Dai cani (From the dogs)

I think that's what I wrote! I'm trying to learn Italian too, since everyone else is. They keep calling me "bella cane" and saying "Ciao bella!" to me. I think that's a good thing. My favorite part of this new place so far is all the lizards! There are so many of them! I like to chase them and one of these days I know I'll catch one, though I don't know what I'll do with it then... Today there was even a little baby one in our house - that's the picture you see. The other picture is of me and Logan in the kitchen/living room area. We were banished from that room during the day so we don't mess up the new Ikea carpet. Our trip over here was very uneventful - actually, I have no idea how it was since I was completely drugged the whole way! I'm sure that's better since I heard that Logan whined for part of the plane ride and had people staring at him. When w first got here, we were a little confused about why we were sleeping and eating at weird times, but now it's no problem. We've been making sure to bark at every possible sound we hear inside and outside the dorm - and sound really carries around here with these close buildings, so you can hear our barks echoing all over! I've been going on lots of walks up and down the hills, but Logan usually stays home to rest. Dogs are allowed in lots of different places here - it's so neat! Today I went to the bank! I've never done that before! I've even heard that there were some dachshunds at the grocery store! We'll have to see about that, I don't know if I can be trusted there. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're having a great time and adjusting very well to our new Swiss life. We will definitely keep you updated! And we especially want to say hi to our doxie friend back home - Lucas! Stay safe and healthy, Lucas!!! Kisses, Lucy (and Logan, too!)

Val Verzasca - Part 2 - READ THIS 2nd!!!

So this is the second part of our trip to Val Verzasca - if you haven't already, please read the previous post to see the pictures from the hike!!! The next picture is a bridge that's in a different part of the area - after we came back down the mountain and scary winding roads. Some of our faculty actually jumped off this too!!! David and I were feeling adventurous, but not crazy! The next shot is for any James Bond fans - if you remember the opening sequence in Goldeneye, you have seen this bridge before when JB bungy-jumps off of it. There is now a profitable business on top of the dam that will let you too bungy off the side - we saw several people do it when we were there - and I think some of our faculty might be back soon to try it out! (In the last shot you can see the set up on the middle of the dam.) And finally, a view from the dam back up towards the mountains where we hiked. It was truly an incredible day!

Val Verzasca - Part 1 - READ THIS FIRST!!!

Today was one of the best day-trips we've ever taken! We went to Val Verzasca near Locarno which is still in the Italian part of Switzerland, and which seems to be sort of a local hang-out on hot summer days. There are hiking trails among rustico (small, rustic, stone houses built on the mountain-sides that tourists can now rent out), waterfalls, and lots of bridges. Most of the new faculty went on the trip. It took about an hour to get to on a bus - yes, they drive actual coaches on these crazy roads! And then we had to get off the bus because the road became too narrow - so a few seasoned faculty drove us up a very treacherous road with no guardrails - they had to fold in the side mirrors so they didn't scrape along the stone walls on one side! Once we arrived at the trail head, it was about a 45-minute hike to the waterfall and pool. We saw some beautiful scenery along the way, which is what you see in the background of the first two pictures. The third is a shot of the bottom of the waterfall and the pool below. The water, by the way, was FREEZING. Seriously, someone said it was probably in the 40s. We chilled a bottle of white wine in it while we were swimming. Now, the next part - you won't believe it! David and I swam across the pool, climbed up the side of the ravine with a few others and jumped off! It was amazing! I'm really trying to do it all, see it all, and experience it all while we're here, and this was one of those times! The last picture is of us right after taking the plunge. :) You'll have to see the next post for the rest of the pictures because it only lets me attach 5 at a time....

Driving lessons and a beautiful day...

Today was a gorgeous day! We actually had a little more free time today since it's Saturday, but we still had some obligations - David met with his department chair and found out a little more of what exactly he'll be teaching, and I had to do some extra driving practice. I'm still not fantastic, but feeling a little more confident, I guess! At least I had no Swiss ladies yelling at me in Italian today! (Just a guy on a motorcycle laughing... oh well.) David and I walked down to a church near the campus today - it's the one you can see the top of from our window view that I've posted already. It's also where David's Christmas choral concerts will be held. He's definitely excited about that. The second view is of all the sailboaters (is that a word?) taking advantage of the beautiful day on the lake, and from what we hear it is typical for it to be hazy like this. The third is of our building - you can't actually see our windows from this picture, but it's the checkered building, and the pink-ish one in front of it is the roof line that's been in the shots from our window - so I guess you can barely see the top right corner of a window in this shot. You can also see the street signs - yet another thing to figure out while I'm driving around in a giant van, with a manual transmission, on the switchbacks, with aggressive Swiss drivers...sigh...

The views...

