Back in Buus!!

Yesterday was an amazing day, all around. I finally got to see one of my host families again, it was AMAZING to see them. It feels so good to be back in such a familiar place. It has been two years since I have been in this house and it was incredible to be back. I lived here for five months, and it really became a  home for me. As I came back here (two nights ago) it was amazing to see Gabby, Simon, Marius, Linda, Tamara and Isabella. When I walked in, it was the exact same smells, feelings, everything. After a few minutes of being back here, I genuinely felt like I never left. It felt so normal to be back, and so great to catch up. I felt so welcomed back, and they made me feel right at home again. I felt so normal just walking into the kitchen and opening up the fridge again, which is a big challenge to conquer especially at your first host families house, because it's all so new.

The next day (yesterday) was a really neat tradition here in Buus. It was perfect timing for me to be back in this village, because I got to see everyone again. I met a lot of people here in Buus, because there's a gym hall that all the girls gather at every Wednesday night to play sports and work out, and I met a lot of amazing people as I did that for 5 months. So in the North of Switzerland, many villages have this special tradition. The village all gathers together in the centre of it, and split into two groups. One goes one way, the other goes the other way. They all hike around half of the village each, and meet up at the end.  This traditionally signified the boarders they had, and to signify their land since it was always a bit in discussion of what land belongs to who, so this became their tradition every year on this day. After that, you meet up and each receive a bottle of wine or beer, and a sausage with bread, and drink together. It was amazing to see everyone again, it felt so special to be back. It was just like it used to be when we would get together, and that felt amazing. It truly is my second home here. We started around 1 pm and were all together drinking and talking until around 9 pm when we went into a portable bar that they had set up, and drank some more there. It's so social and special, it felt so amazing to see everyone again. They are very great people here, and so friendly. They're all really interested to make conversation, and it was that feeling when your hair on your skin stands up, and goosebumps show up everywhere, because it feels so damn good.

Today we relaxed a bit, which felt SO nice to take a day to lounge around. I can't explain how great it felt to be back in this house, and how similar it felt to being here before. Isabella and I watched Life of Pi, and we all relaxed, chatted all together, and enjoyed some great family time. Tonight, I was fortunate enough to have another fondue dinner. I love the food here, it's absolutely amazing, especially the fondue. You can't even explain it, you just have to try it for yourself.

Also, it was so nice to hear Buus' church bells again. You forget the little things after being gone for a while, and the church bells are absolutely incredible. In every village there's a church, and you can always here the church bells play at the same times that a grandfather clock would. During different times like church, weddings, or other events the bells will play for longer. I tried to get a video on youtube to explain the sound, but as I was listening to them on youtube, the actual church bells played here and it just isn't the same, you really can't imagine the sound until you're laying here listening to it yourself. If I could make a wish right now, it'd be for everyone to get the opportunity to live in Switzerland like a Swiss person for a few months, it's such a neat life here.

Here are a few pictures from the walk around the village, and the party after. I haven't taken too many pictures here in Buus, I have been too busy enjoying the moments. It's the best feeling to be back. Tomorrow I'll try to remember to take pictures of Buus.

Reunited with my school friends again!

AH! What a wonderful morning it was. I met back up with my friends from school again, it has been two years since we last saw each other, as we all cried in the train station before I had to take off and leave.

It was so amazing. At first, as I was waiting in the sporthall for my friends, a bunch of people walked up saying Katie?! They were a bunch of girls from my volleyball team, it was SO neat to see them! I didnt expect to see them at all, and it was so nice of them to recognize me and come run over and see how everything has been going. Then, the moment I was so excited for, my friends from school came in the doors, and they all ran over with so many hugs and tears, oh it was such a nice feeling.

After reuniting and walking around school for a bit, five of us went out for lunch at the local mall.
So excited to see these people again, they are such good friends. Wahoo! Life is good.

Now I am off to my first host family's house, I am SO EXCITED to see them oh my gosh! Weeee so happy.

Jet lag hasn't stopped me here!

Oh boy has jet lag ever hit me hard, harder than I think it ever has!! Every night I wake up at 1 am and can barely sleep until it's time to wake up in the morning, it makes for a very tired girl but I'm surprisingly doing okay throughout the day with very little sleep!!

