Central Suisse!

What a fantastic weekend! As all good weekends begin, the fun started Thursday evening!  Some kids from BU came over and we played some “games” and hung out!  Friday after class some friends and I went to the Patek Phillipe museum.  The museum was full of private collections of watches starting from the first clock to the newest, most modern watches today.  The watches were so detailed, unique, and gorgeous.  We came back, made dinner, packed for the weekend, and watched High Fidelity. 

Saturday morning Chris and I woke up early and headed to Lucerne.  Many people, including my very own Swiss expert, Joan, and the other interns told me I just HAD to go to Lucerne.  Lucerne is beautiful with much history and culture.  We dropped our things off at our ADORABLE hostel and went all over the old towne.  I looked VERY touristy with my Rick Steve’s Guide to Switzerland, but followed it and was able to see all over Lucerne.  We must have stopped for 3 coffees and pastries throughout the day!  The sky was a beautiful clear blue and the covered bridge was even prettier than the pictures are able to express.  We had some traditional Swiss German food for lunch and hot tea with wine.  Lucerne used to be covered by glaciers and they have an awesome glacier museum that we went to, and inside was a very neat Hall of Mirrors, which was very fun.  I got so turned around and accidently ran into a little child, almost ran him over.  We visited a Panoramic huge 360-degree paining of the Franco Prussian war.  On our way back into town we stopped for some hot apple cider with whiskey andhors d'œuvre.  We had a delicious dinner at a local brewery and got the local specialty and the homemade beer, of course.  On our way back we stopped for some drinks at a local, funky wine bar and at a prison that was not converted into a bar.  It began to rain so we ran back to the hostel and got a good nights rest.

At dinner Chris and I were talking and were once again, reminded of how lucky we are.  We were sitting in a wine bar, drinking delicious drinks, in a beautiful city, just enjoying life.  I am having such an incredible time here, but I miss home.  I miss my family, my school friends, my home friends, and America.  Leaving is going to be so bittersweet, and what more can you ask for???

We woke up to rain (although the view from our balcony was still gorgeous) and headed towards Zurich.  Have you ever tasted something that was so delicious you thought you might faint of pure perfection; that is what a Zurich train station (yes a train station) Bretzel tastes like.  It is a homemade soft pretzel with loads of butter and different chooses of meets and cheeses.  Chris and I got Fromage Bretzels for breakfast and we (and our stomachs) were so happy!  Our main reason for going to Zurich was to see the Georges Seurat exhibit at the Modern Art Museum.  I had not seen much of Seurats’ work and was very pleased I decided to go.  I enjoyed his work very much! We ate lunch at the world's first vegetarian restaurant, it was delish!  

It was Sunday, so most of the stores were closed do we walked around, went into some gorgeous churches.  The streets are set up with Christmas decorations; it was such a lovely feeling walking down the street.  We ate MULTIPLE cakes and pastries and cafes, and enjoyed another Bretzel on the train ride home! 

I came to Zurich with no previous knowledge of the city, with only a guidebook in my hand, and a very patient friend.  I thought Chris was going to KILL ME, I asked him a million questions!!  I just wanted to soak everything up!!  My thirst for curiosity was unquenchable.  I read every sign and went into every building I could (I had A LOT of caffeinated coffee).  At first, I felt overwhelmed by just this city, and then I started thinking about Europe and the world.  I want to see everything! I want to learn everything! I want to know everything…and that will never be possible, but I refuse to think that way.  I will try to not only learn but also experience every place I am given to opportunity to visit.  I need to find a job that allows me to do all that, with a nice salary. J

This week is craziness!! A final exam tomorrow morning, a term paper due Friday, and our symposium Thursday and Friday!!  I am looking forward to relaxing this weekend.  Monday our office is closed so Sunday afternoon I am hading to Bern to stay with a friend and go to the Onion Festival on Monday.  The Onion Festival is supposed to be great!  Apparently they close down the entire city and there are vendors and entertainers and crafts!  Sounds like a great way to unwind after a crazy busy week.