to Zermatt

So Adam and Jeremy came through to visit on their way through Europe. It was great to see them, energized from seeing a Toots and Maytals concert last night, and happy to get up to camp in time to get a free dinner. We all played soccer with my group, who were enthralled to have older people there who they could impress. At around 730 we took off to Zermatt from Montana, with HIlary and Ruth (two other counselors who wanted to get a day in Zermatt), driving through dramatic lightening storms. Getting to Zermatt in the drenching rain at around 10, we made it to our hostel. Since Ruth and Hilary had made plans to go to Zermatt at the last second they didn't have reservations at our hostel. After they got sent out to look for some other hotels which were actually closed, they ended up deciding to just go to the club get drunk, and pitch a tent in someone else's lawn. That was their back up plan all along...

The next day, me, Adam and Jeremy, took off in the rain with hopes to see the peak of the Matterhorn. Undeterred by the weather, we went up, to the left hand side of Zermatt. The higher we got, the harder the rain came down. So when we spotted a high cave about 30 feet above the trail, the idea for an Elevensies break was a no-brainer. Fresh bread, salami, cheese, and cucumber. Can't get any better. The torrential rains were even worse after our first snack so we headed back, hoping for better weather. Fortunately we got it, and then headed up the other trail leaving Zermatt, the same one I remember coming back on from the Haute Route. We made it quite high, and then saw another high cliff that looked climbable. Jeremy and I both climbed about a 30 foot ledge, got scared shitless while I was on it, but so worth it to stand high on the precipice. The whole time, the Matterhorn was playing games with us, peeking bits and portions of it, but never fully revealing itself behind the clouds.

All in all, it didn't matter, it was great company, and so good to catch up with my friends and get out of camp for two days. On the way back, I was listening to Djembe music in the car for one of the stunts that we are preparing for stunt night..

epic ride home

So I have become one of the gypsy's at camp. Officially. Along with Scott, the sports 1 specialist, and Estelle, the circus specialist, we live it up down at the caravans. After a long days work, it is always an amazing walk home to go past the lake around 9 o clock when the sun sets. We also have now gotten into the habit of taking Estelle's scooter up. It is a hilarious ride, putting three people on the scooter. Coming back from the bars last night, it's a smooth cruise downhill, except for the speed bumps, which really hurt the butt.

Chris, donde esta mi kaka y mi pbbbth

So this was pretty funny. I was putting my kids to bed, and one of the boys had bought some things in town at a store called Cartoon, where they sell stupid little toys including whoopie cushions, and fake plastic poops. Of course, these items got confiscated, but right before I was putting the campers to bed, one of my campers, Roman who had bought these two items said "chris, donde esta mi kaka y mi pbbbth?" Before I could answer, another boy said in Italian, "Roman isnt able to make his own kakas he has to buy them." The only other boy who speaks italian who was taking a drink of water at the time started cracking up, choking, and then started vomiting it was so hilarious.

This was on July fourth. I was wearing a funny top hat all day.

Swiss hilights

So, now i am writing this about a week and a half into camp.. a couple hi lights.

I am living in a trailer, the place where they basically put all of the extra counsellors. there are 4 of us, and some nice perks that we get include getting our laundry washed, ironed, and folded for us every wednesday, and only being a 2 minute walk to camp. (the other counselors have a 15 minute walk). Basically, i live like a gypsy. But for views like this i can't really complain.
The first week we had orientation, got to go on hikes around with the counselors, played games. got to know a bunch of people. i perfected my crepe making skills.. One night we had a quiz night at the jazz bar where me and chris used to play. The owner remembered me and immediately brought out some bongo drums - we had a sick jam session. a couple of good nights out with the counselors.

check my facebook for more pictures but i'll put up a couple keepers.


From now on i will keep updated day by days.

Adventure Suites

What an unforgettable day. We decided to take a trip down the Kangcamangus highway. This is a beautiful drive down through New Hampshire, lots of mountains, rivers, streams. Equally shared by bikers. Stopped a bunch to walk around at covered bridge, hang out on some river bend that was called a gorge although was clearly not. Drove up to the pass, and then we decided to turn around and head to maine to check out the most famous beer bar in the world. At Ebenezer’s bar and pub, I decided to order a “black Albert” after hearing Michaela talk about it who had heard about it from her friend who is a real beer conniseur. Apparently this is the drink that only beer specialists are allowed, but at least my order got the owner to come out and chill with us for a bit. We ended up staying for a while – drinking all sorts of good Belgian beers. I tried to teach the owner’s daughter how to do kartwheels – getting in camp mode…
Back at the adventure suites, it was one of the hotel workers’ good bye parties, who actually was from slovakia, so I got to jam in the 8 czech words that I know..
Then at our Roman spa, with the same three songs on repeat – bocelli, mambo italiano, the one that goes “when the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie..” we lived it up like romans. Definitely the best way to spend my second to last night in the USA.

Hit the road the next day, touched the atlantic, road the fung wa over to nyc.. saw a bunch of people in the city and flew out the next day!

So the next day, the plan was to go meet up with Michaela, because my sister was on her way up to a roller ski camp up in Lake Placid. I definitely had been looking forward to this mini adventure, especially as my last couple days in the US. After feeding some ducks outside a diner in Salisburyport and learning that putting plastic snakes in the window keep cardinals from flying into them, we headed north to Conway New Hampshire. We got up there in time to go on a pretty cool hike, to see a pretty big waterfall [arethusia i think?] falls. On our way back we saw some Moose. They were cute, but not in the mood to be ridden.

On our way back to the sunny side inn, we passed a funny looking hotel called the adventure suites. There was a sign saying free tours so naturally we hopped in to check it out…

Flying out to see my sister

So to mark the official embarkment from home, it would have to be Tuesday June 17th at around 11 AM. Although I am actually writing this more than a week later from switzerland, it is definitely worth catching up to the point of where I'm at to keep future posts in the present...
Landed in Boston to be seen off by my sister. Ta likes to live for pain and pleasure. We started out with the pleasure part - getting some Thai food and eating it in Newton Center. Then onto pain, while she forced me to go on a "easy day" run, and do pullups, 8 minute abs, and pushups. Played a bunch of scrabble, and went out to dinner.
My first travel problem occurred when I opened my suitcase and saw that my shampoo had exploded. Fortunately I had put my rain jacket on top, and we were able to wash it out.