It's hard to leave the people so dear to your heart - but because they are part of your heart; they are always with you, no matter where you are.
Chris, Antje & Ginny take us to the airport. No hassles. We have time for a coffee and then off we go & they head home.
Easy flight home - mostly I read. No problems until we arrive at passport control. Apparently Officer Rutledge wasn't having a good day and we had to be in his line! Funny how a person can almost dare you to make a nasty comment just by their attitude - he's one who could do it. We were soon on our way - arriving home with loads of memories.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Days 16 & 17
It's pouring so slowly, slowly I begin to pack and turn my thoughts towards home. How's the rest of our family? Is Kentucky getting any rain? Wonder what's going on in my garden? Hope there's no water leaks in the house.
Philip needs a plane book & I want to get chocolate - so we head off to town with Antje & Chris. Do you think 27 chocolate bars is sort of over-kill? They weigh a ton.Wonder if they'll melt before we get home? Great! And that 27 doesn't count the bags of goodies I bought. Philip buys a Grisham book and I find the Welch Girl by Peter Ho Davis. Haven't found it in the states - it's on the Booker short list.
Still there's time to visit, laugh - explore. Saturday, we go to the flea market and wander. I'm having trouble walking so our ventures have to be shorter than I'd like. Oh well ... next year I'll be running around on these legs again.
Philip needs a plane book & I want to get chocolate - so we head off to town with Antje & Chris. Do you think 27 chocolate bars is sort of over-kill? They weigh a ton.Wonder if they'll melt before we get home? Great! And that 27 doesn't count the bags of goodies I bought. Philip buys a Grisham book and I find the Welch Girl by Peter Ho Davis. Haven't found it in the states - it's on the Booker short list.
Still there's time to visit, laugh - explore. Saturday, we go to the flea market and wander. I'm having trouble walking so our ventures have to be shorter than I'd like. Oh well ... next year I'll be running around on these legs again.
Being with Antje & Chris is so enjoyable. I supppose I tease Chris unmercifully - but push comes to shove; he's someone I want in my corner.
I brought him Blackjack acorns from Oklahoma. Wonder if they'll grow. Wouldn't it be nice to have a little of Oklahoma in Summago? I need to seriously work on those pecan saplings.
Our last evening; we drive over the hill to this interesting restaurant - really good Swiss food served in the most unique way (small shovels for butter/rolls). There's a beautiful full moon we see as we leave the restaurant. The ride home gives us wonderful glimpses of Zurich at night. I'll keep the image in my mind's eye until next time.
Day 15
Mikki & Franco take us to the train station in nearby Portoguaro. We have a direct train to Zurich - am always startled not to see Zurich listed as the end station; instead it's Schaffhausen.
I always enjoy the train ride. I like watching the towns pass by, the busy Milano station and then the spectacular ride through the alps. I timed us through the Gottard tunnel - 16 mins. - was it only a week ago that Chris & Antje spend more than an hour in the que just to drive through the tunnel?
Chris must have amazing sense of timing (Phil claims he waited at least an hour) after taking the train to Manegg station & catching the bus up the hill - there was Chris! I was so startled and glad to see him.
Antje is ready for us with all kinds of crackers, toasted bread and delicious cheeses. I fell upon the repast as tho I hadn't been stuffing myself for the past 15 days. I love the cheese - our doesn't taste as good.
I always enjoy the train ride. I like watching the towns pass by, the busy Milano station and then the spectacular ride through the alps. I timed us through the Gottard tunnel - 16 mins. - was it only a week ago that Chris & Antje spend more than an hour in the que just to drive through the tunnel?
Chris must have amazing sense of timing (Phil claims he waited at least an hour) after taking the train to Manegg station & catching the bus up the hill - there was Chris! I was so startled and glad to see him.
Antje is ready for us with all kinds of crackers, toasted bread and delicious cheeses. I fell upon the repast as tho I hadn't been stuffing myself for the past 15 days. I love the cheese - our doesn't taste as good.
