Week Ten - When my parents came to visit - 25th April 2014

With my parents in Konstanz

Following my brief visit home to see the specialist I returned to Kreuzlingen early this week accompanied by my parents who had planned their visit for some time.

Arriving late in the evening we skipped onto our train at the airport just as the doors were closing saving a one hour wait for the next.

The following morning I introduced the towns of Kreuzlingen and Konstanz to my mum and dad. In glorious weather we cycled round the 'touristy' areas stopping here and there for a coffee and to take in the views which were particularly picturesque on the lake front.

The next morning we headed off early, having planned to catch the ferry from Konstanz across the lake to visit some of the other towns. With amazing effic

With the traditionally decorated fountains for Easter

iency we obtained tickets for our route and boarded one of the many ferries that were 'tooing and froing'. Having headed straight across the lake we arrived at Meersburg and disembarked. This town, which is built on the side of a hill offered amazing views over the lake taking in the various towns and villages around the shore with the backdrop of the Alps. Along the quayside there were many cafés and restaurants from which afforded comfortable viewing of the lake and the bustling ferry traffic.

Having covered most of Meersburg we once again boarded a ferry to head for the island of Mainau - not somewhere that we would have thought about had it not been for the advice of locals - who highly recommended it. How right they were. The island is a gardeners paradise. With meticulous planning the island is designed to be a mass of colour all year round. Arriving in late spring we were greeted with 100,000 tulips all reaching skywards in a myriad of colour. Many were laid out in areas creating patterns and designs while others were planted by the thousand in beds along the paths. Having been told to allow two hours for the visit caused some scepticism from my father but he had to agree that two hours was barely enough.

With a small amount of the tulips!

Apart from the mass of colour and aroma of fresh flowers the highlight had to be the butterfly garden. This was an enclosed area where temperatures are maintained at 26 degrees celsuis during the day and 20 degrees celsuis at night.  

Me with the decorated trees

Whilst on the island I was surprised to see an expanse of colour in the form of knitted sleeves around the trunk and lower limbs of some lakeside trees.  This was something that I was pleasantly surprised to see as I had learnt about this in my 'Learning through a Play Based curriculum' module earlier in the year and therefore was able to link teaching methods at home to ideas here in Switzerland. 

  

Departing Mainau again on a promptly arriving ferry we headed, exhausted, back to Krerzlingen for a well-earned bite to eat and home for the night.

Although I alluded to it earlier, I was really impressed with the organisation and efficiency of the German transport system. We watched as ferry after ferry arrived and departed on time be there 10 or 500 people wanting to board or disembark.

From Meersburg looking over at Mainau and Konstanz

Again Switzerland and Germany amaze me!

Stephanie 

Week Nine - Making Friends with my Cast - 18th April 2014

Enjoying the sun!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”  Helen Keller 

This week I have been adjusting to life with a full arm cast and it is fair to say it does not come without its difficulties.  As the quote above suggests – it is certainly an adventure - even with everyday tasks.  Washing my hair is the one key task that I am unable to manage so for the past week it has been the duty of whoever wants a go!  Although there are some drawbacks I do have some perks, for example getting out of doing the dishes and any cleaning that may need done around the house – I finally have a reasonable excuse. 

After the antics of last week I did feel guilty that my guest had been unable to enjoy the Swiss sightseeing I had planned so this week I made the effort to get out and about as much as possible, albeit a little more local than had been previously arranged due to the cumbersome nature of my cast. 

In our paddle boat

On Friday the weather in Konstanz was the best yet hitting 24 degrees celsius.  After much touring around Konstanz we soon found a shelter by the lake where paddle boats were available for rent.  After a week of incapacitation we found it very hard to contain our excitement and within ten minutes we were in one! What better way could there be to get a sun tan than to paddle in a boat out into the middle of Lake Konstanz in glorious sunshine for an hour.  Following this we then made our way to the ‘Sea Life Aquarium’.  This was absolutely not what we expected and was so much fun!  We were able get up close and personal with all manners of sea life from tropical fish to stingrays to sharks and even penguins. 

Up close to the penguins

Touching a star fish

Coping with the cast has been a challenge, but one that I have had to adjust to and it has certainly made my time in Switzerland more memorable.  However, one unfortunate result of the accident was being unable to go on a previously arranged visit to Austria during our Easter holidays. Ashleigh, Sarah and I had planned and booked the necessary elements but unfortunately due to my circumstances I am now unable to go.  This is definitely one of the most disappointing points of my Erasmus experience. 

Coming home to Northern Ireland was certainly something that I had not planned during my Erasmus trip but due to the unfortunate circumstances encountered was something that was preferred by my parents who, for peace of mind, wanted me to attend a specialist just to confirm all was well with the treatment of my injury.  Anyone who knows me well will know how key music, and in particular piano playing, is in my life.  Therefore coming home for a couple of days to see a specialist to seek the reassurance that the break in my wrist will not affect my future piano playing is particularly important. 

Although I do feel like I am cheating the Erasmus programme slightly I think given the circumstances I can be forgiven this once. 

Until next week - Stephanie

Week Eight - An Experience to Remember! - 11th April 2014

This has been a week full of drama – on one hand plenty to smile about again and on the other an unexpected event that made me cry.  Let me explain how my week eight has turned into a period that will stay as a huge part in my memory of the Erasmus experience. 

My first guest!

On Thursday afternoon I made my way to Zurich airport via the train and, after successfully working out times and platforms, arrived safely to greet my first guest in Switzerland – my boyfriend Steven.  Seeing a face from home was extremely exciting and even more exciting knowing that I could be a tour guide for the week and ‘show off’ all my local knowledge.  He soon became impressed as he noticed how independent I had become in knowing my way around and showing him how the Swiss do things, and additionally, displaying how my cooking skills have progressed – trust me they needed to.   Little did we know that Steven would soon have to take the lead and do everything. 

