22.07.2009

This here is just a quick post, updatig on events that have happened over the last few week.

^^ I was walking with a friend down to Montreux (you can see it through this window) when we came across this church. It was very old style and was very pretty. This is one of the windows that look out onto Montreux.

^^ another landscape/view. It is hard not to put views up as there is always so many beautiful photos i have taken. This is a cloud formation over the lake geneva.

^^ this is the 'correct' way to make "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett in English.) The traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and pickled onions.
The melted cheese is then put onto your plate with a knife and goes back under for heating. This is by far my favourite swiss dish.

^^ This was a floral art decoration i made for my hostess exam. I think its quite alright but i wouldn't say its the best i have ever made.

Told you this was a quick post. 20 day countdown!! - Sarah

ps: once back to australia, i will put the last of london up and then this will blog will be finished. Thankyou for reading!

IVP,Glion.

Glion is located right about montreux. Its around a $16 frank taxi fair or a $4 frank train ride... then agian, you can always enjoy the scenery and have a free walk up.

Around the five weeks that i have been in IVP, we have been to Zurich, Basel (for a Van Gogh art exhibition), and Geneva.

Zurich is Switzerland's main commercial and cultural centre and sometimes called the "Cultural Capital of Switzerland". Its kinda like our Sydney.

^^Inside some churches.

1. the stained glass windows.
2. one of the organs in a church. i wish i could remember the exact amount.

^^in front of a building in Zurich.

Zurich was possibly one of my favourite cities from Switzerland. I think its beautiful. I caught up with one of my friends from Surval, who lives there and she showed me around. I got a quiche from possibly the best store in the world. (it was chocolates and pastrys).

Basel boarders Germany and France. We went there to see the Van Gogh art exhibition.

^^on a large screen inside the art gallery, promoting the works.

^^ Two pictures around the town of Basel.

There was only 4 girls in total that went to this exhibition so we caught the train there and back. It was a very interesting weekend and the artwork was very amazing. We had audio guild so we were able to walk around at our own pace and listen about the artworks.

xx. Coming home soon i think! - Sarah

Switzerland Views.

This post will be quite large as i have not posted for a while and well i think you want an information overload, no?

This post contains the last views from surval windows and the lake geneva paddle boats..

^^Here is the mountain that retains snow throughout the year, I don't know if you are able to see it, but the cloud has a red tinge.

^^ This is the moon reflecting through the clouds. BEAUTIFUL.

^^ Two rainbows over lake geneva, switzerland MUST mean good luck right?
I was considering chasing it to the end to see if i could get some gold... :D

^^ Lake Geneva and the swell old town of Montreux, busy at night.
Actually, Switzerland has a strict "no noise after 10pm."

^^ Just before the sunset hits.

LAKE GENEVA. Lake Geneva is the second largest fresh water lake in all of Europe. 60% belonging to Switzerland and 40% to France . It is now considered safe to swim in the lake, however in the 1960's it was unsafe, with the poulution levels so high nearly wiping out all the fish and having zero sight while in the submarine.

^^ Louise and I (in the grey) with QUEEN star, Freddy Mercury.

^^ Swimming in the lake. They say a picture tells a thousand words.
This picture says that the water is freezing and i am swimming as fast as humanly possible back to the paddle boat.

^^ With the View.

^^ Agian, with the View.

INSTITUT VILLA PIERREFEU.
"With more than 50 years of experience, Institut Villa Pierrefeu is a traditional Finishing School of the type the world expects from Switzerland. Elegant, exclusive and charming, it will prepare you for a role in the business world and society , aiming to help you become more effective in multicultural environments and dealings."

Okay, So here i am at a new start. Institut Villa Pierrefeu... Although i have attended the past six months here, now its different. Living somewhere, Living with somebody is always different to being with them. New Girls, New Rules, New System.

So far, My room is good. It has an open study area for the five girls that are split into two rooms. Helen (England) Canda (Turkey) Ana Cecilia (Mexico) Shanelle (USA) and Me (Australia). So not only do we all come from different regions of the world, our cultures are different.

I have become friends with Helen and Shanelle the most, they are both amazing girls however, only here for three weeks, leaving tomorrow, shame really.

It has been two weeks, I have had my hostess exam.

What is a hostess Exam? A Hostess exam is were one (in this case, moi) makes flower decorations, makes napkins, sets out menu cards and placement cards and holds a conversation. She is based on her table conversation skills to uphold a conversation, avoid taboo subjects and also on the way she presents herself. Sounds like a Piece of Cake, No?

Well, I hope this was enough information for you all.

I miss you all terribly.

Sending my love from Montreux,

xx. S