Kevin's Post I don't feel like rewriting, I mean come on, he already wrote the story and I can't spin a good yarn.

I am also too lazy to flip the names and junk, so just read it like it is (edited slightly):

Today is worth writing about. Today, not even a picture could describe my stories, so a thousand words (or so) will have to cut it.

Zach and I (remember my fellow IU-ian?) took a chance and walked to the Airport with somewhat poor directions. But really, it was a simple hop-skip-and a jump away. The walk there was uneventful and of little evidence of what was to come. Zach, who initiated this trip in order to cash out an undisclosed amount of cashiers checks, was heading towards the AmEx counter when I spotted a Duty Free store. We had little to do tonight besides pack, so we figured we’d stop by the Store after the AmEx to pick up some entertainment, duty free of course.

In order to get into this Store, there was a set of automated doors that one has to walk through (they actually are the doorway into France—I’ve walked there twice). So we walk in and stop at the Store. Zach, in his facil français, asks the woman if we need tickets to buy items Duty Free. She says yes, so we leave. We leave…

The door in had a “Do Not Enter” sign and above that, in French, it said “Pas Sortie”. The only place to go was into line for customs to cross into France. Up to the Counter we go.

“Parlez-vous français?”

“Non, mais tu parles le français bien.”

Zach turns to me, “Kevin, your French is better than mine, tell him we don’t want to be here.”

“Ok, nous na voulons pas être ici.”

“Ah, desolée.”

“Est-ce que nous pouvons sortir”

“Ah, you made mistake.” (this is my non-English speaking French compadre. Very funny ass).

“Ouis.”

“You can leave ::presses button and hidden door opens::, bye.”

We made it to Suisse. We left the airport defeated. One might think we were done, but never doubt my fortitude.

Once back onto fresh Suisse soil and breathing fresh Suisse air (ever breathed French air?), we continued our journey back. We joked a bit about our excursion and temporary imprisonment on French soil, and vowed revolution. In the middle of our vows, a 22-28 year old ‘boy’ walked by us. He wore a blue puffy jacket, baggy jeans, and was listening to his iPod. He was a bit on the stout side, and would also be considered short. Oh, he also wore a genuine leather belt. He looked at me; I looked at him. It was a consensual look. I continued on nonchalantly.

.276 seconds later, I heard “blah blah blah quoi?” (That’s what French sounds like when you don’t listen carefully.) Zach and I both turn around in symphony and look at this foreigner on our soil.

I respond in American, “What?” and even act un peu bedazzled.

In response, he begins to remove his belt. Yes, his genuine leather belt was beginning to be removed from his pants while looking, with his angriest face, like he could take two on one.

My first thought: “This punk wants my recently withdrawn money…we’ll see who wins this one.”

My second though: “Maybe he is looking to trade sexual favors…”

Thirdly: “He likes my belt—maybe I should take mine off and trade with him.”

In reply, Zach says, “No thanks!” and we both walk off as quick as possible. We made sure to not look back until he was a good 200 paces away. Way to avert a sexual/violent disaster. It is possible that my superior size scared him off, or that he was so confused by our refusal at his attempt at malicious behavior.

A Bientôt

Some amazing pictures from Luzern

On top of Mt. Pilatus. Amazing sites, really cold, really wind, really worth it.







I LOVE RöSTI. I had been waiting all day for some good heavy food, and we finally found it. Below is the end of a celebration for Carnival later in February, the band was unbelievable, they gave out free whiskey and coffee concoctions and chocolates, and were very friendly. I am pretty sure the bigwig in the center is the mayor of Luzern.

Format Change

I have changed my format as the last format was designed solely for A Lesson in Class. The new and improved blog has links. Enjoy suckas.

Du Hast

Disclaimer-In my nature of being stubborn, I will be typing this post as if I were typing on an American keyboard. These are not typos...mainly.

I am sitting here in mz office at the IIHL, the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, and I have the most unbelievable view. I am right in front of a window overlooking the whole citz with the alps in the background. Unfortunatelz, todaz is kind of gross and the mountains are mostlz covered in clouds. I am hoping it doesnt rain tomorrow, because I wanted to take a long hike in the Juras, which are a smaller mountain range just outside of Geneva in France.

Saturdaz morning I am going to Luyern (damnit, actuallz its Luzern) with some friends, Ashlez, Shirin, and Kevin. We booked a 3 star hotel for cheaper than the hostel, but Kevin and I have to sneak in later on. Eric told me about a hike called the Grand Round on top of Mt. Pilatus, but I think its not open until Maz. However, thez do have the worlds steepest cog railwaz in the world with the last car being made entirelz of glass so zou can see all down the mountain as zour climbing up. Should be a great hike, but a bit cold. Thez also have a casino there where we will hang out at night. I wish I had brought a tuxedo so badlz right now. I plan on onlz plazing a few games of blackjack, onlz as much as I would be spending on drinks for that night, and if I lose I wont drink. If I win, I maz have a celebratorz drink, but Iàd like to keep anz excess monez that roll mz waz.

I just booked a flight to Lisbon for just over 100 CHF(swiss francs), which was a great deal. That will be in late March, I am verz excited for that trip. As for now, I should get back to doing the work that thez havent given me zet, apparentlz I found the most laid back internship in Geneva, the last interns here said thez didnt have enough to do most of the time. I did bring mz Ipood, so I think iàll listen to Bob Dzlanàs £most of the Time now£.

Debriefing- Reallz, onlz the zs and the ys are displaced on these kezboards, as well as the placements of commas and other grammatical tools. Still annozing.

Some Pictures for those w/o FB

The Beautiful view from atop Castle Chillon in Montreaux


A foggy morning nearby where I live


The market in Ferney, France

Prix

Prices in Geneva are ridiculous. Everything is on the Swiss Franc and they decided that things should cost 3 times as much as they normally should here. A pint of beer costs around 7-9 CHF (Swiss Franc), which is insane. On saturday morning myself and 3 friends decided we should walk to France, when you could easily take the bus. It took around 35 minutes, but was well worth it. There was an open air market in the town, Ferney-Voltaire, and the stalls were filled with beautiful fruits, cheeses, meats, wines, etc. There were oranges almost as big as your head, which was odd. It only cost 2 Euros for 2 Kilos of kiwis, which ended up being around 15 large kiwis, an amazing deal. Also, concerning Peanut Butter: Reckman told me that peanut butter in Europe was gross. I told everyone here the same thing. Someone bought it anyway and there happens to be nothing wrong with it, besides it being expensive. So, either PB is only gross in France, or it is only normal in Geneva.

Bonjour/Gutentag

Hello friends, enemies, family, vagabonds. Today was my 2nd day in Geneva, CH, and I am loving it here. I have not uploaded any pics to my computer yet, so you will have to wait for some of those. Last night I went to a local bar with 3 other guys and 3 girls from the program. Everthing here is a good walk from the John Knox centre where I live, but I love the countryside - you can see both the Juras and the Alps from the front door of the centre. I took a run this morning at 630 with the guys I went to the bar with, and it was maybe one of the harder things Ive done in a while. I didnt vomit afterwards, which is progress for me. We watched a bit of the sunrise over the alps at the end of about a 2 1/2 mile jog. Although I felt a bit woozy and shakey afterward,but the cold shower felt amazing. Today we went to the US Mission, The UN, the Red Cross Museum. Nothing too special, but it was interesting. I got an ID for the UN library with my picture on it, and ate in the UN cafeteria. I dont have much time now, dinner is in a bit and I have to change. The cook, Jose, is a Spaniard and speaks no english, only french and spanish. He roasted a whole lamb, so I am looking forward to it. Latas.