First Travel Day

WOW!  What a busy, exhausting, exciting first day of travel. All students arrived at the DsM airport before 11 am and we were all checked in all the way through to Geneva, SWITZ by 11:15.  A great bunch of students who are very prompt and responsible. A quick flight to Chicago and then onto Frankfurt. A quick German stamp on our passports and we were off to Geneve! We didn't expect food prior to Frankfurt, but Lufthansa feed us well with a beverages, wonderful hot dinner, and more beverages.  The dinner even included a wonderful chocolate moouse to prepare us for Swiss chocolate!  Then we had a light breakfast one hour prior to landing.

We had a chance to walk the Frankfurt airport, obtain some snacks and off to Geneve. What a delightful city. No snow at all, we fly right in the middle of the Swiss Alps and enjoyed seeing the Alps above the clouds, since the cloud cover was so low.  We thought it was cotton-looking snow on the ground, but found out later we were flying above the clouds but near the sunny snow-capped peaks. 

Our CEPA guide, Manuela, is full of energy and vibrance.  She gave us a quick bus tour of the area coming in from the airport. Our first hotel is 'sweet' and typically small, but very European! Showers never felt so good after arrival here. We are located just a couple of blocks from the lake, right across the street from trams, busses, and the train station!  Super convenient! Plus a lower level shopping mall right outside our door where we've sampled amazing pastries, bread and cheese, and fantabulous chocolate.

We enjoyed a local guided walking tour of the Old City, surrounded by large walls and moats, that are now super highways through the city. After a brisk and very chilly tour of this historical area, we enjoyed some warm beverages in our private restaurant and then a three course meal. This authentic Swiss meal concluded with the best chocolate 'warming' cake you can imagine with a white cream sauce.  Very strong coffee and more miniature chocolates rounded off the evening.

We look forward to our first institutional trip to the Institute du Jacques-Dalcroze today where we will observe three classes of children involved in movement and rhythmique. Eric Baker is happy we are only watching today, since he feels he has two left feet and is reluctant to take part in the movement/dance activities scheduled for tomorrow.  Hopefully we will have pictures to share later today!  Bonjour!