Expat Reflections on Year 1

The year you loose…

Melissa Dalton-Bradford wrote a memoir called global mom where she is able to precisely describe some of the challenges about living and expat life. She says that we (expats) pick our poison.  “We asked for this life!  So I don’t want to be guilty of spitting out the poison that I picked. I shouldn’t be spitting it out or complaining that it’s bitter. I am thoroughly grateful for the experiences, the gifts of diversity and growth, but they have a whole list of costs that people wouldn’t understand, I don’t think, unless they really lived this globally nomadic lifestyle right along side me. “ Melissa and her family are career expats and she has lived at 16 addresses in 8 countries speaks 5 languages fluently over about a 20 year history, she is a pro at this nomadic life.  I felt a little relieved after reading some excerpts from the book that maybe you just don’t ever conquer it, maybe no matter how many times you move there is still a long upward climb and a long period of adjustment.

MDR writes “People in the international community know that you kind of write off the first year in a new country as an unpredictable and exceptionally demanding adjustment period. You’re just trying to figure out where in the heck the baking soda is. Is it anywhere in this country? And what is it called? And how can I find a doctor for my child? And how many times am I going to re-transcribe into a new language all of my children’s medical records? That alone takes a great deal of time, focus and effort.” 

I guess I am lucky to be living in Switzerland, here I don’t have to translate. The swiss are used to language differences and usually speak good english and a handful of other languages as well. But I totally agree that the first year is a wash. I’ve been married 18 years, have moved 22 times -6 times in the last 2 1/2 years and I know that it challenged me to the core. It feels like I waist so much time trying to get up to speed only to move again. International moves are in a league of there own. It is impossible to explain the anxiety I get knowing I need to visit the immigration office for some form, or the Swiss DMV for a new license. Everything is stressful and confusing- not unlike the American counterpart. Only in American I can read the signs, the forms, and I know how to ask for the supervisor. If I ever become fluent It will make life a little easier.

There are cost to expat living…

Melissa writes about a few of the cost to expat living: “ The core costs are related to community. I don’t have a continuous, long-standing community with me, and I have not had that kind of permanent, reliable, known support ever while raising my family.  When your life is going peachy and there are no speed bumps whatsoever–then you might not feel you need a strong community. You can breaststroke all by yourself. But when you are paddling upstream against currents like new cultures, new languages, new ways of doing everything, when life deals you whirlpools, it’s very difficult to navigate those without a stable, trusted community.” This resonates with me deeply. When we lived in Greenville South Carolina, Axel was 2, we moved away when he was 7 it was the most wonderful 5 years of stability we ever enjoyed. Coco was born a few blocks from our home at a birth house and slept in my bedroom from her first day on this earth. Greenville feels more like home than anywhere in the world, and we only lived there for 5 years.  I felt deeply connected to my community, I felt supported and safe. I still miss those people and often wish we could return to the comfort and security of that place. One of the reasons blogging is so important to me, particularly since I left Greenville, was to find a way to maintain relationship that mean so much to me. The digital world- while a weak substitute for real life- provides me some comfort, contact, reassurances and a sense of community that I would not otherwise experience.

One of the biggest challenges of the experience, and perhaps is true for all ex-pats, is a dilemma that’s hard to describe. It’s akin to having 1 foot in America and 1 foot in Switzerland all the time you feel a bit stretched. There are of course the little things like keeping in touch with families on different time zones and continents. There is the inaccessibility of some of our favorite foods, and finding creative ways to substitute them here. But mostly it’s a state of mind: trying to get the most out of this experience- really enjoy it every day and invest in a future, but knowing that it is not going to last forever, the investment is temporary . It’s a strange thing to make decisions based on only enough foresight to plan for about a year or so at a time. You don’t buy furniture for the long run you buy things that you can tolerate for a few years. You travel and do a lot because it’s a perk that won’t be around in a few years. You make friends but with the understanding that at some point it will become a long distance relationship that (at best) means FB likes and Christmas greetings.  I often feel helpless when confronted with problems but reassured  that eventually I’ll be gone and won’t have to deal with it anymore. No matter how beautiful this country is, no matter how many exciting travel perks there are, no matter how often friends back home remind me how lucky I am, I still look forward to the day you can return home and really get back to the business of getting on with life. You may be rolling your eyes but I miss PTA, teacher appreciation week, part time jobs, & Home Depot. It’s just a strange thing to be in/at a place trying to enjoy it and still waiting for it to be over. Not everyone would agree, not everyone struggles with just being in the moment with out thinking about tomorrow and how to best be strategically prepared for it. Expats are, after all lumped into a big category but with lots of different experiences and degrees of support. I sometimes envy the international school moms in their sorority, or the big cooperate expats with helpful HR departments. But in the end I just hope I made all the right moves one day at a time.

“…It (xpat living) would bless my family and generations to come.”-  Melissa Dalton-Bradford

In my late 20’s my expat life was more of a long vacation. After an exhausting day of work my husband and I sat down in a crowded apartment to discuss the dreaded task of listing our house (in another state) for sale. He suggested I just quit working and move to Europe leaving the stress behind. I was not in the mood for fantasies at it took me a few minutes to be convinced of his sincerity. Six weeks later I was arriving in Basel Switzerland on my first, first class flight… my first international flight… my first time leaving an english speaking country. I spent the next few years taking painting classes, dabbling in german classes, teaching cooking lessons, hiking, and vacation planning. Of course I remember that time fondly. But when we were offered the position in Switzerland last year, I had to take pause knowing that this time around it would be a very different kind of experience, and indeed it is.

