Riding in Switzerland

In Switzerland, I rode a donkey. The owner told me its name was Nina. Camille and I took turns riding the donkey. We rode to the owner's house. It was fun!

More About Switzerland

Two months ago, Bernadette and I went to Switzerland. While there, we went to Ars, France and saw the incorrupt body of the Cure d'Ars. We saw his house. We also saw the vestments that the Cure d'Ars wore as a priest. Last but not least, we saw the room in which he died. Before we left, our Aunt Marie-Caroline bought two books about the Cure d'Ars, one for Bernadette, and one for me. I think Bernadette and I are very lucky to have been able to go to Ars.

Hunting in Switzerland

Almost two months ago, Bernadette and I went to Switzerland. While we were there we went hunting. Well, we didn't hunt, we stayed at the house while the men hunted. Five wild boar were killed. One of the boar was killed by my godfather, I think. My cousin Pierre played with the feet of the wild boar.


We slept on beds like the seven dwarfs slept on in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

I really enjoyed going on the hunting trip.

Safe at Home

Catherine and Bernadette arrived home safely on the 19th. They were well taken care of by all of my family during their stay in and around Switzerland. Both girls thoroughly enjoyed their vacation. Catherine is still talking about returning in nine years and Bernadette often says, "Next time, I go to Switzerland..." Both girls have expressed a desire to live there.

Prior to returning home, Catherine and Bernadette were blessed to spend a day with a friend of my brother and sister-in-law (an e-friend of mine who I have not been good about emailing). Isabel homeschools her three children and invited Catherine and Bernadette to join them on the seventeenth. The girls enjoyed learning French from Isabel and getting to know her children better.

Since being home, Catherine and Bernadette have been adjusting to the time change. Actually, Bernadette adjusted immediately. Catherine has had a slightly harder time. The first night, she woke up at 2:00 AM and proceeded to wake Theresa. The girls played together in their room, until I told them to go back to bed. The second night, Catherine woke up at 3:00 AM and proceeded to wake Brendan up. The third night, Catherine woke up at 3:00 AM and woke all of her siblings up...I told them to get back in bed and stay there until I said it was time to get up. Being pregnant and anemic are making me need my sleep! Last night, was the first night that Catherine actually slept until a reasonable hour. I hope that she does the same tonight.

I am so thankful to have my daughters home again. Our family did not seem complete without them.

I hope that the girls eventually write about some of their experiences. I also hope to eventually share photos of St. John Vianney's body and his house.

Thank you to my family for taking such good care of Catherine and Bernadette. Thank you, God, for bringing them safely home.

Hunting, the Curé, and Driving a Quad

Catherine and Bernadette spent the weekend hunting. Actually, they didn't hunt. Catherine told me that the children and the mothers stayed at her aunt's parents' hunting house, while the men went hunting. The hunters killed five wild boar.

Catherine spent her time learning French from and teaching English to Camille (another one of my brother's nieces).

Bernadette was happy to share that everyone went to see St. John Vianney's (the Curé of Ars) incorrupt body on Sunday. They attended Mass in an underground church.

My brother and Dad have been touched by some of the things that Bernadette says. They shared the following with me:

Bernadette ~ "Please leave me in peace, so that I can enjoy this solemn moment."
Bernadette ~ "Boppa, your room looks holy." (what my dad heard)
Boppa ~ "Thank you for telling me that my room looks holy."
Bernadette ~ "Boppa, I didn't say that your room looks holy. I said that it looks homey, but it looks holy, too."

Today (yesterday for the travelers), the girls stayed at my brother's house. They played and drove their cousins' quad. When telling me about it, Bernadette exclaimed, "Mommy, I drove it all by myself and it uses real gas!"

I can't wait for Catherine and Bernadette to be home, but I am thankful that God has provided them with this opportunity.

The Sisters of Bethlehem

When Catherine was one, we visited the Sisters of Bethlehem. The Mother Superior (I believe), Sr. Marider, held Catherine and whispered something in her ear. Catherine responded with a huge smile. A friend of ours snapped a photo of the whisper and the smile. When Sr. Marider was asked what she had said to Catherine, she responded, "It's a secret."

Today, my family visited the Sisters of Bethlehem again. They joined the Sisters of Bethlehem for Mass. They ate lunch with Sr. Marider. Catherine and Bernadette led everyone in the bénédicité (we include a long prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with our grace before the main meal of the day ~the girls did so today).


Catherine reminded Sr. Marider of her previous visit. She also told Sister that one day she would return to the monastery and become a nun. Sr. Marider told Catherine to come back in nine years and she would be waiting for her. Catherine sounded ecstatic when she spoke to me on the phone. I could not help but think, "I would like it if you became a nun, but I would prefer you to stay closer to home." Catherine may have guessed my feelings because she proceeded to tell me, "I told Karlee that I like Switzerland and the places we have visited so much that I think my family should move over here."


