Jerrie's Travels

and that is an environment i have never really been around... until today. I went to my very first rotary meeting in the woods. It was beautiful. we drove through mountain paths to a little cabin area about 5 minutes away from my house. When i arrived i didn't really know what to expect. I met up with Maryanne which was really nice. It was soo good to talk to someone not only in english again.. but someone my age. We talked the entire time. She informed me that my picture and information is up on some bulletin board at school!. talk about embarrassing. So we arrive at the cabin thing ( something like you would find hiking in waterton or something ) and i look out at the amazing view. When i look out my window here i just see the hill with forest.. but who would have known that just over that hill is a breathtaking view of the swiss alps! So, we walk in and i am swarmed by hand shakes.. i must have met like 50 men.. who none of there names i can remember.. except for ugene. Maryanne told me he used to be on the radio.. and his wife is english. so i thought he was pretty bad ass. Alot of the rotary members speak engish too. so that was a relief. Markus and Maryanne then told me i had to go up and introduce myself to everyone. I said "hello i am Jerrie i am from Canada. I am really excited to be here so thank you for having me" and they all burst out into laughter... i am not to sure what was so funny. I think it was more of a "oh look at that cute girl who cant speak our langauge!!" then  sat down.. and had a real good look around and noticed something... Maryanne and I are the ONLY girls there. besides the cook. who go figure, was a woman. They all drank wine and chatted. some asked about where i was from exactly in Canada etc... But as i continue to meet people i am learning more and more that the Swiss have NO conception of what Canada's geography is.. They think we call provinces states.. they dont know where Alberta is.. it is a mess. I always have to say " about 2 hours south of Calgary" and then they go "OOOOH Calgary yes. i get it" I sat across the table from what seemed to be the youngest member in the rotary. high twenties low 30s man. who talked to me all about hockey. Apparently the swiss love it just as much as us Canadians. When i got here Marlis and Markus told me that Soccer was a huge sport here. Which it is.. but i was glad to here about something familiar. Apparently near Christmas there is a huge hockey thing here and it is pretty prestigious. He said usually Canadians are invited and that i should definitely go to it. To tell my host parents when that time comes that i am interested. After eating We sat outside (as it started to rain) and drank coffee. When we were leaving A man came up to me and said that he would probably be first host family!! i was really excited to here that.

a) he has a pretty big house

b) he has 6 kids!! most are older and 2 younger about 12 and 13.

c) he has a LOT of animals. 2 dogs some cats a horse 5 turtles some chicken etc.

It is not official yet but he told me they are just figuring it all out and getting everything organized.

When we were eating dinner i couldn't help but notice the men outside looking in at Maryanne and I. She then told me that the rotary has never had two girls at once on exchange in there club.

Right now would be a perfect time to go touch those cows.. But i am the only one here. Marlies went for a hair cut.. and if i left the house i dont know how i would get back in... so another day of taunting continues.

I also attempted scrunching my hair today to disguise the frizz. which has not turned out to well. Marlies and i  i think are going to a electronic store to look for a new straightener. i told her that i just needed to go to the salon and buy one.. but they don't sell them there... i duhno.. we will see how that goes. 

Dad i talked to Maryanne about school. She has also already graduated. I was happy to know that she doesn't put forth too much effort in her school work.

That is all for now. I will probably add more later tonight!

love you mom and dad.

Jer