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Rest of Our Summago Stay - Life with the Bravins
Staggering down the stairs (Chris, Antje & Kevin are in The Barn) what do I find but a good old fashion coffee pot - Aunt Marilyns. Mikki's managed to locate American coffee...I may never leave. I love mornings in Mikki's kitchen - coffee, tea, toast, bread, butter, jams, yogurt and lots of talking. We open the windows to let light & cool morning air in as various family members wander in, plop down in chairs - dogs & cats join us or not. The bird is singing in it's cage.
Chris & family are heading back to Zurich - we do lots of good-byes. I'll see them in 6 days. About an hour after they left; we got a torrential down pour of rain and hail - like you've never seen before. I'm talking serious hail - bigger than golf balls. It was loud & scary. Morgan's terrified & I'm running a close 2nd to her. We're worried about Chris & Antje, as the storm seemed to come from the direction they were traveling. A call to them reported nothing but blue skies.
The rest of the day is sunny, cloudy, sunny, more hail ... really strange. About 10:00pm we were sitting on the front veranda; it was like a small tornado hit - almost no warning, the wind howled.There was a mad scramble to get the shutters closed. So much wind that pulling together Killian and I had a difficult time getting one window shuttered. Nothing to do but go to bed & hope it passed.
Did it ever! The next morning we peered out. Tree limbs were down, a large vine growing up the side of The Barn was torn loose. The Barn, with it's various outside storage areas (that's a positive spin!) was a mess. As we drank coffee & took inventory; Mikki came up with the bright idea "well, Sonja said we needed to clean up that place!" It was like a light bulb went on in Franco's head - next thing I know he's calling his sister to come on over. She did - 30 mins later Sonja arrives and she & the family cleaned all day. By the end of the day Outdoor Storage Areas looked like the inviting veranda it was meant to be.
After the storm, pre cleanup
Sonja & Linda
The week passes quickly. Gradually get to know the kids a little better. Killian reminds me so of his Uncle Chris - however it's hard to show you this revelation as you rarely get a picture of the front of Killian's face. What I find interesting in the family dynamics is how strongly the Ditto bone structure came down to Aunt Marilyn and her children. Killian is the only one of his generation where I still see the Ditto. Talking to Killian, I enjoyed learning the books & movies he prefers - nothing I'd watch in my wildest imagination. Yet I think perhaps I'm missing something and maybe I'll expand my horizons - not like I'll have much else to do in the coming months. Perhaps, he'll be coming to visit next summer.
Not the man in the Iron Mask - but always the back - that's how Killian's teen-age years will be remembered.
Georgia is charming, dresses with flair, opinionated & like a whirling dervish. She's either coming in or getting ready to go out. Philip and I couldn't believe what we were hearing - YMCA by the Village People!!! I think she was surprised to realize we knew all the moves! (Guess those marbles are still in the jar). Amid all this motion; she still took time to show me how to make a movie, using pictures & music. I loved the movie she did of her family. (Mikki, maybe you should add it to this blog)
Heading out before being halted by the water fight!
Morgan probably wonders why we keep showing up and speaking only english; leaving her to puzzle about the talking. I wonder too ... I did a little better this time; practiced words and tried them out on Linda - who I desperately want to converse with. Linda didn't exactly laugh at me but she did smile lots; Morgan out & out laughed, so I think I kept missing the mark. Despite the language barrier, Morgan is less shy and good about figuring out what you want or are trying to do and tries to help. We shopped together, picked figs, and generally hung out. She's in that time warp - wanting to hang out with teen-agers & them wanting to be somewhere else.
Spritz break in Concordia
Bruno, Franco & Marco
Mikki making supper
Searching for a book to read, Mikki recommend "Two Lives" by Vikram Seth. Once I started reading, I almost never put it down. It's a book about two seemingly unremarkable people who were an extraordinary couple.
