A Snowy Mountaintop

A Beautiful Day in Davos Dorf

Because it had snowed the previous day, Ray and I decided to go for a hike on top of a mountain in the neighboring town of Davos Dorf.  Davos Dorf is only a 25 minute walk from our home.  In the center of the town, there is a mountain train or lift that takes people to the top of the mountain.  Some people go up to hike, others go to ski (when it is ski season, which has not started yet), some go to play in the snow and some to paraglide.

Who Said That?

As we were walking to the town, Ray was telling me about a colleague, Mirko, he had met while working at this new job.  Mirko has been a great help in getting Ray settled and explaining the rules and regulations of Switzerland.  Ray talked about him for quite a while, when we finally arrived at the entrance to the lift.  All of a sudden Ray heard his name being called out!  It was Mirko!  He was waiting in line to go on the lift.  We were both startled,

Mirko in the sky!

as we don't really know anyone here in Davos Dorf so to meet someone you know (and someone you were just talking about) can throw you off a little!  This guy was headed up the mountain too.  He told us he was going to Paraglide.  Paragliding is a huge sport here in the Alps.




We all boarded the train-lift and headed up, up, up.  When we got to the midpoint of the ride, the train stopped and the paragliders exited.  We got off too as we wanted to watch the paragliders, especially since we actually knew someone who was going to jump off the side of the mountain.  Here are pictures of our friend gliding in the breezes of the Alps.

Mirko had such control of the winds, he could find warm drafts and climb and circle around us overhead.

Well, there are no words to describe how beautiful it was on top of the mountain, so I am going to offer some pictures:

Marybeth in the snow

Children Playing

Remember we are on TOP of the mountain.  But the snow does NOT stop these people!  They bring babies in strollers up to the mountain top!  I think I am the wimp.

Playing

Mountain Climbing Ray!

Train tracks going back down to the valley

Ok...gotta go catch a train, then a plane!  I am off on a trip!   You'll never guess where.  The USA!  An amazing and wonderful opportunity to visit the states...I am coming your way!

Later gator...happy snow days, fall days, or what ever days you are having.  They are all wonderful.

Smiles across the miles,

Marybeth

Has Winter Arrived?

What's a Little Rain?

Davos in the morning

Yesterday morning began as some October days here in Davos cool and a little drizzly.   I went to the grocery (as I do almost every other day :))  and got a little wet from the light rain.  When I returned home I began checking email and got rather engrossed with my messages when I received an email from Ray.  He mentioned how it was snowing outside.  I thought he was joking as I knew it was lightly raining.  But I lifted my eyes from the keyboard and turned my head to look out the living room windows.  Holy Cow!!!  It was blizzarding!  The light rain had become the first winter storm in Davos!

Davos around 4PM

All the snow that we saw in previous weeks was on the mountain tops only.  It never reached the valley.  Well, in a matter on moments all that changed!  I cannot tell you how startling it was to see not only snow falling, but the amount of snow falling - it was a white-out.

Check out my video on YouTube; http://www.youtube/PXdZdTEvcGg

The video was taken late last afternoon, around 6PM.  We went to bed wondering what the morning would look like.  The on-line forecast says it is going to snow until 9AM tomorrow.

OK, here we are.  Friday morning.  Let's see how much snow is out there now!

8AM

It is still snowing...and it looks like there is about 15 inches already.    It looks like a magic land.  The temperature is about 28 degrees.  So it's not that cold.  And the forecast says that in two days it will be 50!  It's hard to imagine that this will melt, there is so much snow!  

Heavy Snow

8AM

Because we are just at the freezing mark, the snow is heavy. The evergreen trees hold the snow on their branches and create what looks like icing weighing them down.  It is beautiful.  The streets are plowed and sidewalks shoveled.  Yes, they do have an amazing and effective snow removal system.

