The Swiss Chocolate Overtax, and continuing the Spanish Drag

Hola from rainy Madrid, this wet Sunday has me wishing I was back in snowy Switzerland… Last weekend Chrissy, Alicia, and I shared a little room with bunk beds and Christa Lee (who booked later on) had her own room in Geneva City Hostel, which was quite quaint. Having switched our euros into francs the exchange rate had us feeling rich, but after our first experience searching for a decently priced dinner the joke was on us; In Switzerland everything is extremely expensive.

Considering February was the month we chose to go to Geneva we were unable to complete all of the plans we had for our visit: it was too cold to go wine tasting. We needed to be part of a group to sign up for the Chocolate factory tour. Being on Spanish time we were late to dinner and missed French fondue. The famous fountain in the middle of Lake Geneva, Jet D’Eau, was turned off. We even went to France to ride Le téléphérique du Salève (the cable car that takes you up into the Alps) but that was also closed. And last but not least, we missed a tour for the United Nations – by two minutes.

Bummer I know, but don’t feel too bad. Instead we enjoyed the snow, created our own daytime pub crawl, met some more Australian friends who were staying in our hostel, crossed the Switzerland border into France, and saw the Red Cross Museum. We also tried - expensive but delicious - Italian and Middle Eastern food, saw the famous Flower Clock, and - although sans fountain - Lake Geneva. It was too bitter cold to venture out at night and it would have just been a hassle to get dressed again so we ended up spending all three nights hanging out in the lobby of our hostel eating Toblerone chocolate and drinking some vino (the hostel sold very cheap and very good wine), while watching the Olympics and European Music TV.

We left Switzerland on Valentines Day – both the train station and airport were full of flower vendors and I got a free Lindt truffle with my sandwich at lunch. In the spirit of the holiday we decided to treat ourselves to more Swiss chocolate to bring home to Spain.

This weekend has been less interesting than last, but I got to spend some time with Marta’s family! I haven’t been around for the past couple weekends… I had completed a drawing of Mario enough to show it off and he loved it. Mario’s dad wants to play tennis with me once the weather gets warmer, I hope I won’t be too huge of an embarrassment because it’s been awhile since I’ve swung a racket.

Alicia was in Cadiz this weekend for Carnival – I stayed home to study. Glad I got to see her costume before she left via video chat.

I have recently become obsessed with an online website, TED “Ideas worth spreading”. TED is a nonprofit organization that broadcasts “talks” by intellectuals, scientists, theorists, journalists, curious people and genius’! please please please check it out! it’s a good thing my schedule - and this country - allows me to sleep in because I have DEFINITELY been staying up way to late getting sucked into TEDtalks.

More later, miss and love you all! Besos.