Torch Walk

      What is the most important ingredient for good fondue? The same ingredient for good anything- an appetite. It doesn't hurt to develop this appetite with a 5 km hike over snowy terrain. This is what was quaintly referred to as a “torch walk.” It was really a nice little adventure, improved only by less whining (but what isn't?). But as with most things outdoorsy here, I underestimated the event.

     The event was put on by the Swiss Milling School Student Association so most of Kenny's classmates participated. We were driven by van up and out to-- I really have no idea where. But the owner of the restaurant we ended up at was there with mulled wine and warm (kid friendly) punch. The worst part, as far as being cold, was probably waiting around at the trail head for twenty minutes or so for the teachers/guides. Although it was very entertaining to watch all the students dancing and horsing around in the snow. (Gangnam Style is the class anthem) Once we were walking it was not so cold. 

       The kids and I were given the option of going straight to the restaurant and waiting for the others, but like I said I was underestimating this “walk” and I didn't want to miss out on a quintessential Swiss experience. I regretted that decision off and on throughout our hike, but Kenny's classmates were very kind in helping us get the children to the restaurant in a timely manner. Kenny carried Eli, the reasoning being that Jo is so clingy to me that if I carried Eli, I would end up with both him and her. But the cold and the dark increased her clinginess (she would really do herself a favor by WEARING HER GLOVES!!) and she refused to walk so Kenny ended up with the two youngest. Jackson was a trooper, but he has great difficulties walking next to snow and not kicking at it or playing in it, so we were a little slow. 

          This really was a torch walk. Real torches- open flame and everything. The kind of thing that made me feel like I was in the Lord of the Rings. I had a hobbit, I only needed a green cape. And these were definitely necessary- our path was dark! It was apparently a road, though. We came across a house or farm every now and then.

We were hiking in the snow, but our path had been flattened. It was a little slick. Kenny tells me that after awhile, Johanna fell asleep so she was passed around to several classmates, and one of these guys even came back to me and Jackson and gave Jackson a shoulder ride to the restaurant. It's sweet to see all these men with our children. Some have children back home, but I think most miss being around families. Or maybe our kids are just that cute. 

Dinner was great. Fondue is delicious, but when you've been out in the cold, working up an appetite, it is just really really good. The kids shared a chicken and vegetable plate. I have never seen so many vegetables on one plate in a restaurant before. They like the idea of fondue (they like the idea of dipping any food in some kind of sauce) but hot cheese with the flavors of wine does not do it for them. (ketchup does)

How Jo ended the night

   The guy holding the staff for Samichlaus is from Israel- Jewish. The man sitting next to me laughed and said, "it's like the light and the dark sides together." Yes, Stars Wars metaphors are ubiquitious.

    Samichlaus and Shmutzli came to visit so I was able to build on my working knowledge of Christmas traditions here. He gave a bit of history on Saint Nicholas and was very specific that Samichlaus has nothing to do with Santa Claus (I beg to differ, the idea of Santa Claus had to come from somewhere). He seemed to be trying to throw in a little superiority about this separation. 

    There are a lot of men who dress up as Samichlaus and go to schools, houses, public events. I had assumed that the Swiss did Samichlaus, like the U.S. Santa, or even like I did St. Nick, back home. You leave out a sock or shoe at night and in the morning there are goodies. Now I kinda think that it is more common to have a direct visit. I learned from another woman here that it is the Christkind- Christ Child- that brings the gifts on Christmas Eve. And I have picked up from TV that our “Santa Claus” is known as “Weihnnachtsmann” (spelling is probably wrong) The Christmas Man? Curiouser and curiouser.

    Anyway, this Samichlaus had a little ribbing planned for all the students and bags of treats- nuts, chocolate, candy. He is one of Kenny's teachers. Ouch- What a thick accent. That would definitely be difficult to follow for 8 hours a day.  "Thank you, wery much!"

 Some shots of the students

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  When all was said and done, it was late. We still had to get back to St. Gallen. And up the hill to our house. I was ecstatic to learn we were getting a ride back in the van all the way to our door!  I was sleepy so this excitement didn't really show until it  was our turn to be dropped off. And just as I tell the driver thank you and he turns onto our street- and the van stops. And won't go any further.  He can back up and get out, but he cannot make it up our now snow covered street.  :(  We had to wake Jackson and make him walk. He was so out of it that he just bawled the whole way. I almost did, but I managed to keep it together.