Better Late Than Never

Let’s hope that my trip here is not indicative of the rest of my experience.

I’m surprised that I wasn’t taken out by security based on the number of times I went careening through different airports looking like there was a lion after me. I run like a mad woman through DFW to figure out my terminal (because guess who forgot to check!). We’re delayed for 5 hours in Houston because the plane was leaking fuel. (Whew, I was afraid it was going to be something dangerous…) So we all get sent out on a different flight and later connecting flights. I have to gather my bag at London and recheck it so it follows me to Geneva and make it back through security in 40 minutes. Thanks to the saint of an attendant who got me to the front of the customs line and my bag coming out first on the carousel I was able to run up to the gate right as they announced “Flight to Geneva now boarding all passengers.” Once in Geneva, it was already dark and getting to the hostel required me to take a train and a bus, neither of which I was able to find without asking someone. (Fun fact: Swiss French has a bit of a German accent to it, I think, that is very difficult to understand.) Then, I tried to enter an apartment complex on the same street as the hostel and spent 15 minutes arguing with the admin on the intercom in French.

“Are you sure there is no SIT program here?”

“What is the family name?”

“No, SIT, students, studying abroad, are they here?”

“Family name please!”

“GAHHHHH!!!”

Then I realize it’s down the street about 50 feet.

I hope you find this amusing (I know you do, I see that smile) because I wanted to punch someone and then fall on the ground and sob.

But I’m fine now, thanks for asking, and can fully appreciate the ridiculous nature of each situation. Also, flying in over the Alps as the sun was setting was pretty awesome too.

The picture doesn't even do it justice.

I was snapping picture left and right. I could feel my neighbor, a stiff middle aged Englishman, judge me with every click. But I could see right through his apathetic façade; he was just as impressed at how wonderful it looked. He kept sneaking glances and would look away quickly if I saw him as if to say, “Ho hum. Seen it before.” I was tempted to just plant my face in front of the window as punishment for his judgmental nature, but my benevolent nature stopped me (it’s a blessing and a curse). Also, it was just so beautiful and breathtaking. Made all the crap before worth it.

Honestly, I’m just glad that I made it here. The other girls in my hostel room are really nice and I didn’t seem to miss much. As sit here in my bunk and munch on the banana nut muffin I pilfered from an extra breakfast box on the plane, I realize things could have been a lot worse. 

Also, this took me forever because this website is now in German. So... that's cool. Because I can't even being to guess what Jetzt speichern or einstellungen mean.