As of today, July 6th, I have officially been in Geneva for one week. Since Nuno had to work this week, I have been giving myself small missions to complete. Most of them revolved around getting everything settled at the laguage school where I am going to be studying French at the end of August. The school is called ELFI (Ecole de Langue Française et d'Informatique) and it is a 15 minute walk from the apartment. I bought my books, and since I am going to be started at the end of level A1 instead of the beginning, I am studying on my own everyday.
      This week was also 4th of July. Usually, I am in New Jersey with my mom's side of the family. This is my first Fourth of July out of the country, but sticking with tradition, I did make a key lime pie to celebrate. And of course, Ryder was festivally dressed in an American flag bandana. 

      One of the high lights of my week was shopping with Nuno's sister Isabel, and Nuno's brother's girlfriend Luchi. We went to downtown Geneva and checked out the sales at various stores. Later that night, Nuno and I went to his friend José and Lily's house so that they could meet Ryder because they are going to take care of him with Nuno and I travel to Portugal. They live in Archant, France and have three kids, two girls, one boy, one dog, and one cat. José and Lily prepared Raclette, a traditional Suisse dish where you melt cheese on a small pan in a little oven in the middle of the table and then pour it over meat, potatoes, and tomoatoes and top with various spices (ex. pepper, paprika, onion powder). It is delicious!
     This next week is mostly going to be focused on the countdown until Portugal. . . .8 days! We leave on the 14 of July.

                                                   One of Ryder's favorite places to sleep.

                                                       Decked out for the Fourth of July!

                                                   Isabel, Lutchi and I shopping downtown.

                                                                  Lily and Evans

                                                                 José and Céila

Nuno and Lauren

                                                    Window display  of Franck Muller watches.

                                    This is one of the stores for the watch company Nuno works for.

                                         At downtown Geneva, with the Jet d'Eau in the background.