Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to do a complete entry for the remainder of my time in Switzerland if I didn't do it right away. I'm now is Prague at an internet cafe (logging in for about $3/hour)...so I'll try to hit the highlights and hope I still have time to cover what's been going on here in the Czech Republic.
On Christmas Day, we went to church with Helena and Vladamir where Dominik was playing piano for the service with another friend who was playing the cello. Stepan's brother is very musically talented...as is most of his family. The Christmas tree at the altar was roughly 20' high and lit with real candles. After mass, I lit a candle for my grandmothers by the nativity.
The main Christmas meal was cooked by Helena and served at noon. Between church and lunch, we (me, Step, Mom, and Vladya) went sledding...something Mom and I had never done before. Mom did great...especially considering that her experienced driver (Vladya) couldn't give her instructions in English and she couldn't understand the instructions he was giving her in Czech...they ran into the snow bank a couple of times. I'm looking forward to those pictures...I think I took a couple of really nice ones of Stepan with his Dad. One of the most fun parts for me was driving one of the sleds on my own and following Stepan into the really deep snow. I'm just glad I thought to take dry jeans to change into before lunch...the jeans I had on got quite soaked!
After lunch, Step, his parents, Mom and I went for a short hike to Egli with Čoky (my dog-in-law). It was nice, but Mom was in here mules and not all of the hike was on a discernable path. We also went to Appenzell and saw a couple of nativity sets. One of which was in the cathedral in San Gallen. It's a wonderful example of a ornate, traditional, baroque cathedral. We were lucky enough to hear part of a Christmas concert that was starting shortly after we went in. The bishop was also in attendance and we got to watch his procession.
Time's up. Hope all is well with all my readers. I'm keeping a notebook now of my time in Prague so if I don't get another chance to sign on, I'll at least know what I've done.
Posted by jfer at December 29, 2003 11:34 AMYou are so lucky to be where you are right now, and having tons of fun. The pictures your Mom took were great. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the pictures you and Stepan took on your trip. Enjoy the rest of your stay, and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Theresa on December 29, 2003 7:03 PMJenny, Are you alive?
Posted by: Mermu on January 20, 2004 6:37 PMJen...where are you?
Posted by: mom (aka Rita) on January 25, 2004 9:10 PM