Experiencing expat life as a “DINK” in my late 20’s was like a long adventure vacation. Dragging a family into this is a very different thing. I felt deeply certain and spiritually affirmed about our decision to come to Switzerland. I knew that our path would likely be uphill for a while and felt sure we could succeed with our efforts at conquering the language and other integration challenges. Moving to a foreign country and choosing to immerse in local culture sounds almost like preaching on a soapbox~ it is exactly the right thing to say and exactly the right attitude to have. If however, I had a company to pay for private school, if I had a choice to live closer to the big city full of other english speaking expats, if I had the money for 2 cars a bigger house and all the other luxuries that make our life more American – more normal- I probably would have caved-in and thrown in the integration towel after only a few months. I hope in the end it will have all paid off.  I have to believe that it will bless my family in ways I don’t presently imagine. In the end I know that my authentic and hard won experience will be one that helps me relate better to, and learn more from, the Swiss culture. Understanding that life is full of trade off’s is something I learned from the Swiss years ago in my first Expat life.

I am filled with hope that the struggles and sacrifices we face now will pay off in spades, particularly for my children. But there are concerns. I mention them on the blog from time to time -seeing your kids struggle is hard. Knowing that I am making these decisions to give them an “enriched life” when all they want is a “normal” life- thats hard.

To borrow the words from Melissa “In a perpetually interrupted life- I’m overcome by… concern– for my children because I don’t know how I could gather a group and I don’t even know where I would gather one. I don’t have twenty-five years or even ten years or even five years in one uninterrupted place so that people know my name or my family’s history. Who do my children have to champion them from year to year? I don’t have school faculty that has known them for three or four years and that knows their strengths and weaknesses and feels invested in them. We’re always the newcomers. I don’t have piano teachers and clarinet teachers and flute teachers that have been progressing with my child. We seem to always be reestablishing ourselves. And as anyone knows who has moved even from one home to another in one city, of from one city to another in the same state, in the same country, it takes a lot to reestablish oneself. If you then add to that the overlay of moving to a different country, culture, neighborhood, house, and a different school system, and a different church community, and above all to a different language, you can begin to imagine that it takes a long time and great deal of energy to get yourself up to speed”. I hope I have not mortgaged my children’s childhood to pay for my own retirement and dreams of travel.

A surprising benefit to living in Switzerland…

I hope I have laid out the reality that it is not always rosy, living in a foreign country and adapting to a new culture. At first I was very nervous about having to send Gabriel to school, having him walk out of my sight, if only for a few minutes, made me imagine every disastrous scenario possible. But we are lucky to live in such a safe place and I realized that there are lots of eyes on our children we live only a few blocks from school, and the children are all walking in at the same time which provides me with more reassurance. Some of my friends from the states will think I’m crazy, and for weeks I walked back-and-forth as close as I could to school to assure his safety. Now I have given him a watch I’ve helped to memorize his schedule, and everyone expects him to be on time. It’s incredibly liberating for both of us. I now realize that it has given him so much more confidence knowing that he can do things by himself and that freedom seems to have been a positive change. Sophia will start school in the fall and I will of course walk her back-and-forth for a while. If she didn’t have an older brother I think this would be a cause of great anxiety, but walking to school with Gabriel only the few blocks will be no big deal and I think it will be a fun time for both of them. Most parents will just expect their children to walk home for lunch and in the afternoon without any supervision. I know you must be shaking your head right now it is such a shock, but it’s really one of the wonderful perks that we have grown quite delighted with.

Things I miss the most…

One of the hardest things about living here is apartment lifestyle. We are only a few floors, but carrying groceries from the parking garage and up to our flat is more of a inconvenience then back home. Our flat is very close to the other building around us and there is a feeling that I am being watched all the time (it’s not just paranoia!). One of the things I miss the most is having a yard, I will never take one for granted again. The ability to spill out of the house any time of year, I have realized, is a valuable commodity, especially when living in small spaces. And finally having to share a laundry room can also be difficult especially when your neighbors can be a bit temperamental.

The other really difficult challenge is Axels school, particularly attendance policy. Each canton is different and our canton seems to be on the more strict side of thinking. If you miss more than 2 days you must get a doctors note, and if you miss for any other reason you must write a letter to the school board to apply for a dispensation ahead of time. Dispensations are not liberally handed out (we got one for the last 2 days of school to travel to our homeland and celebrate our national holiday (July 4) with our kinsmen, but we were warned not to ask again- TWO FREAKEN DAYS~ SERIOUSLY?!). If you miss with out dispensation or doctors notes you are subject to penalties, usually in the form of hefty fines (I heard the going rate is 100 chf per day). We have only missed a day and a half since we have been living here (1 year) but travel offers frequently tempt me to test my boundaries; however fines would negate the savings and I acquiesce into compliance. By law children must attend school and I have a very hard time with the amount of control the school seems to have over our lives- it is a totally different way of thinking than where we are from in the states. Back home parents were encouraged to volunteer, visit, and participate in school activities and especially in volunteer capacities. I was involved and in-the-know regarding policy and school dynamics. Here it is off limits, very much controlled by the staff. I liked supporting and encouraging our teachers, I liked appreciation week and assisting them with needs that enriched my children’s lives. I missed being a partner where both sides are accountable to the other.

