There has been no shortage of small tasks that need doing before the new Green Mountain students arrive. I have spent a lot of time cleaning, rearranging furniture, and organizing rooms, all while continuing to take care of the animals.
Today's tasks included sanding down a bench, cutting wild fennel from the vineyard, stacking wood, and rearranging the trash and recycling room.
Kelsey cuts the wild fennel from the vineyard.
We're ready to heat an army!
Free time has been sparse but appreciated. On Saturday, we hiked down to Meran. On our way down, we found clay tennis courts, which I had never seen in real life!
The family also took us to "Scheibenschlagen," where fiery disks are tossed over a mountainside to wish away the Winter. This is a Tirolean tradition dating back thousands of years. Pictures hardly capture the magic of this cultural event. These were taken by Kelsey.
We walked to a mountain that looked over a village to say goodbye to the Winter, as well as chant our own personal wishes.
Fiery wooden disks are placed on long Hazelnut branches. The branches are swung around and then hit onto the ground which makes the disks go soaring over the mountainside. It is a beautiful sight.
Michi stood with me while I held my branch and disk while waiting for my turn. My disk flew pretty far for a first-timer!
At the end of the event, a large effigy of a witch is burnt to chase away the Winter.
The students come on Thursday, and there are many more tasks to accomplish before then!
