Day 5: Here We Are Family

This morning we woke up bright and early to head to the market to buy food for our Surprise American Meal for dinner. Hans (who we figured out was the former mayor of Brienz, not preseident of Switzerland) has told us many stories of previous WWOOFers attempts at making food. We have heard about "feggin" pizza consisting of only pizza crust and sauce, and dry chicken and crispy green beans. We did not want to dissapoint.

When we returned from the market we ate a quick breakfast and went stright to work to cut more wood. This time we actually got to cut the wood and not just stack it! We chopped wood with Hans` handmade machine while simutaneously trying to get a nice tan. After trying to perfect our self sun-dialing we turned ourselves until our shadows were directly in front of us and declared it lunch time.

We headed home from a lunch made by Michigo, another WWOOFer who Hans named "hexe", or witch. Then it was time to head to Ferdi's (the Swiss Brad Pitt) house for more ice cream topped with more cream. Not only is Ferdi the most famous actor in Switzerland, he also was treasurer of Brienz for 8 years AND an amazing wood carver. Although we never wanted to leave the most beautiful view that we have ever seen dessert time was over.

We headed home and put on our swim suits only to find out it was not swim time just yet, but more wood cutting! We cut wood with our strong muscles for two more hours and stayed just long enough to learn why wood cutting should NOT be done in swim suits and shorts. When our sun dials showed five o'clock on the dot (because practice makes perfect) coffee and swim time it was. Hans and Henriette accompianed us to the lake where we actually swam a few strokes before running out.

Dinner time. After slaving over a hot stove to make the perfect American meal, burgers, frozen french fries and corn, we dined with the unusual appearance of many many napkins. The meal was absolutely silent, meaning they either loved it or hated it, hard to tell with such large appetites. Either way, we concluded the meal with the american take on fondue, where fruit "meet" chocolate.

Hans has assured us that there is so much more to do here and that we must return for a longer visit in the future as "we are family".

-C and J