Svizzera

Ciao Ciao,

I haven't updated in a while, but let me assure you, it's all for good reason. You see, last Thursday afternoon before I left for Svizzera, I wrote an entry, attempted to publish it, and it was deleted. I have no idea why. All I know is that I am most definitly holding the worst kind of grudge.

I've got less than two weeks abroad now. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I was given a take-home final for English, due Wednesday. I've already presented my marketing plan on Shelta Light, an innovative LUNA Bar-esque product targeted at Italian women. My Italian oral exam is on Saturday morning; the written is next Wednesday. My hardest final, Art History, is this Saturday evening. I've got my plate full, although not as full as it could be, thankfully. On top of everything, my immune system has predictably failed, and I'm dutifully battling the common cold with an influx of clementines and Airborne. All in good time.

Switzerland, Interlaken to be exact, was very beautiful. We stayed at this really great hostel, Balmers, complete with red gingham blankets, fire places, and a giant outdoor chess set. It also was home to Metro, the only night club in Interlaken. On Friday, we bopped around Bern, a town about one hour from Interlaken. We browsed through Christmas markets, sampled INCREDIBLE caramels, and sipped spiced wine (that was a bit too pungent in my opinion). We also went to an English showing of Casino Royale, only to run out BEFORE IT ENDED in order to catch the bus back. I liked it though, the parts that I saw. Friday evening, we had a blast at a fondue dinner in our Hostel. It snowed Friday night, setting the mood for a movie-watching, cookie-baking day on Saturday. On Sunday, I woke up with the cold and hung around the hostel, reading while everyone was out and about, jumping out of planes and skiing down glaciers. Don't pity me, though - The Horse Whisperer and I got along just fine. Our bus ride home was quite an adventure. Watching Love Actually and getting that little taste of Christmas was definitly worth the eight hour trip back to Firenze, smudged in the very very back.

Each time I get that comforting feeling returning to Florence after a weekend away, I am reminded of just how much this place means to me, and just how much it has become my home.

Yours,
Genevieve

Pictures to come.