Things I don’t miss…

Im general there seems to be far less pressure to look like a supermodel, entertain like martha and decorate like architectural digest. Don’t get me wrong the Swiss on average have a far lower rate of obesity than does America. What I mean to say is their bodies are natural, they don’t stand-out in a way that makes me wonder what I am doing wrong or how certain perfect proportions are even possible. The swiss women (I see everyday) look like normal mothers struggling to get another day managed successfully. They aren’t having professional blowouts, or batting their new eyelash extensions or sporting elegant runway inspired outfits (thank you ladies). They are also not seemingly struggling with decorating a house that looks like the pages of a magazine. I think it’s fair to say that most Europeans (perhaps most of the world) live with far less personal space that we Americans. It may seem philanthropic but it’s simply not a choice. In our area only the most privileged are allowed spacious living quarters and here in Central Switzerland only the Uber-Riche enjoy single family homes… Oh how I miss a single family home. Fences make good neighbors. On the other hand I love planning family fun day (every saturday) with out ever a care to the long list of to-do’s that accompany home ownership. I will happily embrace it again but at least there is an upside for the trade off. Having new cities, languages, food and cultures all within a few hours drive makes for a great distraction from yard work and painting baseboards. I digress… I haven’t figured out why they aren’t the consumer obsessed, perfection obsessed, society that we seem to be?

A few things I love that make life better everyday…

Walking and biking are the normal way to get from here to there. And public transportation is always an option. We own a car and I can’t quite imagine getting along with out it here in rural Switzerland, but I know families who do not, and they are quite content. Walking and biking allows us to take a little more time to enjoy the stunning indescribable beauty that surrounds us every day.

Fresh food– The swiss are very picky about quality and this especially applies to food. Their patriotic about the bread and cheese (well deserved). The chocolate is of course top notch. And I truly believe that the produce always taste better here than back home. (As a side note it rots a lot faster too – does this suggest that our food is never ripe when picked and shipped so far from it source? Yes, I am an advocate of buying local and eating seasonally when possible).

Scenery – The views improve the quality of life. This may sound like a ridiculous statement but I assure you, that when you are able to see the views, especially on a sunny day you can’t help but love this place, love your life, and feel grateful for the opportunities.

Church bells – Switzerland’s relationship with time is as infamous as its watches. But hearing the bells ring is a pleasant little reminder to stay on track for example we have bells on the hour, half hour there are longer periods of ringing for different hours of the day. I haven’t figured out the pattern yet but I always no when preschool is starting, and ending, and strangely there seems to be a long bell ringing at 10:30 which says “Haus Frau’s make sure your lunch is starting to cook, the family will be arriving in one hour.”

Work atmosphere is 180 degrees different from states- less stress, less pressure to work long hours and devote you entire existence to your career and company. Spartacus rarely travels and is encouraged to get away from his desk at lunch, sometimes he comes home to eat with our family and frequently he uses the time to run or play squash.

Travel– The opportunity to live in Europe allows us to explore and savor each location in a much more enjoyable way than would be possible if we were just visiting for a few weeks. We justify the cost and take every opportunity to indulge. We have the rare opportunity to live closer to many cultures that heavily influenced our own, we have a greater opportunity to learn and understand the history of Western Civilization and to share it with our children. And because Europeans are huge travelers the cost of travel to more far away places like Asia are also easier, airlines tickets are cheaper, time changes are smaller, and time off is more abundant.

Feeling anonymous– I love (especially on the rare occasion I am actually alone) walking through crowded foreign cities or unfamiliar countrysides, soaking in all the waves of newness and smiling at the feeling of invisibility. Being surrounded and alone can be both liberating and lonely at the same time but I enjoy it either way.

Discovery– One advantage to living a life where you are constantly uprooting yourself is the opportunity for discovery and the delight that comes from being surprised by new treasures in your life- be it playgrounds in the Alps, long promenades along the lakes of Northern Italy, Sweet mouthfuls of juicy cherries from Provence or quirky phrases in other languages that completely accurately describe human experience but that don’t exist in English…. these are a few of my favorite things! 

GLOBAL MOM a memoir by Melissa Dalton-Bradford from Michelle Lehnardt on Vimeo.

Thanks Global Mom for giving me words for my feelings and experiences!

Prominade in Locarno

_palm trees mountains and forget-me-nots

 We visited locarno Switzerland last week for a day of wonder and peace!

boats montage

prominade near marina with kinder

views of city montage

Locarno is located just to our south about an hour and a half away, just on the other side of the Gottard Pass. The Gottard can be a very problematic traffic risk, particularly this time of year when sun seekers are heading south at the slightest encouragement from weather apps. This was our excuse for packing a picnic, loading up the scooters for a day out in the sunshine.

how europeans spend weekends

how Europeans spend weekends

 Ticino is the Italian Canton in Switzerland so it feels like you have driven into another country but in reality it still benefits from Swiss organization, and Swiss standards of cleanliness, but unfortunately it adheres to swiss pricing as well! A pizza will run you at least 10-20 Euros and is intended to be eaten by one person.

playground montage

nautically themed playground complete with a trampoline and a ship.

