I went to my courses this morning and Momma went to the local chocolate factory, Villars Chocolate, and got lots of chocolate to take home a few pieces of Switzerland. When I got out of class around lunch, we hopped on a train to Zurich! We checked into our hotel and then started off walking. First stop, one of the most expensive streets in the world, literally: Bahnhofstrasse. We spent a good bit of time in the Louis Vuitton store, oohing and aahing over future Christmas presents J and getting great advice from a Louis sales rep. on where to go, eat, and drink in Zurich. We took his advice and went to the water, crossed the Quaibrucke, and had an amazing hot chocolate and apple tarte at Café Schober. We walked through Old Town (incredibly beautiful winding, cobblestone roads) and had the best dinner at another place recommended by our Louis friend. I had my favorite, wiener schnitzel, with a fresh cranberry sauce J Such a great way to end the week with Momma in la Suisse!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
19 octobre 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
15 octobre 2009
Bern (capital of Switzerland), tour of the Swiss Parliament
Thai (my favorite!) for dinner with Anna and Momma!
14 octobre 2009
I had a lot of school today, so Momma got to know more of Fribourg on her own. It’s so wonderful having a mother come visit! They buy you the practical things that would be very nice to have but that you probably wouldn’t buy for yourself – a kettle/water boiler, warm socks, a Halloween/Thanksgiving pumpkin… Momma also discovered a local produce market in the heart of town – she got us beautiful raspberries, brioches, cheese, and bread. When I got out of class, we took a short train to Murten (or Morat in French). It’s only 18 km from Fribourg, but on a beautiful lake. It was bitterly cold today so we strolled for a little while and then ducked into a tearoom. Momma got a thé menthe vert (mint tea) and I got a melody of sweet fruits: fruit de passion, cassis, fraise, framboise… We had wine, cheese, a baguette, raspberries, and caramel wafer cookies for dinner back in Fribourg J After dinner, Momma and I met Myriam, her boyfriend (in town from Germany), Kim, and Anne-Pauline for drinks at Mondial. I am SO glad Momma got to meet them!
13 octobre 2009
Momma became a student again today! On Tuesdays, my only course is the lecture: Transcontinental Hemingway. The professor, Dr. Austenfeld, is one of the people who worked very hard to establish the exchange between l’Université de Fribourg and Ole Miss. After we went to his lecture, Momma and I had lunch with Dr. Austenfeld in the Mensa. We had a great time talking with him. I think the exchange is going to be a really good thing! After lunch, Momma and I set out for Gruyères, Switzerland – a medieval village known for its Gruyères cheese and double cream. The village itself is inside of walls built between 1272 and 1280. Gruyères is exactly what I imagine when I think of a quaint Swiss village in the Alps. It’s almost too picturesque: rolling hills of green, lush farmland and vineyards, towering, snow-topped Alps, hundreds of roaming cows with bells around their necks, and then an ancient Swiss chateau surrounded by a petite village and protective walls. Switzerland is beautiful in all its fall colors right now! The trees are all brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows. Leaves are falling and piling up everywhere. J Momma and I walked all around the village, visited the chateau and cathedral, and then ended the night with Swiss fondue (the fist time for both of us)!
12 octobre 2009
Momma got here today!! She landed in Zurich at 7 this morning, ate breakfast, figured out her train ticket, and rode to Fribourg all while I was in class this morning. When I got out of class, I went straight to la gare and there she was! We walked back to my residence, put her things down, and then set out. We ate lunch at one of my favorite cafés just across from l’université, Le Mondial, and then I walked her all over Fribourg. I showed her the university, old town (basse ville), the shopping district, the cathedral, the Sarine River, the many bridges… anything and everything I could think of. Momma was very, very tired due to jet lag so when I had German class from 5 to 7, she went back to my place to rest. I told her not to fall asleep though (I’ve been trained well by Lou Lou J) and try to make it to 9. After I got out of class, we went to have hummus, falafel, and Turkish wine at a Turkish restaurant on Rue de Lausanne.
