SloJan

Ingo,<BR>In the June 2002 issue of Bon Appetit, an American cooking magazine, they did a wonderful write up of the Engadine's cuisine. They also talked about specific restaurants and hotels. Some of the delicious dishes they discussed were: Capuns, the traditional dumplings of Graubuenden (more like a ravioli), carmel walnut torte and the wines.<BR><BR>Very good article and I must say that the food in the Engadine is my favorite in Switzerland. If you (or anyone else) would like a copy of the article, email me your address and I will send it. My email address is [email protected].<BR><BR>Cheers--BTW, we got more snow here last night! Icey sidewalks and streets---not good for running, but beautiful!<BR>J.

swandav2000

Hello All,<BR><BR>I just wanted to let everyone here know that jw has contacted me by e-mail. Seems the much-missed jw has been another victim of the registration process and cannot post until Monday! In the meantime, our favorite art teacher is following and enjoying every minute of our progress and our planning. I guess we’ll get our art assignment in the next few days!<BR><BR>s<BR>

Ingo

S, I am sure my team will not understand, but I don’t care for it!<BR><BR>I forewarned you about the Magic Mountain: it is difficult stuff – I fully agree that it seems to be examining the nature of time and place. Wait till you get to the pages where you read Settembrini’s and Naphta’s tirades! However, there are parts with wonderful (and relaxing to read) parts about Hans Castorp’s experiences in the surrounding nature as well. And I enjoy reading about life in the Sanatorium Berghof in general.<BR><BR>Judi, I’d like to meet you in Zuoz. If I recall correctly you the weather gods were not with you when you did your short trip to Pontresina last year. I hope you will get a better impression of the Engadine this time. Maybe we can all together do a trip to Soglio or Sils/Fex valley on the weekend June 14/15. I know that especially Soglio is sometimes crowded on weekends, but we should give it a try.<BR><BR>Jan, Capuns and walnut torte sound sooo great. I will email you.<BR><BR>BTW, I enjoyed my cross-country skiing yesterday so much that I decided to go again today. Yesterday it was very sunny, today we had a mix of sun/clouds/snow showers. Perfect winter weather. Did you see the Ski World Championships in St. Moritz today? It was torturing for me not to be there!<BR><BR>See you, Ingo<BR>

Grasshopper

How exciting. What an interesting trip this will be. You guys really have me waiting with bated(baited) breathe for my copy of the Mann novel (she says, dripping with sarcasm!) It should be arriving from Amazon next week. Are you sure we don't want to discuss a more pedestrian novel? <BR><BR>Judi, I will see what I can do about arriving earlier. I'll email you. <BR><BR>

Phil

Hello All,<BR><BR>Well- the Posthotel it seems to be. Very well, I'm really looking forward to it (I was afraid, others would be put off by its rates). I will arrive on the evening of the 13th and stay for the week-end. One has to work, after all one is Swiss .<BR><BR>s: I'm also looking forward to exchange views about our militia system, which in Switzerland does not apply to military service alone, but also to other parts of public life. By the way, I have been reading more English and American literautre than German during the last few years, so I won't fear meeting you on that subject...<BR><BR>jw: I also had trouble logging into fodor's website while using Navigator. I succeeded, however, without problems with explorator and even the beta version of apple's browser &quot;safari&quot; (which incidentally I'm using right now). Maybe you could be into fodor's prior to monday when using a recent version of explorer.<BR><BR>Jan: does your &quot;bon appetit&quot; article mention Chesa Pirani at La Punt? an excellent (if pricey) restaurant within easy walking distance from Zuoz? It might be a place to have lunch or dinner during the GTG.<BR><BR>Ingo, I fully appreciate the sacrifice your team is going to make in letting you join the GTG. If you cannot appease them by bringing back goodies from Engadin, maybe you'll have to apply for permanent residence in Switzerland (no real problem with the bilaterals ;-)).<BR><BR>As to more pedestrian novels: I have just started reading Henning Mankell's third Kurt Wallander mystery (the white lioness). I don't know why, but Mankell has grown *very* popular at Basel during the last months. On my Skiing (or rather celebrating) week-end in January, no less than four friends lugged along a Mankell novel. Is he similarily popular in Germany or the U.S?<BR><BR>Phil

