Last day in Lüsai

Since the day I crashed from the lift, I was quite scared of this most UNIQUE (oldest) lift you could find in the world..



The one, something like an UFO, hanging in the air is the LIFT. Check it out how it's function.



Wait for the UFO.



Grab it.



Pull it down and hold it between legs.



and let the board slide until the top. Looks easy? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Maybe it's easy for those "advanced people" but for beginners, who cannot control their board well, it is the worst lift you could get.

This UFO is NOT a chair. Once you put the weight on it, you fall. UFO is something just pull you to the top so you constantly have to balance on the board (only one left leg is fixed) considering the EDGE. (this is the most difficult thing).

If you fall on steep slope, you'll be hurt quite hard and I've done it 6 times until I reach to the top.



For skier, no problem. It's easy for them to balance. The lift is unfriendly to "beginner boarders (like me)".

Another problem is this one.



"T-born Lift". This is for 2 people.



again, you grab it and pull it down, keep the bar between legs. Actually, this bar hurt as well. Right inside of my leg has lots of bruise due to this lift. I crashed with this one as well together with my husband.

I almost lose the spirit torward snowboarding but thanks to god, it's started snowing whole night, whole day.



Everything is covered white. Lots of fresh, powder snow on ths slope.



So I tried again.

I wanted to get use to the speed. Whenever I have too much speed, my body automatically stop the speed. I was always too scared to fall in full speed. But with this powder snow, I had less fear. I could learn running straight without making turn. I also enjoyed following Ursula.



My body buried in powder snow many times:)



Godzilla also took photo of me:)

I've never run that fast in my life. First time, I experienced the shower of snow hitting my face and the wave of snow that my board make. It was beautiful.



After our last run, we celebrated that all return safely. (well, I return safely). I was so happy that I felt my progress during the stay. My husband even decided to buy the shoes and board for me which we rented. They were perfect for me.



I'm not yet feel 100% secure about these lifts, but I'm satisfied with my first snowboarding experience in Switzerland.

Müstair

Lüsai, where our family is now spending winter holiday is locating on about 15 min away by the car from this town. Müstair is not really known town compared to the other cities as tourist place but it's a very important place in Switzerland. The monastery here is registered as world heritage and said Müstair is one of the best known Carolingian monasteries. I visited this world treasure on snowy day.





I had to hold my breathe when I stood in front of the monastery. It was there, standing with the back ground of snow mountain very calm,,,, but imagine, for 1200 years.



It's constructed very simple, not fancy at all. It reflects pure worthshipfulness of Christians in those days.



I had to freeze again upon I went inside.. The beautiful wall paint was decorating the inside of this simple monastery.





all the way up to the ceiling.

It said that around 800 the interior of the monastery was painted completely. You could also see the panting of "return of Christ" and "the last Judgment". The painting is in a row and tell story in clockwise direction. I really had to wonder how this amazing work has been done in old days.



We also went into the museum where we could find out more about the convent and the life style of nuns.



What surprised me the most is these bedrooms.



It's like a small cell with very small bed. Were they that small? It's like a bed for a child. There is a hole on the door, no privacy. I was wearing thick coat but even so, I was freeing. How you could sleep in such an ice cold room...



There is a small bench where you can overview the scenery outside. Did nuns chat here?



inside court.



There is a room with full of sunshine as well. It's locating on the top of "winter choir room".



with beautiful rose painting on the ceiling.



Convent life of course exixst today. It's said "The sisterhood of St. John lives in accordance with the rhythm of sessions of prayer, reading, silent contemplation and labor. Under the directions of a prioress, the nuns' activities are concerned with the convent household, the gardens and embroidery".

Two nuns passed by while I was in museum. Both showed me very warm smile..

I could never be a Christian but I deeply respect nuns and other true religious people who devote their life to god. These people are very strong to stick to what they believe in. (I don't agree with religious war though). Benedict called the monastery "a school where one learns to serve the Lord".



Here, a small community has been praying and working accordance with the rule of St. Benedict for 1200 years. During the visit of Monastery, I felt as the time went back to ancient days. I felt the weight of great European history.