Monday, July 9, 2007
Rain, rain go away!!!
It seems that we have left the desert heat and have landed in the land of cool temperatures and lots of rain. Fortunately the directors here are not bothered by the wetness outside. They still have plenty planned to keep everyone busy.
The kids have been busy spending time shopping (Serena's favorite), visiting museums, playing board games, watching movies, going bowling, and hanging out with their new friends. Last week the kids spent two days one of Switzerland's beautiful cities, Zurich. They were able to visit and indoor water park, the Zurich Zoo, and have a picnic in one of the city's park. The one things everyone seemed to like the most was the amazing views. European architecture is so m much different then anything we see in Las Vegas but is so beautiful.
While Chris and Serena were enjoying Zurich, Sarah and I took a quick trip to Paris. The two day voyage has us visiting all the sights. We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower (much bigger than ours in Vegas), Sacre Coure, Notre Dame, and the many impressionists' masterpieces at the Musee D'Orsy. We took a few minutes to do a little bit of shopping as well. Luckily the rain only followed us for a few minutes on the trip so we were able to walk and see all these beautiful sights of Paris!
This week we are gearing up for a faculty versus students soccer game tonight and a day trip to the mountains. This is the trip that us teachers have been waiting for because we are stopping at a cheese factory and more importantly the chocolate factory!!
It seems that we have left the desert heat and have landed in the land of cool temperatures and lots of rain. Fortunately the directors here are not bothered by the wetness outside. They still have plenty planned to keep everyone busy.
The kids have been busy spending time shopping (Serena's favorite), visiting museums, playing board games, watching movies, going bowling, and hanging out with their new friends. Last week the kids spent two days one of Switzerland's beautiful cities, Zurich. They were able to visit and indoor water park, the Zurich Zoo, and have a picnic in one of the city's park. The one things everyone seemed to like the most was the amazing views. European architecture is so m much different then anything we see in Las Vegas but is so beautiful.
While Chris and Serena were enjoying Zurich, Sarah and I took a quick trip to Paris. The two day voyage has us visiting all the sights. We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower (much bigger than ours in Vegas), Sacre Coure, Notre Dame, and the many impressionists' masterpieces at the Musee D'Orsy. We took a few minutes to do a little bit of shopping as well. Luckily the rain only followed us for a few minutes on the trip so we were able to walk and see all these beautiful sights of Paris!
This week we are gearing up for a faculty versus students soccer game tonight and a day trip to the mountains. This is the trip that us teachers have been waiting for because we are stopping at a cheese factory and more importantly the chocolate factory!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day of Exploration
We all woke up later than usual today because they do not serve breakfast on Sundays. Instead they have an amazing spread of food for Sunday brunch. Mr. Downey and Miss White missed out on this great feast. Mr. Downey headed to the mountains in France for an afternoon of hiking while Miss White also headed to France to explore an old Medieval city.
Once Serena, Chris, and I finished eating our fill of pastries, fruits, cereal, pizza, and all the other wonderful treats we headed into the city. First we stopped at the United Nations. We took the one hour tour that took us through the history of the UN as well as to many of the board rooms. Once we finished there we headed down by the lake. On our way we were able to see the Red Cross and the World Meteorological Organization. We also passed some beautiful fountains and a huge chair with a broken leg. Serena informed us that she believe this represented all nations supporting one another.
As we approached the lake we saw a beautiful park where there were many families and friends gathered. We walked the trail the passes along the lake that is adorned with statues and other cultural works. As we made our way back toward the train station we made some stops at souvenir shops. As we waited for the train to take us back to Versoix, which is just 5 stops up the tracks, the rain set in. It seems that we made it just in time because it continued to rain hard for the remainder of the evening.
Once Serena, Chris, and I finished eating our fill of pastries, fruits, cereal, pizza, and all the other wonderful treats we headed into the city. First we stopped at the United Nations. We took the one hour tour that took us through the history of the UN as well as to many of the board rooms. Once we finished there we headed down by the lake. On our way we were able to see the Red Cross and the World Meteorological Organization. We also passed some beautiful fountains and a huge chair with a broken leg. Serena informed us that she believe this represented all nations supporting one another.
As we approached the lake we saw a beautiful park where there were many families and friends gathered. We walked the trail the passes along the lake that is adorned with statues and other cultural works. As we made our way back toward the train station we made some stops at souvenir shops. As we waited for the train to take us back to Versoix, which is just 5 stops up the tracks, the rain set in. It seems that we made it just in time because it continued to rain hard for the remainder of the evening.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Swiss Night!
On Wednesday night, we were immersed in Swiss culture. After the day's classes and activities, College du Leman brought the international students a taste of their own heritage. The evening started off with a traditional Swiss meal: bratwursts, scalloped potatoes, cheese and then some more cheese. The dinning hall didn't have the most pleasant aroma (from the cheese) but the food was wonderful! Then, as the kids walked out side, they were greeted by yodelers and a family of cows with bouquets of fresh flowers on their heads. We followed the mini-Swiss parade over to Concha, the area of the school where all the activities are held. There we were welcomed with a yodeling concert, two long mountain horns, and dancing. It was so much fun! No where else in the world could you see a Swiss yodeling troupe next to a group of Saudi Arabian kids each adorned with green Saudi flags on their backs! It was a great cultural experience that I think all of us will take back with us.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Summer School Begins!!!
