Whoa.

I have no idea what to call this post.   I'm sure there will be more like it, so don't be surprised if you see Whoa 2, Whoa 3, etc.  This past Friday night we decided to get 'WiLd'.  Wild by our standards is not the same as some of you might think... although this night was particularly wild for us.  We hit up Cafe Cuba for some sangria and tapas.  Crazy!  Then we went to some random bar called  'Elephant dans le Cavette' where we we were surrounded by 15 year olds drinking beer while still battling severe acne.  We think the drinking age is like 12, but not sure.  I kind of like the atmosphere because you don't see 21 year-olds binge drinking until they die... just 15 year olds sipping beer 'maturely'.  Interesting.

After the 'Elephant' bar we went to 'Lady Godiva', which is awesome!  We were greeted in English.  I don't care what they said to me... it was in English.  We met two more American couples there and had a pretty good time.  We will frequent it a lot in the future.
                                          

Then the real wildness began.  [Family members: STOP reading.  Seriously] Our friend, to be left un-named, suggested we go to L'usine... an abandoned warehouse style bar where the rooms have different themes.  This is no Avio, kids (UK attendees between 2004-2006).  If you check out their site you will have no better of an understanding.  Yes.  I was surprised they have a website.  Whoever keeps it up may or may not be under the influence... of crack.  Anyway, this is an abandoned warehouse where I'm certain they grow a wide variety of weed, practice graffiti, and a use as a public restroom.  When we arrived, there were about 10 Swiss cops hanging around outside... along with about 29 drug dealers who were very cordial.  One guy asked us nicely if we needed any weed... in English.  'Non merci' we replied.  I was wearing a cool black leather jacket (really cold that night) and rockin' my new butch-biker bangs, so we fit right in.  We were legit.  We hung around outside for a bit trying to figure out if there was a secret password or something, then some people came out.  They seemed to be ok and weren't being followed.  We saw that there was no self-absorbed bouncer who was appeasing his ego and denying people entrance... so we walked through the giant black doors... dun duh duh.



It was like one of those scary warehouse haunted houses.  With clowns... and an elevator... and stairs.  But you didn't know if there were actually clowns.  But you were ready for the clowns either way.  There weren't clowns.... but still... you were ready. Also, there was graffiti.  Everywhere.  In French.  I felt less threatened because I didn't know what the graffiti said.  I like to imagine that it said "Welcome!  Rainbows are pretty! This bar is super fun!  Have an excellent time and be careful on the stairs."

[If you're offended by my incomplete sentences, then please don't read our blog.  I know that I'm a teacher and I am writing in this horrific manner, but I don't care.  It's the only way I know how to convey true feelings and sarcasm.]

We crept up the stairs, all the while thinking 'I'm 26 and my dad would still kill me if he knew I was here.'  When we got to the themed room, it was a little smoky.  We dubbed it the 'Bob Marley' room.  The smell of cigarettes and pot overwhelmed us.  We went to the bar and I ordered 'trois bieres'  from the bartender who was very nice.  3 francs for a beer!  Awesome!  That was was the cheapest we've ever been able to get beer here.  Who cares about the crowd?  Cheap beer = awesome.  We meandered around wanting to tour this amazing warehouse and find the other themes.  We found the bathroom, which was not themed.  Unless you consider 'Gross' as a theme.  We're not sure if there are other rooms, but on this particular night the Bob Marley was the only one that was open.  I am slightly allergic to cigarette smoke, so we hung out for about thirty minutes, took some crazy pictures, then left... praying we'd get home safely.  I still had the leather jacket and bangs, so we were totally safe.  Since I'm writing this post, you know we made it.  It wasn't without proposition though.  Folks are definitely willing to sell you drugs here anytime of the night.  We haven't really gotten into that yet though.  P.S.  In Switzerland, drugs are legal to do... you just can't get caught selling/buying them.  Another interesting fun fact.

The friend in the pictures may or may not have been the one who suggested L'usine.  Hahahaha!

Au revoir!

Caves Ouvertes

Translated, it means "our wine cellars are open and were giving away free tastings all day."  This past weekend we went on the annual Geneva Spring wine tour.  We didn't know Switzerland was a major producer of wine until we moved here.  There are vineyards everywhere!  Although they produce a mass amount, they don't export... just drink it all.  Sounds like we'll fit in just fine.  I planned this weekend "to the t."  I researched the route, each and every vineyard, types of wine, and even made an interactive Google map for access on our phones.  Side note: Our friend Danielle is living here this Summer for an internship, so she was our partner in crime on this journey.   

 

Danielle, Adam, and I set out at 9:30 from our apartment and took the bus all the way out to a spot on the south side of Lake Geneva.  It took us about 45 minutes to find the bus designated for the wine tastings, but for good reason.  I approached a couple who appeared to be American, or at least speak English, with the intentions of asking if they knew where the heck to go.  To our delight they were from North Carolina & Georgia.  Even better!!!  Lauren and Gabe had just arrived the week before and so our group of three became five rather quickly.  Finally stumbling upon the bus stop, we saw it... the party bus.

I felt like a huge nerd accessing my special Google map and spreadsheet detailing 22 wineries, addresses, bus stops, and specialty wines at each.  However, it was well used and appreciated. We were able to make it to 7 wineries, taste about 25 different wines (I've decided Gamay was my favorite), and we all managed to make it back home later that evening.  The entire day (and weather) was amazing.  So much fun and we made new friends!  Yay!

It was so great getting to see the countryside and enjoy the scenery that's just right outside of the city.  We can't wait for the Fall harvest which is a similar type festival, only you can go help pick the grapes.  Cheers! 

Check out the pictures from the weekend.