JustJess
The first half of October ran away fast and autumn break at school started. For me it meant a loosen schedule and even days off, as my host family headed out for a few days. In the end I didn’t even mind that I couldn’t go back to the Czech Republic. Because I gained more than one pretty experience during the holiday time.
In Switzerland kids have two weeks of autumn break. That’s why I originally intended to go home. It was unlikely that the family would need me for the whole 14 days. And I was right about that. But as the situation in the Czech Republic during October led to another lockdown, there was no way for me going back home. So I just started a new week at work and waited for what’s gonna come.
The main difference was that I had only one kid to look after. The oldest boy had a tennis camp and the middle girl had violin camp and I was left with only the little monkey. That’s what I call the youngest girl. She is a cheerful kid, full of energy and has a great hobby in climbing trees and wearing leaky jeans.
The first day, we packed ourselves and went to IKEA. The family planned to make some changes in children’s rooms and we needed a lot of things. I was a bit scared of the highway because I am not used to driving in high traffic. But my fear was unfounded and the highway turned out to be a pleasure for drivers’ hearts. I am not sure if I’ll be ever able to call Czech D1 a highway again. It’s more of an unplowed field. But at least IKEA is the same labyrinth as at home.
The second day we picked up apples from a tree in the garden. As expected with my clumsiness I almost fell down from the tree. But not the Little monkey. She can hang down from a branch and then climb up with a wide smile on her face. This kid is truly unbelievable.
That day, Tuesday in the evening, was also the last class of my French course. The course for level A1 was splited to 3 parts but unfortunately, there were no other people but me and Jo to continue the course. So it was canceled for now. I wanted to continue with my studies so instead of waiting for re-opening I found another solution. The teacher from the language school agreed (I talked her into it) to give me private lessons once a week. I was incredibly happy about that. Because as I found out during the course that we really had a lot in common with my teacher. Especially, passion for Japan. So the next week, I was about to start a private course, with a french native who has the same hobbies as me. It truly couldn’t turn out better!
The third day was my day off, as every normal Wednesday. Au-pairs can only work 30 hours a week so I have Wednesday as a day to study French. But that’s not usually all I do. I also go for small trips in the area. That Wednesday, I chose to start exploring vineyards in Lavaux. I hoped to catch the vineyards in colorful autumn tones and make a few pretty pictures.
Lavaux is a 30 Km long area around the north shore of Lake Geneva consisting of 830 hectares of terraced vineyards. Long stone terraces were built by Benedictine and Cisterciac monks during the 12th century and the area was turned into a vine region.
The Lavaux region has many trails for hiking or biking. So it’s up to the visitor, which one they will pick. That day, I only took a short tour and decided to make the whole Lavaux area on etaps. But it is possible to go from Lutry (starting point village next to Lausanne) to St-Saphorin (ending point village next to Vevey) in one day.
I took a train from Vevey to Chexbres, which is a village in hills above vineyards. It is the highest point of the Lavaux area. One trail leads from there down to village St-Saphorin, so it sounded like a good trail to start with.
Once I got from the train station to the vineyards itself, I was stunned by one of the most impressive scenes. The view of the alps and the lake side in front of me and right under me, the regular shape of the stone terraces filled with vine plants whose colors just started turning from green into gold.
When you stand in a place like this, at the very beginning of the steep alpine landscape it makes you wonder just how much work the monks in middle ages had to put into this project. I’ve later read that if you would line up all the terraces together the wall would stretch from Bern to Frankfurt. Which is a distance of 400 km. I still find myself astounded by the abilities and perseverance of people who lived centuries ago. Human kind is truly fascinating.
While walking through the vineyards you’ll walk around many various houses with a charming appearance. Many of them are owned by vineyards holders and during the season it is possible to stop by to taste local vines. Also local small villages with its narrow alleys and medieval towers are giving Lavaux truly romantic atmosphere.
The way from Chexbres to St-Saphorin took me almost two hours. But I was walking extremely slowly and took a few pauses to enjoy the view. But this trail can also be done within 40 minutes. It’s just not my style. I am a person who enjoys the landscape they visit and so I knew it was just a first of many trips I am going to make through the Lavaux area. Because even if covid closes all the museums and events, Lavaux will still be open.
The most impressive happening of that week was about to come on friday. I got a day off, because none of the children were home that day. But I was invited to go to a concert with the family on friday evening.
Maybe you are surprised that any concert was possible during covid times but in the middle of October the situation in Switzerland wasn’t bad and small events were occurring. With health security measures, of course.
The concert we went to see occurred in church in Lutry city. Which is, by the way, the city where the Lavaux area starts. I mentioned before that the middle daughter of the family had a violin camp that week. So the concert we were visiting was a show off what the kids learned during the camp.
I wasn’t expecting much. So I can say I was left speechless when an orchestra composed of circa 15 children started playing like professionals. Violins, violas, cellos and contrabasses in complete synchronization, filling the church with the sound of music. Some performances were even with choreography. I was so fascinated that I had to pick up my opened mouth from the ground at the end of the hour long concert. An hour long concert. Not exactly what I’ve been expecting after five days of music camp.
I’ve learned later that this small orchestra also works together at the conservatory, which the middle girl attends every Thursday. So they know each other and they have the same teacher. But, the songs for this concert they only practiced for five days. So it is still a fascinating performance for kids from circa 9-14 years.
I must say I felt incredibly proud about our Violin princess. Because she is an incredibly talented and hard working young person. Even when I know that she loves doing gymnastics much more than playing violin, she is still practicing the instrument almost daily and is able to play in an orchestra. Unbelievable. She is not my child, but I was so proud of her anyway. Can’t imagine how her parents must be feeling. I would probably wear myself as a peacock after seeing my daughter performing like this. Truly incredible.
As I was a guest of the family that night, I was also invited to a pizzeria with them. There were also other family relatives, including grandmothers and grandfathers. That was the second time I saw them. The first time, the grandfather was talking to me in English, because I just arrived. But this time? No, no, he acted like he didn’t understand me at all and forced me to speak French. Which after only two months of a course wasn’t much of a show off. It took me forever to express myself and I found out that I have a serious lack of vocabulary. But it had one incredible effect: the kids realized that I am actually able to say a little something in French.
From that day on, the kids started acting a little warmer towards me. The second week of holidays they started calling me by my name. Until then it was only “her” or “she”. So after this dinner, almost two months after I arrived, I finally got closer to these fascinating young creatures. It made me incredibly happy. I must thank their grandfather one day. For not taking pity over me and forcing me to speak French.
God bless the grandparents 🙂