Daily Life

This past weekend, two friends and I attempted to take a spontaneous trip to Geneva, but didn't end up getting our tickets in time. The culture of the Swiss doesn't very easily allow for spontaneity, as they really value punctuality. So I spent my weekend in Lugano, hiking and exploring during the day and going out at night. School keeps me busy, and I also just started a band new A Capella Choir on campus, which has been a big success so far. We just performed for the first time at a student open mike night, and arrangement of "I'm Yours" that I put together. I'm really enjoying that. I have also joined a Swiss Aussie Rules Football team, which is like a hybrid between rugby and soccer. Just today, I met a representative of the Greenpeace branch in Lugano and I plan on going to their next meeting! From what I hear, they are still very involved in the anti-whaling movement. Here are a few pictures of some friends and I!

Right now a lot of people are preparing for Octoberfest, which starts this weekend. A friend and I are planning on renting a smart car and doing a short road trip over to Germany for the weekend. I've been here for a month now, and I was getting a little homesick for the Southwest this week. I felt like I'd give anything for a red enchilada! But I'm still intent on making the most of my time here. I have so much to learn from this place.

Climbing in Switzerland

So I'm a little behind in my postings, but I'll try to make up for lost time. I believe it was two weekends ago now that I finally got out of Lugano to do some rock climbing! A group of us, complete with some experienced climbers as well as a few beginners, took a train to the Swiss town of Bellinzona and a bus farther into the mountains where there are a lot of climbing routes. We climbed all morning, and I particularly enjoyed a slab climb (where there are few foot and hand holds so you have to rely more on balance and technique) that was challenging. It was a beautiful area, and I look forward to going back. Before it gets too cold, I hope to do some deep water soloing as well.

After climbing, we went back to Bellinzona to go enjoy an annual wine festival that was happening there. Bellinzona is an absolutely beautiful town, complete with cobblestone roads, cathedrals, and colorful houses lining alleyways. One of my friends described it as what mainstreet disneyland might look like if it were a real place. You could buy a wine glass for ten francs and sample all the wine you could ever want. For me, who has absolutely no experience with the culture of wine, this was quite the educational experience as well. I got to learn about some of the different kinds, and now know that when tasting wine you are supposed to start with white before moving to rosette to red. We bought a few bottles, stopped to pick up some kebobs from a popular local "fast food" place, and walked up to one of the Bellinzona castles that overlooks the whole city. How incredible to think that people once lived there! Later that night, we took the train back to Lugano.