I had some classes canceled again today, so I figured I should continue the trend of catching up with updates since soon I’ll be having more adventures (likes a trip to Italy) that will prevent me from writing and provide lots of material for future posts.
Monday, April 14th my body crashed. After pushing through the Baroque performance I got sick and decided to try to take care of it quickly by skipping classes and staying in bed. It seemed to have worked. I zipped through the stages of the cold in two days and was back to school on Wednesday. The cold lingered on as I could have used one more day of rest, but I was functional, which was good. Monday I had raclette dinner with my roommates and Stephan joined us so I got quite an earful of Swiss German. I understand better bit by bit but still need much more exposure before I can really learn it.
Thursday was Anai’s recorder diploma concert, but I already wrote about that in week 2 by accident. Friday evening I went to a friend from church’s joint birthday party where the theme was “red.” I took the opportunity not to wear a new dark red shirt from Morocco that Stephan gave me. I was surprised that the chocolate chips (made from a crushed chocolate bunny that Stephan gave me for Easter) didn’t go very quickly. Those Swiss just don’t know what a good dessert is . . .
Saturday, May 19th I experienced my first Swiss wedding. Stephan’s cousin was the happy bride and we all made the trip to Zurich together. I’ve not read all the American wedding etiquette books, but I know the right to invite a ‘significant other’ is a hotly debated. Here, I was not only welcomed, but evening invited to be in the extended family photo afterwards. Both Stephan’s brother’s girlfriend (from Portugal) and I thought that a little odd, but finally acquiesced. It was a gorgeous day and I could follow most of ceremony as it was in high German. My, how Swiss weddings are different from American weddings! Some things of note: there was no wedding party; the father did not escort the bride into the church but the couple came in together then sat at the front in chairs placed in the isle; there was no ‘you may kiss the bride;’ and otherwise the service reflected the structure of services I’ve found when I’ve been to Swiss churches: not liturgical but not ‘contemporary.’
They served good food afterwards and then held a smaller, special reception for close family and friends. The cousins weren’t invited so we hung out at the home of a cousin who lives in Zurich and had a great time together. I particularly enjoyed on the conversation naturally flowed from Swiss German to English to high German as was appropriate. I’m the most comfortable speaking and learning in those kinds of situations, so add that to the fact that Stephan’s cousins are fun and kind and I had a great time.
That didn’t get me much further but Sunday was Steph’s birthday bash and I don’t have time to write about it and sort pictures so that will have to wait until another class is canceled . . .
Today, it was I who took the opportunity not to wear the dark red shirt from Morocco I gave Janet.
Hey! I didn't wear it either! And I also was surprised to hear that the Swiss don't know good desserts.
I don't know why your classes keep getting cancelled; I hope it's not because people are ill. But I'm grateful you've had the opportunity to write updates.