Our time went so quickly - mostly I'll remember the laughter - putting Franco & Philip together is Trouble. They've given up on the Get Rich Quick schemes of Kiosk & Spritz Wagon - I can't remember what the latest plan is. Mostly their plans involve work for other people. A particularly memorable dialogue was at the supper table when they tried to determine the speed of sound in mins/feet & mins/centimeters. Mikki even weighed in on that discussion while I searched the Internet on my handy Blackberry.
Chris & family are heading back to Zurich - we do lots of good-byes. I'll see them in 6 days. About an hour after they left; we got a torrential down pour of rain and hail - like you've never seen before. I'm talking serious hail - bigger than golf balls. It was loud & scary. Morgan's terrified & I'm running a close 2nd to her. We're worried about Chris & Antje, as the storm seemed to come from the direction they were traveling. A call to them reported nothing but blue skies.
The rest of the day is sunny, cloudy, sunny, more hail ... really strange. About 10:00pm we were sitting on the front veranda; it was like a small tornado hit - almost no warning, the wind howled.There was a mad scramble to get the shutters closed. So much wind that pulling together Killian and I had a difficult time getting one window shuttered. Nothing to do but go to bed & hope it passed.
Did it ever! The next morning we peered out. Tree limbs were down, a large vine growing up the side of The Barn was torn loose. The Barn, with it's various outside storage areas (that's a positive spin!) was a mess. As we drank coffee & took inventory; Mikki came up with the bright idea "well, Sonja said we needed to clean up that place!" It was like a light bulb went on in Franco's head - next thing I know he's calling his sister to come on over. She did - 30 mins later Sonja arrives and she & the family cleaned all day. By the end of the day Outdoor Storage Areas looked like the inviting veranda it was meant to be.
After the storm, pre cleanup
Sonja & Linda
The week passes quickly. Gradually get to know the kids a little better. Killian reminds me so of his Uncle Chris - however it's hard to show you this revelation as you rarely get a picture of the front of Killian's face. What I find interesting in the family dynamics is how strongly the Ditto bone structure came down to Aunt Marilyn and her children. Killian is the only one of his generation where I still see the Ditto. Talking to Killian, I enjoyed learning the books & movies he prefers - nothing I'd watch in my wildest imagination. Yet I think perhaps I'm missing something and maybe I'll expand my horizons - not like I'll have much else to do in the coming months. Perhaps, he'll be coming to visit next summer.
Not the man in the Iron Mask - but always the back - that's how Killian's teen-age years will be remembered.
Georgia is charming, dresses with flair, opinionated & like a whirling dervish. She's either coming in or getting ready to go out. Philip and I couldn't believe what we were hearing - YMCA by the Village People!!! I think she was surprised to realize we knew all the moves! (Guess those marbles are still in the jar). Amid all this motion; she still took time to show me how to make a movie, using pictures & music. I loved the movie she did of her family. (Mikki, maybe you should add it to this blog)
Heading out before being halted by the water fight!
Morgan probably wonders why we keep showing up and speaking only english; leaving her to puzzle about the talking. I wonder too ... I did a little better this time; practiced words and tried them out on Linda - who I desperately want to converse with. Linda didn't exactly laugh at me but she did smile lots; Morgan out & out laughed, so I think I kept missing the mark. Despite the language barrier, Morgan is less shy and good about figuring out what you want or are trying to do and tries to help. We shopped together, picked figs, and generally hung out. She's in that time warp - wanting to hang out with teen-agers & them wanting to be somewhere else.
Spritz break in Concordia
Bruno, Franco & Marco
Mikki making supper
Searching for a book to read, Mikki recommend "Two Lives" by Vikram Seth. Once I started reading, I almost never put it down. It's a book about two seemingly unremarkable people who were an extraordinary couple.
Our time went so quickly - mostly I'll remember the laughter - putting Franco & Philip together is Trouble. They've given up on the Get Rich Quick schemes of Kiosk & Spritz Wagon - I can't remember what the latest plan is. Mostly their plans involve work for other people. A particularly memorable dialogue was at the supper table when they tried to determine the speed of sound in mins/feet & mins/centimeters. Mikki even weighed in on that discussion while I searched the Internet on my handy Blackberry.
