Today was Switzerland's national day - a public holiday and time for celebration. All the men from this apartment block - the neighbours - got up very early and took a little boat across the river to drink some wine. I was briefly woken by horns blowing and cheering, but quickly fell asleep again. The apartment ladies all prepared breakfast using the big, well-equipped communal kitchen on the ground floor. And when the men returned we all enjoyed a big hearty, yet luxurious breakfast and champagne. A wonderful way to start a sunny day and a new month. There were toasts and lots of meeting new people. All the neighbours were very friendly and most spoke some English.
Carol and I left after breakfast to drive to a valley for some hiking and swimming. But I don't think the neighbour men liked this as the women are supposed to do all the cleaning after breakfast. She felt guility about not staying to help, but soon cheered up as we hiked in the pretty valley. We walked for an hour or so then found a nice place by the river. It's a very pretty place, cool, but not too cold for a dip. There were lot's of people there, mostly families, though Carol told me there were problems in the past with too many people having sex by the river. Passionate Swiss!
Rolf insisted I bring a beer with me, which I chilled in the river while swimming. I enjoyed that after a light picnic then we visited a trendy bar in a nearby town for a trendy drink. Carol recommended Aperol Spritz, a Campari based cocktail that all the cool kids are drinking these days in Switzerland. But next time I'll just get a beer. Actually, I'd like to try some grappa. I've been reading a little Hemingway and mentions it frequently. Maybe I can get some near here since it's Italian, I think.
Everyone around me seemed to be speaking Italian. It's really crazy that Switzerland is so small, but has so many languages and cultures. Carol can speak English, German, Swiss German, Spanish, French and some Italian. It makes me feel pretty dumb to just get by in English.
Back at the lake, we joined all the neighbours for a big traditional dinner, drinks and fireworks. A very nice time in deed. And Rolf and Mariann constantly went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and welcome. I feel really lucky to have this experience and insight to Swiss life.
Carol and I left after breakfast to drive to a valley for some hiking and swimming. But I don't think the neighbour men liked this as the women are supposed to do all the cleaning after breakfast. She felt guility about not staying to help, but soon cheered up as we hiked in the pretty valley. We walked for an hour or so then found a nice place by the river. It's a very pretty place, cool, but not too cold for a dip. There were lot's of people there, mostly families, though Carol told me there were problems in the past with too many people having sex by the river. Passionate Swiss!
Rolf insisted I bring a beer with me, which I chilled in the river while swimming. I enjoyed that after a light picnic then we visited a trendy bar in a nearby town for a trendy drink. Carol recommended Aperol Spritz, a Campari based cocktail that all the cool kids are drinking these days in Switzerland. But next time I'll just get a beer. Actually, I'd like to try some grappa. I've been reading a little Hemingway and mentions it frequently. Maybe I can get some near here since it's Italian, I think.
Everyone around me seemed to be speaking Italian. It's really crazy that Switzerland is so small, but has so many languages and cultures. Carol can speak English, German, Swiss German, Spanish, French and some Italian. It makes me feel pretty dumb to just get by in English.
Back at the lake, we joined all the neighbours for a big traditional dinner, drinks and fireworks. A very nice time in deed. And Rolf and Mariann constantly went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and welcome. I feel really lucky to have this experience and insight to Swiss life.
The neighbours.
Breakfast.
Switzerland Day. Yeah baby!
Out for a walk.
Lovely nature.
The river. No sex in sight :(
Crossing the river with a beer - a forgotten art.
Aperol Spritz - what the cool kids like, and what I don't.
Fireworks were going off all over the lake for ages.
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