(Pictures Below)

It seems like it has been more than a week that I left the States. But is has been 6 days. It feels like I have done so much. The first day I arrived in Europe was a long day because we arriced in Amsterdam in the morning and did not go to sleep until eleven that night. For the next three days, we had many different sessions. In the sessions we learned about the differneces in America and Europe. First we had to learn about eating. At all times, we must keep our hands on top of the table and we must always have our fork and knife in our hands. Those are the eating rules. Second, we learned about greeting others. If we are meeting someone for the second time we kiss him or her three times on the cheek. Also, if we answer the phone we only answer the family's last name. So instead of saying "Hello" and waiting for a reply. I would answer "Eschbach" and wait for a reply. I would answer "Eschbach" and wait for a reply. 

We also learned the complicated systems of the trains. This was very important because on Saturday we were to take the trains to our placements. I cannot even explain how difficult it was. But luckily we had some leaders that traveled part of the way with us. Since I traveled from Amsterdam to Basel I had many different trains I had to take. I took 4 different trains to get to Basel. Imagine carrying 3 very large pieces of luggage, sweating, and running down the platfrom; in 2 minutes unloading them and 2 minutes loading the luggage so the train does not leave you or your bags behind. Needles to say, it was very hectic. Luckily, for me I had two other people that travel 3 of the 4 trains with me. One of us would get onto the train while the other two would throw the bags onto the train. The one in the train would organize them so they would be out of the way. Then the two loaders would hop on the train. That might sound easy but at one train station 10 people were trying to get on at the same door. We were trampled by many experienced train loaders. Once we were on the train we could barely move because bags were everywhere. I was thankful for my two friends who traveled with me. They traveled further east in Switzerland about 2 hours in a small town of about 100 people. 

I was met my Margaret Eschbach at the train station. Right away she spoke to me in German. I understood some but not all. She drove me up the hill to their house.  We brought my things to my room which is upstairs with the grandparents. (I will show pictures later when it is clean.) There was a party that night or all the farmers in the area so we went. Margaret, Andreas (Andi) and I drove only a little way down the hill to the party. The children were already there. We ate amazing food and most people there could speak English very well. One woman in particular, came from Israel and had lived in Switzerland for 35 years. She told me that Swiss people were very cold but the Eschbach's were the nicest family she knew. It made me fell better to know that I was staying with a good family. I left the party early because I was so tired. 

The next day I went to church with them. We rode our bikes down the Swiss hillside. Scared, I was, because they live at the very top of a steep ad curvy hill. The church was a Lutheran Church, which they do not normally attend. The service was very short, maybe 20 minutes, and I could not understand anything because it was all in Swiss German. After church, the children and I rode back to the house. I should have taken a picture of the hill we rode up. It was so steep that if you stopped you would go rolling back down. I could not make it to the top so I walked up with the boys. 

After we went back to the house, the family wanted to take me to the Rhine. It is only about one mile away. We loaded up the food for lunch, towels, and motorboat and left. The children and i rode our bikes there. This was a much more pleasant journey because the hills were not so steep. Margaret, the children, and I all went for a swim in the Rhine. It was very cold and felt like needles were poking me everywhere. But it is  very natural for the locals to go for one or two swims in the day. They say it wakes them up. 

Today was my first day of work. Margaret showed me many different jobs to do. First, we cleaned our the dishwasher and while she took the children to school I picked raspberries. Yes, mom, I picked raspberries. The rain came so I had to go back inside. It rains here a lot. After Margaret came back she taught me how to make marmalade. Once we were finished she told me it was time I learned how to cook for the Swiss. I made chicken with mushrooms and a very thick cream sauce. Along with the chicken came rice (with lots of butter),  salad, and a raspberry cream dessert. After lunch I hung the laundry out to dry. It started to rain again so I had to take it back in. Margaret thought it was a good idea to go to town to get my official papers. We also wen to the grocery store an there she decided she would make a Switzerland special for dinner. We just finished eating fondue with zucchini, peppers, bacon , onions, and pinapples. Watching the cheese bubbles as it melted made my mouth water. The smell from the cheese was making me hungry. The children and I cleaned the kitchen together. The boys were very helpful and wanted to speak with me. In very fast German, they would speak, and then I would have to ask them to slow down. Still, when they spoke slowly I understood only a few words. 

Martina, the oldest, told me tat I am one o the better trainees. I understand may words when they are spoken to me slowly. And Martina told me that I can also speak very well. But still I struggle when the family speaks at the dinner table. I keep my ear open for a few words and sometimes I can understand what they are talking about. It is exciting because after two full days of being here I have learned many new words, at least Margaret has said. I am not sure how many words I have learned but I can remember a lot of the German that I learned in school. Hopefully, soon I will be able to speak with better grammar. I am waiting for that day.