Glassy version of Jingle Bells

Mallory and Jennifer made their glass music debut at Hergiswil with a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells. CDs will be available later.

Visit to the Hergiswil Glass Factory in CH

Last Saturday, Kelly, Mallory, Jennifer and Cam travelled about an hour and a half by train to the beautifully-set village of Hergiswil. This is the home of the Hergiswil glass works, and it provides a wonderful look at the history of glass production in Switzerland, and a close-up look at modern glass production techniques. There is also a great hands-on area where visitors can produce all kinds of "glass" music and see how glass is used in science and industry.

A great place to visit. We also recommend Mr. Ooi's Chinese restaurant, just across from the Hergiswil train station!

Thankful for a Wonderful Christmas Holiday!

After a great Christmas break in southern Alberta, we are back in Deutschland.  We spent a cozy week in a YMCA lodge in the Cypress Hills of southern Alberta, where Winter's wrath wreaked temperatures approaching -40C (that's without the wind chill factor!).  All of the Barbour young'uns and the grandson were able to make it, and of course, we had far too much food and far too little exercise.  We were able to do a bit of walking in the crispy cold....something you just don't get to do here in Germany.

We trust that all of you enjoyed a great holiday break with your families and friends!

School starts on Wednesday, January 7th, so we begin the second half of our final year here at Rhein International Academy.  We look forward to seeing the staff and students again!