Window Dreaming

I liked this photo,  I snapped while on the train to Tirano.    This young boy was totally fixed on what was rushing bye.  It could have been me 20 years ago.

Lucky Sheep

On Riffelberg looking at Gabelhorn high above Zermatt.

What a view

Sitting on top of the Gornergrat (Zermatt) you are at a study site for a whole host of glaciers coming off the Monte Rosa Massif. With Ruth in the photo I am in heaven!

This diagram puts into perspective how much the glaciers are retreating. Since it was drawn, there were large differences from what was there and what I saw that day.

Biberli - Darrell's Power Food

Biberli is ginger-nut cake made into a pack-able squares. They are great power food, and are from the Swiss hinterland, Appenzell. I used them when I was training for marathons here. Most Swiss people our age grew up on them, and therefore won't touch them, but we keep a well-stocked pantry of them.

Cow Lick

Hannah our Cow-whisper friend, befriended a local. The next thing we knew, the cow started licking Hannah's hand and arm (for the salt). Once licking started, the local was willing to lick me and Ruth as well. Our reactions, however, were not as Hannah's. P.S. Look at the reaction of the tourist in the background below. They tried it after us also...

Ruth getting her first Alpenhorn lesson . . . How to pose for pictures

That is Jungfrau Mountain in the background.

Thousands of Yolders! Oh My

Ruth and I went to the National Jodelfest 2011 in Interlaken last weekend. Being jodel-enjoyers, we were in heaven. Well dressed yodelers would break out in great harmony everywhere (streets, bars, restaurants, outside of the church, next to the lotto booth, even in line for the bathroom (I was joking about the last one). This event, with a reported 200,000 attendees, lasted 4 days. We arrived by train on the last day. The official competitions were over but rival clubs from rival cantons (like states in USA) were vying for our attention. The harmonizing was impressive and the matching outfits (nearly all handmade) made us feel we were on the set of a very large Heidi Musical. I liked the group from the Appenzell who did an impromptu yodel when a round of beer was served. We sat next to an all woman's group who began to sing. 10 minutes later a fellow brought over an impressive cheese and fruit plate for them. I thought I should start yodeling to see what I could get. . . . luckily it is not rotten tomato season yet. We were happy just listening to the music and speculating where each group came from, Basel, Bern, Valais, Appenzell, Zurich Oberland, etc.

But there was more ... a parade. Every interest group was part of the parade even though it had a distinctly agricultural theme. All kinds of farm machines and animals pulled the floats. Everything from modern articulated tractors to a classic Fiat tractor. Horses, cows, dogs, and some people all pulled floats. People with shovels and a small cart walked behind animals to shovel the mess left behind (they were often cheered on). Yodelers sang and threw candy, Alpenhorns sounded out some tunes before moving along. They even had a club of classic bicycles showing off their rides in period dress. But, clearly, everybody's favorite parade act was the Flag Swingers. Swinging flags is pretty important here. Flag swinging clubs from all over Switzerland marched along (the parade was 2 hours long). The crowd cheered when the flag was thrown high in the air. Sighs were heard if it wasn't caught. Given the breezy conditions, you could tell who was really good. Luckily, the Swiss do not have a hang up about a flag touching the ground, because a lot of club members were still learning. We will put up some videos later this week.

Bruell Alpen Tractor, pulling cheese making kettle. Yodelers were handing out samples of cheese.

Basel Flaggen Swingern show the stuff. One hand on the flag, the other on your belt.

Field Work

Everyone is cutting grass. There are plenty of high tech-tractors cutting, fluffing, and piling hay, but this older farmer was doing the huge field with an older model of a walk-behind cutter. I would guess it should take him about 5 hours. Wheels and tongues on the front pile the grass to the side. Pretty cool design.

Klausjagen!

So what are all these people eagerly waiting to see?

