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Created: 26 December 2015

We're celebrating Christmas Eve with our friends in Brennwald "literal translation: Burning Forest". Yeah.. No need for a campfire, that should keep us warm naturally 

The last rays of the Sun are already spreading golden hue over Schwalmis summit as we park. Not too much time to admire the view, we need to get to our campsite before dark. Russell and Cara scamper up the path to lead the way and we follow suit with our backpacks.

As we start to gain altitude the dirt path gives way to snowy and sometimes icy path. We soon arrive at an Alpine Hut. 

Read more: Waldweihnacht: Christmas in the Woods

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Created: 20 December 2015

It's yet another grey wintry morning. Yawwwwnnnnn.. My still sleepy head starts conjuring up fancy excuses to stay in bed -- Well maybe in an hour the fog might disappear - that might be the more appropriate time to really "Rise and Shine".. I close my eyes just for a second.. A tug on my hair wakes me up.. It's the cats.. They're hungry. it's already 8:30AM!!! Time sure flies quickly whlist snoozing... zzzz... zzz...

With breakfast inside them, the cats are happy to curl-up in their hammocks! I look outside.. The fog is here to stay. No chance for Sunshine to breakthrough this thick cover today. We're surrounded by Grey -- moist greyish white fog everywhere.. No more mountains, lakes, greenery!!! I feel like the world begins & ends in our apartment and suddenly it's there.. A Silence that's thick enough to be cut with a Knife. Where every little sound whether it's a dog barking, bird chirping, car passing by or ship horn has it's space and is not distracting.  We let it engulf us and Time seems to stand StiLL..

Read more: "Nebelmeer - Sea of Fog": Dec 20

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Created: 13 December 2015

Today is Mutti's funeral - the day the five elements of her body make the final journey back to Mother Earth...

The Requiem Mass will begin at 10AM at the Village Church (Kirche).

It's 7:30AM and Lukas feels he needs to visit Mutti while she is still in the little Chapel. Her Urn is decorated with lavender roses and surrounded by flowers baskets.

As we're offering our final respects, the Sigrist (Church caretaker) walks in. He says it's time to move Mutti's Urn to the Kirche. 

The flower baskets are too heavy for me to lift. As i look for a smaller flower arrangement to carry, the Sigrist asks us if we would like to take the Urn back to the Kirche.

I'm completely overwhelmed as I gently lift the Urn. I feel Honored and Tears start to flow on their own as my mind walks down the memory lane while my legs walk me to the Kirche..

Read more: Mutti's Letzte Reise: Dec 12, 2015

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Created: 08 December 2015

In German-speaking areas of Switzerland, Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus) is known as Samichlaus. On December 5th, the eve of St. Nicolas Day, villages around Lake Lucerne glow with the light of hundreds of enormous iffele - heavy paper-cut bishops' miter/hats - paraded through the streets by men and boys in white robes. The headpieces are artistically designed, intricately cut out of cardboard, and lit by a candle within. The iffelen, from three to six feet tall, have been made for over 100 years. Each is a unique piece of art. When the candle is lit they are transformed into "stained glass" due to the many colors of transparent paper inside.

Each town has its own way to celebrate. In Beckenried, the day starts at 10AM with the Samichlaismärcht or the Santa Market. Visitors crowd around the 70+ stalls selling handicrafts of all shapes & sizes. But Ofcourse I'm instantly drawn to the colourful food stalls -- Heisse Marroni (Roasted Chestnuts); BratKäse (Molten Cheese on Bread); Lebkuchen (Christmas Spiced Cakes) Glüwein (Mulled Wine) and Grappas. I shamelessly sample everything vegetarian. There's also a stand with a whole Ox being grilled... I can barely look at it.

The Santa Claus parade in Beckenried begins at 20:00 hrs. It's just 17:00 hrs now as we make our way to our friends home for dinner. On our way, we get a sneak preview of the "Trichlers" and the "Geisslechlepfers". I pause to take a couple of pictures.

After dinner, we head out with our friends to witness the famous Samichlaus parade. By now the town is completely dark. The street lights are turned off; no lights are visible in any windows. Most of the 3000 residents of Beckenried and many visitors line up in anticipation along the main street. Its hard to find a spot. Some bangs and dull rumbling noises can be heard in the distance. Slowly the noises start to come closer.