Yesterday was a fun day, we went for a hike in France in a forest. It looked similar to what I'm used to in Canada in our forests, with a few differences here and there. It was beautiful, and the birds were so loud!! The birds sounded different, it was so neat. Afterwards we went to a little bakery and had the best eclaires I had ever had. As we were walking in, I said that we have eclaires in Canada, boy was I ever way off what an actual eclaire was, these things are amazing!! Wow. Then Peter (my Rotary counsellor) and I walked around Basel together, and went to different places like the Munster (old church in Basel), library, and walked through all the streets. It felt so weird for me to be back there, it was so nice to see everything again, and I am so lucky to get this opportunity, but it made me really miss the exchange students that I became so close with, I would have paid big money to have them there also and just to get a few more minutes with them, like it used to be. I guess that's just a fact of life, it goes on!

Today was an amazing day, oh my gosh. Peter and I went on a trip to Lausanne and Montreux, and it was so special. We left at 10:30 am and took the train, to go on a day of wine yard adventures. We took the train through the Swiss Alps and I kept hoping that we were going to be doing something, anything, with the mountains in sight. I can't stop staring at the mountains, they are absolutely stunning, my favorite landscape in the entire world. We stopped and got out, and holy it was absolutely stunning. In Switzerland  they take such good care of their gardens, especially the public ones. Beside the lake of Geneva, the gardens were so beautifully groomed with huge mountains on the other side. I missed this view, it was so beautiful just to stand there and stare. We then took a boat to the Chillon Castle, where Kings, Queens and Lords used to live. It had amazing history, and it was HUGE! So neat to take the boat to it, with mountains running along each side. Wow, what an amazing country. 

Afterwards, we walked through all the wine yard in St. Saphorin. The wine here is well known, and there were SO many wine yards all built into the side of the mountain, I have never seen anything like it. Peter can speak French which helped a lot, because he got talking to the locals about where people can buy wine in this tiny but famous village. They talked for a while, and the people were so friendly. The husband ran and grabbed a farmer that was working on his crops. He came down, and took us to his house, and in his basement he made all his wine. He let us try a bunch of different wines, then we both bought some bottles. He was so nice and friendly, and drank a glass of wine with us. It was absolutely delicious!! Afterwards, Peter and I walked through the village, then up through all the vineyards, and hiked through the little walking paths that lead us through it to the next village. This next village is my dream village, so tiny and the people were so friendly. Everyone says 'bonjour' to everyone as they walk by, (it's a French part) and it had such a nice feeling to it. Those lucky people that live there and wake up to the amazing Swiss Alps beside lake Geneva everyday - wow. 

Here are some pictures from today! 

Tomorrow I'm going to school to see all my school friends again, it'll be so neat. We have stayed in contact so it'll be really nice to see them again! I am SO excited for tomorrow evening, I go back to my first host family, they are amazing and I'm so excited to see them again. I'll be there until Monday, and I don't know if I have internet or not, so I might not update this for a while, but I will once I'm back! 

So excited for what these next few days bring, wahoo!! :) 

I'm back in the land of the Swiss!!!!!

I realized how amazing it is to keep a blog to refer back on at a later date, so I'm going to write in this once again because I am lucky enough to come back for another visit to Switzerland!!

It's currently 3 AM here, and I can't sleep... jet lag at its finest!!

Yesterday, I arrived back in Switzerland after being gone for two years. It's so nice to be back, my jitters kept with me the entire plane ride. I was able to get a bit of sleep, but you can never really get a great or deep sleep on an airplane - they're not so comfy!

The beginning of the flight was a bit frustrating, as we all had to sit on the plane for about an hour while they fixed their technical problems with the engine. Delays are normal and it would have been no problem, but in order to fix the part that needed to be fixed, they couldn't have any air conditioning on, so we were all packed on the plane sitting in Toronto for about an hour with no air, it was pretty hot and stinky but at least that happened at the beginning of the flight, when most people are freshly showered hehe. Once we started going, I got SO excited!

It was a night flight, but once we were about 5 hours into the flight we were in sheer daylight due to the time change! We were told to keep our window plastic cover thing down, but I kept peeking out of it so I could watch us fly over the ocean, then Ireland, then all through Germany.

I had finally arrived back in Zurich airport, just like the journey I took three years prior. This time, I had a lot more confidence as I knew what I was doing. Back onto the little train to take us to our baggage claim area, that plays cow music, yodelling, and the Alp horn as your ride in it, it was so neat to be back. It reminded me of the first time I took that, terrified, excited, anxious, all built up into one body.

Once I arrived, I saw my Rotary counsellor Peter and his wife Christine! They had patiently waited despite the delays that happened. I saw them, and all the emotions came back and I broke out in a few tears. We took the train from Zurich back to their village in Moehlin, and it felt surreal being back in this country! I started to speak German again, which felt so neat. I am surprised that I remembered it, it ALL came back to me!!

