Lenk, Switzerland...

[Frances]

...is where we've been this past week - sorry I didn't mention it, bit of a rush before leaving .

If any of you ever come to Switzerland, and after visiting me, Lenk is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. And I have seen a fair number of places - in the Alps and elsewhere.

Maybe it was the lovely autumn weather, maybe it was just the fun of being out hiking together, but it really was fantastic. Lots of really interesting, twisty, and varied little tracks through forests, alongside waterfalls, above towering ravines, accross flower strewn medows (complete with clonking bells and cows), beautiful picknick places... and the view of the mountains on every side.... Wow!

Ok: photo, words, 1000. Although its never as good on a photo, is it?

I'll catch up with the rest of the forum once I've got over having to come home again..

[Frances]

Two more things: the family grumbled mightily about having to eat store bought bread for a WHOLE WEEK!

And we also caught an alpine fest thing while we were there - thought some of you might be interested.

In autumn, when the cows come down from the high alpine pastures for the winter, there's a big procession. The cows have their biggest most beautiful bells on and their horns are decorated with flowers. The people driving them dress up in traditional alpine costume (each village has a different one) and there is great rejoicing - i.e. jodeling and alp horn music.

I dunno, I've grown up with this kind of thing. Its sort of geeky but cool.

[Jed]

Frances,

This all looks like great fun!

Good lookin' cows, and the whole event must be a great celebration of the coming fall and winter...

And do ya'll have some good looking mountains!.. We recently moved from Alaska, where from our daily walks near downtown Anchorage, we had view's of four separate mountain ranges (to include Denali). Great mountains, and here in Oregon, we have ready access to the Cascade Mountain range. Still active with volcano's and such, and plenty rugged country, but not the same kind of peaks in your photos.

Thanks for sharing.

JED

[dusty]

Wow! Beautiful mountains. Kinda reminds me of Yosemite national park here in Calif. That is without question the most beautiful setting I have ever seen for a weenie-roast!

I remember those horns from the movie "Heidi". Do you know Heidi?
Kidding - I guess I thought you were an american living in Switzerland because you speak and write english so eloquently. Even slang and such.

I thought the cow festival thing was VERY cool...so did son Kyle. Too traditional to be geeky.

dusty

[sarah h]

What a beautiful place!
As for the alpine fest I agree with Dusty - reminds me of 'Heidi' which I read and watched and loved as a child. For years I wanted an alpenhorn - hey, I still do! (and a digeridoo too, if Neill tunes in here) - and wanted to live in an alpine cabin and ski to school and look after goats.

[Frances]

Well, you kind of got your wish last Winter, didn't you Sarah? You could have skiid anywhere by the looks of it... Tell you what, I'll send you a Swiss alphorn if you send me... uh, a Moose maybe?

Dusty, I'm English actually, but I was born in Switzerland, so I'm just about as bi-lingual and bi-cultural as you can get. But I'm very pleased you said that, because in all honesty I think German is probably my stronger language.

[dusty]

Originally Posted by Frances

Dusty, I'm English actually, but I was born in Switzerland, so I'm just about as bi-lingual and bi-cultural as you can get. But I'm very pleased you said that, because in all honesty I think German is probably my stronger language.

How 'bout the kids? Which language do you speak to them? I mean when you're not screaming mad.

dusty

[Frances]

Hehe, interesting question...

I talk English with my kids, I swear in English (...sometimes. Only when provoked. ) ... but when I'm angry I occasionally swear at my kids in Swiss German.

So, what does this say about me? Maybe that I know more harmless Swiss swear words?

[dbhansen]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Frances. Brings back the memories of riding my bicycle across Switzerland a few years ago with my brothers. One of the best experiences of my life. Must be a great place to live.

[dusty]

Originally Posted by Frances

Hehe, interesting question...

I talk English with my kids, I swear in English (...sometimes. Only when provoked. ) ... but when I'm angry I occasionally swear at my kids in Swiss German.

Excelent!

That would have been my guess. I can recall numerous occations when "swearing-in-a-second-language" would have come in handy...for the kids, that is...probably fewer emotional scares had they not understood the exact words.

Do they speak english or Swiss German in school?

dusty