First Real Weekend

Classes have been going well so far. Lots of reading, but it’s do able. I can’t imagine how most students take 7 classes, and some even take 10. It’s really insane.

On Friday a whole bunch of us went to Chateau d’Oex for a hot air balloon festival. We took the train over, which was about an hour ride. We got there around 3, walked through the town looking for information about the festival, and found out that nothing was going on until 7. Super. We were expecting there to just be balloons up in the air all over the place. Apparently that day they decided not to do that. So we all bummed around Chateau d’Oex until 7 (mind you, it was QUITE cold once the sun went down). There was a church on top of a hill in the middle of town, which was where we went to get the best view. At 7 there was a whole lights and balloons display. It’s hard to explain, but basically there were filled balloons scattered along the hillside of the town, and some candles or lights that made the shapes of more balloons. Since it was dark, every time a balloon’s flame would go on, we could see the balloons. Without the flame, it was just dark. So the balloons would light up set to the music. It was very cool, but VERY cold.

We all took the train back to Bulle, and went down town to a local bar for the evening. It was great because pretty much all the people that were there, were Glion students. It was a nice way to meet people and try to convince them not to hate us just because we’re American.

Saturday was amazing. I took an early train to meet my friend from UNH, Carrie, in Geneva. She’s studying abroad in Dijon, France. We met at the train station for our much needed reunion. Caitlyn and Elyse came on a later train, but the phone numbers that were exchanged weren’t quite right, so we couldn’t get in touch to meet up. So Carrie and I spent the whole day walking around and exploring Geneva. Talking to someone from home, face-to-face, who isn’t biased as to what’s going on here was EXACTLY what I needed. We had a wonderful day filled with random shops, an unexpected show from a type of marching band, and Carrie being able to speak French (that’s really the only reason I keep her around J).

We decided to find some place to get dinner, and decided on an authentic Mexican food place… lol. We walk by to see if they’re open, and who’s inside but Caitlyn and Elyse! So it was great that we were all able to get together for dinner. Carrie’s train was around 7, and ours was at 7:10. We all went to the train station to see Carrie off. Again, we came back and then went out with a bunch of friends for the evening.

Today was a bit of a lazy day. We all got to stay in bed late, and then go to the “American” brunch that they serve on Sunday. It was eggs, bacon (though they were all out when we were there), crepes, waffles, something like a chicken burrito, pizza, cereal, toast, hot dogs (random?), and some other stuff. It was definitely good though.

We all came back and did a bunch of reading all afternoon. Dinner and a movie in the evening, and just some quality hanging out time.

Time to get some more reading done.

.love and chocolate.