Once we arrived back in Moehlin, I threw all my stuff into my room ran down and ate lunch, and off we were on our way. Despite being exhausted, the adrenalin was helping me to keep going. We went to the local museum which is an old house and kept preserved in the way that it used to be lived in, and how they lived in it. Then we went to Germany, and rode in a coal train that was made in 1848. It was so neat to ride like they used to, and get a feel of what life was like in older days. We arrived on the train at another little village, toured it then took the bus back to our car that was parked in the original spot. After spending the day touring around, we came home to an AMAZING welcome back dinner..... fondue! It was so nice to eat the real fondue again. It was such a nice day to come back and get back into the Swiss zone.

It's funny how it feels to be back, it feels like I never left. I realize I have two worlds, my Canadian world and my Swiss world. Both are very different, but the same Katie. Once I'm back in Switzerland, I automatically switch into German, different street smart modes, and back into the way the Swiss live. I didn't realize it'd go so smoothly to be right back into it, it feels like yesterday I was here... except when I look back in the same mirrors and see a Katie that is a wee bit older than last time.

I better get back into bed and trying to sleep, it's almost 4 AM and hopefully my body will let me fall back asleep.

Aufwiedersehen!

The FINAL post!

July 18th, 2011 was one of the most emotional days of my life. It started out so hard but ended so amazing. Two weeks prior to this date, it sounded like the only word that came out my mouth was 'goodbye.' As difficult as it was to go, I was so relieved to stop saying goodbye. Finally, that elephant wasn't in the room anymore - there was no more enjoying the moment but remembering in a couple days I won't be here anymore.

I couldn't have been more excited as I landed in  Toronto Airport. I knew my three best friends, my grandparents, my uncle and my dad were on the other side of the arrivals door and I had goosebumps the whole time. It was a rainy day when I left Switzerland so I wore jeans, long sleeve shirt, big sweater and my Rotary Blazer. Not only was it a little cool in Switzerland, I had no more room for those clothes in my suitcases. As I arrived in Canada I realized how warm it was, it was 38 degrees Celsius!! I waited in a very long line to go through customs to enter into Canada. It took about an hour to get through this long but slowly constantly moving line. I was sweating buckets!! Since the line was constantly moving and I had two big and heavy carry-on's, it made it quite difficult to attempt to take off some layers so I wasn't so hot. Luckily the family in front of me saw my struggle, and helped me carry my bags and layers as I started taking off the Blazer and the big sweater. I finally got through customs and was thinking I was so close to the arrivals door, think again. I had to wait for my suitcases, then wait in another big line!! So there I was with 2 giant carry-on's, two giant suitcases, and sweaters and blazers hanging off me in every direction.. it was nearly impossible!! I finally saw the glass sliding doors that was keeping me from some of the most important people in my life and the people I have dearly missed. I was finally there, the doors opened, and I was in the same room once again with these amazing people. I scanned the crowd quickly while focusing on all that I had to carry. I pass the crowds and find my family there and my three best friends with a big sign that says WELCOME BACK KATIE on a big cardboard Canadian Flag. I dropped my suitcases and couldn't feel my legs, my three friends started screaming on the tops of their lungs and I stood there and embraced them as they ran to me. I was in shock and it was the most exciting moment ever. I stood there crying my eyes out, once again in the arms of my three best friends. It was great to be back home.

The one question I always get asked is "how was your year?"
Honestly, it is great when people ask and are interested to know how it was. But also, it is so hard to answer. How can I possibly sum up a whole year into a simple sentence as to how it was? If I could answer it the way I wanted to when they asked, I would jump up and down, run on the spot, run in circles, throw my arms in the air like a maniac and scream WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Instead, I give a huge Katie smile and say "My year was simply amazing."

I can't sum up my year, even if I had days to give an answer. In my heart, I will know all the things I've done, the things I've seen, the good times, the hard times, the moments of complete happiness and the moments of trying. I will always know the things I learned and I will always remember the people I met and I will bring those special people and moments with me in my heart, everywhere I go.  When I close my eyes and think of Switzerland, I will always get an instant smile on my face.

Deciding to go on this one year exchange was the best decision of my life and nothing will change that. Even if I have to repeat a year in high school because I didn't get enough credits, doesn't compare for a second to the year I had. I won't complain about having to repeat a year because in the long run, I experienced a year that will be very competitive to one of the best years of my life.

I have learned so much over the past year, and I didn't start realizing it until I arrived back home. It has just been over 2 weeks but I am noticing how extreme this year has impacted my life.

