More Geneva Switzerland

Is it Geneve or Geneva???? Depends who you are asking. In Switzerland it is spelled Geneve, but in America we call it Geneva. Just a few pics for you to enjjoy or pass over quickly!
All of my stuff crammed into a locker


Even in Switzerland. I did not eat at Dominos, but I sure was hungry for pizza.

A cool street, yes a street-- not just a walkway!

Geneve, Switzerland...one night was enough

After such a nice time in Bern, I decided to go spend a day in Geneve, Switzerland on the France border. I had a lovely trian ride to Geneve and then put all my stuff in a locker at the train station. Because it was Sunday, no stores were open, not even the Tourist Information booth. I meandered through the town and found the hostel where I would be sleeping. It was different than the two previous places...a little dirtier and a little different crowd. I decided to check out the lake and I happened to catch a boat that traverses the lake. There was a cool fountain in the middle of the lake..better in person than the picture.
I got off at one of the stops and got on a bus to down town. I found a really old church and quite a few closed clothing stores! I got on another bus..not knowing where it would take me (hopefully someplace to get dinner, but it did not). I ended up at the border to France...so I got on the bus going the other way and headed back down town. I made it back to the lake and realized I had a long walk back to where the boat would take me to the other side of the lake...and it was getting dark. I made it back to the hostel and to the trainstation to get my bags. It was not until I was almost back to the hostel that I saw the tram that went directly to the train station from a few block away from the hostel. I am getting better at lugging all this stuff around, but I am looking forward to dropping everything in Poland! I ate dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant. I had Gnochi (not as good as what I had at Aunt Debbie's) a tomato sauce. This was actually my first meal in a restaurant.


The next morning, after sleeping in until the last minute, I lugged my stuff back to the train station and headed to Interlaken.

Bern Under Contruction

I got to Bern around lunchtime yesterday and put all my bags in lockers at the trainstation...what a load off my back...literally! I walked through the Old Town and made it to the Einstein Museum. I spent a few hours there and learned a lot about Einstein's family.
It seems like everything is under construction from the train station to the Parliament building and the major Cathedral...
The Bear is the symbol in Bern because one of the founding fathers' first kill was a bear. Now they have a Bear Pit for symbolism.

The Parliament Building

The lockers that have saved my back... 6Sfr for 24 hours of storage. When I saw the hill I would have to climb, I decided to leave my big back at the lockers for the night. Everthing was still there in the morning so thank Goodness! I am off the Geneve for a day in the morning and then on the Interlaken before heading up to Gimmewald...I have yet to see snow! Today was pretty cold though. Luckily Starbucks has made it to Switzerlaqnd with its free wireless. talk to you all later! Hope work is going good...wait that is just mean! Love to all, Michelle

Getting Lost in Zurich

I arrived ok in Zurich and then I got lost in the city. There are two ways to get lost in a city and I did both. I got to see a lot of the city when I was riding the busses and trams looking for the hostel. I cannot tell you where I was but I think it was still in Zurich. I made it back to a train station and got some directions. I checked into the hostel and it was kinda like being back at BBCC dorm life! After settling in I decided to see the lake.
I got to see the Old City and went into the main shooping area...such Posh places and I am glad I am on a budget and I only window shopped.
I stayed in the old city a little too long as it got dark quickly. I did not get cold even though I did not have my heavy coat because it was a long walk home...and I got lost again. I was walking alone along side the road...and a little scared. Already the first day and I am lost! I made it to a train station and back to the hostel just in time for a late dinner. Dorm life is okay, but three Japanese girls up early in the morning was not fun for me.
I decided to go to Bern the next day so I went to the train station and got a ticket...easy as that!

I am here!

I have so much to tell everyone! I am currently in Bern, Switzerland on a Hostel computer with no way to upload pictures. I had a safe arrival and have seen some great buildings and lakes. Packing around my bags has slowed me down a bit, but I am finding ways to cope. I have not seen any snow yet!!! It has been a lottle foggy so the Alps are not in clear view. I have gotten lost quite a few times and met a few people along the way. Gotta go for now, but when I get computer access with my computer I will post pictures. The keyboard is different so sorry about any typos. Lots of Love, Michelle

Day 1...almost over!

Who would have thought that it would take me a whole day to clean out one bedroom? My dad and I finally left the Tri-cities at 3pm...way over packed and really tired! Packing light does not happen overnight and I am really still working on it. I am going to attempt to either pack better or eliminate some of the stuff in my bags before I leave Portland on Monday. Leaving for four months takes a lot of planning. No turning back now...I am officially homeless and unemployed, but at least I have my health (cough, cough)and my faith...what else do I need?

Thanks to all of you at Dade Moeller for such a nice farewell! I will miss you all so much! I was very overwhelmed by your support and kindness.

Europe is only a week away

I honestly cannot believe that I am leaving the country next week. Things are going so fast and I am scrambling to get things wrapped up at work.


Last weekend I spent some time with friends--visiting with my first two girl friends here in Tri-cities and talking about babies and their husbands and about me finding a husband....in Ireland or a tall Swede...lot of fun and some laughing.


Next off after a haircut, getting the oil changed in my car, doing some light shopping,organizing my storage and getting coffee with friends was a trip to the salon.

...and a pedi...



Dinner with family and friends was a surprise and I got to say goodbye to a few that I will not see until this summer! It is starting to set in that I will not be around to just hang out with all my friends.


Just like in college, instead of doing what I should to prepare for this adventure, I baked cookies...just one batch though.

I found what I would like for my birthday...everyone can pitch in $1 to get this and we both win! It will help me with making lots of cakes...like carrot cake...and it helps me get organized.