Jet Lagged Giggles

What an incredible experience. Being the first day back, I've definitely gotten hit with question after question about how the trip was, our favorite memories, and how exhausted we are today. With that, I wanted to share some hilarious moments from our trip- some insightful thoughts, some very obviously exhausted quotes...

~The sudden realization made at the train station in Geneva: European dogs aren't trained to respond to "Sit."

~In response to a comment about Europeans not shaving as we obsessively do: "I think I was born European. I don't shave my legs. My boyfriend knows not to comment either. I am an independent woman. Then again... I can't complain about his scruffy beard either so.... yeah."

~We found the UN basement on accident and wandered the halls until we found an escape route

~We consistently found ourselves sitting with random locals who were very friendly and had many questions about our course

~A "Bae of the Day" was named (either a group member with a great idea or a random person that walked by), if they put a smile on someones face, they were named Bae of the Day. Some people's response: "Can we not Bae, though?"

~"Coffee is just as important as water, Dr. Schratter. It is life sustaining."

~"There are so many wee woos here!" - Geneva must have a law about sirens needing to ring through the night. I mean, all night long. They don't stop.

~A group of German travelers conversing with some people from our group:
Them:"What state are you guys from?"
Us: "Tennessee"
Them: "*Excited looks and nods shared between them* You have good whiskey!"
Us: "Yes! Where are you from?"
Them: "Germany"
Us: "You have good beer!"
Them: "Ehhhh not really. But we drink it a lot!"

~In a discussion about chocolate melting:
"No, they should be fine. And, for the record, chocolate welfare is never a silly question."

~We were approached while walking in Bern by a band and the drummer started a conversation:
"Hey girls, do you like Harley Davidson?" (We thought he was hitting on us so we noncommittally nodded.) "Great! So you like rock music! Let me tell you about our new album!" Later on, we chipped in together and bought a CD just because he was trying so hard.

~On the wall in a boarding school: A drawing of a frowning Kinder Surprise Egg, not sold in the US (choking hazard), with the caption, "I just can't crack America!"

~After the announcement that we should be using the safes in the rooms to store our money:
"Safe is actually a fridge with a key. If you put money in it, it will get cold."
"We actually do have a safe! It's above the fridge."
"You must have a premium room. I have the lockable fridge model where you keep your chocolate cool & passport safe at the same time."

~After some of us (Definitely not just Addi) slept through the fire alarm:
"Note to self: Addi will not save us in case of fire."
"That's ok. That's what Swiss rescue dogs are for."
"I waited hoping it was a false alarm. "Hope" probably not a good emergency protocol."
*Further discussion about who would save who*
"But... Bobby would have taken our chocolate during the evacuation."
"Bobby Foundation of Souvenir Rescue has a huge budget due to all the good work it does. Read about it @ UN"

~"My Kinder Egg broke... That's why they're illegal in the US. They make children sad..."

~"What do you think is down there?!"
"Bodies."

~"I love your laugh, Sarah Grace."
"It's the laugh I came with!"

~Why we sang "I'm So Fancy" for such an unbelievable amount of time... I have no idea.

~"He is Swiss Thor."

~In response to his daughter's sad remarks on not seeing the skyline from Mt. Titlis, a parent of one of our travelers said, "You didn't miss it. You lived it."

~In the Newark airport on the way home, waiting to board the plane, an exchange between two students:
1: "I'm hungry for water."
2: "You mean thirsty?"
And a bit later...
1: "Can I have some of your water? You can fill it up when we get to America!"
2:"We are in America..."


I hope you've enjoyed a few of our random travel moments. This is such a short list, we laughed a great deal of the trip and made amazing memories together. We are so thankful for Maryville College and this opportunity to travel like we did. We made lasting friendships and are excited to see what our next chapters look like. Thank you for all your support and encouragement through our journeys.

Until next time,
Alyssa
ICW Blogger