Hi all! I hope you've enjoyed the pictures so far, but they're really just the tip - I can't wait for a day to just walk around and take pictures of what we've simply been passing by everyday - it's amazing. Today, we did some driving lessons (David needs a little more practice and he'll be fine, I'm going to be having professional driving lessons - yay!), did "Amazing Race Lugano" and had dinner at some returning faculty apartments who live off campus - these pictures are the views from their terraces. (Yes, we are slightly jealous!!!) The first one is of Monte Rosa in the distance - and in the second you can see why it's called that during the sunset. You might be able to see the snow which it has on top year-round if you click on the picture and blow it up. Apparently it's even more amazing during sunrise, so someday when we're feeling more ambitious... The third picture is a view slightly to the left of the previous two - do you see the water in the picture? Across from it - that's Italy. We really are that close. Anyway, short message today, but I'll write again soon. Still not entirely sure about my position here, but I'm feeling really good about it and it looks like the Elementary school will definitely be able to use me! I'll keep you updated - very different from last year's beginning of school, Amanda! I'm glad you liked the no onions - I definitely thought of our bowling team! And I think they even have bowling here, from what I'm hearing... :)

Here comes the sun!

Yes, we got to see the sun for the first time today! It was definitely worth the wait. Unfortunately, we were in meetings for much of the day, so we didn't get a chance to take many pictures, but the weekend is supposed to be just as beautiful - I am planning on taking the camera everywhere soon! And I guess we did come here to actually work... For now here's another view from our window at about 8:30pm - the lights are beginning to come on across the Lago (Lake Lugano) and you can actually see the top of the hill. It is a little fuzzy though since it was getting dark. Today we started driving lessons - manual shift, scary hills and switchbacks, and 15-passenger vans - what a great combination! But they did combine this first observation-type lesson with a trip to Ikea and Coop - the grocery store. I have to say, we were very surprised with all the "American" items there! Dannon, Kelloggs, Barilla, and we even saw peanut butter! We refused to buy any of them and made ourselves try out the local products. There's also a McDonald's close by - with many regular offerings like a Big Mac, but they also have a Veggi Mac. We're going to try to resist that temptation as well! As for the food we have been trying, first of all, the dining hall has wonderful food - and all the new staff (there are around 30 of us, a high turn-over this year apparently) were taken out to dinner last night to a pizza ristorante - much more fancy than you would think. We also tried the local gelato shop - did I mention you can see it from our other windows? It is amazing!!! If you come to visit, that will be one of the first places we'll have to visit! (It will be a good excuse for us to go back!) We also had a walking tour of the town above the school, Montagnola, and since the local pizza ristorante Bella Vista was pointed out, we decided to go there for dinner. And it certainly does have a bella vista - you can see out over the Lago and you can even see Italy on the other side! We tried our best with Italian again, and actually ordered what we wanted, and I even ordered no onions on my pizza in Italian - surprised Woodland? :) We had tiramisu and mousse l'orange for dessert and espresso and of course, wine. David wants me to make sure to tell you the music selections we heard during our various outings - Bon Jovi and Maroon 5 at the grocery store, and Eminem and 50 Cent at the ristorante. (?!?!) Well, that's probably enough for you to have to read through for now - I'll stop rambling! After tomorrow, I should definitely know more about what I'm doing here since I have a meeting with the headmaster. I'll let you know as soon as I do! And wish us luck for more driving lessons tomorrow. Look for pictures on Sunday of a hike the new teachers are taking to a waterfall! I can't wait! Thank you all for reading!

We finally made it!

Buona sera! It is about 10pm or 22:00 here in Svizzera on Tuesday evening - 4pm in Eastern USA. I am happy to say that our flights were both fairly uneventful and smooth - the dogs did very well under the seats in front of us and we had no problems at all going through customs with them! That's not to say that Monday before the flight wasn't hectic, of course! We pre-weighed our bags before leaving Westborough just to make sure they weren't too heavy, and surprise! Two of them were about 20lbs overweight. We had to repack and send some extra boxes through the post office at the last minute, but after that crisis, everything was great! We love our apartment, and my first trip to the grocery store was not as scary as I thought it would be! I even used a tiny bit of my Italian that I've been neglecting to learn all summer. But if you know us, it wouldn't be moving day without rain - so it's been raining since we arrived in Zurich and then in Lugano - apparently it is never like this in this area for so long throughout the day, so we must have brought it with us! The weekend is supposed to be beautiful, though, so I will definitely get out with my camera and take some pictures to post! I did get a shot from our apartment window that is amazing - though you can't quite see up to the top of the mountain in the fog. Enjoy! The best views so far were definitely from the plane on our way from Zurich to Lugano as we flew over the Alps. It was raining below us and cloudy, but the Alps rose above the clouds and it was absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to get out and explore! I'll post again soon - as soon as the rain stops!