Klausjagen (Nicholas Chase) festival takes place in the Swiss town of Küssnacht on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. It starts with the loud attention-grabbing sound of whips. 60 talented men (everyone wears white shirts) perform whipping shows. My guess is that this kills two birds with one stone. It drives away the evils spirits in town and keeps the road open so the parade can begin.

Next is a procession of men wearing Iffelen (elaborate paper hats, eluminated with candles, some 100 years old). They are silent and do their own dance through the small streets packed with 20,000 on-lookers. There were about 150 of these Iffelen and the dance/paraded around for 40 minutes. I bet the chiropractor's office is full on Monday.

Saint Nicolas himself followed the Iffelen. Note: Here, St. Nick is thin and he has outsourced his gift giving activities to the Schmutzlien. Nick also realized that if he had is own day, he wouldn't have to share it with this Christkind (so he comes on Dec 6. not Dec 25 like in the US). Nick leads a brass band playing a traditional Klaus song. In my interpretation St. Nick is leading a chase, not being chased. Because . . .

Next came a thunderous 500 strong troop of trycheln (ringing large bells which are descendants of cow bells) ringers.

Our friends noted that only men from the town of Küssnacht are allowed to participate in the Klasenjagen. I did a little math. The census stated in 2007 that there were 6800 people between 18-64, 49.3% are female, and 20% are immigrants. That means about 40% of the towns males participate. Most ring the trycheln. It is the easiest thing to do, plus you can drink and smoke (long curvy cigarettes) while you are going it.

The parade finishes with 200 cow horn blowers. The neighboring town must love this event!

60% of the town apparently goes out after the Parade for a drink. This hall was constructed (appended onto a bar) just for this evening. Drink up! Ruth and I loved the entire night. Thanks Switzerland (and our friends) for sharing. P.S. Can't wait for Ruth's video.


Ruth's Videos Below!!!


These are the whips entertaining us before the parade.

One example of the Iffelen (or Infuln) dancing down the street...

Another example of the Iffelen (or Infuln) dancing down the street...

Samichlaus was in this part of the parade somewhere, but we were much more interested in Schmutzli, all dressed in black with a white sack over his shoulder...


The Cow Bells - it is best to just listen to this video - but turn it waaaay up to experience what we did...

What to do with 8 minutes at the train station. #1

#1: Family portrait in the instant photo booth...

Valendas Town fountain:

Wow strange, a wooden mermaid fountain, seit 1750.   It is 500kms from the sea  and 800 meters above sea level makes you wonder who the carver was. - Valendas, Glaubunden

Traveling Picture Show

Henry travel around central Europe bring his caravan outfitted with 16 cozy seats to show art house films in town without theaters.  I found him getting ready for the show in St-Ursanne, Jura

Fete de la Chataigne Fully

Sonnabend 15.10.10 : Fete de la Chataigne Fully: Lots of harvest fairs this month. This week Ruth, Bill Rose, Fiona and I took the trail to Fully, Valais for a chestnut festival. With 250 food, drink, and craft stalls lining 8 blocks of the tiny town, it was hard not feel the celebration. Chataigne or Chestnuts were the excuse to gather but all the fresh local specialties were available to try. Brisolee, a dish we ordered, came with: roasted chestnuts with local grapes, apples, two hearty breads, 5 types of Alpkase (cheese), and ham. Wow! We washed that down with some local Gamay red wine. 

What I loved about this was the selections for the cheese plate. In the US a cheese plate would include 5 different looking cheeses; blue, soft, log etc. Here there were 5 different 3-4 month old, rind-washed ‘alpkase’ cheeses that looked the same, yet they were all unique tasting.

September Daily Pics

In September, I started posting pictures on Facebook to share. Eventually, I figured out how to make and post to a blog. Here are the posts I made to Facebook. En Guete!

Welcome: This photo is out of sequence. But it is so cool. Rain and clouds in the Southern Alps could not ruin this sunny day in der Val de Unterschachen, Uri and the light on the waterfall in the midground.

