Lost in translation

Initially, for this post I had planned to say:

'The few days of skiing in Klosters was the same as the week before at Amden, with the notable addition of two Infotech Central Employees, an even larger tantrum from DS, and the notable absence of Prince Charles'.

However, upon consideration, I have decided that's not entirely accurate.

For starters, we drove there, instead of catching the train (much easier on the Hausfrau's muscles). And we also stayed in a fellow Dear ICE's apartment, which turned out to be an oasis of comfort. I'd even go so far as to say it was gemütlichkeit, a phrase used by folk around these (and German) parts to allude to an atmosphere of warm friendliness, amicability or cosiness. There is no literal translation in English, but whatever the case, this place had it.

Me: (sitting on comfy sofa with tired ski-legs and hot tea in hand) [thinks] Hmm. I'd love a blanket for my knees. Oh, look! There's one right here! And it's so soft and snuggly!

(moments later)

Me: [thinks] Hmm. I just need to put my tea down but there's no side table, and the ottoman is too soft. It might spill. Oh, look! There's a tray! I can put it on that on the ottoman! And I don't even have to stand up!

(moments later)

Me: [thinks] Hmm. A bath might go down well... Oh, that's right! There's a spa-bath in the other bathroom!

So as you can tell, we were well-sheltered from the elements: all we had to do was ski!

Our first afternoon was spent on the 3.3km Gotschna sledging run - and that was the short run... the other run across the way at Madrisa is about 9km (!).

If you've never used a wooden sledge/sled before, let me tell you it's an acquired skill. There's no steering: just your feet and your weight. DH and I had a similar experience - we just started to get the hang of it half way down the run, but not before a couple of good stacks, and a lot of screaming and exhilarated whooping from DS and DD... oh, alright, from DH and me too.


When we finally hit the slopes for skiing in earnest we had clear days and awesome views. Daily Hausfrau-dom was left far behind for a few glorious days of carving snow, and flying (ahem, literally airborne a little too often than originally intended) down the mountain-sides.

There really aren't any literal translations from my brain to English or German to try to express how the clarity of the air, and vast expanse of snow, and abundance of happy skiers lifts the spirits.

What a privelege to be able to take time out to have an adventure like this one.



PS I couldn't say for sure if Prince Charles was lurking, but I didn't spot him.