This morning I woke up a lot earlier than my host family. Even when it was 11 a.m. I was still the only one up. I filled my time by starting this blog post because I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was a beautiful day and I would've really liked to go for a run, but I don’t know the town well. I didn’t want to make breakfast by myself either because I didn’t know what was allowed.  Oh well… Anyway I’ve started a list of things I’ve noticed Swiss people to do:

·         When they greet friends, they kiss three times switching cheeks.

·         All the Swiss people walk really fast. I guess they always have some place to be?

·         Cars ALWAYS stop when you want to cross the street

·         All the people are very different, so no stereotype there.

·         No piece of trash to be seen on the street-VERY clean

·         The trains are always on time; however, to my surprise the bus was a minute late to the stop and the train was once…

Finally, we all had breakfast together, and I didn’t know what was going on, but now I’m used to it. After we had a breakfast of hard boiled eggs, pineapple, and bread with nutella, I went upstairs to shower and get dressed for the day. By the time I was out, Bruno and Claudia were home!! Then I practiced my German and at 1:45 we left for the train. The train for Sankt Gallen, the capital of the region of Sankt Gallen, came at 2:13—GASP!! It was supposed to arrive promptly at 2:08. Can you believe it?!

I told Leandra while we waited for the train about how I didn’t get up til I heard  them and she drilled it into my mind that their house is mine and I can eat whatever, watch whatever and that I’m a part of their family. On the train, we met Leandra’s best friend Leonnie.  Apparently, today there was some huge street parade in Zurich with around one million people in the streets. It’s one big party all over Zurich, but Leonnie didn’t like it the time she went before because it was so crowded.  I had a lot of fun exploring St. Gallen with them. They didn’t think it was that exciting, but for me, it was so pretty and just so much fun. I feel like I’m a child in the candy store ALL THE TIME. I love love love love love love love love love it here. After we did some sufficient sightseeing, we sat in this grassy courtyard/park next to the church. Leonnie went home and then Leandra and I were picked up by Claudia and Bruno to drive up into the mountains for dinner. The dinner was hosted by Leandra’s godmother for her husband’s birthday. They were very nice and had several people over. I had the best time speaking German and explaining I was an exchange student to all of the guests. I really enjoyed socializing in German, and although it was challenging it was so much fun!! And if I messed up it was just funny and people helped me. I’ve also noticed that I was so much more outgoing because I’m an exchange student-I love that phrase, “I’m an exchange student.”  

Everyone was complimenting my Deutsch, and that makes me feel really great because I didn’t expect myself to be doing this well. Today was great and I feel that I am bonding a lot with my family. I’m so glad I decided to do this exchange-I can’t wait for this year!