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Update*

I think I'm gonna stop with the song names as titles. I'll figure something else out. So I realized I haven't updated this blog in about a month so here is a quick update. Not much has been happening. 2 weeks ago I was in Zermatt for a Rotary weekend and I started a post about that but I haven't finished it. Hopefully I will get that done soon. Things are beginning to feel like Christmas - although it doesn't look like it. There is no snow here. The closest thing we had to snow was last month, there was about a little puddle of a dusting of snow. But it is cold here. I feel ashamed to say this but it was about -2 degrees and I was dying. It's more of a wet cold here so it feels a lot colder. It's like Nov3meber always. You know how November feels colder than any of the other months just because it's a wet cold... When it's minus ten or twenty it's fine and we can live with it because its dry. 
     This Thursday I went to a dinner with my counselor and it was fun. She has dinners with her two neighbors every Thursday and she invited me to this one (although she says I'm always invited). It was fun. We had Raclette which is where you have this grill thing, and you warm the Racelette cheese on then pour it over potatoes. To be honest, I think any classic Swiss dish has cheese and potatoes. I'll be shocked if it doesn't. 
     Yesterday Edna and I were baking! We made some Swiss cookies (that we have to finish today) and I also made Rat Biscuts (A Smellie family cookie that breaks teeth, but it sooo good!) I"m excited to finish them today! Also yesterday, Christa's (my host mom) parents came by for a visit! It was really nice to meet them and they are so sweet. 
     So a bit of Christmas information about Switzerland for you. The first thing is that Santa comes on the 6 of December. He gives the kids Mandarins, nuts, and chocolate when they've been good and if they haven't then this other man dresses all in black and wacks kids with a stick broom. If you've seem the episode in The Office when Dwight takes over Christmas, then that is what he is......exactly. Another thing, they open the gifts on the night of the 24 and not the morning of the 25 like we do. There are also all these Christmas festivals happening in Switzerland. Like every city has one right now. There is this drink called Gluhwein which is different for each place you go but most of the time it is warmed up wine. I tried it with my host family and it was pretty good. 
     Anyways, I think that's everything. for now. 

Comments

  1. Laura Jeffrey20 December 2019 at 09:39

    Hi Jane - just read this post and am surprised that it isn’t so cold where you are! We in Niagara had snow on Wednesday and very cold temperatures since, -10 with windchill, 🥶 but it is going to warm up to 6 by Christmas so I expect the snow to be gone. It sounds like you are doing lots of fun things to get ready for Christmas Swiss-style. Uncle Bill and I go to a friend’s German Christmas on Christmas Eve, complete with dinner, (no turkey though), and presents as is her tradition.
    You seem to be really enjoying this adventure, and I am so glad! The places you are seeing and the people you are meeting will stay with you always. You are widening your horizons and I think that’s just great. 👍
    We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄🥂, and let you know that we are thinking of you. Continue having a good time, dear.
    Lots of ❤️
    Uncle Bill and Laura

    ReplyDelete
  2. Betty29 December 2019 at 07:51

    Merry Christmas Jane! I hope you have had a nice holiday season. We also don't have snow but that is the norm here in Vancouver. However the mountains are magnificent topped with white. Cameron and Ellen are growing up too fast and my heart grows bigger everyday with love for them. Best wishes for the New Year! Love Betty

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