May update

Life for us now is as follows.

We DO love it here, the only down-side is the lack of housing. We are still living in the hotel suite that Ken’s company put him up in when he arrived… only now we pay. It is a bedroom with kitchenette, and a bathroom. Very compact, like a camper!

The internet/email is only at Ken’s office, and we often go in on a Sunday (at some point) to send emails and call people. Hopefully soon we will have our own place… then we will have internet and we will be able to call from home. We have cell phones, but long distance is so expensive. Besides, it costs almost nothing to use the Skype on the computer. We save where we can!

Ken’s colleagues have really embraced him, and we have been socializing with them after work and sometimes on weekends.
There are always events going on, plenty to do… we’ve been to wine festivals and a cheese festival, a jazz festival and several museums. We are also getting out hiking, to see the countryside and taking day-trips in a different town or village every couple weeks. We take our “Swiss picnic = wine, cheese, bread” and of course some healthy treats to round out the meal. Eating out is costly, and people here drink wine with their meals, so it is quite common to see people sharing wine and food openly in public, no laws against that here. People take their wine or beer to enjoy on the trains (and their own food) – you can buy it onboard - if you want to pay big money.

This was definitely the right choice of place for relocation. It is so safe and comfortable, we walk every day (without fear of getting run over!) and it is so QUIET! Sometimes we say to each other, “we deserve this after all we went through in S.L.” What’s not to love about this country? (ok, maybe the cost of things) but the astounding views and lush plants everywhere, milder temps, friendly & helpful people, relaxed atmosphere, lifestyle… it is all good!

French continues to improve for me, and Ken is taking classes (and being the natural quick learner that he is, plus his high motivation), he’s learning a lot! We are finding our groove here.

We will go home for our family reunion end of July, which will be a huge event. Several people will stay in the house, and many more will camp out on the grounds. We expect 150-200 people on the Sat., but leading up to that and lingering on for a few days afterwards will be the plan for plenty of relatives. Obviously we have to set things up the best we can beforehand, and then once everyone is gone, the clean-up and shutting down of our house again. We will both be home for 3 weeks, and back here by mid-Aug. Then Ken will be in full swing getting ready for the Sept. semester. Hopefully I will be gearing up to start a new job too. And taking French classes!

And now to you… Any chance you could visit while we’re in Swiss-chocolate-land? We think this will be a 2 year posting for Ken, so you have time to plan. It is beautiful here in every season, so whatever suits you, we’ll welcome a visit from you at ANY TIME!!!

Take care and keep in touch,
Love Wonda (and Ken)