Rhein Falls

Me, Mamma El, and Simi went to Rhein Falls on Tuesday. It is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. We had to drive through part of Germany to get there, but it is in Switzerland still. The day started off cloudy and foggy, but cleared up right before we arrived. It was perfect. The water splashed up to make an amazing rainbow at the edge of te falls :) We took a boat over to the other side of the water, and we got to be right up by so close that the water even sprayed us a little.

We walked through an old building, which had displays about the history of the Falls and facts. Apparently the falls were formed 14-17 thousand years ago after the ice age. It is the largest waterfalls in western Europe. 70 feet high, 400 feet wide.

SO AMAZING!

so far...

This last weekend I had on orientation camp with all of the other exchange students around my area.

I took a train to get there.. my very FIRST train ride :)

The camp consisted of different worksops (like how to meet new people/get involved and how to make the most of your experience), games (to help everyone bond), and lots of good food!

The other exchange students were from Italy, Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic.

It is so amazing being able to meet people from all over. We all exchanged emails and numbers so that we can meet up later on. I cant wait to see them again.

MY GERMAN IS GETTING BETTER :)

I study throughout the day.. everyday! I make new lists of sentences to study every few days. German is ridiculously hard to learn. But I have learned more here, than I ever did back home in the classroom. Learning a new language is so much better when you hear and use what you lean on a daily basis.
The most common german i use is still 'Es tut mir leid. Mein Deutch ist schlecht.' (Im sorry. y erman is bad.) though. Then people understand why I look at them like an idiot when they come up and talk to me. and they usual repeat themselves in high german (the swiss speak their own dialect of german which is completely different) and speak more slowly. This makes it way easier to understand.

Simi

Simona- my sister, my best friend. This was a match made in heaven. She is the most amazing person and I'm not sure if I would feel so at home right now without her.

my sreet :) fresh drinking water spout

view of the town

in the town

i love looking up and seeing flowers and designs.

everything is so detailed... even the doors.

All settled

Today is my fifth day in what seem to be the most beautiful place on earth. Switzerland, you are no disappointment.

The town of Aarau is absolutely adorable.

Statues and fountains appear around every corner; the streets are filled with friendly people; buildings are made of stone with hand made with veins, egravings or paint covering them.

My family has welcomed me with open arms and I have become one of them already.

I had my second day of school today. It is definately difficult. Not only do I not speak German... nobody speaks very good englsh either, with the exception of the english teacher, of course. Buteven that teacher speaks British english, not American english. I think that I am picking up fast though :) I have been told my pronunciation is amazing!


The food:
since my family is italian, we feast well.
homemade pizza.
risotto.
pasta. pasta. pasta.
cheese of every kind.
not one thing hasn`t tasted fresh and restaraunt worhty :)

i know that i am very lucky.. not only to be here, but to have been placed with such an amazing family.