Swissmas 2005

Although we couldn't go home for the holidays, we were fortunate enough to have a bit of home brought to us. Kathleen's brother, Michael, paid us a visit over Christmas and got to see first-hand why Switzerland has got to be one of the best places to be to get in the winter spirit.

With a trip to pick out our live tree, Michael's visit began. When we put it up (with ornaments and lights), we realized that unlike other trees we had had in the past, we could actually see through this one -- front to back. We wondered why it looked so sparse or "anorexic" as Kathleen said. We made due and figured, hey, someone has to get the Charlie Brown tree. We later found out that this is normal. In fact, in some cases, people chop out additional branches to make more room. Why? Because the tradition in Switzerland is to have real candles on the branches instead of electric lights. Upon hearing that, we nodded knowingly and then paused, thinking what a fire hazard that must be.

The visit continued with two great sledding trips -- one to a small town called Filzbach and another to a peak near Lucerne called Pilatus. While the safety hazard of the candles should have been our first clue into how "reckless" the Swiss could be, we were unprepared for the death-defying slopes of the sled runs. And unlike the U.S. where we were certain you would have to sign at least three waivers before grabbing your tobaggan, we just had to pick out our plastic or wooden death trap, aka the sled, and go. We decided that Michael was the closest qualifier to the X-games as he perfected the ability to careen down the mountains at high-rates of speed while spending very little time actually making contact with the ground. Nice moves. Our Christmas Eve trip to Pilatus was not only filled with sledding but also sunning. We've since decided that all Christmas Eves should be filled with a view of the Alps, a bit of sunning and a cold beer! Good times.

We also spent some time checking out the Zurich Christmas market in the main train station. The market was filled with wooden huts, each with either traditional Swiss food or holiday paraphenalia for sale. We turned down gluhwein and raclette in favor of some good bratwurst and beer. The highlight of the market is the towering tree filled with Swavorski crystals. Leave it to Switzerland to be able to have that up without a huge security barrier.

The time in between our activities focused on food, of course! And importantly, a visit to the Lindt-Sprungli chocolate factory. What an amazing place. Michael pointed out that it would be hard not to go home with something since you have to walk up 5 flights of stairs before you're actually in the store. "So, you kind of deserve it." We loaded up on truffles, filled chocolates, chocolate santas, chocolate sticks -- you name it, we bought it. Yummy! And as per the tradition with all our guests, we had to bring Michael to the Zeughaus Keller for the famed "sword of meat". He was not diasppointed.

We hope that you all had enjoyable holidays as well and we hope to see you in Switzerland in 2006!