In Locarno and along many of the lake front villages of Maggiore there is a long promenade usually lined with beautifully landscape park space, sometimes with playgrounds, swimming areas and almost always scattered with cafe’s. It is a perfect weekend escape to just let the children play while relaxing in the sunshine.

montage flowers locarno

2 cute weasles

Just to the east of Lake Maggiorre is Lake Lugano (maybe 1/2 hour distance) and again to the south and crossing the border to Italy (another 1/2 hour) is the more famous Lake Como (home to a Mr. George Clooney). If you like to visit castles Bellinzona has 3 and is situated perfectly between the two lakes (Maggiore and Lugano). Ascona is another village (smaller) worth a mention and is not far from Locarno. Their Lido (beach space) is quite nice and totally free of charge. From many of these villages you will also find places to rent small boats for an afternoon on the lake.

bike event

unicyle

check out the unicycle!

Unknowingly we arrived in town on the same day as the bike fest. Locarno blocks off the streets and people come for miles around to bicycle, roller blade and scooter their way through the streets. I want to make sure we bring the bikes next year (first weekend in April). It is a common sight to see Europeans enjoying their parkspaces on a sunny weekend; they lye in the sun reading books and snacking while the children play along side. We like to add in a couple of scoops of gelato for a perfect ending to the afternoon and as a reward for a long walk along the beautiful lake side promenade.

prominaden 3

prominade again

gilato montage

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the road in Amsterdam~Friday round up

Amsterdam

We are on the road to Amsterdam today, and I wanted to tell you hello! Europe is blooming and the sun is shinning and all ist gut!  This trip has long been on my to-do-list and finally the time has aligned perfectly with the weather and here we are. When I was a child my father would tell us little about his childhood (maybe he has the same memory I do?) and very little about living in Europe. He can recite a few german phrases and would tell us about the vacation his family took to The Netherlands. How post world war II Europe was struggling to re-build and the same luxurious accommodations were not available to them as are to us these days.  His family drove to Holland and could not find room in a hotel. A kind Inn keeper took them home and welcomed them with generous hospitality for the remainder of there short visit. The friendliness and kindness of Netherlanders is well known and we are happy to be doing a house swap this weekend with a nice family from North Amsterdam.

My father remembers visiting an island where people still wore wooden shoes and with reverence (not often a quality I used when talking about my father) remembers the fields, the vast fields of colorful tulips. So I send you a quick Happy Easter as I set out to relive his memories and with camera in hand I will try and photograph as much as I can to share with you (and him). In the mean time here are a few interesting links this week- and a video that has been making Facebook rounds but is sooo darn good I couldn’t help but post! 

 

Glamping in Malaysia for $61 a night including a “steamboat” dinner- anyone?

Have you ever been lucky enough to find a stylist that totally gets you? Or I should say… gets my hair’s desire to look cool? I miss you James Quinton!

I also  miss Costco! Here’s some big money saving tips -pricing de-coded!

While we are in Amsterdam we plan to visit church services for Easter Sunday, if you need a sweet reminder about why we celebrate Easter click here.

And here’s a funny but true video you will surely love.

How to make an Authentic Swiss Fondue

Last month our very authentic Swiss friends invited us for a very authentic Swiss fondue. This is not the “uncultured box brand” this is the real thing. I am sharing the recipe because I want to clarify any misnomers that Monterrey jack and cheddar are acceptable substitutions. My Swiss fondue miester (fondue boss) says that there can be no deviation in the recipe and that it is critical to use Swiss wine and Swiss cheese.

  1. Sparticus was assigned to cut the bread. The Fondue Miester says this is the most important job and that it is wise to always ask the guest to do it- here’s why. The cheese is the expensive part of the meal and if you cut the bread in big chunks then less cheese is used to coat it- there fore the host will look like a miser- or a cheap skate. If the bread is cut too small than the host looks like a show off. You see  there is a fine line to walk.

dave cuts bread

IMG_9310Our fondue Miester is pictures on the left. He put me to work grating cheese, measuring wine and listening carefully to the origins of the finest fondue products.

IMG_9320First combined the wine, cornstarch and spices and bring the pot to the stove for the melting. Once the cheese has been added the next step is easy but important. This assignement is likend to making rissoto- you must stir and stir with our distraction. There should be no scorched fondue! IMG_9325

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IMG_9332I stired and stired until it was creamy and then removed from heat and added the baking soda and stirred some more. We then poured in an ounce of kirsch cherry liquior. The liquor is supposed to make it more digestable and the alcohol is supposed to burn off. I have tried a few recipes and have choked on the taste of alcohol that ruins the fondue for me. A real fondue is not supposed to taste like that!!!

IMG_9337Our Fondue Mister says that if you can find vintage fondue plates like his, it will make your fondue taste better- I say any excuse to rummage through Brocantes and antique markets sounds like a good one to me!

vintage fondue plateson left:  Jean De la Fontaine – It cannot translate litteraly but the equivalent expression in English is “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.

on right: “Nothing is better than a good fondue and a good glass of wine”. For the Swiss this bit of wisdom must rank equal to Jean De la Fontaine’s.

