sajawata

Here’s what I’ve been up to so far:

Thursday
Went to the shopping center for groceries and lunch. The Grocery store is amazing, with tons of fresh produce and cheeses and homeade breads and sweets. Lunch was amazing = Orzo and Cuc Salads, plus sandwich made of crepes, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, mascarpone! Mmmmm

Friday
Played with the kids all day
Had the night off so went into Geneva
Walked all over city to learn my way around. The old town is beautiful and the most interesting part. Lots of churches and cafés.
Had dinner at an outdoor café. My waiter was the statue of David come to life, only more attractive. His waiting skills were horrible however. Apparently that will be typical. And I was horrified when my bill came and I realized a bottle of water cost almost as much as my 2 glasses of wine. Oh well, I was so high off the buzz of the city and my gorgeous waiter that I didn’t really care. Plus I got to people watch for several good hours. After eating mostly Indian food all week I was craving something more hearty so I had Gnocchi and the local Gamay.

Saturday
Went back to Geneva to get my train pass settled and to get my laptop fix (Phew!)
Then to France for lunch at a Lebanese Restaurant. Yummy!
Took the kids down to lake to feed ducks.

Sunday
Went up in Jura Mountains to Lake Lesrouses in France. Very pretty drive through several small ski villages. Nice picnic with the fam and then a ride on the boat. The ski area there looks exactly like Snow King in Jackson.
I also gave the host mom a piano lesson, which was interesting since I have not played in so many years.

Monday
This week will be hard as I have kids all day every day.
Today we went swimming at the next door neighbors. I am trying to teach the kids and the mom swimming.
The kids are starting to warm up to me I think. They call me “sexy girl” I don’t know where they learned that- they just like saying something grown-up and cool.

Tuesday
Played with kids all day
The family celebrated an Indian holiday that was very interesting to watch - brother and sister ‘ceremony’

Guess thats about all for now

Arrived in Geneva yesterday and am very happy with the way things are going.

I’ll start at the beginning:

Flight from Charlotte to New York was fine. Thought 2 hour layover at JFK would be plenty of time. Wrong. Had to sprint to other side of airport and go through security only to have the loud speaker calling my name saying my flight was about to leave as I was going through security gate.

Made it however and the next flight was without a doubt the most enjoyable flight I’ve ever had. A HUGE plane that must have been brand new because it had countless amenities the best of which was the computer screen on the back of every seat. Got to watch Sex and the City, Spider Man 3 and music videos and also play solitaire. Each chair even had it’s own remote control. The coolest part was that there was a map on the screen that would show you exactly where the plane was, how fast it was going, the altitude, and how long until landing. A very nice flight.

My layover in Dublin was a bit on the long side & I had planned on trying to go into town but after NYC I didn’t want to leave the airport and risk missing my next flight. So I spent 6+ hours in the duty free stores and then the airport pub. The only breakfast they were offering was a plate with Bacon, Sausage, Black pudding and half a tomato that looked less appetizing than my foot. Finally I found a smoothie and muffin and they had fresh Raspberry preserves from County Cork and it was the best thing I nearly ever tasted.

The Irish LOVE their duty free. I felt like I was in a mall: makeup and fragrance stores aplenty, clothing and accessory stores, a Guinness store, book stores…….. Then it was on to the pub, which was interesting since I had just finished breakfast, but since I hadn’t yet been to sleep I told myself it was just a nightcap. Plus it’s Dublin, and when in Rome do as the Romans right!
I have found a new reason for living and that is Butlers Irish Dark Chocolate and Crispy Mint Truffle. Heaven.

Flight to Geneva was only about 10% full, so I got the row of 3 seats all to myself YIPPEE!
The host family was there to greet me and my 700 bags of luggage, which all made it safely YIPPEE!

The Lake road from Geneva to Commugny is so picturesque. Full of cafés and perfect European chateaus. Then you reach the small town of Coppet which is on the lake and you hang a left onto Rue de Commugny and then its maybe a mile or so.

Their house is very nice. Very clean and IKEA-ish. My room is in the basement with a bathroom and an open room which is currently being used by their friends who are visiting from India. The kids made me welcome cards and some arts and crafts gifts.

Tonight we went to one of the few restaurants in their town, an Italian place where you can get any kind of pizza you like. Eggplant and Artichoke for me plus a nice glass of vino.

Today I unpacked then walked to Coppet to explore. French barrier a little difficult as none of the store clerks speak English. Must make effort to learn basic French so as not to look like total fool.

Couldn’t get money exchanged as everything closes from 12-2, but is ok. Will do tomorrow.

Walked up and down the lake. Beautiful day.

Must get to sleep now as have early day with kids tomorrow.