Last weekend, Ray and I spent in Zurich. Why? Well, a graduate student was defending her thesis, which means she was officially graduating from the University of Zurich. She had completed her research at the institute Ray is working at, so everyone here from the institute went to Zurich to celebrate with her. The celebration is called an Apero, which means a spread of finger-foods with lots of wine and because the student is from Poland, there was Polish Vodka. Reminded me of growing up. I am Polish. Every New Year's Eve, my mom and dad would have a toast with Polish Vodka.
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| Zurich Christmas Market in Train Station |
Christmas Markets
December in Europe is all about Christmas Markets. A Christmas Market is an opportunity for people to sell their local specialities, whether it's food or crafts.
The main Zurich Christmas Market is held in the train station. At the same time there are smaller markets scattered all around the city, held in small parks. One of the famous aspects of the Zurich Christmas Market is the huge Swarovski Christmas Tree. The tree is decorated completely with Swarovski crystal ornaments and white lights. It is beautiful. I just had to get a crystal ornament for myself!!! WooHoo-a Christmas gift to me!
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| Glühwein |
A Warm Wine Drink
When you visit the Swiss Christmas Markets, you've got to try the traditional winter drink: Glühwein. Glühwein is warm red wine with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and mace. I think you have to grow up drinking this beverage, but I can say I tried it.
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| River in Downtown Davos |
We now have snow filled days, crunchy paths, brisk air - and no chill. That's correct. The air is dry. It does make a difference in your ability to spend time outdoors. The last two weekends Ray and I have taken long walks and it is so wonderful outside. The sky is clear blue, not a cloud can be seen and there are droves of people skiing, sledding, snowboarding and just walking along the river.
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| Making Snow |
So while there is snow on the ground, it's not enough for the skiers. See the white 'mist'? That is snow blowing out of snow making machines. These machines blow out clouds of snow 24 hours a day. On the top of the mountain, the machines line the ski slopes. Each machine has a spot light. When the lights are 'on' during the dark hours you know they are making snow. It is beautiful at night to see the lights illuminating in a zig zag pattern across the mountain top as they are making snow.
A Place to Rest & Play
At the bottom of the ski area is a restaurant. This is where the skiers rest and eat snacks, drink hot chocolate and/or beer. This is also where parents stay with their children. There are wooden, beach-like chairs all around the restaurant. Each chair is cushioned and has a small retractable visor and footrest. You claim a chair and sit for hours, people gazing and being warmed by the sun. At the foot of the chairs, children busily dig in the snow, some pretending to be shoveling their walkways and some building snow castles. There is the murmur of adult conversation and the giggles of children running from each other as they attempt a snow ball frenzy. It feels like a cold-white-winter beach scene!
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| Children learning how to ski-how cute!! |
And believe it or not-it feels warm. There is this phenomena that when you feel the sun directly on you, you are warm, but the moment you are shaded, the temperature drops. That is why the skiers begin skiing as early as they can - 8:30AM, because as soon as the sun dips behind the mountain, the temperature drops! Many ski lifts stop at 4:30PM.
Oh, Tannenbaum!
It was time to get our Christmas Tree, our Tannenbaum! She was purchased in town at Coop (pronounced 'coop', like where chickens live)....
Stay tuned. On Friday, we are going on a train ride. A day trip on the Bernina Express. It's like the Polar Express through the Alps. From Chur to Tirano, through many tunnels and across many viaducts. It is supposed to be spectacular!
Liebe zu Ihnen alle. Frohe Weihnachten! (Love to you all. Merry Christmas!)
Marybeth
