Good Company

Last Saturday, we said goodbye to our friends, Sally and Don Plumb, who had spent a week with us here in Neuchâtel. With Sally retiring from teaching in June, she and Don had planned a trip to Europe to celebrate this new stage of her life, as well as her birthday. They made their way here after a week in Paris - so easy to do by train.

It was lovely having friends from home here with us. They were wonderful guests (cooking dinners for us while we lounged), and we aimed to be good hosts. Living in Switzerland is so new to us that we were eager to share our lives with others and to recommend some of our favourite spots.

Sally and I at the Hotel du Peyrou

After we met the Plumbs at the train station, we first stowed their luggage in my classroom across the road, before taking them on a walking tour of the town. Bob is well oriented to Neuchâtel, having spent many hours exploring its nooks and crannies, so he led the way. We took our time in the downtown area, stopping for drinks at Les Brasseurs and eventually sharing a delicious dinner at the Cardinal. We had visited both establishments with our colleagues over the past month and we expected that Sally and Don would enjoy these places as much as we had. They did!

At Les Brasseurs

On Sunday morning, we headed to Bern for a day trip. For us, the Swiss capital was well worth visiting again. (We had traveled here in early August with our son and his girlfriend.) We were very fortunate that day. The weather forecast was for thunderstorms, but, even though there were often threatening clouds looming overhead, there was no rain for the greater part of the day. When the skies did open, we were safely dry in the Kunstmuseum, an impressive art gallery, featuring works by some of the great masters, as well as the best Swiss artists. Ferdinand Hodler is extremely well regarded here; we will continue to look for his paintings as we visit other galleries in the country.

Looking like tourists in Bern.

Looking up at the famous Bern clock.

On the bridge in Bern

Hodler's Disappointed Souls in the Kunstmuseum

On Monday, a school holiday, Sally and Don joined the school community, staff and students, on a hike to the top of the Creux du Van and for fondue afterwards. Again, I was very pleased to share my work world with them while they thoroughly enjoyed meeting the students and the other teachers. They told us later that they were thrilled to be part of this day - that they would not have experienced anything like it as tourists. This served as a reminder of how unique an experience I am having, where opportunities are often made available to me that I would not otherwise have.

The beginning of our hike, with Jen.

We made it to the top!

Fondue after the hike

With me back to work on Tuesday, the Plumbs decided to spend the next three days commuting to other Swiss cities by train. On our recommendation, they chose a day in Geneva, and two days in Lucerne, where they stayed overnight. We were pleased to hear that they enjoyed both places immensely, as we had.

Sally at the castle

On their last day in town - Friday, Sally and Don climbed up to the castle here in Neuchâtel and visited the collegial church nearby. These are sites that Bob and I have yet to visit, and so it was their turn to recommend attractions to us. I managed to join them in the afternoon at the local Art and History Museum, where the famous automatons stood idle that day. Instead, we were enthralled by a video presentation of how they were created. I look forward to returning soon to see these ancient robots in action.

Sally and I at the Art and History Museum in Neuchâtel

Our final dinner together included seven of my colleagues as well. We made a reservation at a local Thai restaurant, Thrace de Soie, which served delicious food, by the way. Then a group of us headed downtown to experience the famous "Fête des Vendanges". This annual festival is a major local event, and will feature in my next blog post. We had to see what went on first hand, and once we did, we were quite content to head home for the night.

At La Fête des Vendanges

Early the next morning, the Plumbs were on their way home to Toronto. We hope they enjoyed their time here as much as we enjoyed their company. A bientôt, nos amis.

Our Beautiful Canton

Every year, in September, Neuchâtel Junior College students are encouraged to get to know their new community before they venture farther afield. This is a pleasant task, since the Canton of Neuchâtel has a great deal to offer, as we have learned over the past two weekends.

