Hello Zürich! - Day 2

Saturday (9/20/14)

Another view of Fraumünster and Grossmünster

I will never tire of hearing church bells ringing. It is so ethereal, especially in the little village I live in, to hear the bells ringing out wildly across the countryside. So beautiful. 

I went to Zoo Zürich today! All by myself :D At first I will admit, it was a little boring, being alone. But as I wandered around, I ended up really enjoying myself! It is SO nice to be able to go wherever I want, whenever I want, without taking into account someone else's wants or needs.

Zoo map and ticket!

Elephant - Elefant

Camels - Kamele

The monkeys (affen) were the BEST part of the whole zoo

Mom's are the best

I'm SO bummed. I got the coolest video of some monkeys playing, but it's too big to upload on blogger :( Maybe I will try to put it on Facebook...

Seal - Seehund

NOT a two-headed zebra 

Lions (Löwen) & Tiger

Römisches Mosaik - Gladiator und Löwe

"...you turned me into a llama!" (name that movie) - lama

Rhinoceros (Nashorn) & Flamingos 

Macaws/Parrots - Aras/Papagei

Peacock - Pfau

Fishies! - Fisch

Piranha

Emperor Penguins - Kaiserpinguine

I think these are Tapir...  

I've never seen an Anteater (Ameisenbär) before! So cool!

Owl - Eule

Your mustache is now invalid. Monkey wins.

First souvenir!

After the zoo, I was supposed to meet up with people to explore the city more, but they never showed up (apparently their skydiving endeavor took longer than expected). After waiting for almost an hour I left the agreed on "meet-up spot". I happened upon a mini-concert in the main hall of the Zürich Bahnhof, which is HUGE - it felt more like an airport than a train station. I stayed and listened for a long while, grabbed some dinner, then headed home. 

Zürich Bahnhof in front of Bahnhofstrasse

Waiting for the train to get home

xoxo,

     Rebecca

If you pay attention, you will see God...

Um... guys. THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

Today has been AMAZING. I have never felt that God was more merciful, more understanding, more forgiving, and more aware of me personally, than I have today.

Last night, Tamara very kindly offered to get up early to drive me to the train station this morning and help me get my ticket so I could get to church. It's literally like a 3-5 minute drive from the house and maybe a 10 or 15 minute walk which is AWESOME. So we got my ticket squared away and she gave me instructions about which stop to get off at etc.

The train comes and the only reason I knew it was my train is because it was headed in the right direction, and I knew my train was the 8:07am. I was still having some doubts though, because it said St. Gallen on and I was headed to Kreuzlingen - Seepark. UGH. So I'm sitting, sitting, sitting, waiting to hear my stop on the intercom announcement thingy. I'm on the verge of a panic attack... Before the train had even arrived for me to jump on, I'd said a prayer in my heart. "Please God, let me get to church. Don't let me get lost. Just let me make it to church." I have never looked so forward to going to church in my life. I needed to be there. I needed the reassurance and consistency that the church provides. So, we're at another stop, and I know I'm getting close to where I have to get off, but I'm still second-guessing myself and I'm on the verge of an intense freak-out, when I see a young man, dressed in a suit, carrying a scripture case. I have NEVER been so happy to see a man in his Sunday best. I knew, "that guy HAS to be Mormon." I calmed down a little. I ALMOST got up from my seat to go ask him if he WAS in fact LDS on his way to church, but the idea that he might not speak English and I'd just look like a lunatic was too intimidating. So I just settled with keeping an eye to see where he got off the train. We passed another station and the next one, I was fairly sure was my stop... "Please, God, let him get off at the next stop"... one, so that I would be certain that WAS my stop, and two, so I could follow him to the church building, since I wasn't sure of its exact location. He got up. YES! "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!" I was totally in stalker mode, but I didn't even care, cause I was in the right place, and I knew Heavenly Father was helping me get to where I needed to be. The church building is literally RIGHT by the train stop. Two other young men hopped off the train so I just followed these three dudes right up to the church.