Summer School is officially in session. After all the students arrived on Sunday and some straggled in on Monday, the campus was fulled of excitement. Serena now has four great roommates from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Spain. I see Chris running around with a new group of kids everyday. What a little social butterfly he is! I have been busy, which is great! The first day of work, Sunday, all of the forty counselors helped the 240 students get settled. We greeted them at the airport, helped them to registration and the carried their suitcases to their respected living quarters. The little girls are so cute. Kids as young as 8 years old are here! They are so adorable!
While the kids are in class, all the counselors get together for a staff meeting where the directors, Mr. Behar and Mr. Stephane tell us the afternoon activities. They range from ping pong to cooking! I help out with a group of eleven 14 year old girls from all over the world. The Iranian girls have taken a like to me, and I enjoy helping them with their English. Yesterday, we all went and took a tour of Geneva. We started out on a bus tour, where they took us through Peace Way, the street with the United Nations, the Red Cross, the World Health Organization and the Department for the placement of refugees. Next we took a foot tour of Old Town and walked through St. Peter's Cathedral, the very spot where Calvin preached his new plans for the Church and the idea of Protestantism.
While the kids are in class, all the counselors get together for a staff meeting where the directors, Mr. Behar and Mr. Stephane tell us the afternoon activities. They range from ping pong to cooking! I help out with a group of eleven 14 year old girls from all over the world. The Iranian girls have taken a like to me, and I enjoy helping them with their English. Yesterday, we all went and took a tour of Geneva. We started out on a bus tour, where they took us through Peace Way, the street with the United Nations, the Red Cross, the World Health Organization and the Department for the placement of refugees. Next we took a foot tour of Old Town and walked through St. Peter's Cathedral, the very spot where Calvin preached his new plans for the Church and the idea of Protestantism.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Our first weekend in Versoix
Our first weekend in Geneva was great. When I say our I mean Chris, Serena, Sarah, Miss White, Mr. Downey, and myself. We arrived on Friday afternoon Swiss time, which is 9 hours ahead of Las Vegas. When we arrived we all ate lunch in the College du Leman dining hall as a group. I knew we needed to appreciate this time because in a few days the students would no long want to eat with us. They will be making many new friend and no longer need the adults to keep them company.
We were the first to arrive on campus. Most students would not be flying in until Saturday. We all had a bit of jet lag so we headed to our respective sleeping quarters for a long nap. Chris headed to a big dorm with his counselor Jean-Pierre. He was pleasantly surprised to find a pool right out side his dorm. Serena headed off to a very nice place across the street from the main classroom building. Although she did not find a pool right outside her new home she was excited to see the flat screen plasma TV in her common room area. So far things are going better than expected. Who would have thought that summer school could have so many amenities?
Sarah headed to an off-campus house with the remainder of us. A nice house just outside of the campus. It is surrounded by lots of grass and flowers. It is a short walk past a small stream to campus.
After our naps we all enjoyed the sunny yet cool than Vegas weather outside. We all met up again to share stories of our new living arrangements and eat some dinner. Agh, after a long trip we are really in Switzerland!!
Saturday and Sunday were spent playing soccer, laying by the pool, getting to know our way around campus, and exploring Geneva. While Chris was playing soccer with his new friends (one from LA and one from Saudi Arabia) on campus Serena joined the rest of us for a day of exploration. We headed out to the city to see all the shops, restaurant, and all the sight seeing spots. We finished the evening in the English Gardens eating pizza and practicing our French. Although we are all exhausted from the traveling we are excited of what is to come in the next three weeks.
We were the first to arrive on campus. Most students would not be flying in until Saturday. We all had a bit of jet lag so we headed to our respective sleeping quarters for a long nap. Chris headed to a big dorm with his counselor Jean-Pierre. He was pleasantly surprised to find a pool right out side his dorm. Serena headed off to a very nice place across the street from the main classroom building. Although she did not find a pool right outside her new home she was excited to see the flat screen plasma TV in her common room area. So far things are going better than expected. Who would have thought that summer school could have so many amenities?
Sarah headed to an off-campus house with the remainder of us. A nice house just outside of the campus. It is surrounded by lots of grass and flowers. It is a short walk past a small stream to campus.
After our naps we all enjoyed the sunny yet cool than Vegas weather outside. We all met up again to share stories of our new living arrangements and eat some dinner. Agh, after a long trip we are really in Switzerland!!
Saturday and Sunday were spent playing soccer, laying by the pool, getting to know our way around campus, and exploring Geneva. While Chris was playing soccer with his new friends (one from LA and one from Saudi Arabia) on campus Serena joined the rest of us for a day of exploration. We headed out to the city to see all the shops, restaurant, and all the sight seeing spots. We finished the evening in the English Gardens eating pizza and practicing our French. Although we are all exhausted from the traveling we are excited of what is to come in the next three weeks.
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