One evening we drove to San Daniele to a favorite restaurant. Easy to order - they offer one meal - Prosciutto, mushrooms, artichokes, cheese, bread sticks & wine. The prosciutto is locally produced and is absolutely melt in your mouth food.
So much good food! I'm intimitated - both Linda, Mikki, Franco, Antje & Chris make it appear so effortless (Hmmm, scratch Chris from effortless) and they fix these wonderful meals. My major contribution to a meal is fixing a prepackaged salad. We tried Fried Green Tomatoes - not successfully. Helps not to mix the liquid with the dry seasoning - thought of that too late. Missed the ranch dressing for dipping.
Packing up - catching the direct train tomorrow. Wish we lived closer.
Day 7; Part 2
Until we saw Mikki with our own eyes; I think we were all edgy. As soon as we saw her, we immediately relaxed and there was the usual greetings, hugging, laughing – English, German & Italian being shouted out. I always enjoy being with Linda – no one else keeps calling me Cara, in that wonderful accent!!!
Chris got busy potting the Swiss forest he's transplanting to Summago (making our border crossings always a bit tricky). The boys immediately adjourned to the front veranda to supervise The Forester. It was incredibly hot and muggy - Antje, Mikki & I never left the fan in the cool kitchen. Kevin immediately hooked up with his teen-age cousins & that was the last we saw of him.
Hmmm, have been introduced to Jackie - the other woman in Franco's life. She's a bit overwhelming - walks in and out of the house whenever she feels like it Jackie is a very large German Shepard (note to ask Aunt Deloris - was the fabled German Shepard of the farm named Shanty? That's what Mikki remembers. I'm coming up with the name Rinty.)
Dinner was pasta - with Salmon, made by Franco. Of course, only after it was served did Mikki regain her memory and exclaim "Franco, Philip hates fish; why do you always serve him fish". That brought back memories & laughter of other trips where Philip gamely ate sardines, octupi and other fresh & local seafood specialities.
Chris got busy potting the Swiss forest he's transplanting to Summago (making our border crossings always a bit tricky). The boys immediately adjourned to the front veranda to supervise The Forester. It was incredibly hot and muggy - Antje, Mikki & I never left the fan in the cool kitchen. Kevin immediately hooked up with his teen-age cousins & that was the last we saw of him.
Hmmm, have been introduced to Jackie - the other woman in Franco's life. She's a bit overwhelming - walks in and out of the house whenever she feels like it Jackie is a very large German Shepard (note to ask Aunt Deloris - was the fabled German Shepard of the farm named Shanty? That's what Mikki remembers. I'm coming up with the name Rinty.)
Dinner was pasta - with Salmon, made by Franco. Of course, only after it was served did Mikki regain her memory and exclaim "Franco, Philip hates fish; why do you always serve him fish". That brought back memories & laughter of other trips where Philip gamely ate sardines, octupi and other fresh & local seafood specialities.
Day 7
Heading to Mikki’s; leaving the girls in Zurich, we had a fantastic trip over the alps. We traveled through Kloster, Davos, over a couple of incredible alpine passes (peaks, glaciers, above the tree line-I was staggered by the beauty of the high country) through the Swiss National Park, visiting a Carolingian monastery in Mustair before arriving in Glurns.
This "V" thing must be a male genetic thing - note the similarity in the Konstanz pictures.
And we think US gas is expensive!
The night was spent in Glurns – a small, completely walled, medieval village just over the Swiss/Italian border.
Antje located a great place to stay - 3 bedrooms; huge bath & kitchen, very reasonable priced & directly over the garbage - there was no sitting on the veranda for more than 5 minutes. Seriously, it was a nice place - just unfortunate veranda location. We had wonderful food at the restuarant. Luckily the hostess convinced us to eat inside rather than out as it poured most of the time we were eating.
