Day 21(1/23/18) *Geneva*


Welcome to day 21! I’m currently sitting in a coffee shop in downtown Geneva working on this journal…I debated working in the Starbucks down the road, but I decided that I wanted to find somewhere that’s not somewhere I’ve ever been before. This little coffee shop has homemade cakes, super strong and delicious coffee, and a perfect little nook for writing in my journal. I love working in coffee shops because it’s a great way to get to know the local community vibe through people watching:) I even ordered in French and I’m pretty sure that what I’m drinking at the moment is indeed what I intended to order! There is a couple having afternoon coffee sitting next to me, and on another side of me are two older women chatting about something in French, and they all have no idea that they’re now in my journal! Anyway, I’m working here while having great coffee because today is our work day, so I didn’t want to just spend it inside at the hostel. So, Aidan, Olivia, and I went downtown to find spots to work, and I decided on this place to do mine! It’s called “La Maison Du Gateau”. We’re going to meet up again for dinner; a few weeks ago, they both went to a Lutheran mass, and found out afterwards that the pastor was an Ole! So, the pastor and his wife invited the three of us to dinner at their home tonight-isn’t that so kind of them? 😊 So in a few hours we’ll head over there, but for now I’m just updating my journal in the meantime!

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 Just got back to the hostel after a wonderful, welcoming evening at two fellow ole's home in Geneva! Grete and Andy graduated in 2003 and 2004, and said that when they were on global they remembered several ole alums welcoming them into their homes, so they wanted to do the same-how kind:) We really had a great time-it felt so good to eat a home-cooked meal(even though it's only been 2 days since Munich, I still missed it!), be around super cute and fun children, and have a quiet evening in the home of some Oles. I know that when I become an alum, I really want to do the same now that I understand how it feels to be on the receiving end of such hospitality:) Their two little boys were stars of the evening, showing us their "tricks" on the couches, giving us an impressive tour of their place, and offering us much more food than any of us could ever possibly eat! Their oldest was a huge fan of raclettes (which is what we got to have for dinner!), so he made sure to watch everyone's cheese very carefully and to refill our little shovels each time we emptied them. It was really a gift that we got to have an evening with this family, and we all left with huge smiles on our faces because of the kindness they shared😌.

Dinner with St.Olaf Alums😊

Goodnight!
-Anna


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