On Sunday, September 14, we all visited the lifeblood of the area, Lake Neuchâtel itself. It is the largest body of water contained completely within Switzerland, and it is beautiful. On this day, the weather gods smiled at us. It is hard to imagine a more glorious day for a cruise. For the students, this was an opportunity to spend some time with each other, with their teachers, and with their pension families.

Happy students

Matt and Spencer with their new little brothers (from their pension family)

It seemed we had the boat to ourselves, and for an hour, we basked in the sun, rolled gently on the water, and enjoyed a glass of wine and light snacks, all the while mingling with each other. Personally, I loved every minute!

Sunning on the deck.

All smiles on this day.

Eight days later, on a holiday Monday, September 22, students and staff took part in outdoor activities in the countryside not far from Neuchâtel. We were given the option of taking on a "défi" (challenge) or a découverte (discovery). A certain number of both of these tasks are required in order for the students to earn their school certificates. I do not know how many the teachers are supposed to do.

Abandoned building in the gorge.

The majority chose the less taxing découverte, a walk in the Gorge de l'Areuse. A short train ride brought the group to this part of the Canton, where they spent about two hours walking in the Areuse ravine. There was a variety of terrain there, from paved roads to rocky, narrow paths, to stairs to change levels and bridges that zigzagged across the river. Thanks to Erin for providing with photos.

A weir on the Areuse River

Rapids - it would have been fun (but dangerous) to raft here.

A smaller group, including our friends, Sally and Don Plumb who are visiting Bob and me, chose to challenge ourselves by climbing to the Creux du Van, the highest point of a canyon in the Jura Mountains. I was assured beforehand that I could accomplish this task, so I broke out my new hiking shoes and trekking poles for the occasion. I certainly needed both.

Our guide, Christine, and Jen having survived the ascent.

From our starting (and ending) point, La Ferme Robert, we headed up a gently sloping road until we hit a seemingly vertical hiking trail with fourteen switchbacks. This was the most difficult climb I have ever undertaken! The narrow path was often wet and muddy with slippery tree roots and rocks to climb over along the way. As a result, I took my time, while the students, and staff leader, Christine Weibel, had much less difficulty ascending to the top. Sally and Don were impressive climbers as well, but Jen and Bob trailed the group, taking even more time than I did. We were the tortoises among a large group of hares.

The Creux du Van crew in front of the canyon. 

I am one of the dots on the edge of this cliff. Truly awesome!

When we arrived at the top of this part of the world, all our efforts were rewarded by spectacular views. The pictures here do not fully capture the beauty of this scene.  The day, while cool, was clear and sunny. As a bonus, the students enjoyed mingling among the local cows and the chamois who calmly accepted their presence among them.

Very friendly chamois 

At the end of our respective journeys, both groups gathered at nearby restaurants for cheese fondue - well earned, for sure.

Fondue at la Ferme Robert

Fondue at Café du Pont.

Show Time

In the movie, All That Jazz, Roy Scheider played Bob Fosse, the famous Broadway choreographer. One of the clips I remember best is the repeated image of Scheider, looking at himself in the mirror every morning and saying, "It's Show Time". It has been showtime for me for nine days now: rehearsals are over, the seats are filled, and every day, a different show must go on.

When I first received my timetable, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my teaching load first semester would be light. Instead of the usual three classes, I would have only two until the end of January. (I will be full-time in the second semester.) Also, the two classes I am currently assigned are both the same course, English 4U, which means I need only prepare one lesson each day and then repeat it. Since I have come out of retirement to take this position, this is a great way to ease me back into teaching.

My new identity

Another advantage for me is that I have been left excellent resources by my predecessor, who developed the courses I am teaching. During the time I was getting ready to begin classes, I pored over these resources, changed a few things to suit my style, and incorporated some of my own materials that I had kept on my computer. I worked hard to get ahead of the students, if only by a day or two.

My lovely purple planner.