Philip and I distinguished ourselves at breakfast. Desperate for coffee; we didn't wait for our traveling companions and headed over for breakfast. We immediately ran into a slight language problem. Not wanting to appear the ugly Americans we simply nodded or said yes to everything asked of us. By the time the Schnorfs joined us, we were aghast, feeling compelled to eat bowls full of yogurt, ham and eggs, rolls, fruit, juice & coffee. Fortunately the Schnorfs acted as tho we ordered for all and helped us out.
Leaving the alps, skirting the Dolomites’; we drove for hours through orchards of every kind of fruit imaginable before finally dropping down to the plains and to Mikki’s.
This "V" thing must be a male genetic thing - note the similarity in the Konstanz pictures.
And we think US gas is expensive!
The night was spent in Glurns – a small, completely walled, medieval village just over the Swiss/Italian border.
Antje located a great place to stay - 3 bedrooms; huge bath & kitchen, very reasonable priced & directly over the garbage - there was no sitting on the veranda for more than 5 minutes. Seriously, it was a nice place - just unfortunate veranda location. We had wonderful food at the restuarant. Luckily the hostess convinced us to eat inside rather than out as it poured most of the time we were eating.
Philip and I distinguished ourselves at breakfast. Desperate for coffee; we didn't wait for our traveling companions and headed over for breakfast. We immediately ran into a slight language problem. Not wanting to appear the ugly Americans we simply nodded or said yes to everything asked of us. By the time the Schnorfs joined us, we were aghast, feeling compelled to eat bowls full of yogurt, ham and eggs, rolls, fruit, juice & coffee. Fortunately the Schnorfs acted as tho we ordered for all and helped us out.
Leaving the alps, skirting the Dolomites’; we drove for hours through orchards of every kind of fruit imaginable before finally dropping down to the plains and to Mikki’s.
Day 6
Amazing, Zurich has a mall - just like in the states! Well, not exactly your average mall; it's more Galleria-like. You can get there by train, tram, bus but cars seem to be discouraged (very few parking spaces). It's quite beautiful - rebuilt around some older buildings - combination of old, new & very funky. It's called Sihlcity because it's on the Sihl River & there are lovely views of the river. It's convenient for Antje - just the 2nd or 3rd train stop. Ginny, a friend & Kevin joined us - at least for a Gelato; then peeled off to explore their own interests. Still, all in all, it's a mall. I was happy to jump on the tram and head to the Niederdorfstrasse - one of my favorite streets in Zurich; strolling, watching the street scene and window shopping.
I should take note that while I can't remember the order of meals - Antje should open a catering shop - better yet come live with us! Simplify my life & add to the richness of it! We had wonderful food - my favorites - pies; cheese & fruit; wonderful cheeses & breads; pizza, warm sandwiches with pepperoni & cheese, all kinds of salads; yummy greek yogurts; fresh ground oats (really fresh; I ground them before breakfast); nothing she fixes is less than gourmet. Chris is not a bad hand at cooking himself - providing he can locate the correct pots & pans without slamming the doors & disturbing my reading.
You didn't seriously think Philip or Chris mall hopped did you? I think not. The boys headed down to the lake and took a boat cruise - drinking beer & eating brats & pommes frites. I believe they napped along the way. Best of all they returned home with Sprüngli Luxemburgerli.
Days 4 & 5
My memory fails me just now - one of these 2 days it rained & we hunkered down to continue visiting, reading, laughing & enjoying each others company. It rains in beautiful Zurich - gets thunder & lighting too - the whole show.
The trip to Ballenberg was a treat – a huge open-air museum – from simple alpine chalets to entire farmsteads; buildings from all over Switzerland that were saved from demolition & brought to the park. The park covers over 100 acres; we only had time to cover half of it in the day we were there. I hope to go back next year.
New aspect of Chris - he really is a Italian Driver disguised as a Swiss. Following a Jag down the mountain he tail-gated; blinked lights and yelled. It was terribly exciting. It was highly entertaining to be in a VW van; trying to take on a old man in a Jag.
The trip to Ballenberg was a treat – a huge open-air museum – from simple alpine chalets to entire farmsteads; buildings from all over Switzerland that were saved from demolition & brought to the park. The park covers over 100 acres; we only had time to cover half of it in the day we were there. I hope to go back next year.
