Touring Tuggan

Touring Tuggan

When this day began, I didn't think that anything could top the day we had yesterday with my grandmother's family. But, I was very wrong. 
The Bamerts of Tuggen rock!  We were met on the platform one village over by my 3rd cousin Tina. I found Tina by a Facebook search a couple of months ago after we made the decision to travel in Europe.  When I introduced myself to her on FB, she had no idea about what she was getting herself and her family into by inviting us into her home.  Now I think she does ; )

We were warmly greeted by her mother Lottie and her father (my second cousin) Bruno and Tina's younger brother Roman. We later met younger sister Anya. Tina is a new school teacher and the only one able to speak fluent English.  Since we speak no Swiss German, we anticipated the day might be awkward and quiet.  I was wrong again. Tina was a fantastic interpreter and soon we were all laughing and conversing about everything and anything.  
At lunch time we were served a delicious meal of wine, soup, salad, bratwurst, a potato dish that was absolutely yummy and carrots.  Following lunch, we looked at family photos and gave them some souveniers from Canada.  
Next we were given an incredible tour of the village of Tuggen a d the surrounding mountainous region.  We toured a beautiful (and largest) church in Switzerland and had coffee and pastry at a quaint village restaurant. Despite the rain, the scenery was magnificent.  
As if that weren't enough, we returned to the Bamert's village and walked across the street from the family home to tour Bruno's amazing cabinet shop.  The machines made Jim and Bill green with envy.  Next, we went up the stairs to Bruno's mother's home.  'Grosmama' had many photos of my grandfather, grandmother and even my mother as a young girl. We were amazed!  Soon several of Brunos 7 siblings arrived with their families and an entire family party was underway with only a few more speaking English-yet the laughs were nonstop, as was the food and drink. Another meal of fine cheeses, meats, salads, beer, cake and of course Swiss chocolate and traditional after dinner drinks that I cannot even pronounce.  What a warm and welcoming family!  All this family has remained within less than 50kms of one another. 
Tina's willingness to interpret for so many hours despite her having a terrible cough made the day complete. 
As I write this, I can't help but be so appreciative of all of the new family I met today.    Why on earth did we not meet sooner?  
I look forward to the day that the Bamerts visit Canada.
Thank you Bruno, Lottie, Tina, Roman, Anya, Grosmama and the rest of the clan!

Top Ten Things I Learned in Switzerland

10. "No smoking" signs really mean "no complaining about smoking"

9. Eating Swiss chocolate in Switzerland tastes way way better than eating Swiss chocolate in Canada. 

8. It's even a beautiful country in the pouring rain. 

7. It's difficult to find the bathroom in a Swiss home because they generally keep all the doors closed inside the house.

6. The expression "getting busy" means something totally different in Swiss (and it's nothing dirty)

5. Drinking champagne for breakfast may seem strange, but it will make it difficult to check out of this hotel tomorrow. 

4. The pastries remind me of my grandmother's and makes me miss her even after 25 years. 

3.  Trains are like men ladies.  If you miss one, there will be another one around in 5 minutes. 

2.  Swiss cheese, breads, pastries, beer, bratwurst. chocolate and hospitality are no longer things I can live without. 

1. Although the Swiss are warm and welcoming, Canada's hockey team rocks!