On a side note- unlike some of our favorite American cheese, Swiss cheeses do not seem to “melt” into a sauce by simply adding heat or milk. If you have ever tried you will have a big hard ball of white “cheese” sitting in a slightly orange pool of oil. It’s strange. The addition of an acidic liquid (wine) breaks the cheese down. I have seen recipes that allow for substitutions of apple cider- I have used a clarified cider from here that was not sweet- it seemed to work but it would not have been acceptable to our fondue mister!

Fondue recipe:
You will need 200 grams of cheese per person. This recipe is made to serve four.
800 grams of cheese –
1/3 Gruyere
1/3 Vacherin
1/3 Appenzeller
*if you live in Switzerland you can get this mix at migro pre-grated and premeasured!
 
  • 2 pieces of garlic
  • 1 1/4 cups (3.2 dl)  dry white wine (the Fondue Mister says Chasselas is the best but if you can only get french chardonay than it will be sufficient- He also says the wine is more important than the cheese, and that american white wine is to aeromatic).
  • a little nutmeg
  • pepper
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • baking soda ( a messerspsitze- which means the tip of a knife- good luck , it should be about a 1/4 teaspoon to the best of my estimations)
  • 1 oz. Kirsch
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
Mix the wine, lemon juice and crushed garlic with a pinch (to taste) of grated nutmeg, pepper and a 4 teaspoons of cornstarch. Stir these together and heat them until cornstarch is disolved on the stove but do not let it come to a boil. Add cheese to mixture and stir, stir, stir until smooth, finally just before serving add the knife tip of baking soda- this will cause it to foam ever-so-slightly as you stir it together. Adding the baking soda makes the mixture lighter. Finally add in the Kirsch, stir well and start dipping.

Mountain Playgrounds perfect for some fun and relaxation.

Near our house there are a few great mountain playgrounds with nearby restaurants and scenic hiking paths. All are accessible by public transportation, however if you prefer to take the car you can park at the lifts. A few on this list can even be reached with-out the gondola, just park your car nearby the playground and walk.

Our top 2 favorites are with in about 10-15 minutes from our flat in Ennetburgen.

Stockhutte– -is open from 8:30 to 12:00 / 13.00 – 17.30 clock / descent from Stockhütte 12.50 clock
Weekend-continuous operation.

buy a Gondola ticket:

  • adults are 18 chf- with 1/2 tax 9chf
  • kids are 9 chf -with Junior Card Free

We love stockhutte for many reasons, it’s close to our house, we enjoy renting the trotti-bikes, they have great walking paths, the kids can spend hours on the playground, and they have a large enclosed rabbit pin where you can go inside and play with the bunnies.

playground montage

TIP: If you aren’t from around here you and the kids might love trying some of our favorite Swiss soda’s. Try a Rivella- Blue or Red are the kids favorites (you don’t want to know what its made from), Beckenried’s Orangemost (orange soda made in a nearby village), and Apelshorle is my favorite because it’s made with real apple juice and is not terribly sweet. 

Wirzweli-is open from 7:40 until 6:20 and cable cars run every 20 minutes.

Buy a Gondola ticket:

  • adults are 18 chf- with 1/2 tax 9chf
  • kids are 9 chf -with Junior Card Free

playground

 Wirzweli has a fun playground with a large “tree” house, a pine cone slide contraption, teeter-toters and slides and all the normal trappings of a good playground, I wrote about it here. There are large grilling areas if you prefer to picnic and a restaurant if not.

  TIP: The ice-cream sundae’s at the restaurant are delicious and the kids are probably satisfied playing while you watch them from the deck of the restaurant. Lucky for me, my kids usually prefer a popsicle which is far less expensive. 

*also note -May 23  the lift and Playground open for the season (prior to that you can take a bus up to the restaurant and walking trails) There are usually plenty of parking places near the gondola and if you take the train there is a shuttle from the station to the gondola, or enjoy a short walk.

 

Three more favorites are with in about 15-25 minutes from our flat in Ennetburgen.

Seelisburg– is open from 8:30 until 6:30 during warm weather.

Seelisburg can be reached by car, or bus from the stans train station. It is a senic drive. Lake Seelisberg is between the mountains and is filled with stunning turquoise water. There is a playground, BBQ place, Kiosk, Beach Volleyball and toilets. You can rent deck chairs and rowboats. There is also a Camping site which you can use if you decide to stay:). I think there is a small entrance fee of about 4.50 vhf adults and a few franks for kids, they also have a family deal that with 2 paying adults and kids are free.

335474-svetik

DSC04658

Bruni– is open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm may 24- Oct. 19, and from Oct 19-Nov 23 8:20am -5:00 pm- cable cars run every 20 minutes. Park in the large lot in Engleburg next to the Gondola, or take the train to Engleburg and walk or bus to gondola.

Buy a Gondola ticket:

  • adults are 18 chf- with 1/2 tax 9chf
  • kids are 9 chf -with Junior Card Free

trampolin at bruni

climbing wall at bruni

There are lots of kid oriented activities at Bruni other than just the playground. I wrote about it here. My family loves the summer time toboggan run that reaches speeds of 40 km per hour and is 660 meters long. Click on the link for pricing and details.

Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli– is open from 7:40 until 6:20 . The snow is usually melted by May and thru October.

Getting there:
Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli
Horbisstrasse
6390 Engelberg
Tel. 041 637 15 58
There is some parking near by, but limited and be prepared to walk.  If you decide to take the senic train ride to Engleburg you can ask their about public transportation options, or enjoy the easy walk up to the park, roads are not usually high traffic and on a nice day the mountain views are stunning.

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coco on bridge

The Park is one of the more unique and delightful in the area, I wrote more about it here. It’s kiddie heaven! Lots of room for playing, with a little lake to navigate rafts on (rafts are provided-just borrow from the dock- no fee), suspension bridges to cross, towers to climb… There are grill pits for those who want to still the hunger they’ve worked up being outdoors. This playground has a lot to offer, and the kids are sure to love it!

Tip : Pack a swimsuit in the summer necessarily (or change clothes ) a , because only about 50 cm deep lake will your kids guaranteed to dropped fountains entice .

* also note: The Robinson playground Grotzenwäldli is privately maintained and exemplary maintained. The necessary expenditure is financed by donations. It is therefore requested to make a small contribution in the respective point for the barbecue wood used .

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TIP: Its also worth noting the the senic train that runs between Luzern and Engelburg offers a kids “scavenger hunt” promotion from June- October. You simply have to pick up a form (available at the train station, before boarding the train) and fill in the answers along the way. You only have to have a handful of answers correct to redeem the prize and it applies to trips taken originating in Luzern, Hergiswill, Stans, Dallenwill and other stops along the way. The prize last year was a treasure chest filled with lots of goodies from stickers to chocolates!

Trotti Bikes at Stockhutte

great pose

When we have a few hours for a fun adventure near our house we enjoy renting trotti bikes at Stockhutte. Stockhutte is a gondola that departs from Emmeten in Canton Nidwalden. You can drive there in about 15 minutes from our house and park in the small lot near the lift, or you can take the excellent public transportation from the post stop in Ennetburgen right up to the town of Emmeten. From there you must buy at Gondola ticket:

  • adults are 18 chf- with 1/2 tax 9chf
  • kids are 9 chf -with Junior Card Free

Take the lift up to the top and rent the trotti bikes at the station for 10chf each. I recommend sharing a bike with kids. In the photos below you can see that it’s a big board and there is plenty of room, plus the hand brakes can wear out little fingers and you certainly don’t want them to be with-out breaks! The road down to Emmeten is an easy downhill slope ( about 5 K long?) and you will be using breaks to slow down the whole time, especially to enjoy the amazing views! Axel is 9, he can ride alone (see photos) but he actually prefers to ride with me. I would say kids 12 and up can easily handle a trotti bike-bike board of their own.

axel in action

seivers trotti bikes 2_1

We like to take friends here because it’s a great activity for all ages, it’s not too expensive (by swiss standards) and it can take as little as a few hours (if your in a hurry) or you can pack a picnic (or eat at the restaurant on top of the mountain- its yummy) add in a hike or just let the kids play at the fantastic playground.

me and axel

The first time we did the trotti bikes was mid August and believe it or not- the temperatures were already cooling off. I suggest no matter what time a year, bring a:

  • Coat- with a hood, weather in Nidwalden is famously unpredictable and changes quickly.
  • Sunglasses- even if it’s cloudy, you will want to keep the wind from drying out your eyes and the bugs out too.
  • Gloves- can also be a good idea because your hands get cold- even if it’s warm outside.

 

axel smiling

small trotti bikes edith and ben best

trotti bikes edith and ben

trotti bikesThis is a great spring, summer, fall activity but in the winter the same road is used for the sledding so trotti bikes are unavailable in winter. Also important to note that Klewenalp and Stockhutte lifts close after ski season to prepare for summer. In the early spring it’s not uncommon to still have snow here, even when it seems hot in the valley. We were at Klewenalp last year on fathers day and after the picnic Sparticus and I relaxed in the warm sunshine while the kids played in a patch of snow! Plan for dry clothes and jackets.

  • Klewenalp is closed from March 31-May 28.
  • Stockhutte is close from March 31- May 16.


 

A playground Where Huckleberry Fin Meets King Arthur

spiel platz bridge

There is one very unique playground we love to visit called Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli. It’s design could be described as something like Huckleberry Finn meets king Arthur. It’s a sweet place to spend the day or just a few hours and is sure to inspire lots of imagination.

engleburg mountains

spiel platz sign

spiel platz slide

spiel platz bridge and rafts

huckleberry family

When we were last there I met the little old man who seemed to be the caretaker and he told me that he and his family built the playground many years ago and he still comes everyday to tidy up, check the equipment and lock up the park at night. The love that built this place is obvious from it’s fanciful design to its meticulous upkeep.

resized_800x531_800x531_spielplatz_engelberg_robinson1

There is a wooden fortress with a rope suspension bridge stretched across a real moat. Of course there are also the normal trapping like swing sets and slides but my kids (AND Husband) seemed to gravitate toward the water. Bring swimsuits and dry clothes because the children are sure to want to get wet either swimming in the shallow pond or when having fun tipping rafts that are casually anchored at the shoreline (no charge) waiting for a new captain.

spiel platz grills

Like all the playground and recreation areas that I have seen-  there are picnic and grill places to eat and the firewood is provided. Because the park is privately funded, there is a donation box to help support its maintenance and to donate toward the firewood you may use.

huckleberry fin AXEL

If you are in the area (Engelberg) , you should definitely make a stop at Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli.

engleburg view2

Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli is open from sometime in the morning until sometime in the evening . The snow is usually melted by May and thru October.

