Tenero Farewell Weekend

So this past weekend was my last Rotex/Rotary Weekend here in Switzerland. We spent our time at the Tenero Sportlager (Sport camp) right next to the lake. We started off the day by setting up our stuff in the military-style tents we slept in. Then, the August in bounds (oldies) had a small debriefing about how our year was, how we felt about our host families, etc. During this, the January inbounds (newbies) were playing sports or chilling in the sun. After the debriefing, the Oldies got to play sports as well. There were sand volleyball courts, so of course I had to play some volleyball! After about an hour of sports we all went swimming in the lake. There was a small dock that a bunch of us swam out to and jumped off of. It was so much fun!!! We swam for a couple of hours and then headed back to the tent area to have dinner (which was BBQ! well swiss BBQ anyways). We had some free time after dinner so a few of us went out and swam some more. We had to go back fro a small meeting, but after that ended we went swimming again! A thunder storm was rolling in and you could see the lightning on the other side of the lake, so we sat on the shore for a while watching the storm. Something really surprising was that there were lightning bugs (fireflies) there! We dana round trying to catch one, which we did and it was so cool. I never knew (or thought) that there would be fireflies any place other than the East Coast. On Sunday we got up pretty early and cleaned up camp and had breakfast. After breakfast we went on a hike up into the mountains that surround the lake, which was really pretty, even though my feet hurt so much afterwards. We got back earlier than planned from our hike so we were able to go swimming again for about an hour before we had to catch the train to Zürich. On Saturday night we had a circle where the oldies shared a favorite memory or gave the newbies advice. It was very emotional, but at the same time, gave closure in a way. The farewell weekend is like the beginning of the end for us oldies. Most of us only have around 35-15 days left in this amazing country we are lucky enough to call home. Overall, the weekend was amazing and one of my favorites, even though I know that will be the last time I see some of these people. I will never forget all the amazing people I've gotten to know, the crazy adventures we've had, as well as the chill moments. These people have become more than just my good friends, they have become my family.

To my newbies: I wish you all the best, seriously. It's been such a pleasure getting to know all of you and I want you to know that I am so so so proud of you. I'm excited to see the people you will become after exchange, because I know all of you will change for the better. Keep on keepin' on babes! I'm going to miss you so much, but I know I'll see you again somewhere in this small world of ours. You will always have a place in California as well as in my heart. Lots of love from your oldie Ali.
To my fellow oldies: We've been through so much together, it's hard to think it's only been a year. You guys are my family and I couldn't have wished for a better group of people. I love you all to the moon and back and I hope we will be able to see each other again someday. Hopefully we can do a huge rennin or something. Ya'll are some crazy people, but that's okay because crazy people are the best people. It's been a blast getting to spend this year with you guys and I wish you all safe flights back home. With so much love I think my heart is going to burst, Ali.