Ursula

<BR>Just topping this to say hi to everybody!<BR><BR>We got loads of snow overnight. Gorgeous!<BR>Nevertheless, I hope it will be gone by mid-June. ;o)<BR><BR>Phil, bascially, I am not against having a meal at the Chesa Pirani, but I am not sure, everybody will agree on such a pricey place. <BR>They just got their 18th (out of 20) point at the Gault Millau food guide and it's Switzerland's shooting star restaurant of 2003. So, hm... even if the meal itself isn't that expensive, it's not the place you want to drink a Coke. <BR>Anyway, if we do hiking, biking, playing tennis or explore the area, lunch is out anyway.<BR>I am even thinking about booking a three-days-package with half-board (dinner) at the Posthotel. Anybody else? Usually, a good deal.<BR><BR>Ingo, now that you mention it, I remember that you are in tennis tournaments in your club. Well, as we say, 'du kannst nicht auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen' (!), and we count on your being in the Engadin, of course.<BR>And don't mention J&uuml;rg Jenatsch. That is a classic must read here, while at high school. Maybe, I would enjoy it more now, if I decided to re-read it.<BR>As for Thomas Mann's Zauberberg. I might read that again before the GTG.<BR><BR>jw, are you out there?<BR><BR>Have a lovely hump day all!<BR>

Ingo

I just got the dates for my tennis tournaments in May/June. Yikes! Even Sunday, June 15 we have our most important match. You can be sure I’ll be in Zuoz, though. I think I will follow Phil’s advice and bring some goodies from the Engadine: thought of nut cake, Marroni Jam (Soglio), cheese (probably Gruyere surchoix and Tete de moine), B&uuml;ndner Fleisch and Salsiz (Renato Giovanoli in Pila, hmmm!) and some wine from Valtellina.<BR><BR>I am not sure if Chesa Pirani will coincide with our plans. I think we will all book a package (7 days for me) which includes half-board. I think we should make a day trip by bus to Soglio on Sat or Sun, so we will probably have lunch at Palazzo Salis. Anyway, I guess lunch is not sooo expensive (if I recall correctly it was 68 Sfr. for a three-course lunch with Amuse-bouche and Friandises, but at this time they had “only” 17 points at the Gault Millau food guide). In any case it is no problem to find excellent restaurants in the Engadine. I also think of Hotel Paradies in Ftan, Schlosshotel Chast&eacute; or Villa Maria in Tarasp, Hotel Meisser or restaurant Crusch Alva in Guarda … if we would focus on the Lower Engadine.<BR><BR>Ursula, I enjoyed J&uuml;rg Jenatsch very much. Even if you travel to Graub&uuml;nden it is a must read in my opinion. I am looking forward for your thoughts on all the literature we mentioned.<BR><BR>Phil, I am a great fan of Henning Mankell. IMO similar to Sjowall/Wahl&ouml;&ouml;. I have read six or seven of the Wallander books! And, be careful with your suggestions! A couple of years ago I was in contact with one of the two BIG Swiss Banks (the one which has problems with their investment banking and insurance legs) and considered to move to Switzerland. Luckily the bubble crashed before I moved!<BR><BR>Sunshine in Dresden. Truly warm and no snow anymore. Have a great rest of the week all. <BR><BR>Maybe I am off for the next three days. Short trip to the Harz mountains.<BR><BR>Ingo<BR>

jmw

Welllll, at last. (with a necessary 'm' thrown into the mix.)<BR><BR>I must confess that the problem turned out to be my own techno-ineptitude, but let's leave it at that. I'm embarrassed enough. Thanks to Caragh at Fodors.<BR><BR>I have been reading your exchanges with great interest and, you can well imagine, with considerable envy. June is my travel month, and usually I begin experiencing wanderlust at about March 1st, and it continues to build until I leave the ground. Needless to say, these next few months will find me daydreaming more and more, and I shall be eavesdropping on your excited preparations to buck up my spirits. <BR><BR>You must promise me that, as a group, you will start a SGFTWLS IV the very instant that you return home -- or maybe even while you are on the road? And I do hope you'll assist me in working out the logistics needed to telephone you all one evening while you are at table. Surely someone will have a cellphone? S', I may restrain myself from giving you an art assignment (though I hear my inner self whispering 'frescoes'), but I intend to require that you learn one folksong to sing for me when I call. Affectionately, J.<BR><BR><BR>

