Yesterday was moving day, which is a lot easier when all of your belongings fit into 4 large pieces of luggage and a couple of small backpacks. It is, however, harder when you are moving to a place that is a mile hike up a mountain from the bus stop. We decided to take a taxi so we could get all of our things in one trip and just arrive. We got in at about 3:30, got the keys, spoke to our landlord on the phone to get instructions for everything and we were in. Dinner last night was some bread and cheese and wine and we did a bit of unpacking and getting settled, but mainly just watched French TV, marveling at the commercials (a man sees a group of drag queens waiting to get into a club and recognizes his Papa, an advertisement for an ear spray to replace Q-Tips (pour l'hygiene des orioles), and ads for cheese with health warnings. We went to bed early in order to get up early for the bus.
Today started as a bit of a wreck. We got to the bus on time, but realized to our chagrin that though it is the same bus line and buses that operate in Geneva, here they only take Euros. The bus driver made us promise to buy tickets in Geneva at the end of the ride and we went. We got to my work and I went inside to use the bank to get cash. I got paid today so I used my shiny new swiss bank account ATM card, withdrew francs, got the receipt, and was informed that I withdrew my account by that amount. Chastised, I withdrew money from my U.S. account, gave it to Matt for grocery shopping and 30 minutes later when the bank opened, I went to return the money to them. They thought this was a little bit funny, especially since by that time my paycheck came through. I thus learned two lessons today: first, unlike the U.S. (or maybe what I am used to dealing with), direct deposits come in not at midnight, but sometime later in the morning. Second, UBS ATMs will let you withdraw more cash then you have in your account.
Anyway the problem is all remedied, and I have Euros for the bus tomorrow and what seems like a zillion different wallets in my purse and change purses (There are 2 and 5 franc coins). The rest of the day went fairly smoothly and I consoled myself with a chocolate tart at lunch while I sat outside and read Green Mars on my phone. Work was productive, and I headed up.
Day 1 climbing the mountain was an excursion. I know you all think I am exaggerating, but it is a mile walk all at around a 10% grade. I arrived home to find that Matt had purchased pasta, fantastic olive oil and parmesan cheese from Italy, and chocolate topped biscuits. I cooked dinner and we are now watching more French tav awaiting talking to Matt's parents over video chat and seeing Dexter and Haakon. Matt is super tired: he walked and bused in with me, did the grocery shopping, bused back, and got to carry groceries up the hill. Pouvre Matt.
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