Helicopter Drop

While in Switzerland, I stayed in a small family-run inn in the mountains. In order to get there, we had to hike for three hours because there are no access roads through the rugged terrain. Obersteinberg (the name of the inn) gets all of their food and supplies either by mule or by helicopter. Once a week, a helicopter comes and takes all of their recyclable materials and delivers the food, drinks and other supplies. Occasionally, they also give a ride down the mountain to family members at the inn. In this video, you can see how quickly it all happens.

I found it interesting that the family at this inn is so environmentally conscientious. Rather than burning their trash/recyclables (which may be easier, but worse for the environment), they arrange for a helicopter to pick it all up and dispose of it properly. As Julian, the 12-year-old boy who lived there said, "I love the mountains. The are my best friends."

Recess "a la francais"

Today I went to school with my cousin Andrew. In each class, I asked students what they like to do at recess. I learned how to do a French clap game and a jump rope game. Both the boys and the girls play these games, and the most popular jump rope game is actually a two-part game. For the first part, they turn the rope and chant, "S! V! P! Joker!" They continue to chant this until whoever is jumping messes up. Whatever letter they were on when they stopped determines what game comes next. For example, if you land on "S", then you jump while everyone sings "Sorciere", which is very similar to "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around".

Another popular recess game is Chinese jump rope, or "L'elastique". For this game, two people put a huge elastic band around their ankles and the jumper has to jump in it, around it, and in lots of different ways in order to win. Some of you may know how to play this game!

Andrew and I went to the market today and I brought my brand new grocery sack so that I could break it in! I was glad that I did, because Andrew told me that only one store in the whole town bags your groceries. You are expected to bring your own bag. In response to Mrs. Lengh's question about the environment, I have found that the French in general are pretty conscious of the environment. The grocery bags is a big example of this; they don't want to have much waste. In addition, families here usually only have one car. In the cities, they may not own one at all! Instead, everyone uses public transportation (that means the train, the bus, the subway- vehicles that everyone can use for a small price). Also, the French pay close attention to the lights; if no one is in a room, they turn the lights off (makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?!). It is interesting, though, that the recycling is not picked up ewith the trash at people's homes. Instead, you have to go to a drop-off center.

To follow up on a question that Senor Schlenker asked, I asked students today what they normally do on Wednesdays. Here are a few of the responses I got:

-Dance class

-Horseback riding

-Judo/Karate

-Piano lessons

-Appointments (doctors, dentists, etc.)

-Pottery class

-Soccer practice

Sounds like a fun day to me! Tomorrow, Andrew and I will take advantage of our day off and go to Versailles- I can't wait!