I find myself a lot more independent, mature, adaptable and spontaneous. Before I left, I was nervous whenever I was in big cities even when I was with friends. Whenever I'd go to Toronto I'd always be extremely alert and never let my guard down, I understand that's okay to do, but to a certain point. On exchange I spent many days in bigger cities and learned it's best to simply be alert and aware, just not scared. Now I feel comfortable to walk around during the day alone in a bigger city, which is a big step for me. Also, I react a lot differently in situations than I ever have. I am a lot more calm and take it all the way it is and go from there. I have met a lot of different people and families throughout this year. Living with three host families for at least 3 months each, makes your learn a lot about the various personality types this world has to offer. I learned how to deal with many, many different people. Harder things don't seem to phase me as much as they used to, I don't react as much and don't really give it the time of day. I've learned to go with the flow and always look on the sunny side, because everywhere you go and everything you do, you can look at the shady side or the sunny side, and life's a lot better on the sunny side.

Many people are sad after their exchange year claiming that it's all over. For me, it's the exact opposite. Of course I miss Switzerland, and I will continue to have a few hard days here and there missing the people I met and the busy lifestyle I had. However, this year was not the end. This year was that spark to my fire that shows me life can be so exciting if you set yourself up for that.  So, when opportunity comes knocking at your door: answer! embrace it! You may just surprise yourself at what you can do, how much you can handle, and how amazing life is.

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to absolutely everyone that supported me along the way. Throughout the year there were a few times of trying that really got me down, and it was so amazing to see all the support that I had in Switzerland and in Canada as I faced the rainy days. To my Rotary Club of Bracebridge - Muskoka Lakes here in Canada and my Rotary club of Augst-Raurica in Switzerland, two amazing clubs with  amazing people, that supported me along the way and made sure everything ran smoothly, I am so fortunate to be sponsored and hosted by these two amazing clubs. To my Rotary Counselor Peter Bieri and Rotary Officer Hanspeter Brandt, who made sure everything went well throughout the year and made sure I was always safe and smiling.  To my three host families: the Leunenberger's, the Geiger's and the Casanova's, I have learned so much from each family, each family was very different than the next and I can't even begin to give enough thanks to you for hosting me in your houses. And to the friends I met in Switzerland and the friends I have here in Canada, all were huge supporters in my life and made huge differences. Also, a huge thank you to my family here in Canada for always being there to listen to anyhting I had to say and to allow me to share everything about my year with them and attentively listened the whole time. Thank you everybody, you are all amazing and changed my life.

This may be the end of my exchange year, but this is just beginning. I am 18 years old, my name is Katie O'Hearn and I'm going to accomplish big things.

BARCELONA :D

I spent July 4th to July 8th in beautiful Barcelona, Spain. I knew it was going to be fun, I knew I was going to love it like all the vacations I have been on, but I didn't know just how much I was right - let me tell you, it was AMAZING.

I was a little nervous about this vacation, because I heard quite often how dangerous it was and how careful I have to be. Of course coming from such a small town, I got quite nervous. When I was there, I realized how much Rome taught me, you don't have to be scared just aware. If you're aware, you make smart choices and in most cases don't have any problems. I was really scared in Rome and literally hugged every bag I had on me, and I eventually got more comfortable and realized that was the wrong thing to do. Just stay calm and be smart. Once I arrived, that fear that I had went away and I just made smart decisions like keep my purse in front of me, etc... I had absolutely no problems!!

Monika and Martin Rohner were kind enough to allow me to come on their trip, along with Ana. The Rohner family is Ana's host family, and they are amazing people.

On Monday, we arrived in the evening. Four years ago, I had an exchange student at my house named Cami Bocca. I see her as my sister and one of my best friends. She lived with me for two months, then sadly had to go back to Spain. Two years later, she came back to Canada and lived with me again for the summer. Throughout these last four years, we always stayed in such good contact mostly by phone. I miss her a lot because we don't see each other very often, and I never had the chance to go to Spain. She's from Madrid which is pretty far from Barcelona, but I told her a few months ago of my upcoming trip. She got really excited about it, which I didn't understand because I didn't think it was going to be possible that she would fly to Barcelona. She asked when I arrived and which flight, and I wasn't 100 % sure she was going to Barcelona but nonetheless I was so hopeful and excited to see her. I also have really close connections with her mom, but I never have had the chance to meet her. We talk on the phone whenever I call Cami or when we are talking on Skype, I have always wanted to meet her just never had the chance.

