We're almost home....3 weeks to go!

at the top of the world!

Daniel's drawing of a Monet painting

Weihnachts (Christmas) in Luzern

Advent in Zurich near Stadelhofen train station

Nik & Daniel at a fabulous Abbey

Christmas decorations in Basel

It's been awhile, so here are some more recent photos...since mid-November Daniel has felt better..so we did some traveling..to Luzern for a piano festival, to Bern, overnight (it rained, but we saw an awesome light show nonetheless!) and Nik took us on a day trip to a lovely abbey and an apple farm where we got lots of fresh organic apples - yum! Last week we were in Basel for Daniel's final treatment. Of course it rained, but we did get to walk around some ~ our lovely friend Angela came to keep me company one day and we walked all around town...there were Weihnachts Markts (Christmas fairs) adorning the old town and Munster (cathedral) areas. We also walked by the river (Rhein) and ate at a local organic cafe above the river...when it was not raining! While in Luzern, we took a day trip up Pilatus peak...nearby mountain, where we were above the fog and rainy weather, in the sunshine and cold, high winds. The Alps are strewn across Switzerland and wherever we have gone in those mountains it has simply been breathtaking! Daniel has taken up drawing, while reading Vincent van Gogh's biography - which has clearly affected him in a positive way. It's amazing how he took to it. He had done some drawing in the past, usually pen and ink. Now he has gone to graphites and kohl (charcoal) and is loving it, as you can see above. We are preparing to leave Schweiz now...and it is bitter-sweet. We have met some wonderful people as well as spending time with our host friends/family - Nik, Christina, Janis and Julian, with whom we have shared our lives for the past 6 months....Janis's soccer games, Julian's concerts, sharing meals and conversation, Christina's family drama and Nik's graciousness and loving care. We will also miss Angela's friendly humor and generosity, as well as "the mysterious Ruth" who came into our lives in a strange way and has graced us with music, travel and fun visits at the "red tower" as well as at our flat. Andy & Marianne have also been so kind and generous with their warmth and good humor. We will see them again before we leave, at their home near Zurich. And, Tim is coming from Munich to visit this weekend! These are people and things we will miss terribly, although we are also looking forward to coming home to Santa Cruz and seeing again our daughters and all of our dear friends. See you there!!! ciao for now...Joya