Italian class:
I attended my first Italian class on Wednesday. I was told there would be a special class for children to learn Italian and they asked me if I would like to go..."sure" I said. The older kids (probably 10) would start at 9 am, and the little kids at 10:30. I said I will go with the little kids and start from the beginning, since I know almost nothing. So I go to meet the teacher, and she only speaks French and Italian...great. Oh well, I will try it anyway. Before I enter the class one of the nuns says "This is Christian, he speaks English." yay! So I start to talk to him thinking he is a swiss boy who speaks some English...but to my surprise, he is American, from Texas! fantasic. So during the class he was my translator of French to English. So cute, my little American friend. It was humbling to find a 7 year old that can be my translator. So next wednesday, class #2.
I attended my first Italian class on Wednesday. I was told there would be a special class for children to learn Italian and they asked me if I would like to go..."sure" I said. The older kids (probably 10) would start at 9 am, and the little kids at 10:30. I said I will go with the little kids and start from the beginning, since I know almost nothing. So I go to meet the teacher, and she only speaks French and Italian...great. Oh well, I will try it anyway. Before I enter the class one of the nuns says "This is Christian, he speaks English." yay! So I start to talk to him thinking he is a swiss boy who speaks some English...but to my surprise, he is American, from Texas! fantasic. So during the class he was my translator of French to English. So cute, my little American friend. It was humbling to find a 7 year old that can be my translator. So next wednesday, class #2.
View from the terrace at the Salesian HouseWork:
Well I am just finished up my first week of work at the Human Rights Office. This week has been crazy. Getting accustomed to my surroundings, new people, new languages. I have been busy helping to prepare for the 6 sisters from Central and South America to arrive for the Training Course at the office. The other girls, Maria and Lory, and Sr. MariaGrazia will instruct them how the UN works. We will be spending a lot of time learning and attending UN meetings in the Palais des Nations. Anyway...to prepare I went to the UN to get my official badge. Which is pretty cool, I can legitimately go to the UN anytime I want. Along with going to get my badge, I have been doing random clerical work in the office and making the folders with all the information for the sisters.
Girls I work with: Maria & OrnellaStarbucks:
The town of Geneva is beautiful but is probably more expensive than anywhere in Europe. I had a starbucks coffee that costs me 8 Francs!!! That is about $8.50. A cup at Starbucks will never be that good. I won't be going there again.
Europe vs. America:
I have had a lot of time to talk with the girls I am working with about different customs of Europe and America. Also about languages and what words mean what. It is very easy to see the differences in the a new place, and how things are done differently. But at the same time I see how much it is the same. I am trying to find as much in common with everyone and build relationships on those similarities. It is easy to point out differences, but much harder to find the beauty in new ways of thinking. It will be interesting the more I am able to explore Geneva and Europe to learn about and to share with you my thoughts on those observations.
I love your blog, dear Tessa! Thanks for sharing your news. Say hi from Texas to your little teacher and give him a hug from US. Yes, lots of love and prayer to you, S MariaGrazia, Maria and Ornella! from your sister Gloria
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