When I walked out of the arrival doors, I searched everywhere to try to find Cami. Not only was Cami standing there with flowers and balloons in her hand, so was her mom!!!! Her mom also flew to Barcelona to surprise me there, I was close to tears of excitement because I didn't expect that in a million years, it didn't even cross my mind! I went screaming to them and leaped in their arms, it was a really special moment.

Once we arrived, we all went out for dinner together. My life now and the people that are a huge part of it this year, got a chance to meet the people are are a huge part of my life in Canada. They all got along very well, Ana is from Mexico so she was able to speak fluently with Cami and her mom, and from what I know, they really connected. Also, the parents got into a good conversation while us three girls chatted, I was so happy with how well everybody got along. After dinner, Cami Ana and I went out to the discos, while the parents went walking in the city together. 

It was amazing to see Cami again, and to be with two girls that mean so much to me at the same time. I love the Spanish discos, they are so fun and it was also right near the beach. There was a row of different bars, clubs and discos and we went partying there.

Tuesday we got up early and Monika, Martin, Ana and I went on a bus tour of the beautiful city. It's a bus tour that you can get on and off at different stops, and a new bus comes like every five minutes. So we were able to see many, many things and also go touring a lot. The famous architecture Gaudi is huge in Barcelona, with so many famous buildings, houses, markets and gardens. He is an idol there, a genius and it was so great to see some of his work and just wonder how does someone think of that. He puts "thinking outside the box" to shame. He thinks way out of the box, and everything he did was so beautiful. We stopped at the famous garden, and got to see the beautiful things he designed.

During the tour we also stopped at the FC Barcelona stadium, a museum of artwork to fight against AIDS and also the Olympic stadium when Barcelona hosted it in 1992. 

Then once again Cami, Ana and I went out to the disco at night. Cami has many friends in Barcelona, so we met up with a group of people and went to a disco that was right on the beach. It was not only beautiful, but also hilarious. The group of people were so friendly and it was so great to meet them. 

On Wednesday it was my final breakfast with Cami's mom, she had to fly back to get back to work. I was so happy to meet her, she is such an incredible person; so friendly, open and happy.

Throughout the day we did more touring and walking around to see many places, and went on a Gondola that went over a part of Barcelona so you could see the beautiful old buildings and also the beautiful, blue Mediterranean Sea.

Sadly on Wednesday night, Cami and I had to say our goodbyes. It was so amazing to see her and I know I'll see her again, knowing our pattern I'll probably see her in about two years. I would love to come to Spain again, and go stay with Cami in Madrid.

Thursday was another day for sightseeing and of course shopping! We went to the huge and famous St Josep Market, which had a building also designed by Gaudi. I have never seen so many fruits, vegetables, candies, animals and seafood in my life. It was amazing, and the fruit was SO great. We also went to another house created by Gaudi, and got to tour his thinking once again. 

In the afternoon Ana and I went to the beach, and got to spend a few hours soaking up some sun and listening to the waves crash against the sand. There are people selling things on the beach, everywhere and all the time. You learn to just tune it out, except one thing kept catching my attention. Asian ladies were everywhere selling back massages, five Euros for ten minutes. To me, that sounded pretty great. So of course, I got one and it was possibly the best back massage I've ever had. It was so relaxing and felt so great, with the sun beating on me and the sounds of the ocean beside me. Beautiful.

At night Monika, Martin, Ana and I went for dinner and ate Tapas!! So great and SO much food!! Our table was too small for all the food, but we sure cleaned the plates. I felt like an advertisement for the restaurant, so many people would walk by, see our table, stop, think, look, think, think then walk in and eat dinner there as well.

Friday was sadly our last day and luckily we had a full day since our plane was at night. Ana and I slept in for once, which was so nice to catch up on some sleep!! Monika and Martin gave us the option, if you want to wake up and go have breakfast with us you can do that or you can sleep in .. if you're there at 9 then we can go for breakfast together, if not then we'll assume you decided to sleep in. Our plan was to get up and go have breakfast, alarm set and all. The time came, and we both decided in about 1 second that we wanted to sleep in. It was so nice to sleep in!! Afterwards, Ana and I did some touring then spent the rest of the day at the beach. Luckily I always had a thick layer of sunscreen on me all week, and didn't get burnt. I have ver sensitive skin, so I usually get very bad burns. The sun is really strong in Spain and so I made sure to be super-extra careful. When we spent the afternoon at the beach, you could see the tiny spots that I missed with sunscreen. All over I was tanner, except some spots were very bright red because I missed that one spot, welcome to the skin of Katie!!

Our time came to say goodbye, but this is for sure: Spain, it was not goodbye, it was see you another time.