PEOPLE & PLACES
February 21, 2011 www.hpu.edu/kalamalamaonline
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Designer: Richard Powers & Ruth Leigh
From Spain to Switzerland, HPU Journalism student Emily Tall is getting the full dose of Europe. Tall visited Geneva and Lausanne (pictured above) where she had the chance to experience the beautiful architecture of the museums and cathedrals. Photo by Emily Tall
La Suisse is sweet EMILY TALL staff writer
It is rumored that many European women do not shave. As of today I understand why the women in Europe don’t shave – the temperature is beyond freezing. It makes sense to have an automatic extra layer of “body heat” to help with the dealings of winter weather. I have yet to try such a feat, but I can honestly tell you that I am jealous of this rumored “extra layer.” Though the temperature in Madrid has been fluctuating from 0 to10 degrees Celsius since the beginning on January, I decided that perhaps my chances of a warmer climate
would be better served with a weekend away, and exactly where did I end up choosing you ask? Switzerland – the cities of Geneva and Lausanne to be exact. Yes I know, smart plan, Emily. Surprisingly, the weather (and everything else about the trip) was beyond perfect. Yes, it was more than freezing in the early morning and late evening, but the temperature throughout the day was perfect. Though the majority of my time was spent exploring the wonders of both cities –museums, cathedrals, lakes, you name it – the most memorable events took place in the most unexpected ways.
I had taken two steps into the hostel when all of a sudden I heard my name being called. Lo and behold I look around the corner and my friend, whom I haven’t seen in three years, is checking into the hostel. Not only was she in the same country, same city and same hostel as I was, but we were also staying in the same room. This is one of the elements I love about traveling. You end up running into and meeting so many amazing and unique people in the places you least expect. Having my friend in Switzerland with me was the icing on the cake to a perfect preschool vacation.
Tips for your next Swiss soiree: 1. Learn French. Or Italian. Or German. Switzerland is home to three distinct languages, and each has its own area depending on which part of the country you visit. Luckily, my high school French kicked in – barely, but it was enough to pull me through. 2. Take slippers when staying in your Swiss hostel – you never know whose feet have touched the same mildewridden floor. 3. Slow down. Switzerland has a very calming ambiance. With is serene lakes and unmatched scenery of the Alps, as well as its historic cities, one can’t help but sit an outside café for hours taking it all in.