The Winds of Change

December 15, 2013

15:39 Thun, Switzerland

7:40 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

So much but so little has happened in the past couple days. I arrived in Thun. Met my new host and well; he’s probably the best host so far. He’s put up with my seriously indecisive mind, he took me to the Christmas market in a Thun community, met so many of his friends, some even helped me a bit with German. Everyone is so open about me not speaking German, but I try to speak in German when I know how to. My host Patrick took me to a house party where there was more free liquor and good chats around a fire. Proceeds for donations went to a family in a third world country. So I pitched 5 Euros which is probably 7 or 8 Swiss francs. Which is fine. No one expects anything of you. Thun so far is turning out to be an awesome choice. Patrick has cooked meals for me and fed me breakfast. Where I sleep is on a fold out couch and it super comfy! This Swiss experience in Thun has to be way better then a hotel or a hostel for sure. Patrick lets me use his bike to ride around town and see places. Very generous guy. Last night we went over to one of his friends’ place where they made traditional homemade Rostie. It was so good! Then we went to a Pro snowboarder’s gear sale. Everything is so cheap. I bought a snowboard for a 12 Franc beer and 5 Franks. It’s an old well used Libtech snowboard that’s a rocker with a lot of flex. I also got 5 or 6 bandanas for 10 Francs too. These pro snowboarders got all this gear for free. They had a half pip in the building too. Homemade and well done to. Gluhwine was served and free beer was handed out. It was brilliant. After the sale was over; everyone headed to this quaint little nightclub 2 minutes away where there was a snowboard, skateboard and downhill biking movie premiere. It wasn’t very long but it was awesome. After that was over the real party began and the club got bumping. So much fun.

2 days in Thun and no snowboarding. Yet I feel no disappointment or discontent. I’m exploring the town and orienting myself to my surroundings. I’m experiencing the culture and trying new foods. And I will wait until good snow comes to snowboard. I won’t be wasting my cash anymore. I would rather not snowboard on ice. Especially when conditions in Canada are so good. I will save my cash and go boarding in Canada a few times after I’m back before heading to Colorado. I do think I will be heading to Grindelwald tomorrow. Snowboard for a bit, explore Interlaken, check out the train to the top of Europe. That’s the train going through the Eiger. I’m also happy my daily spending is down too. So far I’m below spending budget for my whole trip not exceeding 100Euros or 130 Francs. Very happy about that. Over and out.