We finally got Fabienne and us bundled up, and drove down the hill to my favorite town in Switzerland, Stein am Rhein. In winter all covered in snow it’s pretty; quaint and closed up. Nothing was open. We took a walk around, fed the ducks, the seagulls, pigeons, and two huge swans that almost tried to eat Fabi.

Stein am Rhein in Winter

Walked along the Bodensee (Lake Constance) to a snow-covered Fuss Brücke (footbridge) and crossed over to a small Insel (island). A little chapel and herb garden were there, all snow-covered and peaceful. More ducks, birds, and swans. Fabi hat “Schneeman bauen,” gesagt (said let’s build a snowman). So we stopped to build two kleine Schnee Manchen (small snowmen).

When we got home we had to take Fabi to the neighbor’s house, so Dagi could teach her (English) class, and I had two hours to myself. I did the Wasche (laundry), emptied the dishwasher, and looked over my materials.

For dinner, it was late, as Dagi had another student at the house until 21:00. We ate thick crepes with Kase (cheese) and chestnut sauce. Leckor! (Yummy!) I stayed up in my Green Room, and watched Faschings T.V.

Mittwoche war Gestern. (Yesterday was Wednesday.) After the usual Fruhstuck (breakfast) ceremonies, the snow stopped, and the sun began peeking it’s way out through the clouds, making it a ganz (totally) beautiful day! (I didn’t mention, we also had an olive oil ceremony. Dagi and Hari had been olive oil tasting in Provence, and I’m already getting excited about France again. Maybe even living in Strausburg.) On the train after school, we saw more kids dressed in Faschings costumes.

On to Munich

The next morning was today. I awoke to more snow and Faschings drumming. On the way to the Bahnhof (train station) we saw lots of kids dressed up. It was so nice, cozy and pretty there, I didn’t want to leave.

Now the ride is very scenic on the train. When I get back to Michael’s I will pack for Slovakia. Then we plan to go to the Internet Café tonight to check my email. I will also help him get set up with email. (I remember the first email accounts we had were HotMail. It was the new thing at that time.)

 

This is an excerpt from my Kosice Journal, documenting my exodus from a (relatively happy) bustling life in beautiful San Diego, to (voluntarily) take a post teaching English in the newly independent eastern capital of Slovakia  during a very cold winter 1999.