Week Recap: Chocolate Chaud and Sweet Babies

So because I was unable to post until today, you all will not only get a RECAP of this baller week but you'll get a second post about today's adventure (maybe- or you'll get a weekend recap tomorrow and ill make sure to keep up this week!)!

So MONDAY:

We started the morning off in Genève, for our first class/discussion thing. Amazingly, this went by pretty quickly allowing us to run to Nyon to get some lunch then get ready for our first french class. Now, three hours of french after lunch does NOT go as quickly as morning classes do. However, class could be A LOT worse. There are 5 others in my level, with RITA our teacher. Rita's cool and italian, so I can deal. Luckily we get breaks so we can get our 1 CHF chocolate chaud that comes one of this crazy machine and even gives you a stirrer. I'll try to remember to take a picture of this contraption.

I can't really remember monday night- but I don't think it was that interesting. Although, luckily i can get GW VPN to work so i can access hulu and watch american tv..thank goodness.

TUESDAY TRADITIONS:

Tuesday started off a little rough. I got up pretty early to catch a train into Geneva so we could get to the Med School on time for a lecture. So a group of us got there early enough and went to go wait by the cylinder drum. After waiting for 20 min...we realized no one else was there and it was the time to meet. We were actually CERTAIN we were in the right place and even did a lap around the area we were in...but no sign of anyone. So we finally call Earl- yea we were in the wrong spot. oops. Anywho, then we went to a lecture on aging and swiss health care. Luckily we got another break for some more chocolate chaud and this time i put the mix into coffee- which was perfect to wake me up!

Then it was time for french class again- nothing interesting. However, a couple of us made plans to go back into Nyon after dinner at our homes. Now, we've been hearing about Cactus Jack's from various sources, telling us we should go there. So a group of 6 of us headed to the bar. We found the best deal was to get a thing of 10 shots for 40 CHF (sad that thats the best deal.) So after looking through the options and eliminating things with tequila and/or tabasco sauce..we went for Sweet Baby..basically vodka, citron, and a lemon dipped in sugar for after. This was actually the sweetest tasting thing I have had in this country so far...far to sweet but has turned out to be the best out of three so far. So we went for another hat to try another shooter. Now, I don't think i can even tell you what was in it...but I was wishing I could go back to the sweet babies. It tasted like Good and Plenty's or whatever that gross candy is called. Licorice is not my thing..however the "revolution" has made it second onto the list...but hopefully it'll move down a little more. For the worst shot, I am going to make you wait for thursday's recap.



We grabbed one of the last trains back to Gland and luckily I had some chocolate waiting for me when i got home. Buying that was a GREAT move..and I wish i had it for thursday (see below).

WEDNESDAY- "I have a UN security badge...nbd":
So Wed, morning was made a little more pleasant because we had our first trip to the United Nations. The grounds are really nice and the campus is pretty huge. It is in a great area and most of the other organizations surround the UN palais. When we got there we had to go through security and stand in line to get our passes for the next three months- these grant us access to the certain parts of the grounds and the library- which we can use whenever. We're pretty official..its no big deal (nbd).

After the United Nations and a tour of their library and shiz (which btw....the stacks are pretty LEGIT and you can't access them- books are brought to you), we split into groups and went to different libraries. Each group then had to present their findings of resources and shiz to the group at the end of the week. My group went to the Graduate Institute of Geneva for International Affairs & Development. They had some awesome resources which will DEFINITELY come in handy. Since our group finished relatively early, we headed back into a main part of Geneva to try and find the jet de l'eau. Once we got there, most of us decieded it was too far and our business casual shoes were not working out too well so we just walked around and went home. But, here are some shots of the lake and the jet!



Thursdayyy:

Thursday was the day I've kinda been waiting for: we went to the OMS! (WHO in english, world health organization). Though, I haven't met my future boss yet...i'm gonna be going back so hopefully we'll meet :). But yea we just listened to a mental health lecture- and everyone was just exhausted and not feeling it..but it was cool. We got another badge- not as official, but still pretty legit. Then it was time for more french class. The class is getting to be a too much- it is just too long..but whatever..could be worse!

After class, we headed to Denners- a grocery store. On our way though, we came across the America Mart. Everything there was sadly the processed foods we americans eat, but it was great to see it all haha. especially BEN AND JERRYS- however the lack of ochunk was actually depressing (to the tribe- this made me so sad :( ) Anyways, at denner we stooped to a new low, a wine for 1.65 CHF. It was actually surprisingly not bad. We pre-gamed at the castle in Nyon- with a beautiful view of the lake and city. Getting to Nyon from Gland was interesting...as a double decker train pulled up. We were not sure if we were allowed to take it- so i tried to speak french (fail) to ask as Jenn got crushed by the door. But eventually we made it to the castle. Then we headed over to cactus jacks for more bad decisions. THIS is were the worst shooter comes into play: picture tequila, some other gross alcohal, and TABASCO sauce. not so pleasant. I mean it could have been worse- but it was pretty bad. Bah okay i cant even talk about it- but trust me..dont do it. The bartender actually recommended it- it was prettty RUDE of her. Then we we ventured off into nyon for a little & caught the last train home. We were craving chocolate so badly but had NONE. worst life decision ever. Then came friday.

Fridayyyyy!

Yesterday, friday, was legit. Earl was in a weird mood though, which was quite depressing..whatever. I got my "demi-tarrif" card that gives me 1/2 off of all train travel within switzerland- which is GREAT and has already been useful (look for this weekend's post). After a shortened french class (normally we don't even have french on fridays) we headed back to denners to pick up our 1.65 CHF wine + some pretzels and chocolate- since we endured a night with no chocolate the night before. We decided it was time to go out in Geneva. So after dinner- we headed back to the castle for our pre-gaming festivities. We were surrounded by 13/15 year olds..so it was quite amusing haha. Then we took the train into Geneva to meet up with Steve's other friends from cornell. There we pregamed some more then went to a bar Les Brasseurs. Now I don't know WHY we decided to do this, but 8 of us split 5 L of beer..when most of us did not need it. Pictures of this contraption will come soon- I'll upload them tonight. But needless to say, we had quite the eventful train ride home- concluding with la bise and the devouring of pretzels and chocolate. However, it proved to be a great success...until I had to wake up at 8 this morning to go to gruyere!

more on this to come... including my epic morning trying to recover.

Anyways- look for another posting later or tomorrow night after we go to Montreux for more castles and swiss landscapes (i think?) Hopefully I'll have it up before our epic quest to find the superbowl on TV begins!


ciao ciao!