On Saturday we went to Konstanz for the day and enjoyed little bit of touring around taking many pictures and having a lot of laughs.  Unfortunately however my day of relaxation was soon to change suddenly and unexpectedly.  As Leo Rosten said:

“Some things are so unexpected that no one is prepared for them.”

Somehow I had managed to get nudged while on my bike and, being unable to steady myself, fell off.  Thinking it was just a silly fall I began to gather myself up off the ground only to realise that something was just not right with my arm.  After much dilemma an ambulance was called and I was transferred straight to the local hospital.  When I arrived I was brought straight into x-ray and soon told I had broken my wrist in two places.  Now we both realised it was time to make the dreaded call home to my father to ‘break’ the not so happy and very painful news. 

Something that my Dad very quickly pointed out was to make sure I was in a state hospital – something you never have to think of when at home.  Upon enquiring I was told that I had been admitted to a private hospital and that my bill was already mounting!!  Following frantic discussions both in the hospital and with home we decided to ‘check out’ and take a taxi to a local state hospital. After paying for the short consultation and X-ray fees - a massive 180Euro - we hopped into a taxi (something else we were unaware costs a considerable amount) and made our way onward.  This journey was not a comfortable or a stress free one as by this stage I was in a lot of pain.  Between keeping me calm and trying to talk to a German taxi driver with no English certainly elevated the stress levels of not only Steven but of all in the taxi.

When we finally arrived I was quickly admitted, and upon presentation of my European Health Card was sent for more x-rays and several examinations.  One of these doctors broke the news that I needed to have surgery on my wrist when a plate would be inserted to aid the healing of the two bones (radius and ulna).  The only good news was that surgery was to take place at half eight the next morning (Sunday).  Just typical…. 

Finally discharged! 

As I write this blog one handed on Wednesday afternoon, I can now reflect on my pre-travel preparations and the importance of having an up-to-date European Health Card and insurance before embarking on any travel abroad.  I shudder to think what the consequences would have been had I not been in possession of the required documentation. Without these everything, I have no doubt, would have been a lot more stressful and the financial implications that I would have been faced with doesn’t bear thinking about. 

So now my surgery is over and after three days in hospital I have been released in a full arm, brightly coloured green cast – always being subtle I am..!  My hospital experience in Switzerland is certainly nothing like home and something to remember. 

These couple of paragraphs only outline my story very briefly as I am missing out a lot of the detail.  The pain I went through and the stress suffered by all including my parents, who felt so helpless at home, cannot really be described.  Without Steven and my parents working together sorting everything out and giving me the support that I needed I am pretty sure I would not have made it through the last couple of days. 

So, as I said at the beginning of this blog, despite being keen to show off my well learnt cooking skills these have now become redundant and my skills as a good sous chef are being sorely tested.  And my poor visitor, - well not only did he have to extend his trip, but planned tours and sightseeing trips have been shelved. 

Until next week - from a one armed Stephanie! 

Week Seven - Time to Ski - 4th April 2014

Finally this week I was able to do what I have always wanted to try and that is skiing! On Saturday our study buddies Bea and Tracy took Ashleigh, Sarah and I to a local ski resort to give it a go.  When we arrived we were marched to the onsite ski rental shop and little did we know what we had in store.  After being weighed and measured in all directions we were finally given our ski boots and skis.  If only someone had warned me of the weight that they were going to be and feeling like a robot from the knee down.  Also being the clumsy self that I am leaving the shop I done the inevitable and knocked over everything with my skis as I carried them – typical Stephanie. 

Tracy and I mid-ski down the slope!

The girls decided it would be a good idea for them to bring us to a small area at the bottom of the slopes for us to get used to having skis on and to try and control them.  Upper body strength was key - which I have none of.  After many laughs and falls and screams we were beginning to understand how to work our new 6 foot length feet.  As Kalty’s quote describes exactly how we were:

“If you aren’t crashing, then you aren’t skiing.”

Soon I decided that I was confident enough to give the ski slope a try.  Along with Bea and Tracy I got the lift to the top and seeing the hill I was faced with I soon began to regret my choice of challenging myself but only one way down and that was to give it ago.  I went down the slope a further three more times after this – fair to say I really enjoyed it and soon got the hang of how to ski!  Yes I have got the ski bug!  Next day however left a lot to be desired, I thought the muscle pain from cycling was bad – nope skiing is worse!

Ailing and I enjoying some cocktails

Also this week I went for cocktails with three of the Chinese girls in my flat.  This was so much fun to get to know them better and have some girl time and although we are from different cultures and nationalities we soon began to realise how much alike we are as the topics of nails and hair came up.  Girls will be girls no matter where we are from. 

This is our last week in university before our three week Easter holidays.  Along with this week brought our first assignment, this took place in our English Methodology class.  For this assignment we had to work with a Swiss student and together create a poster on a topic to teach.  Being known as Irish it seemed to my partner that it would be a good option to do our poster on an Irish topic.  After some research we decided to do the topic of The Giants Causeway.  Together we created our poster incorporating pictures, the story of Finn McCool and some suggested lessons including Maths, English and Art. 

This week has also brought the start of some revision!  Unfortunately, Erasmus is not all fun and there has to be work done at some stage.  Although as Pierre quoted:

“All of your goals are attainable as long as you are willing to work hard to achieve them as well as enjoy life.”

Our revision was for our class for German for Beginners.  I am proud to say I can count to 20 (zwanzig), ask and answer basic questions and describe my family.  Anyone who knows me will know that languages are not my strong point so to achieve this knowledge is awesome!  Our exam is this Friday so in next week’s blog I will tell you how I got on – fingers crossed!

Stephanie