It took all my self control not to start sobbing when I saw "Kirsche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage." I couldn't stop myself from tearing up though. Finally, something completely familiar! Even with a language barrier. Even with cultural differences. Home. Totally, completely home. I walked in and a missionary (one of the guys who had just gotten off the train) greeted me and quickly realized I did not speak a lick of German haha. He asked me where I was from (in English), I responded that I was American and he asked what part of the U.S. I was from. "Utah." "Oh! My companion is from Sandy, Utah!" and around the corner came the guy I'd been stalking! :D!!!! He was almost as happy to see a fellow American, especially one from close to home, as I'd been to find a Mormon missionary on the train (I hadn't realized he was a missionary before, I missed his tag earlier). His name is Elder Annan, he's been here 2 weeks, so he totally gets where I'm at with German haha. I told him about seeing him on the train and that he was an answer to my prayer. His companion, Elder Strauss, is a native (from Germany I believe...). I also met Elder Sanft and his companion Elder Sardoni. Elder Sanft is from California, so he was happy to meet a California native *high-five status* I talked with them in the entry way while they greeted the members and EACH AND EVERY ONE of the members that came by, greeted me as well. Everyone was SO friendly and welcoming and inviting. WOW. I was literally blown away at their kindness. Many of them spoke English so that was also very comforting to me, but even the ones who didn't were very eager to say hello and make me feel welcome. In fact, one of the members who seemed most excited by my presence was a sweet lady who could barely speak any English at all. She was so very kind to me though. We've decided to help each other out - she'll help me with German, and I'll help her with English :) haha. The Bishop also introduced himself and asked me about myself. I'm actually supposed to go to a ward in Frauenfeld (I knew this, but Tamara had told me about this building and showed it to me on the way to her sister's so I thought I'd go here my first week at least since it was easier and somewhat familiar) but he said it is much easier to get to this building from the town I live in than the other one. To get to the church in Frauenfeld I guess you have to get on a train, then get off, onto a bus etc... YIKES. haha. But they don't seem to have a problem letting me crash their meetings instead :) Hopefully they can find my membership records cause I think the YSA ward I was in already sent them away...

Before going in for Sacrament meeting, Elder Strauss invited me to sit by him and he would translate for me. He had to help prepare and bless the Sacrament first so Elder Sanft let me sit by him and he translated what he could for me until the Sacrament had been passed and Elder Strauss could take over. So, many people probably don't know this, but singing the hymns is probably my favorite part of Sacrament meeting. If I can't sing the hymns, it TOTALLY bums me out. I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to participate because you know... I thought maybe I should pull out my iPad and sing them in English, or just hum. But I didn't. I sang in German. I'm sure my pronunciation was atrocious, but I KNEW these hymns. I tried my best, and I know that's all that mattered to the people, but more importantly, I know that God knows even though my understanding is lacking at this point, the feeling and testimony behind this imperfect attempt was sincere. And it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be; I just tried to copy the people next to me as best I could haha. One of the hymns was even "I Stand All Amazed" - except in German haha. The word "wunderbar" has never been sweeter or more sacred. AH! And to top it all off, the entire meeting was about trials and finding gratitude amidst our trials - things I have struggled with for years. Since my brother died actually. I've never heard these topics spoken about in more loving words or in a way that pierced my soul so. Apparently all I had to do was fly to Switzerland to make sense of it all, not necessarily in my mind, but in my spirit. If that makes any sense whatsoever to anyone reading this...

After Sacrament meeting Elder Sanft introduced me to one of the members, Daisy is her name I believe, who speaks Spanish! AH! :D A language I'm familiar with! She was an absolute delight. Almost as soon as she learned I was new and spoke Spanish, was she inviting me to have dinner with her and her family sometime! OH MY GOSH. The sweetest!

After speaking with a few others, I headed to Sunday school and Elder Strauss said he could translate for me again if I wanted. I told him I didn't want to bug him, but he assured me it wasn't a problem and he appreciated the chance to practice his English. Fine by me dude. Fine by me. So he translated again during Sunday school, which was about Elijah (one of my favorite people from the scriptures). P.S. I said the opening prayer in Sunday school! Someone asked me, and said I could do it in English, so I agreed. I'm willing! Just let me speak a language I know and we're good! haha. Anyway, after class Elder Strauss told me where to go for Relief Society haha. Poor guy. I'm not always so helpless I promise! He was very nice about it, and didn't seem to mind, thankfully. I thought about asking the missionaries for a contact number, in case I need a Priesthood blessing at some point, but... I was getting self-conscious about how needy I must have seemed haha.

The Relief Society president is a doll, from South Africa (totally mistook her and her husband's accents for Australian accents at first). She asked me if I'd introduce myself a little and got one of the other girls (Larissa) to translate for me - not only my little introduction to everyone, but for me during the lesson. She and her sister Sandra are SO nice. Their family practically makes up the entire ward so it seems (and to call it a ward is a bit of a stretch. Also, I thought our church buildings in Utah were small. This building is TINY!)

After church I asked Elder Annan if he knew when the next train to go back was... he didn't. And I totally gave him crap about it. "How long have you been here?" "2 weeks..." "2 weeks! I've been here since Wednesday! I have an excuse! But you've been here for 2 WEEKS!" "Yeah, but I just follow Elder Strauss around! I don't know anything! I just follow him!" haha so I asked Elder Strauss when he showed up again, and he told me I had about 20 minutes. Then he asked me if I wanted their contact number (thank you again Heavenly Father) in case of anything. I gratefully accepted and said it would be great in case I need a blessing or something.

I went to say goodbye and thank-you to the Relief Society president, and she walked with me to the train stop and waited with me. Holy cow. To say this ward goes above and beyond is a HUGE understatement. Good grief. Everyone back home, we need to STEP IT UP. Seriously. If everyone felt like I did today when they came to church, no one would be inactive.

