Our Busy September

We do not let the grass grow under our feet at NJC. Their orientation trip completed, as soon as the students arrived in the town, they entered a steep learning curve and a flurry of activity. They immediately moved in with their host families, and began their immersion into Swiss/French culture. At the same time, they began classes.

The host families pick up their charges

Test day in my English class

As I write this, we have been at school for three weeks. The students and staff are well into the rhythm of the school year. Besides their academic load, several members of this cohort have auditioned for NESDA, the club that I advise; others have run for Foyer Council, the Swiss version of Student Council; two Model UN groups have been selected; and sporting competitions have begun – this weekend alone, we have students competing in girls’ volleyball, rugby sevens, and cross country. What a busy life we lead!

Stan pulled out a win in five sets.

Ever efficient, Roger won in three sets

Beyond these traditional school activities, September has offered us some of the best events and excursions that Switzerland has to offer. For the second year in a row, I travelled to Geneva with Lyn to witness a Davis Cup tie with Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka representing their country.  While I was pleased that both men won their matches against the visiting Dutch team, I was even more excited to see the Davis Cup itself, encased in clear plastic. What a magnificent trophy it is!

With my Swiss cap on, I admire the Davis Cup

A few days later, on a sunny Sunday, students, staff and host families all took a short boat cruise on Lake Neuchâtel. The sun shone on this event, as we all enjoyed the views of the shore, and the sparkling waters of the largest lake contained entirely in Switzerland.

Rebecca and Rachel afloat with their pension family

Lucia, Malcolm and Megan enjoying the sunshine on the water

The next day, the “Jeune Federale", a holiday Monday in our canton, students and teachers embarked on a “défi” (challenge) or a “découverte” (discovery) in the region. Last year I joined the big hike up to the Creux du Van, but this year, I opted for the less taxing walk along the Gorge de l’Areuse. Luckily, we had a beautiful day for this excursion. I loved the colours of the water and the lush  greenery of the setting. Even better, at the end of our walk, we were rewarded with a traditional Swiss fondue lunch.

Fondue lovers: Maddie, Sidney, Harris, Taylor, Alana, Tara, Emma and Jeremy.

The final weekend of the month was even busier when the (in)famous Fête des Vendanges took over our usually quiet Swiss town.  Throngs of people congregated in the streets looking to party, and from 18:00 on Friday to midnight on Sunday, that was what they did. This festival was too crowded for my taste, although I enjoyed the fireworks display on Saturday evening which a group of us viewed from Beth and Aaron's balcony.

45 minutes of fireworks like this: pretty awesome

Kisoks in Lignières

Carmela, Jennie, Ellis, Brianna and Emma with front row seats for the parade.

Instead, I much prefered the Désalpe, a tradition in the nearby village of Lignières. Kiosks selling local crafts arrayed the main street, and at 14:00, a uniquely Swiss procession began. Man and beast shared the route just about equally. I was pleased that the parade this year had a few new touches: the "bearded ones", cheese makers from Fribourg, marched in traditional costumes, and the cows were even more festively decorated this time around, although they did not seem very pleased with their attire.

Christmas tree cow

Some of the bearded ones watching the parade

By the end of the month, we had been "Swissized" to the max! Bring on October!