Getting there:
Spielplatz Grotzenwäldli
Horbisstrasse
6390 Engelberg
Tel. 041 637 15 58
There is some parking near by, but limited and be prepared to walk.  If you decide to take the senic train ride to Engleburg you can ask their about public transportation options, or enjoy the easy walk up to the park, roads are not usually high traffic and on a nice day the mountain views are stunning.

Brunni Mountain~ Kid Friendly Family Fun Day

cross mountain copy

I probably mentioned this before but every mountain top in Switzerland has one of these sweet crosses on top. I love to see them because when I am in these majestic locations, I too feel the presents and power of god deeply.

fram up on brunni

Last year during the last days of summer we spent an afternoon in Engelberg at Brunni. Its a beautiful mountain resort that host summer time biking/hiking paths, para-gliding, and a wealth of kids activities like a big playground, summer tobogan and special kids hikes with hidden clues along the way.

theme character for bruni

Can you tell that Axel is a little too old for this “live” kuschel tier (cuddle pet or stuffed animal in english). Globi is an animated swiss blue bird that is the mascot for brunni. He often makes appearances and passes out treats during busy days.

trampolin at bruni

climbing wall at bruni

We started at the playground, hiked for a few hours up to a tiny little restaurant for a treat (their strategic locations are perfectly coordinated with icecream cravings).

beautiful valley

little stone foundation

starting hike

There are many hiking trails in this area, we choose an easy one to do with the kids. You can find out details at the train station or the gondola lift where you buy tickets. Free maps are always available and sometimes even in English. If you need help with trail recommendations be sure to ask the people at the stations before you leave because they always seem to speak english and while I rarely meet someone who does not- it can happen. Better to know where you are going before you get lost in the mountains.

mountains views around bruni

sophia cute

In addition to strategically located restaurants, the benches and hand carved “thrones” are also in just the right spots to enjoy a break and a view!

more views

The views are stunning and the temperatures are cooler making it a perfect summer time excape from the humidity and warm teperatures down in the valley where we live. However warm it might be, I always recommend bringing along light rain-proof jackets and sunscreen. Because the weather is infamously unpredictable here in the mountain areas of Switzerland.

axel examination

A butterfly rode up the mountain on Axel’s hand for about a 1/2 hour. He comes prepared for these encounters with pockets full of tools too assist in examinations. In addition to wildlife encounters he also comes prepared to survive overnight or for weeks if he has too- this vest holds a lot of important stuff in those pockets!  (He misses cub scouts).

axels butterfly

summer flowers

After a long walk the kids were rewarded with toboggan rides before we headed home.

coco on rotobahn

I think this is a great day trip if you are looking for something to do in Engelberg.

****TIP: in case you want to go up the mountains between now and the end of may, Brunni is one of the few gondolas still open.

*****EASTER TIP- They will close for revision to summer during April 22 (just after Easter) until May 23 2014. And if you want to enjoy some kid friendly Easter festivities they have an Easter egg hunt with Globi (the blue bird) and Osterbrunch~ Easter brunch and end of season party including live traditional Swiss music:

April 20 and 21 in the restaurant Ristis.

From 9:30-11:30 there is a big brunch buffet for 44 chf per adult including the gondola ride round trip (discount for halbtax, junior card and children under 6 free).

11:30-  extended  buffet and including dessert for 55 chf per adult including the gondola ride round trip (discount for halbtax, junior card and children under 6 free).

Be sure to double check their web site for details.

 

Spring Brings a Burst of Energy and a Friday Roundup

Travel season

Hello Friends! Spring is here and I feel like I have been injected with a sudden burst of energy,  I have accomplished so much this week! Home exchange deadlines are helping me with some of the to do list:

  • Finally finishing those caned chairs from the chair class last fall (yikes that’s a long time to procrastinate) I will shoot some photos and post them soon.
  • I planted some spring flowers in the flower box even though I won’t be here to water them this summer and they will be dead for sure after 5 weeks of neglect. I have to tell you that flowers on the patio just cheer up the place!
  • Sparticus is in the states next week and it’s the first time anyone in the family has been back- I have a long list of things to pick up from Target! I also went shopping for LOTS of chocolate easter bunnies that will be arriving in mailboxes throughout the country soon (our cousins will be surprised)!
  • Finally I have been swamped with travel plans and details. Don’t get me wrong, I am so excited to crank up the travel season! After all this is one of the big perks and priorities while we are here in Switzerland. We have trips to Amsterdam, Sharm el Sheikh, Paris, (may squeeze in a girls weekend to portugual), finally spending the summer back in the states! Sorry if this sounds like I am bragging! Much of it is made possible with Home exchange. This is also a great reason to get the spring cleaning and projects checked off  the list.
  • The best news of all this week is that my sister-in-law and a few nieces are visiting in September! I can’t wait to show them around some of our favorite spots, and I can’t wait to share those with you too!

