Sunday/Monday 8-9JUL2007


Hey everyone!

We are currently in Switzerland heading towards Grindlewald. We are right near the beautiful waters of Lake Geneva and the French Alps are right within our sight. The scenery here is absolutely stunning. Everything is so green. There are so many old buildings and it’s everything that you would imagine Europe to be. The weather is a bit gloomy but it’s not unpleasant (at least in my opinion). I just love it here. It’s so quiet and it’s a totally different vibe than Paris. Time seems to just stand still. I’m totally loosing track of time and I just feel so relaxed here. This is such a wonderful experience and I’m so glad to be here. I can’t wait till we get up to Grindlewald. There’s snow!
To Mom, Dad, and Kathleen: I love you.

Leanne Setiarto
   



Salutations from Switzerland,

       The band program is currently on their way to Grindlewald, both tired and wet. The trip thus far has been nothing short of amazing. Everyone has their spirits set high on the rest of the trip. When we first arrived in Switzerland, Kevin and I were given the suite of the hotel, which was a huge surprise to the both of us. The room consisted of a chiffarobe, a clean bathroom, and three amazing views of the Swiss towns. Unfortunately for us, we had to move rooms due to the fact that we were so far away from the other band members (We were on the fifth floor). The food in Europe is nothing at all what I expected it to be. Most of the food that is available to the public (Grocery stores and restaurants) can be found in both America and Europe. So far I have yet to dine on escargot, which was one of my initial goals upon arriving in Europe. It seems that the people who live in Europe become more kind as the trip progresses. At first, the people in Paris were sort of rude and stuck up, but once we put our knowledge of their language into effect, most of them became pretty open and accepted us. We had our first performance In Lyon on Saturday, which went very well. I think the majority of the group was a tad nervous due to the fact that most of us had not performed to a European crowd in the past. At the end of our set, the crowd began to clap rhythmically in synchronization, which in European customs signals the demand of an encore. Unfortunately, we were not able to satisfy their needs, due to another scheduled event for the jazz one group. Europe has truly been a trip of a lifetime. I cannot wait until our performance at The Montreux Jazz Festival tomorrow. :D

To my family: I love you guys very much and I’ll try to call you guys once I get the opportunity.

To the family of Brittani Haynie: Brittani is sitting next to me and she wishes you all the best. She loves you all very much and she would like to say “Hi mom!”

                                                                                               Matt DeMonaco



Bonjour everybody!
    Right now, we are all on our way to Grindlewald. The rain’s pouring right now, but everywhere still looks beautiful. After Grindelwald, I believe we’re going back to the Montreux Jazz Festival for Jazz I to perform. So far, most of this trip has been what I expected. In Paris, it was a nice experience to be able to walk around and find shops everywhere you go. I’ve got to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, two sites I’ve always dreamed of seeing. It’s nice being able to speak to some of the locals and understand what they’re saying. And when you speak to them, they’re all really nice. Switzerland is just as great, but since we recently arrived here, I don’t know much about the place yet, but rain and cows.
My family: As much as I’m enjoying this trip, I still can’t wait to see you guys when I get home. Je t’aime!
                                Talia Marcelin

Good Morning! (It is 9:17am right now),



      So as you have already read, we are on our way to lovely Grindelwald.. but it sounds like Gridelwald or maybe I just have it completely wrong. So Europe has been such an awesome sight and a great experience so far.  Everything in Paris was always in motion. I wouldn’t have minded spending the whole day just watching the people walk by and the tiny cars and mopeds speeding through the streets.  The metro was something new to me so I found it kind of fun to ride even if it was crowded.  I love how in Europe you go to a fruit stand or a bakery or a butchery to get what you need.  There aren’t any Vons or Ralphs. There are Co-ops, but they are the size of a small convenient mart.  I think it’s cute!  The hotel rooms are small, but I also think that they are cute.   are around the size of my room but they are good.  I sometimes feel as if I am in Korea.  The places we have visited so far are similar to Korea, just different building designs and etc.  But yeah, It is very green out here, and I think the air out here might be too healthy for me lol.  I’m not used to looking up and not seeing brown.  I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower with Talia, Evan Bybee, and Patrick Bourland and we watched the sun set.  The sky was really nice and no brownness smog) in sight.  We all walked up all the stairs to the top of the tower where you could see everything.  The cars were so tiny!!!  Yes, it was cute. After all those stairs, we now have calves and buns of steel! Right now, everyone’s sleeping. Bus time is Sleep time.  Breakfast is so good!  Croissants with jam or honey!!  When we perform it is so cool because the audience is so into our music.  WE have even been asked for an encore.  It’s a great feeling you get when the audience starts clapping together.  I have to go now but I’m having a lot of fun and I miss you family.  Sorry I haven’t called yet but everything’s going well.  Love you all and see you later! 

              Love,
    Yuri Foreman