swandav2000

Good Saturday Y’all,<BR><BR>jw (may I continue to use your old and familiar name?), it’s SO great to hear from you and to enjoy that special-jw layer of insight to the Swiss countryside. Folksong??? Have you HEARD me sing? Despite that little tone-deaf problem, that’s a great idea. What a wonderful way to learn about local traditions, history, and myths -- and to make the beginning of a connection with some people there! We’ll tackle it with gusto! Well, I’ll learn it and mumble &amp; hum as the others sing! Anyway, how great to see you again!<BR><BR>Phil, I am getting quite an education on the Swiss education system!! The entire subject of literature rose when I told Ingo about my seatmate, a Swiss gentleman, on my last return flight. This guy asked about my job, so we got to talking about American lit (I know, I know, an oxymoron!), and he knew more than many of my American students about American authors. He told me about his favorite authors, etc. As I told this to Ingo, Ingo began sharing his favorite American authors, too. So, trying desperately to keep up, I asked about some German authors to deepen my own understanding. I’ll be in seventh heaven if you do actually want to discuss literature -- any literature! Because I came to it so late in life, literature just dazzles me. I’m like a new convert. But I really will restrain myself (aaarrrgghh) in polite company!<BR><BR>Phil, I would also like to talk with you about the Jura. I’m planning to order some bicycling maps of the Engadin and the Jura routes. If I bring the Jura ones, may I bother you for ideas on the best sections, views, restaurants, etc? <BR><BR>I would love to eat at Chesa Pirani; I don’t get the opportunity to taste world-class cuisine often. If we can’t find the time during the weekend, maybe I’ll go in the relaxed days after you Swiss (&amp; Europeans &amp; Europe-working Americans) have to go back to work!! But if anyone wants to go during the weekend, I’m in! How far in advance should I/we make reservations? Reservations necessary for lunch?<BR><BR>And with all the delectable restaurants Ingo mentioned, I may have to have two lunches every day! Oh, the sacrifices one makes to travel! And I am seriously considering taking half-board at the hotel too; I’m glad you guys don’t think that’s nuts. <BR><BR>Yes, the excursion to Soglio is a definite for me! And to Guarda and to Tarasp and to Ardez and to Scuol -- but what of Fex and Poschiavo?? Already I see I’ll have to come back!<BR><BR>I guess we’ll be out of touch tomorrow, but I’ve enjoyed my time with you today! Best wishes!<BR><BR>s<BR>

Phil

s:<BR><BR>I'll gladly discuss literature with you, and you will be welcome to any force-feeding (except the Mann family and Goethe).<BR><BR>You are also welcome to picking my brain about the Jura region, though I'm more of a hiker than biker . What kind of maps are you going to order? You might want to check out this website: http://www.cycling-in-switzerland.ch/. It is the official site of the nine national bike routes and it offers excellent biking maps (route and map 7 are about the Jura region from Basel to Geneva).<BR><BR>I'm glad you think eating at Chesa Pirani an option. I 'm all for having lunch there on saturday or sunday, as lunch menu prices tend to be in the affordable range, even at these high-end restaurants. I do not think that we need to reserve far in advance. I had lunch on January 25 at Klosters' Walserhof (same quality and price range as Chesa Pisani) on saturday january 25 (the WEF week-end) and was able to reserve just two days ahead.<BR><BR>btw: Swiss Education system? which one? We have got 26 different ones!<BR><BR>Ursula: we probably will have to follow jw's advice and teach our guests a folk song. which one do you suggest? E Buureb&uuml;ebli? Guggisbergerlied? Vo Luz&auml;rn gege Weggis zue? Z'Basel am mym Rhy ? Det &auml;ne am B&auml;rgli? Dorma bein ?<BR><BR>Ingo: Don't forget some cave-ripened Emmenthal to bring back to your tennis teammates. We also might visit a local creamery and buy some local alps cheese.<BR><BR>The excursion to Soglio also seems to take shape, how are we going to go? Car, train/bus, bike (yikes)?<BR><BR>Have a good time. There are a few federal and local referendums being voted on this week-end, so I will certainly be off-line during most of sunday, even when fodor's succeed in starting up the forum again sunday afternoon.<BR><BR>Phil.

jmw

You people are such a kick. Affectionately, J.<BR><BR>p.s. I'm off to Amazon dot to see if I can locate the Kurt Wallander mysteries. And by the way, Ursula, you never did say which was your favorite piece at the Rosengart?

