Joseph in Switzerland: Arrival in Fribourg

Well, I've made it to Fribourg. And I've survived the first week.

All in all, things have been quiet. I had dinner Sunday evening with the woman I'll be working with and her husband. Then Monday and Tuesday I spent some time in the office. Getting to know the place a little bit, and getting to know people. The rest of the week was even quieter. Many people are off on vacation, so there was not much for me to do. I took advantage of the down time to take care of some administrative duties. Like getting my residency established here - which compared to France, was easy as pie. I went to the office I needed to go to, and they already had my file ready with all the necessary paperwork. I only had to give two passport pictures and then fill out a form. On the form, I had to indicate my religion. This is, I believe, because I'll have to pay residency taxes (even though I make no money while being here), and part of that tax, which goes to the canton, will provide financial support to my religion. Sort of an interesting relationship between church and state. Read more in Section II of this link.

I'm anxious for things to pick up. This week may be quiet again. This hopefully will provide me with a little bit of time to meet up with my friend Sandie - who I worked with this summer (find pictures of her here and here). The following week international students arrive. The office I'm in organizes a three week long intensive linguistic and cultural orientation. I'll help work on that, which should be a lot of fun. I hope to learn a lot from working on this, because this is one of my academic interests.

Slowly, I'm getting to know Fribourg. It's bells that rhythm the city. Hidden staircases that climb the hills. And me, learning that the map doesn't show very clearly where inclines, declines, and cliffs are. But, it is an amazing feeling to go for a run - and after huffing up a hill, lose your breath a second time because of the view of the city with the pre-Alps in the background.

There are moments where I feel lonely - when I wish I could be with my family to cheer them on as they go through transitions. But, as vacation time ends, things will pick up and I'll get to know more people here. Slowly, I'm discovering the sites and sounds this city has to offer (this morning I went to a harp recital with harpists from around the world!).

And now, for a few pictures!

Rue de Lausanne - a pedestrian street.

Much to my delight - a dollar store! But being in Switzerland, it is a 2 and a half franc store - so roughly a $2.50 store.

The tower of the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas.

At the 250th stair, a message of encouragement letting you know there are only 118 more to go, and once at the top, you'll have climbed 85 meters.

The view from the top.

Again from the top. Notice the pool in this shot, more on that to come in a future post.

The cathedral is in the lower part of the city; this is looking towards the upper part of the city.

Joseph conquers Fribourg.

Still from the top, you can see where I live - near the center of the photo, a white building. Just to the right of the dome sitting on top of the tower.

The funicular. It is powered by "used" water. I have yet to take it. There is a covered staircase to the right which I've walked a few times. It has over 350 stairs and various inclines.