Dazed

Goodbye, Utah!

I made it to Switzerland in one piece. Surprising? I'd say so.

The first four hours to Atlanta was not bad at all. I spent the majority of the time reading the "Sky Mall" magazine. Has anyone actually picked it up and read it? Best. Thing. Ever.

Take this for example:

For only $69.95 (additional shipping charges applies), you can get this unique "Bigfoot the Bashful Yeti" tree sculpture. No, I'm not joking right now. It's totally legit. Why wouldn't you want to terrify every person who decided to take a walk through your yard? It'd at least keep the neighbor kids and solicitors at bay. I'm sold.

The next couple hours I was thoroughly entertained by gazing out my window at the clouds. That's how totally awesome they were. Ten bucks to the person who can spot Scooby-Doo!

My layover there was relatively uneventful. However, I did happen to run into a lady that is in my new ward that was going on the plane with me. What are the odds huh?

I got super lucky on the flight over and ended up with TWO WHOLE SEATS to myself. I was able to lay down and sleep almost 6 hours of the flight. Let me just say how grateful I was that I didn't have to sit next to a 600 pound man with tattoos, piercings, and a 3 foot long beard. No, I did not just make him up. He sat two rows in front of me. And I could smell his B.O. from where I was. Bullet dodged.

We started descending into Zurich around 6:50am. They gave me what I thought was some native swiss breakfast... come to find out "Guten Morgen" is "Good Morning" in German, not the name of a crap egg-mcmuffin.

When we dropped below the cloud bank, I gasped. It was sooo beautiful.

Gaze upon with envy my friends.

After landing, I made my way down to the... border patrol? They took one look at my visa, scanned it, and I was on my way. It did take forever for my bags to show up, but it was no big deal.

The family was waiting for me right outside so all my worrying was unnecessary. We had about an hour drive back from Zurich to make it to our little town called Hölstein. It basically looks like it's right out of a fairy tale. Flower window boxes, little roads, old houses etc.

This is the view outside my window:

I came back and unpacked everything then watched Spongebob with LeeAnn (11) and Jordy (10)... in German.

Guys, EVERYTHING is German. German, German, German.

Why am I surprised?

Not sure.

The parents speak English really well, the kids understand a lot and speak a little.

But they choose to speak German.... so ya. I'm totally lost.

My German class starts the 2nd. It's every weeknight for a month. Two hours a day.

Dudes, this is going to be an ultimate kick in the butt.

However, I'm anxious to learn. I don't like being so clueless.

Their little girl, Nina, is so cute. And luckily, doesn't seem to be intimidated by me at all.

She spent the afternoon helping me unpack.

And when I say unpack, I mean taking everything out and throwing it everywhere haha.

Sandra (the mom) also took me grocery shopping with her. It was weird once again to not be able to read/understand anything. But guys, get this. They have an entire AISLE devoted to chocolate!! And of course I got some. And it was A-mazing.

Dinner was also super yum.

So that's about it people.

It's been the longest day of my life. It feels like just a super long dream or something. I'm hoping tomorrow I won't be so brain dead, but who knows.

Peace out from Switzerland!

♥ Ashley