New aspect of Chris - he really is a Italian Driver disguised as a Swiss. Following a Jag down the mountain he tail-gated; blinked lights and yelled. It was terribly exciting. It was highly entertaining to be in a VW van; trying to take on a old man in a Jag.
Day 3
Chris drives us to Konstanz, a town Philip & I stopped in on 2 previous visits – only to get off the train & board the boat down the Rhein. (In our defense, it was pouring down buckets of rain) Previously we missed the lovely street scenes, the church with it’s vistas & a great sweater/scots shop. Kevin, Gwen & I climb the church tower (why can't I get it through my head that I'm old!) - giving fantastic views of the city and countryside ... however; you couldn't prove it by me - I spent most of my time trying desperately to fill my lungs with oxygen before I humilated myself by passing out which would require a crane to get me back down. Philip & Chris wisely stay below.
Day 2
Slept most of the trip. Beautiful warm, sunny morning in Zurich. As always these days, my 1st thoughts are of Mikki - wishing her Safe Journey. I spot Kevin as soon as we clear customs - Wow! He's grown taller in 2 years and is he good looking!! Then I spot the welcome face of Chris. It's a wonderful moment; one worth anticipating and waiting for.
We arrive on a Swiss national holiday (more about that later) - very few cars on the road; we soon arrive in Wollishofen, delightedly greeting Antje - who almost immediately offers me coffee - espresso or French Press - is this woman a wonder or what? I can't remember when we had our 1st Spritz - but it wasn't too long after we arrived. I do remember the non-stop talking as we caught up on the past year; moving from living room to the garden, to the kitchen, back to the garden; never missing a beat in the conversation.
The kids look terrific. I'm impressed - they seem to like hanging out with us...are they aliens or teenagers? Or is our company more interesting than I give us credit? Kevin looks terrific and he’s happy…you can see it in his face and his body language. Gwen reminds me the most of Grandmother Morgan – sweet, funny & absolutely focused. Ginny continues to evolve – the camera loves her, beautiful skin & coloring. Both Kevin & Gwen speak English fairly comfortably. When I ask if they got their accent from speaking in school - both said "Marilyn". Aunt Marilyn must be so pleased; lessons well learned. Gwen’s speaking some English to Ginny so Ginny was following most of our conversations.
There was this moment I remember clearly. We're sitting at the table talking and I looked at Chris and saw Uncle Joe. It was something in the smile & Chris's expressions. I was to see Uncle Joe, off & on, unexpectedly throughout our stay. How nice to see a much loved face.
The kids (note: Antje is a kid when it comes to games!) are crazy for poker, specifically Texas Hold’em. Kevin has a professional chip set. We played several nights. Ginny beat us with regularity. Philip was in awe of her ability to work with numbers. He knows he’s quick & she’s almost as fast as he is. He was ready to take her to Vegas with him.
Rejoicing to hear from Mikki.
Oh about that national holiday ... Swiss National Day - something like our 4th of July - lots of fireworks. We sat on the "veranda" and oooohed & ahhhhhed at the various private displays. Philip marveled that they were legal within the city limits.
Day 1
After loading up with snacks at Whole Food; we head to Lexington airport. Philip's grumbling about arriving in Newark - claims something always goes wrong. Wonder what he's talking about? The fact that twice I slept on the floor of the terminal because flights didn't leave or the time my carry-on suitcase went to checked luggage carousel with only a hour between flights or that most employees seem grumpy and unhelpful? Yeah, really looking forward to Newark. Gets the trip off on the right start.
Regardless, we survive Newark airport - always a welcome feature of the trip. Continental flight was crowded - like full. Philip and I are in different rows but with aisle seats. My vegetarian meal was icky; I'm sleeping.
Regardless, we survive Newark airport - always a welcome feature of the trip. Continental flight was crowded - like full. Philip and I are in different rows but with aisle seats. My vegetarian meal was icky; I'm sleeping.
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