On the first day, I was ready to go. I was standing in front of my own classes for the first time in over three years. The faces were familiar since I had met many of my charges during Orientation Week, but so much else was new!

One of my classes

I have a total of 37 students in my two classes. The great majority hail from six Canadian provinces, with Ontario being the most common residence. I have a student from Arizona and one from Sweden. Many of them come from the public education system, while others have been attending independent schools and a handful, boarding schools. Few of us knew each other before the year began.

In the first two weeks, I was mainly "the sage on the stage", instructing from the front of the room using the old-fashioned Socratic method. As the semester progresses, I aim to be more often "the guide on the side", leading the students to discover rather than telling them what they need to know.

Teaching my other class

In spite of what I have termed a "light teaching load", I feel I am working hard both during school hours and at home. Since I am pushing the students, I must also push myself. In nine days, they have completed a first draft of a writing assignment, a plan for a poster of their "life map", and a test. Marking, marking, marking for me.

Returning some student work.

Test day.

Of course, by collecting and marking their work, I am getting to know my students better every day. This will be a special relationship not only because the school and the classes are small but also because we are all part of the same remarkable experience here at NJC.  The students have a lot invested in this year away from home, so while I will always challenge them, I will also support them when they need extra help.

Conferencing with Rachel

As I get into the swing of things, I am reminded every day that I enjoy the company of senior students, and that I love language and literature. It feels good to be back in the classroom.

Hop Suisse

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a tennis lover, but beyond that, that I am one of the legion of passionate fans of Swiss star, Roger Federer, so much so that my iPhone case has his image on it!

My iPhone case, a Christmas gift from my daughter, Jess

When she found out I would be living in Neuchâtel this year, my sister suggested I ought to go to the Davis Cup semi-finals in September and see my idol and his teammates take on the Italians. At the time, I thought that would be impossible for many reasons, and dismissed the idea.

The Davis Cup, a competition among tennis players representing their countries, takes place over a weekend, starting on Friday afternoon, and concluding on Sunday. Under normal circumstances, as a teacher, I would not be able to even consider attending Friday matches, but my timetable this semester is only part-time with my classes ending at 10:50 on Friday mornings. This meant I might be able to get myself to Geneva for the event after all - if only I knew how to get tickets.

Opening ceremonies of the Davis Cup

Enter Lyn, one of the staff here, also a Federer worshipper. She had attended Davis Cup matches in the past and was eager to do so again this month. She knew how to get tickets. She also had other friends who might be interested in going to the event. By Tuesday night, thanks to Larry, we had secured four very pricey tickets to the first day of the semi-finals of the Davis Cup! I could not believe my luck.

Lyn,Larry and Pat, my companions for the day.

The wonderful Dan Martin covered my class for the last 20 minutes so that we could make the train to the Geneva airport. I had dressed in my red and white Canada Day shirt and my red jacket for the occasion, and on the platform, I fit right in. There were red and white attired Swiss fans everywhere!

Swiss fans.

In Geneva the atmosphere was festive. With Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka ranked third and fourth in the world, respectively, the Swiss were the strong favourites.

This was a day to proudly wear - and wave - Swiss colours.

While entry into the stadium was expensive, I discovered that many of the extras we pay for at tennis matches in Canada were included in the cost of a ticket. I was given a program (in French), some noisemakers, and a sign to hold up;  I also queued to get my photo taken with the stars of the day.

This is the local cheer, meaning "Go Switzerland". On the reverse side is a single word: BREAK.

Between the very best.

Roger Federer played Simone Bolelli first; it was a good match - close - but my man prevailed in three sets, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Roger looking sharp in his Nike "Swiss" shirt.

Bolelli shakes hands with the legend after losing the match. It is interesting that the Italian did not wear a blue shirt.

Stan's match against the volatile Fabio Fognini was not close at all. The Stanimal was on fire on this day and won 6-2. 6-3, 6-2.

Stan in his Yonex shirt.