Trees Covered in Snow

The pictures hardly do justice to the vision that I see.  It is so bright outside.  The sun in rising behind the mountain and casting a warm glow onto the snow.  And it is still coming down.

Trees Covered in Snow

Crunch Time!
Well, whatever the forecast said,  it's 9:30AM and it is still coming down.  I am getting my snow boots out and taking my first crunchy walk.  They say the snow crunches under your feet.  Now I will find out!

Time for the Gaze
Enjoy your day, wherever you are.  This whole life 'thing', this journey we are on, is one amazing adventure.  Look out your window today and give yourself the gift of gazing at what's out there.  Gazing is different than looking.  When we 'look' we are determining something: Does the grass need mowing?  Is it time to rake the leaves?  When we gaze, it's as though we open our eyes and remove a veil that is there that we didn't realize was there.  In a gaze, we allow our eyes to refocus and look deeply, with wonder, not to determine anything, but to simply appreciate what our eyes fall upon.  There is a sweetness to gazing.  Try it.  One deep breath and one full gaze.  Your 'AH for the morning.

Love and hugs from a winter wonderland,

Marybeth

PS  Please share your thought by leaving a 'Comment' below.  I love to hear from you.

The Magic of Ireland

The Pulse of the Irish

We returned from our trip to Ireland late Tuesday night.  I am always amazed at how just over the mountain here, there is another culture, language, customs, dress code, cuisine and modes of courtesy.

I have never felt more 'at home' than when I visit Ireland.  Ireland experienced a financial crash similar to the one we experienced in the US with banks allowing people to purchase more than they could afford.  The crash in Ireland was harder than the one in the US.  I know we're not out of the woods yet, but in Ireland it feels as though they went deeper in and have a longer journey to get out.  Although there are still many empty store fronts in Cork, there are signs of recovery. The street are being repaired and there is a little construction.

Apparently, in the decade prior to the crash, Ireland had opened their doors to Poland.  Tens of thousands of Poles immigrated to Ireland and became the group who supplied the manpower in the housing industry.  Polish restaurants and grocery stores popped up everywhere.  Polish became the second language put on signs!  I knew I heard Polish being spoken everywhere in a department store and didn't understand why, until it was explained to me.  When the housing industry went bust, thousands of the Poles left.  Now there are empty Polish groceries.  And entire housing developments empty, that were intended to be the homes of these immigrants.  Ireland is doing it's best to get things back together, just as we are.  A lot has been accomplished to that end, with more to do.

Warm Irish Smiles

The Irish are some of the warmest, open and loving people I have met in my travels.  On our first evening in Cork, we were invited to have dinner with one of Ray's colleagues. We travelled to the outskirts of Cork to their home and spent a lovely evening talking and visiting with them and their 3 children.  We so appreciated their hospitality and had a wonderful time.

The Pub/Restaurant Scene

Cafe Paradiso

Liberty Grill, Cork City

Irish restaurants/pubs are the BEST. I am not a beer drinker, so I didn't taste the likes of  Guinness and Murphy's, Ray had that privilege,  but every meal we had in a pub was delicious.   Pub menus are not what I thought they would be; they have spectacular selections, not just hamburgers and fries.  I never saw Corned Beef & Cabbage on a menu, no, it was amazing soups (and I am a soup fend), the freshest fish, risottos, pastas, beef and pork dishes and heavenly coffee. One evening, while Ray dined with colleagues, I found the most delicious vegetarian restaurant, Cafe Paradiso.  No steamed or sautéed vegetables here. Only the most amazing vegetarian dishes.   I had Red Pepper Soup and Beet Risotto.  On my last morning in Cork, I had breakfast at Liberty Grill.  Scrumptious Eggs Florentine - YUM.

