31 May 2009

Again, it`s only been just over a week, but so much has happened. You lose track of time here in Kandersteg, something that isn`t necessarily a bad thing.

22 May: Kandersteg is so cool. Today I was in Programme and helped with the opening of the Upper Hut. While some of the work was very similar to house (taking all the bedding, mattress covers and curtins down to be washed, etc) it was the location that made it so amazing. Leaving KISC at 9:30 we drove up for 30min on hairpins, climbing in altitdue. Driving as far as we could, in the end we came across deep snow (avalance area) and had to walk from there, taking all our gear with us. Besides the `house`work, we also had to connect the water and electricty for the hut. Electricity consists of a big solar panel and battery, whereas the water is sticking a pipe in the local stream. While at homne the latter would be unthinkable, here the water is so clean and fresh, it would be odd to do anything different. Once the water was set up, we had Victory Tea (normal tea, but using our very own Victory water). We were very proud because instead of taking a week or more, it only took us 2 hours to get it set up. With Victory tea, we had our lunch and were back to work at 1:30. After lunch it was electricy and getting all the laundry down. Finishing at 3pm, we started to pack up and take everything back down to the chalet. Carrying all the bags of laundry was seeming very tedious, so after a while Stefan and Katherine were seen ROLLING the bags down the mountin. It was very entertaining as the bag started slowly and gathered more and more speed until POP! The bag burst open flinging dirty laundry all over the mountain. After a good laugh, we gathered it all up again, and carried it back to the car. Returning to KISC shortly after 4, we took a nice long break. During this break, Gillian came up to me and asked me to work at Mark Lombard`s party at the Sunneblick. While I had plans to go to the movies, it would be nice to get paid for a change. Working from 4:30 until 12am, I am expecting 75 dollars, but we`ll see when I get paid.

23 May: Today I was making, cutting and laminating signs for Kanderlodge. While the work itself wasn`t overly thrilling, it`s the new-ness (!?) and the change that made it nice. During the day I also put Upper Hut laundry in and out in hopes that it will be ready for tomorrow. When I went back into Programme after dinner to see if Andrew wanted my help, Katherine told him about the laundry and Andrew said `I`m not surprised, she`s pretty good, eh?` Katherine admitted sher was a gan. It`s so nice to have compliments like that. Not only do I feel better about my work, but I really feel this is where I belong. I love KISC.

25 May: Yesterday I, again, worked for Andrew and Gillian decorating Kanderlodge and various other office work. Unfortunately most of the pictures haven`t arrived for Kanderlodge yet, so I couldn`t do the majority of the work set out for me. In the evening we had Staff Night Out- Party at the Upper Hut!!! Opting for the car ride up, Chris asked me to take Willow (his puppy), so he could bike up. No problem with me, but Jens was a little paranoid, constantly looking back to tmkae sure she hadn`t been sick etc. At one point he said `If that dog pees, Creighton`s out too.` Awesome. Getting to the Upper Hut there was a distinct cap on the amoun of alcohol we were allowed to drink. 3 beers, no ifs ands or buts. Beacuse we were at such a high altitude, the alcohol can affter you differently, hance the limite. Not feeling too great, I didn`t want beer and as soon as I was Jean making tea, I was right there! Asking if I could have some, he said it was fine as long as I drank it out of a bowl. When I asked why, he said it was because that`s what you do in mountain huts! He then went on to tell me how you bring minimal dishes, and by holding a bowl, your hands stay warm. Hell, I got tea, and my hands were warm, I`m not complaining. Going to bed pretty early, we also got up early to get back to the centre befor 8am. Again, taking Willow in the car, we were back to the centre before 7. I put laundry in, clean my room and more, all before breakfast. Starting work at 8am, I had so much energy because I was so awake it was awesome. I loved it, but my 4pm, I was a little tired....but still awesome.

28 May: The past couple of days have been pretty cool. One night this week, I worked really late (10pm), to get work done for Andrew and Gillian. Thankfully, after dinner, Chris and his mom helped me with framing all the pictures. Working so late, I was practically kicked out of the office by Mark (director, NL), how many shorties can say that? Last night Lynsey and I got permission to leave work early so we could head to Zurich. Booking a Marriott on my mom`s points, Lynsey and I were joined by Andrew in a 5 start hotel in the middle of Zurich, with executive priviledges and everything! The bed was so nice that, even with three of us in it, it was still the best sleep I`ve had in a while. Going out last night, few places were open because it was a wednesday, and those that were open, closed at midnight. It was also very expenseive for drinks (but it was Zurich). The funniest part of the night was when Lynsey got hit on by an old, fat, blad guy who kept saying `You`ll fall in love with me` and Lynsey kept saying `Oh, I`m pretty sure I won`t`. This morning, we slept past breakfast, getting up after 10am. Lynsey talked about all the room she had in the bed, while Andrew and I didn`T have too much room ourselves. Regardless, it was an awesome nights sleep. During the day we went shopping, but didn`t buy anything (I know, successful). Still, we had fun trying on crazy clothes, and playing a Steinway Baby Grande (before getting told we weren`t allowed to touch it). Lynsey and I then caught the train and were back in Kandersteg for shortly after 6. Being SNO, I really wanted to go swimming, but Lynsey talked me out of it, and instead we had piyya at Dessies. We then joined in at SNO later, for ice cream.

31 May: Talk about whirlwind! This weekend has just been crazy busy with the K-Lodge opening. It`s all too much to write, but I`ll give the overview as best I can. Friday, I was in House in the morning and office in the afternoon. Not only did we have to prepare for check-ins, but we had to lcean the lodge as well. Saturday I was mostly in house, followed by a stint in shop and on to the grand opening. At the opening (after a million speaches), Mark Knippy was invited to unveil Kander-Lodge and with him `staff from all corners of the world.`This included Malcolm (Scotland), David (Russia), Jean (South Africa) Ah Ruem (Korea), and Myself. Together we pulled the roap which dropped the KISC flag, revealing the Lander-Lodge sign. I must admit, it was pretty awesome to be part of that. Our names are also going on a plaque to be put insdie K-lodge for those who helped build it. Unfortunately, it says `Creighton Weeks`right now (Pip`s last name) but there are numerous other mistakes that they`ll fix. After the formal opening we headed over to the Sports Field, where I stood in the rain for 2 hours, transporting meat between the grill and seaving tables. After the BBQ wrapped up, I helped in the kitech for an hour cleaning up, before finally heading to the party. With everyone just sitting around talking for the first bit, eventually the band came on and really bad- but really fun- dancing started. We were all ridiculous, but that`s just how we Pinkies do. (TBC.....)