View on my hometown in Austria
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Another shot of beautiful Gmunden
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Gmunden.. I will be there next week
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Tanning on the balcony
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Au Revoir A La Suisse

We didn't think that this was going to really happen - but Katrina Galas and I managed to meet up in Zurich on Monday. We've walked down the famous Bahnhofstrasse, passed stores like Hermes, Armani and Louis Vuitton. Next, we went to lake Zurich and enjoyed the view and spent some time at the steps of the Opera. In the afternoon we walked through the old-town of Zurich and found a hidden park with a beautiful view on the whole city. Late in the afternoon Katrina went on to Interlaken and Italy and I went back to Aarau.

Tuesday I spent preparing for Wednesdays entrance exam at the University of St. Gallen, and went to see my grandparents and great-uncle near Zurich. Then the waiting began, and despite having passed this exam, I have decided to go to Munich in September. Munich Business School... here I come!

Today I'm leaving for Austria and seeing my friends and family tomorrow. There'll be a big party tomorrow and my cousin's wedding on Sunday. I'm excited! And there is another wedding in the making. Priscilla from Singapore and Stefan from Germany met in Canada a few years ago when they were on exchange at Queen's. Two days ago I received their wedding invitation!!! I'm sooooo happy for them and wish them all the best for their future!

I abused my friend's car

I tried... TRIED.... to drive standard transmission today. Wohoooo I thought, but five minutes later I was shaking as if I just had a near-death experience. How should I have known that if I release the clutch too fast, tires will squeal and we get shaken up in the car???!???!? Oh well, a few times I did a really smooth start, but in the end I just couldn't do it anymore... too much shaking, too many bystanders laughing at my pitious tries to get that darned first gear in. I guess I'll rely on my friends to drive me around Europe for the next few months. But I will learn stickshift one day.. sooner... or well....... probably later :).

A few relaxing days

On Friday, we decided that food in Switzerland is just WAY too expensive and went for a short roadtrip to Germany's Aldi and stocked up on meat, cheese, juices, bread, pizza and all the other essentials for a week. Nadine's fridge is now so full, we can hardly close it. And all that for only 37 Euros!

The weather was beautiful, 30 degrees and sunshine, so we decided to go swimming to Hallwilersee. But the luck was not on our side, and as soon as we arrived clouds came and it got really really cold. Oh well :)

Last night we went to Lucerne's Seenachtsfest, where a 30 minute firework was shot up in the air above Lake Lucerne. Soooooo beautiful! They shot $90,000 up into the air and the sky didn't stop sparkling in red, green, gold, silver and blue. The Benson and Hedges fireworks in Montreal are really nothing against this.

And today we're supposed to go to Basel to meet Aline again and do some sightseeing. Pictures will follow.....

In Estavayer, people's employment was made known by little signs they put near their entrance doors. Here a fisherman must have once lived, as indicated by the fish above the window.
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Lake Neuchatel
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One of the castles of Estavayer-le-lac
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The Lausanne Palace, one of the best hotels in town. Close to Aline's apartment.
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Lausanne and Estavayer

Nadine and I took a two-day trip to Lausanne yesterday and today. We also went to visit her grandparents in Payerne, a beautiful little village in Western-Switzerland. As her family doesn't speak much German or English, this was the ideal chance to practice my French. And of course, her grandmother had to introduce me to the traditional Swiss-Fondue. I have had many fondues before, but this was the best I've had so far. Yummy!

After this visit, Nadine's uncle wanted to show us Estavayer, a beautiful City at the Lac de Neuchatel. So we walked through the old town, which dates back to the 11th century. In fact there were several castles built in this city and you could still see the medieval town-walls and gates.

And finally, Nadine and I went to see our high-school friend Aline who is doing an architecture internship in Lausanne and spent a lovely evening with her in yet another beautiful town on the Swiss riviera.

Quality time together (with our laptops)
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Finally in Switzerland
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First week in Europe

So this was my first week in Europe, and it was great. My flight to Germany was a pleasant one, as I met people from the national German Diving team who participated at FINA in Montreal and were on their way home. Among others, I got to say 'hi' to the synchornized diving silver medal winner, and I saw the Russian world champions. Pretty impressive!

The next following days I spent at my aunt's place in Germany. It was nice seeing my family again and especially my cousin and we had a lot to catch up on. I also met two friends, Anja and Stefan in Munich for a fun supper. Exciting, as I knew them from my exchange semester in St. Gallen.

But the most exciting news is that I had my interview with the Munich Business School on Thursday. Actually, at first it was quite disastrous, as I arrived 25 minutes late because I was lost somewhere in Munich (I actually walked past the house about 5 times, just didn't realize that this was it. Silly me!). Whoooops. But fortunately the people there were quite understanding and the rest of the interview must have impressed them somewhat, because I am accepted to their school!! Wohoo!

After a weekend of partying and relaxing with my cousin, I have now arrived at my friend Nadine's place in Switzerland. Last night was the swiss national holiday and we spent the whole night going for a walk in her town and looking at the fireworks north, south, east, and west of us. Amazing! Everyone was shooting thousands of dollars up into the air, and at times you didn't know where to look next.