Headed to Sneem via Kenmare

Ray had 3 more days of meetings in Cork.  So I boarded a bus and headed to Kenmare to visit my friend Roderic Knowles.   On the bus I met a young woman, Iris, from the Netherlands.  Iris was taking 7 days to go on a personal pilgrimage.  She said she needed to be alone and hopefully to receive some insight as to what direction she should take in her life.  She was feeling lost, so she quit her job and came to Ireland!  I asked her where she would sleep each night and she shared that she was using Couch Surfing.  Do you know what Couch Surfing is?  Now I do.  There is an international website, www.couchsurfing.com   The idea is:  you are traveling and either are on a limited budget OR you want to meet the people of the place you are visiting.  You go to the Couch Surfing website and register.  Then on the website, you locate the country and city you will be traveling through.  Listed at your chosen destination are people (who have registered also) who are happy to host you - at no cost to you!  You sleep 'on their couch' or in a spare bedroom, if they have that.  A place to sleep and a shower in the morning.  Well, Iris was couch surfing in Ireland.  What an amazing young woman.  And what an amazing demonstration of someone's willingness to do what it takes in their life.

No Accidental Meetings

On the bus ride we talked about life, our families and why we were in Ireland.  Iris said that she believed that there are no accidents and you meet people for reasons that you might not be aware of...yet.  I felt we were talking the same language about life.  You ever get that feeling when you've just met someone?  Iris mentioned that she had read Conversations with God last year and that made a huge impression on her.  It changed the way she thought about the world.  It open her to consider that there was more in her life than she had previously allowed.  Then she asked me what I did as a profession.  I shared that I partner with people to help them integrate those exact principles.  That's why we met.  We were on the same wave length.

When the bus ride ended, Iris and I exchanged emails.  We said our good-byes and she and I stood together, her waiting for her couch surfing host and me waiting for Roderic.

There He Is

Then suddenly Roderic was there, stopping in the street and hopping out of his little red car.  He looked just as I remembered him.  Tall, thin, with shoulder length fluffy whitish hair.  We embraced  quickly and he tossed my luggage in the car and off we went through to Irish countryside to his home in Sneem.

Sneem and More

Roderic and I began chatting as though we had these conversations every day.  Since the last time I saw him, Roderic has moved from Kinsale and is now living on the property where he grew up!  He and Elly decided they wanted to create a sacred space of sorts.  Roderic's sister has been living on the property for many years.  Roderic and Elly have four acres of the property.  I had no idea what to expect when we arrived at Roderic's home.  I'll do my best to describe it here.

Elly and Roderic

Swimming Pool

We entered the property from a very long driveway, driving through dense woods with a stream running alongside the driveway.  We parked under an arbor and walked toward a small house.  Then continued up a slate staircase where I met Elly.  Meeting Elly was like meeting an old friend.  Instantly, we began chatting.  There was such openness and friendship.  She had lunch waiting for us, so we sat under an patio umbrella and ate and talked and I marveled at what I was looking at-a pool.  

 I had never seen a pool like this.  It is cut into the stone.  A backhoe dug the pool, it was lined and stairs of slate were built on right hand side to enter.  This pool makes it look and feel like you are taking a dip in a swimmin' hole!  The day I took the picture it was overcast, but off in the distance you can actually see the Atlantic Ocean.

Roderic's Writing House

Elly's Healing House

 Elly and Roderic intend to create a kind of University - a place of personal transformation.  They have only been on the property for the last 10 months.  When they arrived it was a jungle of overgrown shrubs and trees.  They created a map of the land (house here, garden there, etc) and began clearing and building.  So far they have build two 'working dwellings'; one for Roderic, where he writes his books and one for Elly, where she writes her books and does healing work.  She is a Reiki Master.  

Future Chapel

There are pathways through the woods that connect the different 'areas' of the grounds.  There is a 'Fairy Circle', which is a gathering place for groups and a future 'Chapel'.  Even a 'Caravan Trailer'.

