On getting Lost

I have no sense of direction what so ever, and have gotten very good at getting myself lost. Everyday that I have walked home, from the bus-stop in Altdorf, I have ended up at the very edge of the town, at the train station. The first day of walking home alone, I ended up walking for nearly an hour until I decided to go back to the center of town, and start again. I did eventually find my way back, but my host mom thought I took the 5 oclock bus from Luzern, even though I took the 4 oclock. Even with a map, I got lost both Thursday and Friday walking back, how I was able to get lost with a map, I still have no idea. For me, getting lost in my village is quite an adventure, as long as I have some water, I am perfectly alright with getting lost. I get to see a lot of my village, and get some good exercise as well. you would think I would know my way by now, but I know I will probably walk to far on Monday at end up at the train station for the 3rd time. At least I can read a map, so that I can always get home if I get myself completely lost.

Above is a photo of Altdorf, my town, seen from the air. It is the cover to my map.

In the center of the picture, is the main square with the yellow tower, that is where I catch the bus.

                            One of my favorite ads here, Only in Switzerland do cows climb mountains...




Everyday is a new adventure, and everything becomes a new story. This country is truly a magical place.

A Typical Day...

As there is way too much to write about the four days I have been here- so much has happened and it would take me hours to write everything that I have seen, the people that I have met, and the country I now call home. So, I decided to explain a typical day here in Switzerland for me. Last week, and this week I will trek to Emmenbruke for a German Language Course. This requires me to wake up at 7, after sleeping through my alarm, eat a delicious breakfast of espresso, bread with butter and apricot jam, orange juice and sometimes some fruit. Then I walk to the 'Tell Bus" stop, about 15 min walk to the center of Altdorf, where the bus arrives at 8 am, stoping twice on the the 35 min. journey to the Luzern central station. If the bus is on time, I hop on a train to Sursee, and get off in Emmenbruke then walk a few minutes to the building where language camp is. If the bus is late, then i have to wait for the 9.02 train, which would make me only  a few minutes late. The problem on Thursday was that for one, I don't speak much German, and some of the trains here split, one half goes one way, the other goes the other way. That is exactally what happend on Thursday, Me and Sarah (from Canada) were on the right train, but it split and went the opposite direction of Emmenbruke, when we realized what had happened we got off the train in Meggen, and waited for the next train to Luzern central station. When we finally arrived at lnguage class, we were over an hour late... oops!

There are 11 other Rotary Students, 4 from Canada, 2 (including me) from the US, and 6 from South America (2 from Mexico, 2 from Ecuador, 1 from Venezuela, and 1 from Argentina). The course is taught at a 2nd grade level, and our teacher will translate in both English and Spanish, by the end I have a terrible headache and my head is always spinning. German itself is a language to learn, the conjugation is fairly easy for me- because it is a pattern. I am terrible at pronouncing words, because I either pronounce them with a French accent or an Italian accent, and sometimes the only words I can think of are in Spanish. It makes German quite difficult, but I learn more every day and soon will be able to hold a conversation without my handy German-English dictionary. 

-Emmenbruke-
       ---Train station--

 - There are Swans all around the lake and River, all are very well fed and extremely white.

 Post language course, we take the train back to Luzern station, where I have to wait for an hour for the bus to Altdorf, I usually get ice-cream and walk aimlessly around the city. Luzern itself is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, from the old buildings, the amazingly clear and green water, and the wooden bridges- I love this city. I wander around, staying close to the river so I could find my way back to the train station, seeing what I see, and trying to blend in. I have actually become quite good at it, the only thing that will give me away is when I pull out my camera and start taking pictures- then I really feel like a tourist.

Above: One of the bridges in Luzern, lined with the Swiss Flag and the Luzern flag.
On the Left: One of the many boats, which I can ride   for free with my pass, one of these days I will get on one...

It has begun!

        Today was the big day! The day that I boarded the plane to Philadelphia, to start off the long journey where I will arrive in Altdorf, Switzerland after a full 36 hours of traveling! It began this morning at 6:00 am. I didn't sleep at all last night, I was extremely excited for the incredible adventure I have in front of me. My parents then drove me to the airport, where we had to triple check that my two large suitcases were under the 50 pound weight limit, both passed with about 1 pound to spare. My parents and brother were able to pass through security with me, and take me to the gate. When it was time for me to board, we had to say our goodbyes, I was able to talk dad out of singing 'So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen', Goodbye', but non the less it was emotional to say good-bye to my family who I wont see for a year. I will miss them so much, but I can no longer see myself staying at home for my Junior year. la
        After a 5 hour flight from Philadelphia, we were about 30 min. late because we had to circle the airport for 20 min while we waited out the thunderstorms. The pilot actually told us that we only had 20 min of fuel left and might have to re-route to Pittsburg, if the storm was too nasty to land. Thankfully, we landed in Philly, but it took me about 40 min. to get off the plane and find my next gate. The Philadelphia airport is really big, and by the time I found the gate, I couldn't walk much further with my heavy bags.  I had about 3 hours to kill in the airport, and thankfully they have internet! I watched a movie, had a snack, and talked to a few people back home.
       Hopefully my next post will be in Switzerland! And I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to up-load pictures onto my Netbook.

Waiting...

Oh, the lovely process of waiting for visas. What a lovely experience. In fact, the package that will contain the document that I will be needing to enter the wonderful country of Switzerland is still in preparation with the Swiss Consulate. It would have taken quite a while for the visa to be approved, but thanks to the wonderful Rotarians  here and in Switzerland, the visa process has been sped up! I will hopefully get the visa itself, after being over-night shipped from Switzerland to my house, and have a departure time in 24 hours! It does seem that we will have very little time to prepare, but when you have been waiting to leave for a year, 24 hours seems like a lifetime! It is now time to weigh and pack my suitcases, so that they are not overwieght resulting in me paying a rediculous sum of money to the airline. I hope the visa is on it's way and I will arrive in Switzerland in time for language camp, starting the 16th of August. I could not be more exicted!!