Switzerland

I'm in Switzerland! As I write this, I can actually here their bell tower chiming the hour. How great is that? The last few days have been good- but hard. It is strange not to have Bailey here with me, and I have to make sure I stay busy as not to dwell on it. Which is something Jessica has done a great job with. Today we went to visit a reconstructed village in the southern part of the country, giving me the chance to see the GORGEOUS countryside. I just couldn't get over it. Yesterday was just as fun, the highlight being a going away party that we went to for Jess' godmother's son. He is about our age, so most of the guests were also college-aged. I was pretty apprehensive, as I don't speak any Swiss German, but I had a great time. There were a number of people that took pity on me and talked with me in English. At one point everyone was singing Happy Birthday to one of the guests in English, which was funny. Instead of "birthday," the whole group sang "birfsday." It was like my own, private joke. Not that I should be speaking at all. I have felt pretty slow the last few days, not knowing a word of Swiss German, High German, or French. I am painfully American.

As much as I am loving Switzerland, I can't wait to get back to Scotland. When I was there I just fell in love with it. Everyone was so friendly, even when I couldn't understand a word they said. (Side note: who knew the Scottish accent could be so hard to understand??)

To end this, I would just like to apologize for any weird phrasing that I might have used. After three days talking with only Swiss people, I have started to think like they talk in English...if that makes sense.