Caravan Trailer

The Caravan Trailer is offered to guests as a separate living space.  Elly told me when she was fixing up the Caravan Trailer, she had the choice to paint it brown and try to get it to blend into the forest or to make a statement.  Can you guess what she choose?  During my tour, they took me inside.  It is cozy and a complete living place.

 As you walk through the property, you never know what you will see or experience.  See the angel resting on the hillside?  There are plans for many more trails, a labyrinth, a vegetable garden and additional meeting space.

Ancient Energy

But the most amazing structure there, is one that was constructed hundreds of years ago.  Enter Here:

This stone building was there when Roderic was a child.  At one time, a family lived in it.  The house caught fire 50-60 years ago, destroying every part except the stone walls.  It is about 18'X15' on the inside.  When Roderic arrived 10 months ago and began his plans to renovate and create his University, there was a 60 year old oak tree growing in the center of the four walls.  He said a contractor had to chop and saw as much as he could and then the trunk was chain linked to a tractor to be removed.  It is a miracle how the tree trunk was removed coming out through the front door space!  The stone on the ground in front of the door was laid last week, the gravel was spread a couple of days ago.   The door was finished literally hours before I arrived!  It was hand crafted by an English contractor.  Roderic's instructions were to make it as different as the contractor could imagine.  Do you think he succeeded?  The wood is oak and the hinges and lock were hand made.  This is truly a work in progress.

  There's More

I got to help with the creation of a Sacred Space.  See the black stove with the black tea kettle on top?  I painted both black!  When I arrived they were rusted and the stove had just been refitted to be the source of heat inside the Stone House.  They asked me if I wanted to help with something and I said absolutely, so I got to 'leave my mark' on the Stove by painting it!

Stove

Stove

Elly and Marybeth

I spent two nights with Elly and Roderic.  The days were spent walking, sharing and eating delicious meals that Elly prepared.  The evenings were spent in deep conversation about the things that mean the most to us - our dreams, what we are reading, who's work we admire, where we want to go, what's holding us back.  There was a deep connection and a great amount of joyful sharing.  I loved every minute. And I hope to go back and visit again before we return to the US.

A Chance Meeting and A National Park

Ray rented a car in Cork and arrived on Saturday morning to pick me up.  From Roderic's, we drove to Killanary.  A beautiful town about 50 minutes from Sceen.  On the way to Killarnay, Ray told me that we were invited to watch a Hurling Game at a pub in Killarnay.  First of all, I asked, "Who do we know in Killanary?  We don't know anyone.  And secondly, what is Hurling?"  So, turns out that a colleague of Ray's, Liam is from Ireland.  I knew that, but Liam is from Cork, why would he be way out here?  Turns out, Liam's mother is celebrating her 70th birthday and her entire family decided months ago to be in Killarnay to celebrate her birthday.  That is why they are there.  AND it is the World Series for the game of Hurling.  Hurling is an Irish only sport.  It can most easily be described as Hockey on the grass and the puck is 'hurled' in the air not pushed on the ground.  It just happened that that night was the last game of the season, their World Series, so to speak.  The pub was packed!  I met Liam's family and spent my time talking to Lois, Liam's sister-in-law.  It was great.  How did this happen?  I don't know, but I had a great time.  I certainly knew when a score was made, "YEAH!" with an Irish roar!  Fun.  Too bad 'our team' lost.  Oh well. 

Boat ride on Muchross Lake

Next day we toured the Killanary National Park.  We took a horse and buggy ride through the Dunlee Gap and a boat ride through the Muckross Lake.

Muckross House Gardens

The Muckross Estate reminds people of Downton Abbey and it is just like it.  We took a tour on the inside, but photos were not allowed.  This is the back gardens of the house.

Muckross House Side View

 The House is beautiful.  It was given to the Country of Ireland in 1933.  It sat in disrepair until 1964.  It has been undergoing on-going renovations to return it to it's original form since then.

