Back to Geneva

So I've been letting Haley do most of the posting on the blog because she is much more savvy when it comes to this kind of stuff. She is my official photographer. Unfortunately, she thinks that I don't get animated enough in them. I'm leaving that up to her! We had an incredible time with Matt and Jade. It was so great being with them in their home and in Venice. Since this week marks the one year anniversary of Lynn's death, I've had him on my mind even more than usual. Being with Matt and Jade was kind of like having a bit of him back. We did alot of reminiscing about Lynn. My birthday in Venice was fantastic. You don't see any automobiles over there because there is no place to drive them. You either walk, take water taxis or gondolas. We mostly walked and took a water taxi when it was time to go back to the train station. We had to go up and down many steps to cross canals, and we walked from one end of the city to the other. I kept telling Matt, Jade and Haley that this was really good training for me since I am going on our Stake's Trek in July. When someone started saying how tired of walking they were, Matt would say, "We're doing it for Tina". We were so tired and our feet were so sore when we got home, but it was one of the most memorable days of my life. On Sunday, Matt, Jade and I attended the English speaking military branch. It was very fun. Just a small branch, and at least 2/3 of them were little kids. There is one family in the branch that has 14 children! Later, Matt barbecued and we visited until late. Today Haley and I headed home on the train back to Geneva. It took us 7 hours with a 1 hour layover in Milan. After we dropped our stuff off at the home we are staying at, put some laundry in and Haley showered, we were off to explore Geneva at night and have some dinner. We really miss the food prices in Italy. It is SO expensive to eat in Switzerland. We went down to the harbor in Geneva and watched the sunset and ate Gelato. Haley will post some great pictures, I'm sure. I'll let Haley tell about how she forgot to get off the tram at our house and had to walk back. Ha Ha! Well, tomorrow we are back at the World Health Assembly. They are closing up business tomorrow and then we will start preparing for the Human Rights Assembly which starts Monday. So until then....

Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, boats....

Pretty sure we have been on just about every form of transportation in Europe, maybe only leaving pedicabs and bikes! It's such a crazy ride over here.....literally! Everything is go go go, then all of a sudden 7pm hits and it all comes to a halt! The shops all close up, the restaurants and bars open up! The air gets cooler and we can just stroll the city streets, window shopping and going from restaurant to restaurant deciding what looks the best!

There are some amazing sights to be seen in Geneva, much bigger than we even thought at first. We went quite a bit off the beaten path today and had an amazing time. We have learned how to navigate our way around pretty well I'd say, for Americans anyway!

I have been taking pictures of pretty much everything we eat, the good stuff anyway! Enjoy the pictures we have for you today! We miss everyone back home and you know this is a really tough job, but someone's got to do it!

The wonderful Julie and Deon Greer!!!

Amazing food Julie and Deon Greer made for us in their apartment in Geneva!!!

Hey just registered my iPod with the blog! Seeing if it works!
A message from Haley

Yes I know I'm a dork, but I was trying to get some crazy pictures! I had
a lot of fun tho!




Showing you the smallness of the alleyways in Venice! They are everywhere and some looked dark and scary, but we were brave and ventured through all!

Haley, Tina and Matt eating Gelato! Believe it or not I have

never tried it before, I really like it!

Tina showing you her great food we had in Venice!

Oh ya I am loving the spagetti in Venice! The food here is great!

A little about Italy!

Yesterday we celebrated Tina's birthday Venice, Italy! Can you imagine a better place to spend your birthday??? It was as great as we thought, but even more! Every turn a new sight. Around every corner another shop, pastries, scarfs, jewelry....definitely a sight to be seen! Everyone should try to visit Europe at least once in their lifetime!

I am truly missing Neil and the kids like crazy, but I know all of you are helping them out while I'm away on the adventure of a lifetime! I have been skyping with them and loving that!

The weather here has been so great, sunny and warm everyday! It did rain once in Geneva, but we survived!

We are leaving in the morning to head back to Geneva, Jade and Matt may be coming there next weekend! We also talked about taking a plane or train to Frankfurt then, but who knows what will happen. That's how it is here, we fly by the seat of our pants! Great times we are having!