Switzerland

The train station in Vitznau =) There was a beautiful sunset!!
This is the view from our walk up the mountain (we didn't make it the whole way)
Again...this is the group. We will be going to Rome this coming weekend =)
Our yodeling friends! It was the older man's 76th birthday
A Croissant 
We arrived in Switzerland 3 days ago in Zurich. I got to the airport first (at 8 am) where I played Banagrams solitaire until 12 when everyone else arrived. Everyone said their awkward "hi's" then we boarded a bus and headed to Vitznau (about an hour away). I was mildly sedated the entire time due to the recent removal of my wisdom teeth and was fairly excited to get to a place where I could rest my tired little eyes. 

Jeanne woke me up when we started cruising down the narrow roads through the beautiful mountains surrounding Lake Lucern. Our bus driver seemed to think he was driving in a porche. I say this because he was CRUISING down these narrow roads like nobody's business. 

When we got to our "dorm", I couldn't believe that this is where we would be staying. We ate a quick lunch and had a quick tour of the facilities. I don't really remember any of it (still sedated at this point). ..

We got to our room and were so surprised! For all of you that don't know- Jeanne and I were roommates in Sweden and we LUCKED out. We had the biggest and nicest room while everyone else was crammed for space. We knew we were going to get shafted this trip simply due to Karma. 

We were wrong! Very Wrong. Everyone has nicely-sized rooms with adequate space, but Jeanne and I (and two other girls from JWU Prov) are sharing a suite! The side showing the mountains and the lake (yes, we are right on the lake) is all windows which hosts a beautiful panoramic view of it all. The sun sets are to die for. How can we be this lucky?!

-I even have enough room to Turbo Jam in my living room (on the hard-wood floors!)

The first night we were there, the students at the school  put on a 70s-themed dance for us. It was alright..not really my cup of tea..

Yesterday we went into Luzern, half way by bus, then the rest by train. It's a nice little city with a lot of history and shopping. It is strange to see such a booming city nestled in the mountains. Everywhere we go, there are the cutest little houses and buildings. They are so stereotypical- I suppose for a reason.

Last night, all of the JWU students went to a bar down the street from DCT (our school). We walked in and it was one room, 4 big tables, full-lighting, no music. Strange. Of course, I ordered a bottle of wine and the night began. At the 3 other tables were: 

1. The rest of the JWU students (the less-rowdy half)

2. A few older couples , and their kids...

3. A table full of older Swiss men. (Mountain men)

We were all self-contained for a bit...then we got a deck of cards and began to play Kings. After a few "waterfalls" and silly rules, we were all becoming a family. About an hour into that, the table of men began YODELING! I never knew yodeling was such an art-form! Turns out, they are (most of them) in a Swiss Yodeling band. It was a few of the members birthdays...By midnight, we were all best friends. 

One of them lived on the top of the mountain. (4th generation farmer!) and had to walk home because cars can't drive up to it. So he walks to and from town every day. I thought that was wild. He had this stuff that you snort off your hand..It was kind of like Vicks Vapo-Rub. It cleared your sinus' right up! His name was Weindel. None of them spoke English, so we used make-shift sign language.

Woke up early today and looked for a church, but I think it was too early. Both of the two churches were closed. I went for a walk along the lake and then headed back for brunch at 11. The food here is surprisingly good! We have a cafeteria, but I've really enjoyed everything we've had thus far 

After that, a bunch of us girls went for a walk up the mountain. Gorgeous! It was a bit of a hike, but the view was so worth it!  We came home, did arts and crafts (I made pretty things to hang on my wall) and then  relaxed until dinner. A little Turbo-Jamming and my day is coming to an end. 

Tomorrow classes start, and I heard something about a 40-page paper...dunno what that's all about, but I'll be interested in finding out. There isn't much to do in the town, so there shouldn't be too many distractions...I say that now, I'm sure I'll find some!