Wow, we did a lot in the last week.   I have to say, the highlight of my trip was spending time with Roderic and Elly.  There are wonderful people everywhere.  People who are ready to embrace the unknown - like Iris and people who are creating a new venture in life - like Elly and Roderic.  Life is always unfolding and we get to decide how we will be within the unfolding.

Now I am back in Davos-getting ready for my Yoga class.  Did I tell you, I am teaching Yoga.

Off to Yoga!!!

Warmness across the miles!

Marybeth

A New Adventure and A Reunion!

A New Adventure

Train in Davos Platz Station

Tomorrow morning at 5:50AM I board the local train and head north on the two hour ride to Zurich.  Why Zurich?  Because that is the closest international airport and I am headed to Ireland!

The company that Ray works for is headquartered in Cork, Ireland.  We knew that he would take periodic trips to Cork.  And this is the first one.  We will catch the 10:30am flight to London and take the flight to Cork arriving at 3:30pm Cork time - which is one hour earlier than Switzerland.  We have most graciously been invited to dinner at the home of one of a colleague in Cork, so I will get to have a real Irish dinner!  While this is the first time I have been to Cork, it isn't the first time I have been in Ireland.

Low Tide Kinsale

Four years ago, Ray traveled to Cork for work he was doing with P&G.  While the business was in Cork, the group he traveled with decided to stay in the quaint town of Kinsale on the southern shore of Ireland. I arrived on the third day of his meetings and had an entire day to explore by myself.

I took a local walking tour, ate at a pub and watched the tide go out.  The tides in Ireland are so dramatic.  The water in the harbor disappeared!   While on the walking tour, I passed a book store.  For those of you who don't know, I love book stores.  When I enter a book store, I breath in the smell of the books.   I wander up and down the rows of books, then  I find my favorite sections and scan the shelves for something that interests me.  I select a book and find a good spot to sit and read, read, read.

Kinsale Bookshop

So, after the walking tour I searched the cobblestone streets of Kinsale and found the bookstore.  Once inside the question I had was, "what kind of books do they have in Ireland in the topic that I love?"  Again, if you don't know me, my favorite topic is metaphysics.  So, I wondered, what are the people of Ireland interested in around this topic?  Is their interest the same as in the states or is there something different here.  I found Louise Hay books.  I found The Secret.  Then I found a book I had never heard of:  What the Hell are we Doing on Planet Earth.  The title struck me.  I pulled it off the shelf and began to read it.  It was interesting, intriguing, and thought provoking so I did the next best thing: I bought it.  I went back to the hotel and continued reading.

Then I did something I have never done before:  I emailed the author of the book. I remember I wrote that I was from the US, visiting Ireland and wanted to share my thoughts about his book. I remember asking myself: 'why are you sending this email.  Authors don't read emails that people send them.  No one will ever reply to your email.'  So many thoughts that would have stopped me from hitting 'send', but for some reason I sent it. Within 20 minutes, I received a reply!!!  From the author!  He asked where in Ireland I was visiting.  I told him I was in a little town called Kinsale.  He replied that he LIVED near Kinsale!  He went on to suggest that we meet!  He asked where I was staying and he replied he knew the hotel and suggested that we meet for coffee the next morning.  I asked, "how will I know you?"  He replied, "You will."  I remember asking myself, "is this really happening?"  I have never been so brave to email an author of a book on a topic that I am so interested in.  And to receive a reply was amazing, but come on; he lives near where I am staying?!  Is this possible?

The following morning, Ray and I were having breakfast in the hotel restaurant.  From the window by our table we watched a car pull into the parking lot.  A gentleman exited the car and happily walked  toward the hotel.  Within two minutes, Roderic Knowles was standing by our table introducing himself.

Ray stayed a while and left allowing Roderic and I some time to talk.  We were like two old friends.  We talked about his work, the books he has written and the books he intended to write.  I talked about the spiritual cruises I co-produced and the working I do with Life Coaching.  I remember him asking me why I hadn't written a book.  And I remember replying that I don't know what I would write about.  I remember his smile and kind and gentle manner.