Fabio wears his Italian colours proudly. 

By 18:30, the day was over and 18 000 happy fans trailed out of the building. I tasted my first raclette on the way out; within an hour, we were on the train back to Neuchâtel, pleased to have been part of a special day.

I saw some of the other matches on TV on Saturday and Sunday. The Italians won Saturday's doubles in a tightly contested five setter, while on Sunday, Roger was back on the court, this time against Fabio Fognini, where he prevailed in three sets, clinching a berth for his team in the finals against France in November.

By the way, over the weekend, Canada won their Davis Cup tie as well. My red and white colours worked back home too!

Bonding Time

The students have arrived in Switzerland! Most of them travelled here on the same flight last Tuesday, September 2nd, arriving in Zurich the next morning. There was no time for jet lag though, as the group was immediately bussed to the small village of Grindelwald in German Switzerland, where staff members worked to build relationships among the group, engaging them in alpine games and hiking in the mountains. I was not on this part of the trip, so I have borrowed a couple of photos to give you a sense of the place.

Grindelwald

Jen leads students over rope bridge.

On Saturday, Paul, Terry, Bob and I joined Bill, Jen, Louise and, of course, the students, for the second half of their Orientation Week in Locarno, a beautiful spot in the southeast part of the country, very close to Italy. It was a four and a half hour journey from Neuchâtel to our destination, but the train ride felt much faster. The scenery was spectacular: we saw mountains everywhere, picturesque villages, glacier-fed lakes, waterfalls, and rivers, all made more beautiful by lush valleys and grazing cows. It was intriguing to watch the signs change as we moved east (from French to German) and then south (from German to Italian). The languages may have differed but we never left Switzerland.

A Swiss village as seen from the train.

Locarno feels very Italian. It is a tropical spot with palm trees, pizza and gelato shops and colourful buildings lining the old parts of the town. The day we arrived, the Piazza Grande was full of sports cars assembled there for some sort of exhibition. It was a short walk from the train station to the youth hostel where we would meet the others who had traveled from Grindelwald by bus.

These Porsches were waiting for us in the Piazza.

It felt good to meet the class of 2015 at last. Outside of my teaching responsibilities, I have been assigned to work with ten students, three boys and seven girls, whom I will advise during the year. This small group were among the first I met, since this is like "home room" in other schools. I soon discovered that the students had written a skit and I would have a small role.

My advisee group

Once we had settled into the hostel, we headed into town to take the funicular up to Madonna del Sasso, a shrine perched well above the town; the view from this height was quite spectacular.

Madonna del Sasso

Looking down from the shrine.

On Sunday, we all made our way to the pier for a boat trip across Lago Maggiore to a small island, San Pancrazio in the Isole di Brassago, which houses a unique botanical garden. Here, the local micro-climate supports the growth of plant life from all over the world. Among other flora, I saw my first Venus flytrap, an ancient eucalyptus tree, and Mexican cacti.

Arriving at Isola Bella

Exploring the botanical garden.

Our next stop was Ascona, another beautiful village with an Italian flavour. After lunch, while many of the students headed to the beach, Bob and I wandered the warren of narrow streets. We had unstructured time in the town, which for both the students and the staff was very welcome after a hectic five days.

Ascona

Cobblestone streets of Ascona

At four, we returned to the boat and headed back to Locarno for the rest of the day. This would be the final night of Orientation Week, one where the students would discover with whom they would be placed for the year. Our students are billeted, living with "pension" families; one of the goals of these days after their arrival in Switzerland was to determine which home would best match each adolescent. Bill and Louise spent the evening in conference with individual students preparing them for this next step in their year-long adventure.

Spencer and Matt meet their host family. They will have "little brothers" for the year.

Early Monday morning, we boarded a train and headed to Neuchâtel. In the first few hours after their arrival in their new community, the students had toured the school, walked through parts of the town, and met their host families. They were now ready to begin classes.