While at the voirons, my family went to the monastery store (the sisters make beautiful works of art). Sr. Marider told another nun, "I am stealing two souvenirs for two very special girls. I do not think that the Virgin Mary will mind." She gave the souvenirs to Catherine and Bernadette. While in the store, Bernadette stopped in front of something and said that she wanted to buy it as her souvenir of her trip. My dad told me that she couldn't have chosen a better souvenir. It suits her perfectly.

Both girls sounded like they had had a lovely day. My dad (please keep him in your prayers) and my sister-in-law, Marie-Caroline, sounded like they had enjoyed themselves, too. I am sure everyone else did, as well.

Missing My Daughters

As most of you know, I am really missing Catherine and Bernadette. Our home just doesn't seem the same without them.

On Monday, I picked my brother-in-law (Kevin) and two of my nieces up from the airport. Kevin gave me a short letter from Catherine. Kevin and his daughters told me that the girls were doing very well. Catherine is enjoying evertything and Bernadette knows no language barriers. No matter where they go, Bernadette is off in minutes playing with other children. Both girls are being very helpful with their younger cousins. Catherine is also enjoying spending time with her cousin, Karlee. Our relatives are noticing the unique personalities of our daughters and commenting on aspects of their temperaments that my husband and I have been aware of for a long time.

Yesterday, Catherine and Bernadette visited Gstaad and Gruyere (Catherine purchased a souvenir here) with my family. Catherine enjoyed their visit and found it hard to believe that Gstaad will soon be covered with at least 2 feet of snow. Bernadette promised to draw me a picture of her favorite thing that she saw today.

There are 8 more days until they come home. Thank you for the comments and support.

Dear God, please continue to protect Catherine and Bernadette. Dear Mary, please wrap your mantle around them. St. Therese, please continue to watch over them.

Wedding Bells and Relaxation

Catherine and Bernadette were happy to attend my brother and his wife's nuptial Mass. They enjoyed the wedding reception, leaving around 12:30 in the morning.

On October 8th, my family went for a drive in the mountains with our girls. I was told that my dad took an excellent photo of Bernadette with a cow. I cannot wait to see it! (Edited on October 18 to add the photo below.)


Today, October 9th, the girls relaxed at my brother's house. There are 10 more days until they come home!

Interlaaken

Today (yesterday for the girls), Catherine and Bernadette went with my family to Interlaaken. Catherine thought it was very cold, despite her layers of clothing and Bernadette thought it was freezing. Both girls were impressed with the ice sculptures. They were happy to share that "There were twelve penguins (just like in Mr. Popper's Penguins). There was an eskimo, sitting in front of an igloo, fishing. There were some seals. There were two mice." All of these were carved out of ice. Catherine was surprised to find that the digital camera did not work because of the cold. However, she assured me that her cousins had been able to take some photos and they would mail them to her, upon their return to Washington.



















I am truly grateful to God for providing our daughters with this opportunity to travel with my family. Tomorrow, October 7, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, Catherine and Bernadette will see my brother and his wife married in the Church. May God bless my brother and his wife as they are united in His love!

Geneva and the Old City

Catherine and Bernadette visited Geneva and the old city, today. I was happy to hear that the cobbled streets have been maintained. They always fascinated me.


Bernadette is looking forward to dancing at the wedding reception on Saturday and is trying to convince Catherine that she should dance, too.

Catherine assured me that she is taking a lot of photos. Hopefully, the photos are a combination of relatives and scenery.

Our girls will be home in 14 days. We are definitely missing them, but I am happy that they are having this experience.

She's Not Missing Us

My older sister asked Bernadette if she was missing us. She responded, "No, I am having too much fun. I do miss Patrick's cute little ways, though."

They're Only a Phone Call Away

I just finished speaking with Catherine and Bernadette. They spent a wonderful day at their Aunt Marie Caroline's parents' house. Bernadette enjoyed playing with the dog, Tiger. She also told me, "I ate lemon meringue pie and other really good food!" Catherine had brownies for dessert. Both girls expressed their joy at being able to travel with my family to Switzerland. They sound like they are truly making memories that they will always remember. I am so thankful to my family for taking such good care of them.

Traveling

Catherine and Bernadette left for Switzerland on October 1, the Feast of St. Thérèse. I have entrusted them to her care. We are, obviously, really missing them. However, from all accounts they are having a wonderful time. The first day that they were there, Bernadette rode on my brother's motorcycle with him and in true Bernadette fashion exclaimed, "I never knew riding a motorcycle was so wonderful! This is a lot of fun!"


