Blogs from Engelberg, South-West, Switzerland, Europe - page 5

It is our second full day in Switzerland. After a good night’s sleep I awoke to the sound of bells clanging in the distance. The bells really got going and I realized that I was hearing the clatter of cows as they started up the hillside to graze. They really can make some noise, but I’d take it any day over sirens and cars. We enjoyed a beautiful breakfast replete with fresh fruit, granola, eggs, meats, cheeses, and an assortment of freshly baked bread. The coffee here is so good, and the students have been very game to try most anything. I grabbed an orange for later at breakfast and then we headed out the door to tour a Benedictine monastery. We had the best tour guide, Brother Thomas, who seemed glad to have us and ... read more

Today we started off by going to the Engleberg Monestary. Our guide, Brother Thomas guided our group around and explained all the information in great detail and answered each question to the best of his knowledge. I cannot describe what an amazing experience this was for me. To be surrounded with such beautiful senary and on top of that be inside a building with great importance is something that I will never forget. My favorite part of the whole tour was going to the library. Right as I walked in I thought to myself that I was watching Beauty and the Beast, when Bell walked into the library because the Beast gave it to her. I could'nt take enough pictures of the beautiful hand painted pink door with this giant brass lock that not even Brother ... read more

We have spent a beautiful morning in Engelberg. Highlights of today included touring a baroque Benedictine monastary and eating a picnic lunch in a tranquil park. Two of our students are going to a yoga class this afternoon. All in in a perfect day!... read more

Today we started with a great breakfast at the hotel. Lots of fresh bread, an amazing homemade jam, tea, and yogurt. The Swiss people do like their dairy products! Next we walked over to the Engelberg monastery which was founded over 800 years ago. The monastery has 31 Benedict monks. The Benedict order was founded by St. Benedict during the 6th century and as Brother Thomas explained, the rules are not too strict or too severe. 300 years ago the entire church burned down and was rebuilt. Then the monastery burned down in the 1700’s due to a firework accident. It was repaired after 25 years. It also features a school which for a long time was only open to boys. Now it is open to the village and to girls. We were lead on our ... read more

Like most things in life, hospitality differs from one region to another. In Texas, employees are expected to be kind and friendly to customers. In the Houston airport that expectation was met to the fullest, even when it came to the water lady. When she noticed the stunned look present on my face to see that the 20 oz. bottle of smart water was a steep $3.34 she suggested that I could buy Dasani for a dollar less. I thought that was very kind of her to do! Of course I kept with my smart water but still, the gesture was just the kind of thing one would almost expect. Needless to say, most Texas hospitality is up to a good ranking in my book. However, as soon as we set foot on the plane, the ... read more