Look What We Walked Into

We planned a trip for when our friends, Henry and Lari would be visiting us. We traveled by train to Luzern on Saturday, February 21. As we exited the train and walked through the station we noticed that many of the people we passed were wearing costumes. Some were very elaborate. Left-over confetti was everywhere and we wondered what celebration we had just missed. Having just left Geneva, where nothing out of the ordinary was going on, we were not expecting anything exciting. But we had walked into the middle of "Fasnacht" From what we were able to learn it is a version of "Carnival". There were lots of different bands from the area--all gathered in the "Old-Town" section of the city. These bands were all percussion and brass and all very loud. We had booked a small hotel in the center of Old Town (not knowing about Fasnacht). Each band seemed to have a costume theme that went with their band name. All ages participated.

These elaborate masks were in a store window and many more of this type were seen being worn by those on the street.

More great costumes--this was much better than Halloween.

Each participant certainly seemed to enjoy really getting into the celebration. Whole families dressed in matching costumes. We loved the chicken brood.

The partying did not stop in the evening. It did not stop at midnight. We had heard that it would stop at 3:00 a.m. It did not stop at 3:00 a.m. but went on. There was a quieter time around 4:00, but the "clean-up" crews began their noisy tasks by 6:00 a.m. No sleep--but lots of excitement and fun. It also was very cold and when we looked out the window Sunday morning it was snowing. We boarded the train Sunday morning for Lugano, but that's the next blog.

Not So Common

 

When most people think of Switzerland images of Snowy Alps come to mind.  The reality, however, is that it rarely snows in Geneva--especially by the lake.  Saturday, though, we woke to snow falling after it had rained all night.  As you can imagine this made for a slushy mess.  I insisted that we get out immediately and record what may be the only snow that I will see on the ground by Lake Leman, where we live.  I had been feeling so sad about missing the beautiful snowfall in Pinehurst last Tuesday, that being able to enjoy some snowy moments Saturday morning was some consolation.  Enjoy the scenes from our neighborhood as we recorded a fairly uncommon event.

 

Despite our soaking feet, I was glad that we had made the effort to take these pictures on our morning walk.  The snow was completely gone by mid-afternoon.

Christmas was Great

January is such a cold, dreary month that I feel it's a good time to look back at the color and fun of Christmas.  We celebrated birthdays as well as Christmas and had lots of fun, family time.  Apologies to those who have already seen the pics.

It was warm enough Christmas Day to be outside without coats.

 

 

 

 

Castles, Dragons and Princesses.  What fun!

A new bow and arrow rounds out the make-believe fun.

The warmth and pleasure of Christmastime all year long would be fine with me.

Now we will just wait through the cold, wet, fog, rain and snow until blessed Spring.

Hard to Believe

This is NOT what Geneva looks like right now.  Since our return to Geneva after spending the Holidays in the United States we have not seen the sun.  Each day (despite what the local weather forecast says) the temperatures have not varied more than three degrees and remain between 25 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit for each 24-hour period. The snow that fell on New Year's Eve is still around in clumps and patches here in the city, but a little ways out it covers the fields etc.  Each day the forecast tells us it will be mostly sunny, partly cloudy, sunny, etc. but we have seen nothing but gray skies.  It's amazing--and I don't mean in a good way. 

On a happier note, the holidays were fabulous for us as we were able to see and spend time with children and grandchildren.  We very much missed our California and Utah kids and families, but will be able to visit with them in the summer. 

As soon as Steve is able to take a minute to edit photos, I will post some of our favorites from Christmas.  I hope some of you, at least, are having a bright January. 

Thanksgiving

 

This was our Thanksgiving dinner.  Okay,  there was no turkey, nor stuffing, but we did have chicken with delicious fresh sweet potatoes to which I added sliced apples and pecans before baking.  I also made cranberry bread and a salad with fresh pears, a little cheese and nuts.  The other item on the table is a nice selection of fine chocolate.  Okay, so it's no pumpkin pie, but I happen to prefer chocolate to pumpkin pie.  We didn't even eat this meal on Thanksgiving Day, but then Steve was working in Germany on our Thanksgiving Day and we shared our meal together on Friday evening.

At this time we recognize that we have in abundance all things which really matter in life; family and friends to love and appreciate, faith in God and good health to enjoy life.

Who Knew?

 

For over two months I have enjoyed looking out my front window at the hearty ever-blooming Chrysanthemums in pots which I had placed in my window sill.  When the huge purple one began to look like it belonged to Morticia Adams, with brown flowers instead of purple, I couldn't stand to just throw it away and gave it to a friend to plant in her yard.  Since that time, the two smaller yellow pots have braved the cooler temperatures and oft-times brutal winds to continue to display cheering yellow flowers.  I must admit today, however, that they may not be up to the dusting of snow which we received yesterday and the night-time temperatures that are below freezing.  Still, I watch as they rock, buffeted by the chill wind, and yet look fairly healthy. 

I have not seen too many, if any, Chrysanthemums on window ledges.  Sometime in the past couple of weeks I read that one should never take Chrysanthemums to someone as a gift because they are associated with funerals and death.  Hmmm--I wonder how many people here have either chuckled at our cultural ignorance or thought that we had suffered a loss. 

Interesting--Chrysanthemums being associated with funerals and death when in reality they are the essence of longevity, hardiness and can be depended upon to rise back up out of the ground to flower again next year.  Maybe they should be thought of in terms of resurrection rather death.  I still will remember not to take them to someone as a hostess gift.

Heading in a Different Direction

The hills that we look out on from our front window are called the Jura.  We had never gone into the Jura nor seen what lay beyond--that is until last Saturday.  The deciduous trees had all lost their leaves, but there are plenty of pines.  Also, we left a semi-clouded over Geneva, with hazy skies and drove into bright sunshine and brilliant blue skies. Nice change.  Steve took this photo outside of the little village of Morez.  We only have to drive 15 minutes in the North-West direction from our home to cross into France.  We spent the day in France.  We thought we might head to Dijon, where I have never been, but as we traveled in that direction we became ensconced in heavy fog.  We changed plans and drove back in an Easterly direction, having picked out the town of Besancon on the map as a town to explore.  It turned out to be an excellent choice--the weather stayed clear and the areas we drove through as well as Besancon itself were very interesting.  I love little French villages!

 

 

As we approached Besacon the view is of the ancient Citadel and wall on the hill and of part of the river which flows all the way around the city.  (By the way, the "c" in Besancon is pronounced as an "s" which would show up on a French keyboard and a little comma under the c.)

 This shows the mosaic tiled roofs that are common to this area.  The old buildings even in the little villages often have this type of roof. 

We saw this type of turret on the corner of buildings often throughout the city.

 

 

 

Row houses along the river

Church on the square

Great Carousel.  It's quite old.

I've aged a bit since you last saw me.

Love to you all--