Today was my first full day in Riva, although it feels like I've been here for ever, at least getting here felt like it took forever. The school sent almost every one on the same flights, so we could travel as a group. The first flight was from Dulles to London Heathrow. It was about 7 hours in the air, but it was good. We got to London at 6 in the morning, and waited around for three hours to get onto our connecting flight to Milan. I think the waiting was the worst part. The plane was delayed, and so we arrived almost a hour late. Bus took us to Riva, about 45 minutes away from Riva, I was able to sleep, which was good. It was raining, so I didn't get to see much of Riva but what I saw was pretty, and quaint. That last few hours before I passed out in bed were slightly hazy because I had been up for about 24 hours, but I remember the food was good, ceilings decorated, bed comfortable and warm and Villa Maderni as generally beautiful, cold but lovely.
This morning my roommates alarms woke me up in time for breakfast, but I felt like I could have slept for a few more hours. I was able to look out the window and even though it was still raining the view was breathtaking. The Villa faces a road and another Villa across the street, and behind that a the mountains rise up like a wall that touches the sky. Beautiful and intimidating, yet so close its hard to realize what they are unless you concentrate. The main portion of the day was taken up with being introduced to the villa, taught the rules, and talking about how activities are set up. We were given time to walk around the town, most of the group walked to the grocery store and back, it was still miserable so there was no real follow up on the urge to explore. Tomorrow looks to be nicer so hopefully I'll have time to walk through, and explore a little more.
The Villa is very nice, most of the ceilings are decorated with murals of some sort, except on the top floor and the lounge. The Villa was built in 1750, so its like living in one of those historic houses, we have to be careful to wear shoes or slippers in the house, so no bare feet. I thought I would mind as I don't usually like wearing shoes too much, but its been so cold in the villa that I'm kinda glad to be wearing slippers and socks. my favorite room in the house so far is the rec room/lounge. Its on the first floor and has the largest fireplace that I have ever seen, It probably was the kitchen at one point but has been taken over by comfortable couches and chairs, books and games. We have discovered one problem with the room though, when there is a fire in the fire place it gets really smoky, and a window as to be opened. So the room gets really cold, even with the fire and the whole house smells like burning wood.
For th most part the fact that I am in Switzerland and am living here for longer than a week is unreal to me. I have moments were I sit back and say wow, there is no way I am really here. I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'll wake up back at Tech. I'm so excited to start experiencing and exploring. It's going to be an interesting semester, I can tell.
