Monday, December 13, 1982
At 19:00, I went to Marsha C’s room where Jong-Soon, Sybille
B, and Elisabeth J were gathered to get ready for the staff Christmas
dinner at the hospital. They admired our loot from Nürnberg. At 19:30 we went
to the staff restaurant where most of the CP station people were at one table.
But there were no more chairs, so Elisabeth, Marsha and I sat at another table
and saved three seats for Jan & Kirby, and Helen. Raclette was the main
attraction, but there were only three cheese melters, so getting a dish was
slow. Elisabeth and I took everyone’s plates for the first course, and Marsha
and Kirby got us seconds. By then people had gone home to get their raclette
“ovens,” and we were being served faster. Elisabeth and I had thirds. Samichlaus/Santy Claus came in dragging
an Esel (a real donkey!), and his
assistant Schmützeli/Dirtie, the
chimney sweep, was really blackened.
They gave out gifts of appreciation, with a little teasing, to the main
hospital administrators. The Wildermeth Choir, including our CP station
representatives Marsha and Sybille, got up to sing four songs.
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| Choir program |
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| Christmas song lyrics |
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| Christmas song lyrics |
Tuesday, December 14, 1982
This was Biel’s Samichlaus day. I went downtown at lunch to
get a gingerbread house and back at the Personalhaus/staff
residence, I put it under a shoe filled with a tangerine, walnuts, chocolate,
and a Santa Claus Lebkuchen, and left it for Marsha C. Later Marsha
readied shoes for Sybille B (chopsticks and a magazine) and Jong-Soon (a
Playgirl magazine!). And for me! I received a Nürnberg Lebkuchen wreath, ramen
noodles, Trident gum, macaroons, and the most beautiful pair of leg warmers!
Thursday, December 16, 1982
Marsha C and I left work at 17:30 and walked through Biel’s
dwindling Christmas market with stalls of candles, pottery, knitted items, etc.
We went to the post office and then the train station. Saw Sybille B in
the ticket line, and got to meet her cute boyfriend. We caught the 18:34 train
to Bern, arriving at 19:05. We headed first to Heimatwerk/local crafts shop where I bought a pair of wooden
cheeseboards to use as trivets for 23.50 CHF/$12 each for my mom, a painted
wooden button at 20 CHF/$10 for Grandma, and a wooden card box at 22 CHF/$11
for Grandma. At the Wohnshop I bought a scarf for myself and a wax candle ice
cream sundae cup for the Sutters. We went to EPA-UNIP and ABM to get candles
and ribbon, and by 21:00 were headed to Wendy’s for dinner. There were a lot of
street entertainers and Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells. Took the
21:53 train to Biel.
Friday, December 17, 1982
Shortly before 17:00, I went out with the Kindergarten kids
and was loaded onto the school bus, getting the front seat to myself. It was
pouring rain and dark as we drove through Biel to let off Anne, then Sonia in
Nidau, and next Mathieu in Büren an der Aare. That’s where I got off, and we
were met by Brigitte S. I was left to watch TV until Mathieu was found
pouring oil all over the kitchen floor. I cleaned the floor while Brigitte
bathed Mathieu. Then Brigitte drove to the train station to pick up Hans-Rüdi
while I played with Mathieu in the tub. The boys were given steamed broccoli
and potatoes for dinner and put to bed. After 20:00, Hans-Rüdi prepared fondue
which was very good. We ate the fondue with Barbara by candlelight. Afterwards
I made a few s’mores to have as dessert with tea. We sat in the living room
talking until nearly 23:00. I was taken to see their newly finished downstairs
room. I also got to see the amusing party invitation to a Belgian dinner, with
an Asterix theme, where it was suggested everyone wear togas! Hans-Rüdi drove
me home.
Saturday, December 18, 1982
Did my laundry and delivered the S's invitation to Jan
& Kirby. At 9:30 Marsha C and I went shopping, then took the bus back by
11:30. Left again at 12:00 to walk through the market, browse at the Merkur
high fashion store, and stop at the Hilfiker Pharmacy near the train station. I
had a winning ticket and got a sample bottle of Magie Noir eau de toilette by
Lancôme. I put in a number for a drawing for a Fiat car.
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| Train day pass |
We took the 13:23 train to Olten, changing to the 14:32
train to Luzern. It has started snowing. We had wanted to get off at Sursee,
but the train was an Intercity and didn’t stop until Luzern. Since it was
already dark at 15:15, we decided not to try to get to Sursee, but wander in
Luzern. Admired the Jesuitkirche/Jesuit
Church and went into the old town. Browsed the Christmas market set up in the
two central squares. Walked along the pedestrian shopping street and returned
to the train station. I used the restroom for 50 Rappen/centimes/25 cents and
Marsha bought roasted chestnuts. We took the 16:37 train to Olten, changing to
the 17:42 train to Biel. There was snow sticking to the ground in Grenchen.
Near Biel it was only on the bushes and trees. We walked under trees that
looked like they had been spray painted with snow, to return to the Personalhaus/staff residence.
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