Sunday, January 4, 2009

Today was pretty quiet. I took the night train back from Vienna...sharing a cabin with an Indian family, currently living in Zurich, of four. Two giggly girls did not really provide an atmosphere for sleep, but it was bearable just because they were adorable! After arriving in Zurich I caught a train to Fribourg – my home base for the next two weeks. After walking up a serious crazy hill, hauling my 70 pounds of luggage with me, I decided to take a cab.

Upon arrival I was greeting my Santiago...one of the assistants with the program. He showed me my room and I quickly fell asleep. After waking up a couple hours later I decided to unpack and set my room up. The room itself is pretty basic, but quite comfortable and clean.

After getting settled, Santiago brought me over to a café where I could use the Internet and grab some lunch. An amazing Mozzarella and Tomato salad that was delicious, but that with a coke cost me almost $20. One interesting fact…drinks are not included in anything and there is not such thing as a free refill.

The University hosted us for dinner at one of the more famous fondue restaurants. It was amazing. Fribourg is known for their cheese fondue and it was served with bread and potatoes and wine and hot tea for beverages. There is apparently an old wives tale that you cannot drink cold water or beverages with fondue, as it will form a ball of cheese in your stomach. We all stuck with hot tea or wine…just in case. Oh, and instead of the typical after dinner mint…chocolate!

On the way to dinner and back we were able to have a brief tour of the city…it appears to be a cozy, traditional Swiss town. We are going to get a more detailed tour tomorrow, so I am quite excited!