Preparations for Snowy Days!

Transformations Abound
Remember all that snow I showed you in the last two posts?  Well, it is all gone.  Amazingly, it has evaporated, melted, vanished.  As quickly as it arrived, it departed.  The landscape is as naked now as it was the moments before the slight drizzle transformed into snowflakes.

In the days immediately after the snowfall, I took a trip outside the Davos valley and venture back to the land I came from.  Yes, I had a return trip to the US.  What fun I had!  In the 10 days I was gone, some changes had occurred in Davos.

Preparing for The Snow!

Red Snow Pole

Blue/Yellow Snow Pole

Snow is a thing big thing here in Davos Platz. People talk about it and anticipate it with great glee. What I didn't realize was the way the town prepared for it. The first thing I noticed when I arrived back in Davos was there were now 'poles' lining all the streets, parking lots and mountain pathways. These poles surround the perimeters of the parks and walkways up to front doors. Some of the poles have blue paint at the top, while some have red.  We have not figured out what the different colors represent, but we smiled when we realized the true meaning of the poles.  These are the markers for the snow plows to know where the edges of the streets are when the real snow, the permanent white stuff arrives and show us how deep the snow will be.  Woah.

Red Snow Poles on the Street up to our Apartment Building

Sleeping Trees

I am familiar with snow.  I grew up in New Jersey and lived in Cincinnati where snow happens each year.  Sometimes it lingers and most times it melts in a few weeks.  In Davos, Switzerland the amount of snow and length of time is stays in more, more and more.  Not only are the streets prepared for the amount of snow, the young trees are, too.

Evergreen outside our Apartment

The small, delicate trees of Davos are wrapped and sheltered in preparation of the weight of the anticipated snow. These two evergreen trees are outside our apartment building. 

Smallest Evergreen outside Apartment Building

All the young shrubs around the town are bundled in winter cocoons.  Like bears going to sleep for a long winters nap, these trees and shrubs will be awakened and unwrapped in the spring when the threat of heavy snow ends.

Where Did All the People Go?

One of the first things I had to do when I returned home, was head to Coop (the grocery store).  As I walked along the street, it was eerily quiet.  I looked around and suddenly realized that I was the only person walking in the town!  Many restaurants and a number of retail stores were closed.  What was going on?  

I walked up to a restaurant that had been open and bustling with patrons before I left and read a sign (I am learning some German), Closed Until November 22.  Apparently from October 31 until November 21-22 is considered 'down time'.  Too chilly for the hiking tourist and devoid of snow for the skiers.  The town shuts down creating it's own 'resting time' waiting for the whiteness to arrive and with it the throngs of tourists.  We are told over and over that from December through the middle of March this small mountain town will be transformed into a traffic jam of cars, pedestrians, hikers, skiers, snowboarders, skaters, sleigh riders (now THAT sounds like fun), tobogganers and Swiss who just want to be in the most amazing mountain town for the holidays and ski season.  We'll see.  Right now it is quiet.  Even quieter than it was when I arrived at the end of July.  Remember this is the Swiss Mountains - it is naturally quiet, but right now - well, it is asleep.

Morphing Our Shoes

One more note:  This is snow related, but foot focused.  We live on the top of a very steep hill; the side of a mountain actually.  We have been informed (many times with a smile) that we will need 'spikes' on the bottom of our shoes when the snow and ice arrive in order to walk up the street to get home.  (Did I forget to mention that we do not have a car here?)  Spikes on our shoes?  

Spikes on the bottom of sneakers

Well, today as we were walking through town there was a sporting goods store open.  We went inside to check it out and lo and behold they sell spikes that you put on the bottom of your shoes to prevent you from slipping on the snow and ice!  Remember the people here LOVE the ice and snow.  They hike in it, run in it and play in it.  So, they have created a cover for their shoe that help them stay snow bound in all conditions.  The 'spikes' are pulled over shoes like a rain boot is pulled over shoes.  It was quite a surprise for us to actually see these 'spikes' for sale.  Now we know that people weren't joking.  We didn't buy any yet.  I think we are putting off the inevitable. 

Knowing There is Always the Unknown

I never know what unexpected thing I will see or experience here in my new life in Switzerland.  From street poles to cocoon trees; a sleeping town to spiky shoes.  Whether we realize it or not, our lives offer the answer to questions we have had, maybe for a long time.  When I was a child, I always had questions - how does that work? Where does that go?  You see, I always wanted to know-not anything in particular, everything in general.  My experience here is offering me the answers the the many questions I have had, maybe without even realizing on a conscious level about how other people live.  Not only that, but I have created an experience where I actually get to live with another culture.  What questions did you have as a child?  How has your life offered you the answers?