Ingo

Hello all,<BR><BR>Now that I am back from the short trip to do some cross-country skiing in the (relatively) nearby Harz mountains let’s go on with planning! <BR><BR>I think the excursion to Soglio is it for Saturday. Phil, I don’t know if car is a good option. Parking in Soglio? I like to go by train/bus in Switzerland! But I am open to any option – except bike (much too long distance). May I suggest a short hike? The path which I took last September from Stampa to Soglio is not too long/exhausting.<BR><BR>If you decide for Chesa Pirani I will join you. Maybe lunch on Sunday? BTW, walking distance to Zuoz? It’s about 5 km, and I am not sure if I would like to walk this distance after I had a good meal and some glasses of wine! Luckily the Rhaetian Railway provides train connections …<BR><BR>Phil: the cave-ripened Emmental cheese is also available in Dresden. My teammates love to eat it (of course only when they are my guests, because it is extremely expensive here!). Good idea with the local creamery and alps cheese. I will buy some of those.<BR><BR>Wish you all a nice week.<BR><BR>Ingo<BR>

jmw

Thinking of you good people. Affectionately, J.

swandav2000

Good Morning All,<BR><BR>Phil, yes, that is **exactly** the website where I found the maps -- I found it by following links from myswitzerland.com’s cycling pages. I was ready to order the Engadin route and also saw the Jura stuff. Though I won’t be cycling all of it, I thought it would be a great resource to pick out sections of it. I’m tentatively thinking of Spring-Summer 04 for that. The photos I’ve found of St. Ursanne look so beautiful -- rolling hills and ancient bridges and cozy houses. I think it’ll be a great new area to enjoy!<BR><BR>I agree with Ingo about the Soglio trip -- I prefer the train &amp; bus. Besides, we may be indulging in a glass or two of wine at lunch, and I’d hate for our designated drivers to have to abstain!! The hike from Stampo to Soglio also sounds good to me. Sounds like a perfect Saturday in Switzerland -- here’s hoping we get a sunny day!! (I’m picturing this raggedy group of happy strangers singing folk songs and swapping life stories as they meander along a path through the Swiss countryside -- add wine and blend!)<BR><BR>jw, have you received your Wallander mystery yet? I notice you didn’t jump into the Mann tome! Despite my earlier doubts, I’m enjoying it more and more as I get into it. As Ingo promised, it is a fascinating insight to the psyche of that time in Europe.<BR><BR>I finally found the FIS world championships from St Moritz on US tv. They compressed a week’s worth of skiing into two hours on Saturday and two hours on Sunday last week and again this week. I’ve been enjoying the snow and the snowy town and of course those majestic mountain peaks!! I heard also that Austrian Hermann Maier will take some more time off for more surgery on his legs. He is just amazing!<BR><BR>Well, we’re kind of rained in here today. I think I’ll sit down and enjoy more of the Mann!<BR><BR>See ya!<BR><BR>s<BR>

swandav2000

Hello Again Folks,<BR><BR>Well, because I’m a wimp and because I’m pretty bored now that the FIS in St. Moritz coverage is over for today, I went to find out more about the Stampa to Soglio walk. When I couldn’t find any web presence for either Stampa or Soglio, I went to myswitzerland.com and did a search for both. Wow, what a great treat Ingo has fixed up for us! This valley (Bengell?) is where chestnut trees grow in great abundance (is that a well-known fact for you guys?). There is a trail from Stampa to Castasegna (just south of Soglio) that is called the Chestnut Trail; this takes about an hour. Another hiking path in the region is called “La Panoramica”; I wonder why it‘s called that??? So, although I can’t find this *particular* path on the web, it looks like it’s in a very picturesque area. I guess we’ll also have to eat lots of those Graubunden nut cakes, too!<BR><BR>Anyway, just wanted to share. Have a good rest of the Sunday.<BR><BR>s<BR>

Judi

Hi All,<BR><BR>s, just so you don't have to talk amongst yourself I thought I would pop in.;›) Thanks for being such a good researcher. I am looking forward to spending time with you all in Zuoz.<BR><BR>I have a question: I will be in Florence on June 9 and am looking for somewhere in Switzerland to hang out for a few days before going to Zuoz (on the 12th??). Ticino would be great but I just spent two weeks there in October. I thought of St. Gallen, the home of my maternal ancestors, but it is over a nine hour train ride. I am not ruling that out but am thinking of other options. I want to stay in the central or eastern part so that the trip to Zuoz won't be too long. Rapperswil perhaps ? (not quite as far as St. Gallen). <BR><BR>If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate your input. <BR><BR>Has anyone booked the Posthotel yet or are you waiting for prices to be posted in March? <BR><BR>Take care. <BR><BR>

