I am literally about to fall asleep. Stupid jet lag. More to come! <3 love, Savanna:)

Auf Wiedersehen Springfield!

I want to thank everyone that came to my going away party. Everyone made the night very special and I really appreciate it! Also, I hope you picked up a blog paper and will be following me through Switzerland! It means a lot to get to share this experience with everyone back home. I leave Monday morning from the Springfield airport. Then Chicago, then New York. And then, as weird as this sounds, I will be "homeward" bound to Switzerland. Wish me luck and please keep reading! Love, Savanna =)