Summer in Switzerland and other life updates

March to August- that must be some kind of new record of blog laziness. Perhaps I should just give in to the fact that I'm not cut out to be a blogger. Or perhaps I just try, try again.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but I'm not currently in Morocco! That's right, my search for summer employment brought me to the disgustingly picturesque city of Lugano, Switzerland. Actually, the school where I'm teaching ESL in a summer program is not even in the city of Lugano, but the tiny village of Montagnola about 15 minutes up the mountain. It is truly breathtaking up here and I'm not entirely sure how I secured work in such a fantastic place.

The church I pass everyday on my way to school

Don't be fooled though, Switzerland, the land of cheese, chocolate, army knives and clocks, is not without pitfalls. The first of which is how insanely expensive everything is. Lugano is by far the most expensive place I've ever been and the fact that I'm becoming numb to the cost is quite concerning. I think you need an example. Let's start with McDonald's. In the states (and in Morocco) you can get a Big Mac value meal for around $5. Maybe that doesn't include a supersizing, but whatever. The same meal here in Switzerland goes for about $12. Twelve dollars for a McDonald's value meal!? Ok, it may be grass fed beef and not full of chemicals, but still. I can't even buy my own grandma a cheesy Switzerland magnet for less than $8. I don't even want to get in to the price I paid for a 90 minute massage. Let's just say I could probably eat for 6 months on it in Morocco.

A few of the buildings on campus

The second pitfall is rather Teresa specific. Being chuck full of quaint mountain villages makes for an alarming amount of car sickness while traveling. Ugh. My lovely Saturday and Sunday excursions are tainted with headaches and nausea unless I drug myself up. And drugged up is not the best way to enjoy the scenery which includes countless waterfalls cascading over the Alps. Has anyone had any luck with those weird bracelet things?

But enough about the negatives, Switzerland is quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I cannot take enough photographs of the view of Lake Lugano from Montagnola. I photograph it in sunny weather, hazy weather, cloudy weather, day time, night time, etc. I often feel it looks like a photoshopped in backdrop and not like a real thing that I'm seeing with my own eyes.

The much photographed view

The job is also really wonderful. My teaching schedule is more than manageable with only 4, 45 minute periods per day. I'd like to thank AMIDEAST for acclimating me to three straight hours with teenagers at a time. Compared to that, this is a cake walk. Classes end at 2:30 and then two days per week I have to supervise an afternoon sports activity. Arts and Crafts and Swimming- life is tough! Evenings are free unless I want to attend an event or if I'm on dorm duty. Dorm duty is by far the lamest part of the job, but you put up with it for the wonderful weekend excursions! Every Saturday and Sunday I venture into Switzerland or northern Italy to see some new, beautiful place. So far I've been to Milan for sites and shopping, Ascona for beach time, whitewater rafting through the Alps, a beautiful Villa on Lake Como and Sirmione on Lake Garda. This weekend, to fair Verona!

Did I mention the Friday evening staff wine and cheese parties? It really is a dream way to spend a summer and earn good money. Unfortunately, Mohamed and I got engaged just before I left and I spend a good deal of time missing him and our life together in Morocco. On the upside, I think spending this time missing each other is in the end good for our relationship and will hopefully make us appreciate each other more when we're reunited. Only three weeks to go!

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy everything that Switzerland has to offer and take some incredible memories back to Morocco with me. Cheers to that!

Since it's been so long since I've posted, here's a recap of the last 5ish months:

March- I spent my spring break visiting friends and my second family in the south of Morocco where I was a volunteer. It had been two year since my last visit and it was long overdue. They've renovated the town, but most other things have remained the same. Still an incredible place where I feel welcomed and at home.

Me and host sister Senna

Me and good friend Habiba

April- Mohamed and I took a day trip to explore Casablanca and I ran an 8k with a lot of ladies! The run was spur of the moment and I ran with a fellow teacher. I did it in just under 60 minutes and won third place in the foreigner category. For not being in running shape, I was pretty pleased.

At the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca

On the podium, collecting my prize!

May/June- We were lucky enough to have two sets of visitors in Rabat. Beth (PCV and former Epic co-worker) came up from the south on her way to the states and RPCV friends Brian and Sara stopped by during their spring break. Loved hosting and hope to have more visitors very soon!

Beth enjoying the sites

Mohamed and I also got involved in the expat softball league and Mohamed found he has a real knack for softball. I don't particularly like playing, but I was happy to step in to fill the female quota when needed. We didn't win the championship, but all in all great way to spend Sunday afternoons.

AMIDEAST Akbars at the championship tournament

And last but not least, the big engagement! Mohamed proposed in our favorite medina restaurant named for the town where we met. Awwww. It was very sweet and we can't wait to make it happen! Lots of planning to do and nothing set yet, but all in good time.

Celebratory dinner

Ciao for now!

For more pictures of my European adventure, check out these links:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100227212361522.2600786.12102478&l=98b9249bbf&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100288769485552.2604282.12102478&l=028cef87c7&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100297394910132.2608049.12102478&l=e53c80c98e&type=1