Utto---I better hurry up and post this.  I feel a snow storm brewing.

Genießen Sie das Leben

Enjoy Life!

Marybeth

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

A view from an Alps hike

Indy

Ever feel like you are taking two steps forward and one step back?

Well, I have lately.  There have been delays in my departure to Switzerland.  Yes, that's correct: my departure.  Ray left two weeks ago.  The details of the job became unclear and we were unsure it would even happen.  Ray's entrance visa (something you need when you intend to work in Switzerland) was about to expire. He had to enter Switzerland by July 31 or risk starting the entire process of obtaining a new entrance visa all over again. So, he had to go.  And I remained in the states, holding down the fort, waiting for word that the entire adventure was still 'on'.

Three days ago, we received the official word: the one-year commitment was received!!  Now I am readying the house, cars and doggie, Indy for our adventure.  No, Indy is not coming with us.  He will go on a doggie adventure, and live in Maryland with my sister-in-law!

A serene pathway

So, while Ray has been in Switzerland for the past 2 weeks (!), he has been working, learning where the shops and restaurants are and going on 3 and 4 hour hikes in the Alps!  Wow.  Included here are some pics he took while on some of his walks.

Wondering what will happen with my house?  My girlfriend is going to live in it!  What a gift that is.  And our cars?  We sold one and the other will be driven to NJ and rest in my brothers driveway for a year.  Now there's lots for me to do to get ready, and I am so excited!

I have to be honest though, sometimes I feel a little anxious.  Why?  Have you ever heard a voice in your head that tells you things you don't want to hear?  I do.  Right now mine is telling me that there won't be anyone there I will know.  True, except for Ray.  That I don't speak the language.  True.  That I won't know how to fill my day.  True.  That I will be lonely.  That one feels true.  Overwhelming heavy, negative thoughts that float through my head. I am learning to allow that voice to have its say and offer the reply, "Thank you for sharing."  I am determined to listen to the other voice.  The one that says, "All is well, Marybeth.  Nothing stands in the way of a joyful, uplifting, abundantly inspire-filled experience except your focus on the lack of it."

Everything, and I mean everything has worked out in miraculous ways.  Why would that stop now?  The answer is: it won't, unless I stop it with my thoughts of something less than that.

So, today I am cleaning out my kitchen in preparation for it's new occupant.  Then I pack!  ...for a year!  What on earth do you bring to Switzerland? <grin>

Until next time: Auf Wiedersehen (see!  I'm learning!)

Love and hugs,

Marybeth

The Journey Begins...well, almost...

10 months ago, a one year job opportunity in Switzerland ‘dropped’ into my husband, Ray’s lap the last week before he retired.  Saying YES to the opportunity was easy (live a year in Switzerland!!!?  Woohoo)…getting there, on the other hand has been a quagmire of details, the likes of which I never knew.

Traveling as a tourist in Europe means getting a passport, packing a suitcase and buying a plane ticket.  Traveling as a ‘worker’ however means passports, visas, work contracts, apartment rental contracts (how do we do that, when we aren’t there yet?), original marriage licenses (at lease 4!), F*B*I* background checks (with ink fingerprints!), packing for a year and a plane ticket.

We have submitted every document requested and wait for approval to go.
Well, we feel it is finally happening.  We have been instructed to make our plane reservations and pack our bags.

Marybeth’s Travels is my way of sharing my experience with you.  I am not a professional writer, in fact I am known more as someone who speaks to groups.  But I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and keep you posted with all the magic and miracles that come my way.   I firmly believe my opportunity to live abroad is the manifestation of a multitude of desires; my desire to experience diverse cultures, my desire to share whatever I have with others, my desire to broaden my experiences, my readiness for an adventure in my life and my willingness to step into an experience when I am surrounded by the unknown.  That mixed with my love of people brought this amazing adventure to drop into my lap.

This is the view from the window of our apartment.  An apartment that I have only seen in photos!   I am learning how to trust the universe; to allow my deep knowing that everything will work out beautifully.  

So, off I go.  To a land of very tall mountains, cool breezes and breathtaking vistas. To a place where I know no one, don't speak the language (German), and have never visited.

I invite you to join me - watch the sun set in the Alps, listen to the sound of cow bells (!) and walk with me on new paths.