Winterfreizeit & Morgenstreich
5 or so years ago when I first took that 3 hour train ride from Luzern to visit my best friend Susie in St. Gallen, I had no idea whether or not I would ever be back. I certainly never imagined that at 23, I would spend a week there in a house snowboarding of all things (which 5 years ago I couldn't do) with my husband (who then I hadn't met) and 110 crazies (who were then still in diapers!) from our German Youth Group (where I never thought I'd live)!
I can only say that life can sure take some unexpected and pleasantly surprising turns!!
We stayed in Flums, Switzerland. I shared a room with 12 girls ages 14-16 and I even got to lead one of the morning devotions for our leadership team (I guess about 25 of us). Unfortunately, my camera kinda kicked the bucket a few months ago, so the only proof I currently have of our being there is a picture of a massive bruise (or "blue fleck" as the Germans call it - even if its not blue, so I don't get it) that I proudly wear on my right hip. But remind me when we get back in 5 months, and I'll show you the video! (our friend Tim did a pro one, like we do at CBC for Legacy)
I did, however, borrow a camera for this morning - this stupid blog is only letting me attach this one picture, but at least now you can see some the crazies we're dealing with!!! (Just kidding, these particular crazies are actually Swiss)This morning we got up at 2 am and headed out with our friends Rachel & John Wayne to see the annual "Morgen Streich" something-or-other in Basel. Its a parade at the end of Fasnacht/February where they turn off all the city lights
between 4-6 am, dress up crazy, play flute-thingers & bang on drums with wierd lanterns on their heads & stuff - since its hard to explain, I'll just quote Kevin on our way home in the wee hours "That is the wierdest thing I've ever seen." And there is just no other way to describe it.But yes, there are certainly these strange habits in Germany, too. In fact, only a few short hours before this visit to Basel, I went for a drive with my Sunday night Small Group to see the "fires". Every village has a huge bonfire where they burn all the Christmas trees to chase away the Winter Spirit while the kids launch fire disks into the night (cool to watch-maybe not so safe, seeing as we saw one burning in the middle of the street later, and had to swerve to miss it). Its awesome though, to look around at night and see the different bonfires on the hills and in the valleys from all the surrounding villages. It reminded me of something from Lord of the Rings. Kevin and I were lamenting at how when you put a group of people in one place for too long, these odd 'traditions' emerge. Note that the only stuff like this that goes on in Canada are from groups of people that have been there the longest - dressing up, bonfires, wierd music - its really along the same vein. And lots of it comes from roots in dark spiritual kind of stuff, too.
Anyhoo, I guess I'll head to bed and attach more pictures whenever this blog decides to get with the program. Gut Nacht!
I can only say that life can sure take some unexpected and pleasantly surprising turns!!
We stayed in Flums, Switzerland. I shared a room with 12 girls ages 14-16 and I even got to lead one of the morning devotions for our leadership team (I guess about 25 of us). Unfortunately, my camera kinda kicked the bucket a few months ago, so the only proof I currently have of our being there is a picture of a massive bruise (or "blue fleck" as the Germans call it - even if its not blue, so I don't get it) that I proudly wear on my right hip. But remind me when we get back in 5 months, and I'll show you the video! (our friend Tim did a pro one, like we do at CBC for Legacy)
I did, however, borrow a camera for this morning - this stupid blog is only letting me attach this one picture, but at least now you can see some the crazies we're dealing with!!! (Just kidding, these particular crazies are actually Swiss)This morning we got up at 2 am and headed out with our friends Rachel & John Wayne to see the annual "Morgen Streich" something-or-other in Basel. Its a parade at the end of Fasnacht/February where they turn off all the city lights
between 4-6 am, dress up crazy, play flute-thingers & bang on drums with wierd lanterns on their heads & stuff - since its hard to explain, I'll just quote Kevin on our way home in the wee hours "That is the wierdest thing I've ever seen." And there is just no other way to describe it.But yes, there are certainly these strange habits in Germany, too. In fact, only a few short hours before this visit to Basel, I went for a drive with my Sunday night Small Group to see the "fires". Every village has a huge bonfire where they burn all the Christmas trees to chase away the Winter Spirit while the kids launch fire disks into the night (cool to watch-maybe not so safe, seeing as we saw one burning in the middle of the street later, and had to swerve to miss it). Its awesome though, to look around at night and see the different bonfires on the hills and in the valleys from all the surrounding villages. It reminded me of something from Lord of the Rings. Kevin and I were lamenting at how when you put a group of people in one place for too long, these odd 'traditions' emerge. Note that the only stuff like this that goes on in Canada are from groups of people that have been there the longest - dressing up, bonfires, wierd music - its really along the same vein. And lots of it comes from roots in dark spiritual kind of stuff, too.Anyhoo, I guess I'll head to bed and attach more pictures whenever this blog decides to get with the program. Gut Nacht!
posted by K.A.L.M. at 2:28 p.m.
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