A Reunion
Over the last 4 years, Roderic and I have emailed each other and maintained our friendship across the ocean.  When Ray told me that we were going to Ireland, I emailed Roderic to see if it would be possible to meet and catch up.  Roderic and his beloved, Elly have invited me to come and stay with them for two nights in Kenmare, their new home.  I am so excited to visit with Roderic.  Today I received a 'Happy Travels' email from him and Elly.

Now I have to go and pack.  This feels surreal.  It feels exciting.  And it IS happening.

I'll keep you posted and you please keep my 'safe travels' in your thoughts.

Hugs and love,

Marybeth

Could That Be Snow?

Holy cow!  Snow!

When we awoke Wednesday morning and looked out our windows, we saw snow sprinkled on the mountain peaks.  There wasn't any snow on the ground in the valley where we are, but there it was, high atop the mountains.  We are told that these snow sprinklings is the way winter arrives here, slowly and intermittently.  Now it is Thursday afternoon and much of the snow is gone.

Snow across the valley atop the mountains

We are also told that the 'big' snow arrives here in the valley in November.  That is when the snow piles  3-4 feet high and does not melt.  The winter snows usually arrive during the nights.  There is supposedly an incredible system of snow removal, which, I am told, begins at 2AM while the snow is falling.  There is such excitement here when you talk to people about the winter snow.  People get this excited look and talk about the beautiful sound of the snow crunching under your feet as you walk.  My minds gets caught up in the fact of how much snow falls ...and stays!

I'll let you know how this Cincinnati girl feels about that much snow when that happens.


Glücklich Schnee Tage (Happy Snow Days)

Marybeth

How much was that?

Whenever I travel to foreign countries I love to walk through neighborhood grocery stores to see what food the local people like to eat and what products they use.  Well, now I am the one purchasing the food and products!

Produce Section of Coop

The produce here is beautiful.  It is grown in small family farms. Corporate farming is not a part of their culture.  They don't believe in it. We might get bigger peaches, but do they always taste good?

There is also organic produce, which is labeled 'Bio'.  See the word 'Aktion', that means it's on sale.

They have a very efficient way of weighing produce.  On the tag below the particular vegetable or fruit is the price and a 'number'.  This number corresponds to the same number on a chart above the scale.

Simply put the vegetable on the scale, press the corresponding number and presto, a little sticker is produced which you stick to the bag.  So much more easier that the produce check out I have seen anywhere in the US.

Produce Scale

I also search grocery store shelves for familiar US brands and to see how much that product costs abroad.  I had heard that the prices in Switzerland were high.  I did some research before I came and learned that the Swiss balance their high prices with really good salaries.  I read that cashiers make 'really good money.'  Now I really wonder what that means!  Today I am going to share with you my latest 'grocery store finds' and their prices.  Ready?

Mayo similar to Hellman's

Thomy is a Nestle Brand of mayonnaise.  It is CH8.50 for the large jar.  That translates to about $8.60 a jar.  We buy the small jar and use sparingly.  Mayo is also sold is what looks like a toothpaste tube.  We bought one and took it on a hiking excursion.  It made making a sandwich really easy!  Just felt weird squirting it out!

Tobasco

Ajax

Like Tabasco sauce?  It is  CH3.30 ($3.50) for a little bottle.


Need to clean something?  Try Ajax.  At CH7.35 ($7.50) you might not clean as often!






Now I am not sure about Pampers.  I am a long time removed from that world, so you will have to help me here.  I only know that a 24 pack in Switzerland is CH14.50 (about $15.00)  How much are they in the US?

Mascara

Want to get beautiful?  Maybelline Mascara is CH14.50 (about $15.00) a piece.








And corn on the cob is $2.10 EACH!