Ingo

Just a quick note:<BR><BR>S, please visit www.bregaglia.ch Plenty of info on their website! And maybe you want to check the photos again which I posted after my vacation last year. I included pics of the hike from Stampa to Soglio, too.<BR><BR>Judi, Rapperswil is a good idea. Lots do see and do and not too far to Zuoz. Wait till you hear from Grasshopper. I sent her an email with other suggestions.<BR><BR>I.

Ursula

Morning folks! <BR><BR>Ingo, you are up early!<BR><BR>jmw, re. the Rosengart visit, like Jan, I really liked the Picasso, Chagall and Klee paintings.<BR>BTW, wasn't it you who enquired a while ago about Swiss news in English?<BR>Well, here is a new web site: www.swissinfo.org<BR>And then, there will take place the Swisspeaks Festival in NYC from March 3 through April 30, with lots of events. www.swisspeaks.org<BR>However, I know, it won't be a substitute for the Engadin GTG.<BR><BR>Phil, good idea re. the folk songs. My fav is 'z'Basel am mym Rhy', of course. But I surely know the others you mention as well and will add 'ds Vogu Liesi' and 'Lueget vo B&auml;rge und Tal'. We should make sure to have the various texts with us. Do you know of any web site that lists the texts?<BR><BR>Anyway, like Ingo and others, I suggest we head for Soglio by public transportation (train to St. Moritz then postal bus) on Saturday. It's a trip of some two hours and we should be away for the day. On our way back, we could still do some window shopping in St. Moritz. If we get in late enough, the shops should be closed. So, no danger for our credit cards. ;o)<BR><BR>For Sunday, I would be up either for a hike in the Fex or Roseg Valley (not too step from what I remember) or we could explore the eastern end of the Lower Engadin (Zernez-Guarda-Ardez-Scuol-Tarasp).<BR>However, for the possible hike, we should decide last minute and see how the weather turns out. With bad weather, be prepared that temperatures will drop considerably in that altitude.<BR>If the weather turns out to be real miserable, I would love to have lunch somewhere, preferably something typical which is hard to get outside the Engadin like Capuns.<BR>BTW, the the famous nut cake is extremely rich and filling. Be prepared! <BR><BR>I don't think we can do that much of a planning ahead. A lot will depend on the weather. Just my opinion. Those staying longer than just the weekend, will be a lot more flexible though.<BR><BR>I will wait with my booking till the new prices are out. But I still plan to arrive Friday and leave Monday.<BR><BR>Judi, I think, Rapperswil is a good base for excursions. During the day, it may get a little touristy. Famous boat and coach stop. BTW, it's called the 'Rosenstadt' (town of the roses). They have a nice web site: www.rapperswil.ch (in English, too!). You could still go to St. Gallen from there. From Zurich, it's only a little more than 1 hour by train.<BR>There are a lot of hotels, too. Unfortunately, I cannot give you any recommendation, as I never stay there overnight and then, I don't know about your budget, but you'll find all the hotels listed on the web site.<BR><BR>Have a good week! <BR>Here, it looks like another very cold one. (<BR>

Phil

Hello all,<BR><BR>I think we should go on the Soglio excursion on staurday, but that we should not plan ahead how to spend sunday. If weather is fine, a hike is easily organised. If not, we might go on some kind of pub crawl, and the Swiss will teach the guests how to play Jass.<BR><BR>s:<BR>I could get hold of the bike route map No.7 and send it to you if you like (a friend of mine owns a bike shop in the street my office is at).<BR><BR>Ursula:<BR>the text of most and the tunes of many folk songs mentioned can be found at http://www.ingeb.org/Volksong.html. I expect everyone to do her or his duty and get some practice .<BR><BR>I'll be off for 5 days at Stockholm on thursday evening and the remainder of the week looks quite busy. So I will probably not be able to post until I'm back, but I'll check the forum.<BR><BR>Have a good time<BR><BR>Phil.

Ursula

<BR>One other idea (bad weather suggestion):<BR>The Segantini Museum in St. Moritz.<BR>www.segantini-museum.ch