Shabbos in Lausanne!

What an awesome Shabbos in Switzerland!!  My uncle Jon was in the Israeli army with a gentleman named Daniel Gazzar who now lives in Lausanne, Switzerland, about 30 minutes by train from Geneva.  Daniel and his wife Oana invited me over for Shabbat at their house! I left Geneva Friday afternoon, arrived in Lausanne, and walked around...I found a cute book shop (with books in English!), and walked to the water and took pictures of the sunset!  I couldn't take enough pictures, it was so gorgeous!  Here are a few samples, for more check out my picassa site.

Here are a few shots:

I met Daniel at 6:30 at the train station and drove the short way to his house.  I arrived and was immediately greeted with warmth by Oana!  I walked in and the house smelled like Shabbat!  I was also greeted by their 3 kids. Nati (10), Ben (9), and Zelda (4)!  I helped Oana finish up making homemade, and prepare the chicken.  Daniel and Oana's friends came over to join us for Shabbat.  They also have 3 kids around the same age.  At dinner all of the adults spoke English for my benefit, which was very thoughtful. The Gazzar kids speak and understand both French and Hebrew, I ended up understanding and communicating with the kids via Hebrew/French, drawings, and lots of hand gestures!!  The highlight of my evening was doing the prayers before dinner.  It reminds me how cool it is that no matter where you are in the world the Shabbat prayers are universal and we can all understand and enjoy them together.  It sounds cheesy but it is the truth!  Dinner was delicious!!! It was my first home cooked meal in 2 months and it was incredible!!!  Daniel buys and sells wine for a living so delicious wines with each course accompanied the meal.

Most Friday nights, in Columbus I am one of the many lucky wranglers of Hillel's awesome Rabbi's 2 adorable kids!  Shabbat felt complete with awesome food and kids (6 of them!) using me as a jungle gym :-)!

This morning I woke up and Oana and I prepared breakfast!  Daniel went out for a run so Oana, the kids, and I all hung out and played games!  We all played some games together and Zelda and I did some arts and crafts!  When Daniel returned we went to lunch at an Italian restaurant in the town center with some other family friends of the Gazzars.  Most of the kids are bi-lingual, the parents each speak a different language; these kids have no idea how lucky they are!!  Oana, Zelda, Ella (Zelda's friend), and I took a walk to the chateau in Lausanne and walked around Old Town! For the rest of the afternoon we played more games, practiced the violin and alto, read a little, and hung out.  It was awesome being with a family, in a real house (with towel warmers!!!), with great food, and really nice people!  The Gazzars were going to a party in Geneva this evening so they offered to drive me back, which was very sweet! Daniel, Oana, and their family welcomed me into their home and I can't wait for them to come visit us in Baltimore!