Friday 17.9.10: Brooken Haus. Ruth and I made quick friends with the local 'used store' (think Goodwill) we have an apartment to furnish and the rental car to move items. I used our camera and Ruth's hand signs to remember the sofa options and their price. Fondue Set .. .. Check!

Sunday 9.19.10: Farm Stand. Sunday I went for a road bike ride on one of the national bike routes. Well signed, the routes are popular with bikers and keep to bike paths and quiet backroads. Along the route, farmers have set up stands. This one sold eggs, jams, and fruit syrups. Note to self: bring a bag to carry home the fresh good I find while biking!

Monday 20.9.10: Ruth’s First Trip to work. Fiona and I walk Ruth to the Bahnhof (9 minutes). Fiona was willing to wait right there for Ruth to return. Zurich's commuter rail system is great. 20-25 minutes to Zurich, Ruti, Winterthur. Trains leave every half-hour from our town.

Tuesday 21.9.10: Tuesday Night Ride. I found out about a Tuesday night ride starting 5 minutes from home. Lead by Mac, we had a great ride in the hills west of home, Fehraltorf. Not much single track here.

Wednesday 22.9.10: Local Viewpoint, Scheidegg. With foul weather on the way, I took off for a bike ride. I fed my obsession for climbing hills with this doozy. Roads are steep here in Switzerland 450 meters in 3.8 kms . . ouch. I learned not many people cycle up to the nearby high points. However, you are likely to find a restaurant with plenty of people enjoying the view even on a Wednesday. There were a group of Para-gliders as well. Enjoy the view toward Zurichsee and the Alps.

Thursday 23.9.10: Local Farm. Our new friend Iris, told us about her friend who has a orchard and make great bread. It didn’t take long for us to find it. Yummy Williamsbiren (pears), Rubinolo Apfelds (new type of apple), and Italian plums.

Friday 24.9.10: Functional Sculpture. Plenty of creative people making a living.

Tuesday 28.9.10: Fountains. I just realized there are bunch of Fountains in Fehraltorf (more than most towns).

Saturday: 25.9.10: Southern Escape. With the advice of a new friend Tara, we took the train south to Ticano, Swiss’s Italian speaking Canton on the south side of the alps, to escape some pretty heavy rain on the north side of the Alps. Lots of firsts for Fiona; first train station, escalator, bus, tram, Swiss goats, and mountain hut. It was hard to pick just one picture from this day. But I had to pick this plate of Risotto and Wurst, Malaise style. The wine I hiked/ tramed up from the town Monte Carasso.

Sunday 26.9.10 Mountain Light: Strong winds last night due to the low pressure north of the Alps spilling in to the Southern Alps. I am glad we were in this mountain hut.

Monday 27.9.10 Family Vineyards: The tram provided a unique view of these family wine plots. Bellizona, the city, is in the distance. In this region, middle class families come to these vineyards to relax and enjoy the land. This weekend was harvest time and the whole family seemed to be involved.

Tuesday 28.9.10 Photo from the top of Griggo, 2100 m.

Wednesday 29.9.10 Well maintained yard for everyone to enjoy. Thanks. - Oberholz, Wald, ZH.

Thursday 30.9.10: Urnasher VechSchau. The three us got up early and took a wonderful 2-hour train to Apenzeller with the intent of seeing a cow show. Apenzeller is a region with a strong tie to tradition and we were not let down by the day's festivities. We were in Urnasch, a small town below the the Santis Massif. Everyone was getting ready for the event when we arrived. There was lots of activity in the town when we arrived, wetting the street (cow poop is easier to clean off wet streets), and setting up booths for food and crafts to sell. The town's center was set up with corrals and plenty of fresh hay. Within the hour, the parade began from different farms east and west, all headed to town.

Men and boys, wore traditional knickers,vests, and hats. Girls, handmade dresses. Each participating farm had only small variations to a customary procession that included: 1) a young boy leading the way followed by a herdlet of goats; 2) well dress young men singing and leading the 8-15 best cows; 3) The train ended with an older man (and often his dog) to keep the cows on course.