Hope you enjoy this weeks round up!

          1. I really want to look 10 pounds skinnier, does contouring and highlighting work? (By the way where did michelle get that kimono jacket!?!? I liked the whole video but the make up tips come at about 4 minutes in so fast forward if you want.

        1. I tried the Dr. Oz 2 weeks rapid weight loss diet and lost only 5 lbs. I gotta tell you, it was hard core. Week one went great (albeit stressful and difficult to stay away from bread)  and week two was a series of little cheats. I think it is really beneficial for a “kick off  to bikini-season” motivation. I also think that if you suspect you might have food intolerance issue this would be a great way to “cleanse”. But for me it was just a lot of stress and with out the huge losses other people seem to have.
        2. When we shipped over our totes we had 2 left over pallets- wonder If I can get sparticus to make me this for the balcony?
        3. This is the best reason to go to Amsterdam for spring.
        4. One of the places Sparticus has to visit is the bookstore to stock up! We thought the kindle would satisfy our english book delema but I am afraid that there is just no substitute for a good ole’ book! Gabreil has a long list and I found this for him as well. Do you have any favorite new kids books to recommend?
        5. And finally just to make you smile.

Auf wiedersehen. Happy weekend!

 

Spring walks & reminders to my self

*wow really beautiful 2Oh dear friends I really miss you! I can hardly explain my absence from this place. I took some time off because I was busy and feeling a little overwhelmed (could be classic seasonal depression haunting me). I was having a hard time prioritizing- I always do. I sort of over-committed my FREE time to a few things that I am trying to figure out a way of backing out of. Has that ever happened to you? Surely it must have! I just hate it- I feel so guilty! But I’ve know where to make the cuts for a few weeks and I just keep burying my head in the sand and hope that when I finally come up for air -everything will have gone away. Of course I know that this isn’t really going to happen so I am forced to deal with it.

*wow really beautiful views from burgenstockI was walking this morning for both exercise and fresh air. We have had some amazing warm weather for a Swiss springtime and I assure you part of my absence has been because I know when the sun is shining I must get outside and soak it up. The evenings have been spent riveted to the television series True Detective. Have you seen it?! Holy nightmare! This sort of thing is absolute the most horrifying story line imaginable and yes I have had nightmares for much of the last weeks. Ordinarily I would not even watch something like this but have ya’ll seen it?! It’s gripping and after all the nightmares and buildup I really needed some resolution- some justice. This was exceptionally acted and written and all the rest of the yady yady that make us love a show. I think the juxtaposition of modern graphics and old western music in the Opening Title Sequence is excellent- so thumbs up from start to finish. I have definitely been sucked in and there is no doubt that  Matthew McConaughey’s gets my Emmy vote! I digress….

I was walking and it occurred to me that this walk was not time I couldn’t afford to waist (this morning I debated while contemplating my to-do list I debated not going) but time I was investing in my health and peace of mind. I have had to examine what I am doing that is really paying off, really making me happy or that really makes a difference in the happiness of others. I have had to lecture myself on resisting the urge to make a little money if I can – at the cost of stressing myself out and my family ( maybe I will explain more later). I have had to really think about how much time I’ve been wasting in front of the tv. And consider time waisted on self imposed deadlines for things that ultimately do not make a difference in the life or happiness of me or my family or maybe anybody. (Don’t get me wrong – I believe in goals, and personal deadlines help make those a success, but I also think sometimes I have to be flexible enough to decide whats working and whats not and be willing to re-route). Since I am likely in a seasonal depression rut I am simply more unable to juggle a multitude of outside projects. Some day’s it’s tough to get meals on the table. For that reason I really needed to figure out what will bring me the most satisfaction in the end. I also want to note (mostly as a reminder to myself when I go back and re-read this) that because I have been spinning my wheels with these other projects I am definitely not doing an optimal job with my mom responsibilities in a way that I know I can and that I would like to be and that I know will be a more important investment in our future than any piddly freelance gig, workshop I can teach, chair I can repaint, or online class that doesn’t even make a difference to my future.

  • So there you go- I am a hustler at heart but I know that I really need to do a better job at being a mom- which isn’t as easy but will most certainly pay off in the end.
  • I need to keep diet & exercise a priority and probably commit more time to it- crap! Believing this is always going to be such a energy consuming struggle is hard to face but the reality is it’s just something that I need to do (we all do), for me, my family, my health and my mental health. I have let it slip a lot during these cold months. I wish I could check it off the to-do list and move on to something new.
  • I want to keep blogging because it really is fulfilling to me in many ways.
  • I feel that the time I spend in volunteering with church responsibilities is always worth the investment.
  • I have to learn German so I am sticking with it!

Everything else can go.

By the way, we have been searching really hard for a bigger flat with a better view, and a private washing machine- nothing has turned up!! FRUSTRATION! I plan to do a whole post on this eventually. If you hear of a 5.5 zimmer or a 6.5 zimmer in Ennetburgen, Buochs, or Stansstad we want to know! Don’t you just hate moving?!