La Croisee

We are in the canton of Vaud, a minority culture (French speaking) in a largely Germanic culture. Protestant, French Huguenots were Calvinists who fled persecution in the 16th-17th c, landing in CH - the Rhone river becoming a border separating Catholic/Protestant lands.Lausanne is top center of Lake Geneva continuing right to Vevey, Montreux, and Aigle, where you catch the 22 min mountain bus ride to Huemoz, where L'Abri (red circle) sits. South and directly in front is Evian, France of bottled water fame. French and Swiss Alps mostly surround the lake, as additional ranges crisscross as you go east towards Italy.
Lausanne is on a slope north of the port of Ouchy, the north/south axis now entirely connected by metro. The park on left is Parc de Milan; M & J's school (red circle) just across the street. Other reds: home, old town, cathedral.

The faculty apartment

Jack's room separated by door to Michael's. After bunking back home, they declared, "I want my own room," but the other morning, I found Michael had migrated & joined Jack's bed!

Main bedroom

living room

We bought the great table at Gloryland, the motherlode of second hand stores and run by Christians; with two leaves, we can seat 10. Chairs at another place for 5 CHF each! Like Salvation Armys and Goodwills in wealthier neighborhoods, these can hold great finds, since the quality of goods is generally high. We got a set of Swiss stoneware - Langenthal - with the table, other items for 160 CHF, including delivery! The boys love these stores, since they can actually afford things; old pins - 6 for 1 franc.

The bath.

Our galley kitchen.

My office, which doubles as Playmobil spot.

The best part are the tremendous views (towards FR from the living room):

from the bdrm:

In general, things are incredibly sturdy, built to last, as craftsmanship is very high, although Swiss might not do much with the interior, at least by credit-acquired, American standards. While our recent construction tends to favor superficial looks over durability, modern Swiss is solid, but a bit sterile.

BTW, La Croisee means The Cross, the former name of the hotel run by a Christian hotel foundation, now being operated by Pepperdine for its study abroad program. Students arrive tomorrow! Yikes!