I got off the train in my town, and I got a little lost trying to find the way back to the house (why didn't I pay closer attention in the car!?) I walked up and down the same street about 3 times trying to figure out where I needed to go, or what I was going to do... I finally sat down and I remembered walking past a church on my walk the other night... If I could find the church, I could find my way home. You can read into THAT symbolism all you want. Problem was, the only church I could see, I didn't recognize... so I walked down the street again and I just knew it was the wrong way, so I turned around to go back, yet again, and I looked over to my left, and I caught a glimpse of the church, and in front of me was a little pathway that went under a tunnel, which Tamara had mentioned a tunnel when she was trying to explain how to walk to the train station yesterday... After finding the church, it was pretty easy to recognize the street I had taken my walk on, and from there I could easily find the way home. God is awesome, and He is TOTALLY taking care of me. When you're trying to do the right thing, He's gonna have your back. Always. 

Later on in the afternoon, Peter's parents stopped by for a visit and then we all went for a walk down by the lake. Here's some pictures: 

Old house from 1459

bleh. haha

Oh hi Germany! :) 

beautiful Lake Constance aka "Bodensee"

cute girl! :)

Peter, Svenja, Tamara

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Pageviews & Gratitude

Today I hit 1000+ pageviews of my blog from 14+ countries! It seems like a milestone worth celebrating. I am amazed and humbled at the reach my simple words have had, and the ability to hone my skills as a writer.
Thank you so much for all the support! :) I can't wait to share all of my Swiss adventures with you! 
T-Minus 19 days!

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Beauty Is Pain?

Oh mah gosh.

Today I went and got my lower legs and underarms waxed for the first time. My beautiful friend Sarah is a student at Aveda and is currently raising money to go to New York Fashion Week! I figured I could kill two birds with one stone, you know, support my friend, and get mah smooooth on ;) haha. 

HOLY. SHIITAKE. MUSHROOMS.

I feel like the screaming pain my calves were experiencing is the pain that guys think a Brazilian wax is like; dude, I will take a full Brazilian wax over legs any day of the week. My poor friend had to deal with all my screaming and head shaking hahaha, I'm sure it was hilarious. 

*Side Note: So the manager/teacher came in and informed us that some dude was getting a facial across the way... "I know it hurts, but...." Oh, you are not serious right now lady. You're telling the woman getting hair ripped out of her skin to shut up!? Maybe you shouldn't have the waxing station and the facial station NEXT TO EACH OTHER! 

Anyway, my legs feel fine now, but I may just stick to shaving. I am NOT looking forward to doing that ever again... although, the first time is always the worst... *shrug* we shall see. Underarms weren't as bad, but they're still a bit sore. It's nice to be all smooth though! 

If you're in the Provo area, hit up Aveda Institute (ask for Sarah! she did a FABULOUS job) for hair, makeup, waxing, facials, etc. Treat yourself! You deserve it! :) 

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Officially Counting Down

Holy moly.
Just ONE MORE MONTH to go! I can't believe how quickly this all came together - the timing has been impeccable. There is no denying that Heavenly Father has His hand in all of it, and I'm so grateful. I'm so ready and open to learn more about these people, this country, and this culture.

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Aren't you nervous?!

People keep asking me if I'm nervous about moving to a different country. I am WAY too excited to be nervous! haha There are so many things I'm looking forward to! This is going to be life-changing. The only things that have given me some slight trepidation are some random bizarro nightmares and... food. 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am one of the least adventurous eaters on the planet. I'm the girl who has one or two dishes/meals at various restaurants that I ALWAYS order and I rarely deviate from those items (it seems that whenever I do try to have something new, it's always such a  disappointment). I know what I like, and I'm extremely hesitant to try anything outside of that box, ESPECIALLY when it comes to textures. My best friend and her family constantly tease me about "weird ethnic food" but they have managed to open my palate and my mind to some new foods that have actually become personal favorites now, because surprisingly, Utah has a pretty eclectic variety. 
I haven't been TOO worried because, as far as Europe is concerned, I feel that Switzerland is one of the more mild places to be exposed to new kinds of delicious cuisine. And because of its close proximity to so many other countries, there is a cross-over of German, French, and Italian dishes, depending on which area of Switzerland you happen to be in. 
I've just decided that I'm going to try everything at least once. It's not gonna kill me, right? :) Besides, from what I can gather in a five minute Google search haha, the Swiss are big on fondue/cheese, potatoes, sausage, and of course CHOCOLATE ...I think I'm gonna be ok :) 

Here is a link of recommended foods to sample:
BBC Good Food: Top 10 foods to try in Switzerland

xoxo,

     Rebecca

Please Fasten Your Seatbelts...

My flight is booked! :D This is really happening! 

xoxo,

     Rebecca