It has been a really shocking experience to see how much things cost here.  And I haven't even talked about the cost of meat, which is sold in small amounts.  I'll get to that in another post.  But I have to tell you, I am in a field of appreciation for the cost of living in the US.  I don't think we can really appreciate what we have until we can compare it to something.  Is that a feature of our minds?  Until we have a comparison, we really don't know.  I can say I am grateful for my life in the US, but let me tell you, I have a new level of 'knowing appreciation' that I did not have before.  I never realized how easily I shopped at the grocery at home.  Sure I looked for bargains and sales, but here when I am at the checkout I am always in a state of amazement (I hope it doesn't show on my face), when the total of the purchase is shared with me and I only have 4 items.  And then there are NO grocery bags, unless you buy reusable bags.  They do not believe in paper bags.  You bring your own way of carrying your groceries home or you carry your loose items in your arms.

Did I say this is an education?  Every minute I learn more about life outside the boundaries that I was used to.  My ability to adapt, to stretch and be flexible are put to the test daily.

Until next time...froh Einkaufen (happy shopping)

Marybeth

Things Experienced, Things Learned

Today is Monday, September 2.  In the USA, it is Labor Day.  In Switzerland, it's 2.9.13 (that's how they write a date: day.month.year).  Just another Monday here.  But while the Swiss, and the entire rest of the world, do not celebrate this day as anything special, I wanted to share a special evening we had on Friday.  

Friday was Museum Night in Davos.  There are six local museums.  A Medical Museum, Winter Sports Museum, Kirtchner Art Museum, Historical Museum, Mining Museum and the Wiesen Local Museum.  From 7pm until midnight a free shuttle bus took us to each of the museums and allowed us to visit the museum at no charge.  This event takes place every two years, and lucky (!) for us, this is the year it takes place!  So Friday evening Ray and I spend visiting the museums and learning more about our new home!

Did you notice on the sign that the time of the Museum Night is displayed in military time.  That's what we Americans call it: military time.  Around here they just call it Telling Time!  Something I am getting used to.  Most all of Europe displays time this way.

Our Apartment is tall building on other side of valley

Saturday was a kind of celebration, too.  There are chair lifts on both sides of the mountains.  In the summer, the lifts are used to take hikers up to the top of the mountains.  Hiking is a major activity here in the summer.  People come from all over Switzerland,  to hike in the Alps surrounding Davos.  Sometimes I have to remember that I now live in a 'tourist town,'  a resort community, a place people come to visit because there is so much environmental beauty.  The main street of the town is crowded with people either getting ready to hike or having just finished.  People of all ages, walk around with their walking sticks.  These sticks look like ski poles. I have noticed so many elderly people that I would most likely see using a walker in the US, using these hiking
poles.  I have not seen one senior using a walker.  My mother-in-law resisted getting a one.  She needed it for balance, but as she said, "only old people use walkers."  By the way, she was 88 when she said that.

MB on top of the world

Here, in Switzerland, people start using a 'balance devise'  as soon as they begin hiking as a child.  There are many children walking around with their hiking sticks!  People never stop utilizing their hikiing sticks as they get older and use them in place of walkers when they are seniors.  Hiking is so loved, we watched seniors dragging their oxygen tanks with the hoses under their noses, hiking!  Nothing stops them!

Well, this past weekend was the last day of the chair lifts for the summer hiking season.  The chair lifts are closed now for about two months, getting ready for the S N O W!  When the snow comes, they carry skiers up to the mountain tops to ski!  So, because Sunday was the last day of the summer chair lifts, para gliders used this opportunity to do their thing.  Paragliding is another huge sport here.  There were so many para gliders on top of the mountain that from our balcony, they looked like a swarm of mosquitos flying above us.

I have loved seeing families walking together with all their gear, climbing up, up up and then heading down, down, down.  There is such a feeling of togetherness and appreciation of nature.

Next time I write, I'll share my grocery store experience!  

Bis bald!  (See you soon!)

Marybeth