I am writing this at 12:30 in the morning because I have jet lag and cannot sleep. Thankfully, our professors have generously allowed for us to start class at 9:00am tomorrow as opposed to the usual 8:00am.
So much has happened in the last three days. One thing that hasn't happened: sleep. But I am rolling with it pretty well, if I do say so myself. I cannot possibly elaborate about all that I would like to here just because I do not have the time, but I have been keeping careful notes in a journal to remember what I eat for breakfast, who I talk to, and what I learn and observe. So no worries. Ask me when I get back.
So much has happened in the last three days. One thing that hasn't happened: sleep. But I am rolling with it pretty well, if I do say so myself. I cannot possibly elaborate about all that I would like to here just because I do not have the time, but I have been keeping careful notes in a journal to remember what I eat for breakfast, who I talk to, and what I learn and observe. So no worries. Ask me when I get back.
First, a few thoughts. I have only been here a bit, but this place is not all that different from home. The rain hasn't stopped since we got here, there is plenty of construction downtown (the are putting in a new bus station), and bikers are everywhere. But there are also a lot of differences, subtle or not. The people I see on the street are stylish. There are a lot of thick frames, shiny shoes, and hair product happening, as well as hair salons and perfume shops. The Swiss also do not smile at me on the street, which is a little disconcerting. I make eye contact with a stranger and smile at them only to receive no acknowledgment whatsoever. Maybe it's my dirty white tennis shoes and my camera, but for me it takes some getting used to.
The highlight of these past few days has been the continuing celebration on campus, also known as "Tailcoat Week." This is a time for the graduating seniors to go all out, wear their tailcoats, top hats, canes, and beards (which they have ceremonially been keeping for the past 100 days of the semester), skip classes, drink much beer, and otherwise just put on one hell of a party. No joke: there are bars assembled in the hallways of the university, along with dj lights and music at night. They wear the tailcoats and beards as tradition, sort of as a symbol of coming-of-age, into the world of their professors, no longer students. And boy, were there hoards of tailcoats everywhere. It was so great. The engineering students who graduate also have a parade in which they drive vehicles that THEY HAVE BUILT THEMSELVES. We saw some this morning, one of which was revving its engine. You can see the black exhaust pipes on either side of the truck, semi-truck style. Also note the beer steins and cigars. So great.
The highlight of these past few days has been the continuing celebration on campus, also known as "Tailcoat Week." This is a time for the graduating seniors to go all out, wear their tailcoats, top hats, canes, and beards (which they have ceremonially been keeping for the past 100 days of the semester), skip classes, drink much beer, and otherwise just put on one hell of a party. No joke: there are bars assembled in the hallways of the university, along with dj lights and music at night. They wear the tailcoats and beards as tradition, sort of as a symbol of coming-of-age, into the world of their professors, no longer students. And boy, were there hoards of tailcoats everywhere. It was so great. The engineering students who graduate also have a parade in which they drive vehicles that THEY HAVE BUILT THEMSELVES. We saw some this morning, one of which was revving its engine. You can see the black exhaust pipes on either side of the truck, semi-truck style. Also note the beer steins and cigars. So great.
Later this evening, our group joined the festivities on campus. I tried the beer and it was gross (sorry). I'll have to try again in Munich. But it was at this event that I got to talk to a lot of the Swiss students and get away from the huge clump of Americans that tends to form a lot. It's so awkward sometimes because it is so obvious we are Americans, or it feels that way at least. But talking with the Swiss students was very fun and I really enjoyed it. Many of them are genuine, ask a lot of questions, and speak very good English. I asked them to teach me some German, and apparently, the Swiss-German word that I must know, and that seems to be dear to the hearts of these people, is one that I cannot even spell, much less say, but it is a word for the drawer in your kitchen that you put everything in. It has at least three of those throat-clearing "ickh" sounds in it, which is why I cannot pronounce it, but I thought it was great because everyone has that drawer!
Later I had my second bus-riding mis-adventure trying to find the way back to the train station to catch the proper bus back to our guesthouse with my roommate at 10:30 at night, right before things got too rowdy on campus. We made it just in time to catch the 10:49 bus back. Phew.
As for the food, it is so good. Lots of schnitzel and sausage and, of course, chocolate. I had a milchkaffee with chocolate powder at breakfast. I might come back drinking coffee. Today at lunch, half of the plate they gave me was french fries, good ones, too! I could write SO much more, and hope to get the chance to later. I have one more day of class this week, and then on Friday our group is off to Munich! I am excited for the drive because I hope to see a lot of the beautiful countryside.
I will leave you with a few more pictures of Winterthur, the town in which I am studying. Until next time, tchuss!
Later I had my second bus-riding mis-adventure trying to find the way back to the train station to catch the proper bus back to our guesthouse with my roommate at 10:30 at night, right before things got too rowdy on campus. We made it just in time to catch the 10:49 bus back. Phew.
As for the food, it is so good. Lots of schnitzel and sausage and, of course, chocolate. I had a milchkaffee with chocolate powder at breakfast. I might come back drinking coffee. Today at lunch, half of the plate they gave me was french fries, good ones, too! I could write SO much more, and hope to get the chance to later. I have one more day of class this week, and then on Friday our group is off to Munich! I am excited for the drive because I hope to see a lot of the beautiful countryside.
I will leave you with a few more pictures of Winterthur, the town in which I am studying. Until next time, tchuss!
![Picture](/uploads/7/7/4/9/7749266/6219092_orig.jpg)
This is the city center in the evening, on our way to the party on campus. It usually has a lot more people milling about during the day, but was fairly calm by 8pm. Fun fact: the houses here don't have addresses, but rather have names instead. Before postal addresses, houses were given names for identification. How cool is that?!