Today, our daughters went with my family to St. Moritz. Catherine was impressed with an old church that they visited. I am hoping that they sleep well tonight after a long day. I look forward to seeing and sharing their photos. More importantly, I look forward to them returning home safely.

They're Really Going to Switzerland

Please keep "Germaine" and "Joan" in your prayers. They will really be traveling to Switzerland in October. I hope to have them write about their trip and post photos here when they return. It might be just the boost they need to return to blogging about their geography studies.

Cousins in Verbier

My cousins went on vacation in Verbier, Switzerland, again. I really like this photo of them up in the mountains. Last time they sent photos of them hiking in the mountains in Verbier there was snow. It's amazing how things can change in just a few months.

Sorry, we haven't been sharing our imaginary travels with you, but we hope to start doing so, soon. Actually, I hope to take some real trips sometime.

We're off to Switzerland

Well, we're leaving a little bit later than we intended, but today we boarded the plane for Switzerland. When I was six years old, my family and I boarded a plane for Switzerland, leaving behind family, friends, and many of our belongings. My parents decided to leave South Africa for what they hoped would be a better life in America. They left without immigrant visas for the United States and no idea what the future would hold. They left with a deep and abiding Faith in God that they knew would be enough for us.

For some reason, I remember more about our stay in Switzerland, than I do about the first six years of my life that I spent in South Africa. It is my hope that my children enjoy their imaginary trip to Switzerland, as much as I enjoyed my real life time in this country which my brother calls home.

Books

We have found the following books helpful while traveling through South Africa: A family from South Africa, by Jen Green; Artisans around the World: Africa South of the Sahara, Understanding Geography and History through Art, by Susan Rich, et al.; and South Africa, by Tamara L. Britton.

If you would like to recommend books on South Africa, please do so in the comments.

South Africa's Climate

The eastern part of South Africa receives under 10 inches of rainfall each year. The middle part of South Africa receives 10 to 30 inches of rainfall each year. The western part of South Africa receives over 30 inches of rainfall each year.

South Africa's summer temperatures vary from 60 degrees to over 80 degrees, depending where you live. The winter temperatures vary from below 50 degrees to 70 degrees, depending where you live. The temperatures in Durban, where my mom was born, were usually between 70 and 80 degrees in the summer and 60 to 70 degrees in the winter.

My mom has told us that in South Africa Christmas is celebrated in the summer. December is a summer month in South Africa.

Flowers

South Africa's national flower is the protea.
Another flower that is found in South Africa is the bird-of-paradise.

The South African Flag

Animals

South Africa has a lot of different native animals. Many of these animals are found at game reserves, like Kruger National Park. Some of the animals we have seen while traveling around South Africa are:

Lions
Elephants
Giraffes
Ostriches
Springboks
Baboons
Steenboks
Vervet Monkeys
Zebras
The animal photos are courtesy of Pictures of Animals

The Capitals of South Africa

South Africa has three capitals. They are Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Cape Town is the legislative capital. Pretoria is the administrative capital. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa.

The Drakensberg Mountains

The largest mountain range in South Africa is the Drakensberg Mountains (Dragon Mountains). They are 200 kilometers long. The Drakensberg Mountains are a World Heritage Site. The second highest waterfall in the world is located in the Drakensberg Mountains. Searching for the Drakensberg Mountains in Google Images, brings up a lot of pictures of this mountain range.

Wire Toys

Today, we visited Soweto, a township in South Africa. Some of the children in the townships are credited with making the first wire toys. They make wire bicycles, wire people, and other moving wire toys.

I want to learn how to make wire toys.

Where is South Africa?

South Africa is located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. The Atlantic Ocean is located to the west of South Africa. The Indian Ocean is located to the east of South Africa. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are to the north of South Africa.

First Stop: South Africa

We decided to start our journey around the world in South Africa.



The Assumption of the Virgin by Murillo

South Africa is under the patronage of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Please join us tomorrow as we continue to travel through and learn about this beautiful country.

Welcome Aboard!

As we travel around the world, we will be learning:
1. Who the Patroness is of the place we visit.
2. Where the place is located.
3. About major mountains and bodies of water.
4. The name(s) of the capital(s).
5. About the native animals.
6. About the vegatation (when appropriate).
7. About the climate.
8. About tourist attractions and famous landmarks.
9. About saints who are affiliated with the place we visit.
We will also share other interesting facts that we stumble upon during our journey.

A Sneak Peek

I just received the above photo from my brother. He and his family spent the weekend in Verbier. We will be visiting them in October and revisiting our studies of Switzerland that are due to begin in June.

The photo was taken at 7,414 ft. My nephews are great little hikers.