Christmas Eve 2016

Man Mo is a temple  dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). For Jeanne, Elizabeth, and me,  the visit  was one of fragrant if chaotic moments filled with devotees’  incense and offerings of joss paper and oranges.

Later, with Allan and Cecilia, we heard Christmas Carols and and attended Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – amazing to follow it all w/o understanding a single word, until it was time for Communion, and the choir did a completely recognizable “O, Holy Night.”

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After Mass, we walked to and through and around and up streets and escalators for a “Shanghaiese” meal,  which may have been the best yet; Allan ordered perfectly: 3 styles of noodles and  Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings). It was an incredible variety of hot (spicy), sour, and sweet,and as Elizabeth later pointed out, he kindly avoided ordering things like  Century Eggs

 Later, we spent a couple hours on the rooftop of the Prince’s Building – this link has a few photos (my camera-phone battery being long gone). And this one of Victoria Harbor  captures some of what we saw.

 

 

 

Planet Earth Part 2: SwissLand

A Note: Much, much more to my time here than recyling centers and Christmas markets, but before I lose these moments, I’ll send along some weekend photos.
It is probably stating the too-obvious to say that the Cronins are NOT in Kansas anymore!

Recycling Day @ the Commune (entirely DIY)

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Chris & Gus make a weekly drive to the Commune recycling center (open Saturdays, and “for about 10 minutes on Wednesday”).  A Commune Card allows entrance.

Augustine neatly lobs a bottle into the WHITE (vs BROWN or GREEN) glass bin.

Christmas Market ! 

It’s a huge (“largest in French-speaking Switzerland”) covered market in nearby Morges.

Autumn Visits: 2016

Worcester with Lei, Matt, and Mary

The Ecotarium , great for young scientists, artists, dancers, parents, grandparents…

40th in Switzerland

On the morning of her birthday, Teresa headed out for the fourth time to try for a Driver’s License

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AFTER SCHOOL —

SNACKS