Some Serious Sledding

Last weekend we went to Les Diablerets to sled down the side of a mountain. We went with another American couple and their three kids. This was unlike any sledding we’ve ever done back home.

After renting the sleds and getting the instructions on how to use them, we hopped on the chairlift. Our friend, Dan, didn’t know to put the arm rest down on his chair lift, so he and his kids were hanging on for dear life as they rode up the lift. The trail was 7 kilometers long and it took about 30 minutes to get to the bottom.

My first run wasn’t pretty as I crashed into the snow wall several times. My steering really improved by the second time. I’m thinking I might try out for the Switzerland luge team for the 2010 Olympics. That would be a way to fill my time over here.

Mon echelle n’est pas cassee

That’s the latest phrase I’ve learned in French from our computer program. It means, “My ladder is not broken.” I wonder if I’ll ever use it?! We are switching to a new French teacher because we’ve had only two classes since the end of November. I don’t think she liked getting up early to see us. I might try to work the ladder comment in to our first lesson with the new teacher. That should impress him.

Sick of the Swiss

For your viewing pleasure...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2XTuc6i1Uo

Tres Bien Francais

I had a proud moment today on a walk with Millie. Swiss dog owners are usually pretty friendly and will talk to other dog owners. Due to my limited language skills, these conversations usually consist of me nodding a lot and smiling as I’m clueless to what they’re saying. Today we met a woman and her dog on our walk. As the dogs were busy sniffing one another, the woman and I had a very, very brief conversation in French. Basically it consisted of saying “hello” and then me answering her question (How old is your dog?). I answered with a complete sentence. Sofia, our instructor, would have been so proud. The woman then said, “Tres bien francais” which means very good French and gave me a thumbs up sign. At least I think that’s what she said! She was being very kind as my French does not sound anything like what they speak here, but it’s a step in the right direction.

How Do You Say “I Am Stuck” in French?

I know how to say “I am” in French ("Je suis"). I don’t know how to say ,“Je suis ‘stuck‘.” That would have been helpful today.

Matt and I went to a mall and I locked myself in a bathroom stall that MacGyver couldn’t have broken out of - there were no possible escape routes. Knocking violently on the door, wiggling the handle, and semi-whimpering for 10 minutes appears to be a universal sign for help though, because a little old lady’s voice said…..well, I don’t speak French well enough to know what it said, but regardless it was something calming to me. Calming to me until she left! Luckily, a few minutes later she came back with another lady who opened the door for me. (Apparently you push the door to get out, not pull.)

Meanwhile, Matt was standing around just waiting, completely clueless that his wife was trapped in a bathroom stall. He did tell me that he’d reached his usual point in waiting that he started to try and figure out how many hours/days/months/years in his life he will end up standing around waiting for me.

Train Ride

Dogs are allowed everywhere here - restaurants, stores, public transportation, so I decided it was time for Millie to ride the train. I was a little nervous about this outing as Millie is not always on her best behavior like most Swiss dogs. Matt says I give her too much credit. He thinks she has a lot of bad habits. We took the train to Vevey, which is a 30 minute ride, to meet a friend and her dog for a hike in the snow. With the exception of licking the crumbs off the floor around our seat and staring at people as they ate, Millie behaved herself (i.e., no barking or jumping on anyone’s lap).

IT'S FRIZZEN

Although Sandra and I could use French lessons as often as possible, I have to admit we enjoy receiving emails from our instructor letting us know class is canceled…….
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Subject: IT'S FRIZZEN: CANCELLATION OF THE CLASS OF THIS MORNING
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008

Bonjour
Désolée, I have to cancel again the class for the weather. It's frizzen and my little car doesn't want start. I'm trying during 30 minutes.
ENCORE DESOLEE
A jeudi

Cordialement
Sophia
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Subject: CANCELLATION OF THE CLASS OF THIS MORNING
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008

Bonjour,
Ca va?
I hope you can have this mail until you go. I can't come because my car doesn't star you the ice cold. I'm really sorry.
A jeudi.
Sophia