Catching Up...the Rhine at Night and Lugano and Como

So it's been a while since I updated but it is 1am and I have to go to work tomorrow so...will update soon:)

The Rhine after work

Dana and Kim...remember in Charleston when you tried to go through the McD's drive thru and they refused...here they have a walk thru :)

Lugano, Switzerland

Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como, Italy

Lugano, Switzerland

Rain or Shine; Swimming in the Rhine!!!

Today Urs and I went swimming in the Rhine. It was soooooooooo cool, literally :). We had the entire river to ourselves (probably because it was so cold)...I hope to do it again soon.

I finally got Vonage to work so I have my US phone. After threatening legal action (thanks for the advice Dana), and threatening to publicise my story they finally fixed the issue. I hate to take it that far but you would not believe what happened.

Anyhow, looking forward to this weekend...Lugano and Locarno:)

Miss everyone...still love it here!!!

Let's just hop over to Germany for dinner

Hehehe...I love that. We had dinner in Germany last night at Lorache (I know I didn't spell it right). Sooo nice.

Temporary Housing

So here are some pictures of my temporary housing...I should be looking for permanent housing on http://www.homegate.ch/ but I am procrastinating as usual :)

Weekend Update

Before I left the US, I locked myself out of my house about 5 times...Friday morning I locked myself in my apartment...seriously. The key wasn't working and I couldn't open the door. The worst part was I couldn't stop laughing because I kept thinking about calling work..."I'm sorry, I will be a little late today...I've locked myself in the house." Eventually the key worked and I regained composure but...

Friday night we went to the Jazz Festival in Basel. It was nice. Heels + Coblestone + Clubsy American = Injury. On the way home I twisted my ankle on the coblestone...argh. The plan was to leave for Lucerne at 8 Sat morning. Due to my injury (so mostly...other factors such as a late night may have contributed) I did not make it. I really, really wanted to go so I took a later train and caught up with the group at the top of Mt. Pilatus. I did forget my camera and missed the boat though, but here is picture of the group (thanks Ala)!

Mt. Pilatus is incredible. I took the World's Steepest Cogwheel Railway to the top where I met everyone. It was so beautiful...we were in the clouds! It was so amazing!!! And cold, but a little wine helps with that :)

After lounging under wool blankets admiring the view, we decided to head down the mountain a little bit for some fun on Switzerland's longest summer toboggan run! It was soooooooo fun!!! The first run was so exciting we went again. I decided that the signs that said "break" were optional... which they were, so I guess it was my option to fall out and crash. Yes, I had a toboggan accident. OK, so it really isn't bad but... It was SOOOOOOOOOO much fun.

We were going to do the ropes course but we didn't have enough time so we took the gondala down to Lucerne. We had a great Italian dinner on the river and then drinks at a bar with a Panoramic view of the city. It was so beautiful watching the moon and the lights of Lucerne in the evening.

Today...recovery and relaxation.

http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n58-sE.html

I Hate Vonage...Seriously

So my US phone isn't working...again. I really hate Vonage and if I didn't need that phone number I would set up an "I Hate Vonage" blog which I bet I could Google and find...

Anyhow, had a great day in Lucerne but too tired...goodnight!

OK, so I did just Google "VONAGE SUCKS 2008) and there are tons and tons of posts. If I didn't want to keep my number...

I have been email back and forth with them today. I really, really, really, really hate Vonage!!!

Falafel

Not really sure I like it...

German...very useful when trying to use a washing machine with directions in that language. I had to wash my clothes in the tub after making yet another mess in the laundry room (last time I opened a front-loader full of water).

Coffee cups... important to know what size is appropriate for the coffee maker, especially when with a coworker (at least he thought it was funny when I made a mess...I think) :)

I love it here!!!! Seriously....love it! Miss everyone, but wisheveryone could come here...even if there is no Taco Bell and I'm almost out of Goober Grape Peanut Butter and Jelly!

My New Friends from Zurich :)

So really I just got these photos from Rodney and Simone...

Nothing too new. We went to Bar Rouge last night (at the top of the Ramada, the tallest building in Switzerland) which was great and then to another meeting spot so it was very nice. I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep. This weekend we are going to Lucerne. It should be quite beautiful. http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n136-sE.html

I got my B Permit today...so I am legal :) I just got my Swiss cell phone but can't figure out how to dial other people here :(. So I'll figure it out tomorrow. I'm going to take advantage of a quiet evening to clean and hopefully sleep...I think:)

Finally...

Finally I have my internet...this also means that I have my Vonage phone. So for those of you stateside, call my old number and it is still US call. Now I just need a Swiss Cell Phone.

Zurich Street Parade

The First Week

So I have been here one week now and I am so excited. After arrival on Saturday, I walked around and went to sleep. On Sunday, I went with my Welcome lady to get my luggage etc. and then Rodney and Simone came and picked me up. For those of you who don't know, I used to work with Rodney at UPS, his wife Simone was sent on assignment here, and it is completed unrelated but very nice that we all ended up moving at the same time. I was so glad they got me because I didn't have a phone and didn't have much to do since I only had a little luggage. We went and watched a beach volleyball tournament in the middle of the city. It was men's tournament and you can buy Prosecco in a can so all was great.

I couldn't have asked for a better first day of work. My first role is Operations Portfolio Controller and I am learning so much. It's funny, one of the people that our group supports is Simone's. I have my own office with a window on the seventh floor. Two other people started at the same time and they set up lunches etc. with members of the department. We were invited out for drinks that night and ended up at a really nice outdoor bar at the Rhine.

Tuesday was a bad day...not all day, but I was so happy to buy this Orange Flybox for internet access and then when it didn't work...

Wed we had a scheduled lunch with another member of the program who turned out to be my assigned buddy. The team I work on is restructuring so we had an overnight teambuilding meeting. We went to this lovely hotel in the country. The meetings are so organized and they have "catalists" that run them. It was great as I got to meet everyone and we had a great dinner that lasted until 11pm. The next day after our sessions, we hiked up a mountain and ate lunch at a restaurant at the top with a great view of Basel and France. Friday my air container came with some more essential items. I live in a cute little temporary apartment so I'll get my other items in a month or two. That night we went to Paddy's for drinks. Then we went back out at 11p for a night on the town. It was nice...yes that sums it up.

After very little sleep I decided to test the whole bike riding thing. Interesting. I made it to Rodney and Simon's and we got on a train to Zurich for the street parade. House music, half naked people, drunken debauchary, great times. We didn't really partake but we did get inside all of the action. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Parade

Today I am catching up after a very exciting week. Don't worry; I won't have a daily recap next post...just this first week.

I am alive

So I am alive...hard to tell without internet or phone access. After all of the delays due to strike and stupidity, I made it without my luggage. I got 1 peice Sunday and the other on Monday so I am good now. I will write a detailed account once I get my internet working. I miss everyone but am doing fine...except for today but that is mostlz because I cannot activate my SIM card so I cannot get my internet so I cannot call anyone....and you all know exactly how much patience I have...

Not Frankfurt, Not Paris, but London...

I missed my flight! So I made it to Philadelphia on time and then missed my flight to Paris. I really don't want to write about it, but let's just say misinformation, miscommunication, and almost a misdemeanor as I showed out at the Air France gate :) I was so happy to get to GSO on time after a long goodbye night... a very long goodbye night, only to mess it up at my next stop. Anyhow, I'm in Heathrow Airport now and have quite a while to sit, about 5 hours, but at least I'm on the correct continent. I miss everyone already but am excited to get this adventure started.