My brother wished us a Happy New Year. I chuckled. It would probably be the most uneventful year since … hmm … my childhood (?) – so what could possibly go wrong?

But exactly for that reason, my thoughtful brother wished us luck. Because to be Swiss can be  challenging for globetrotters.

As far as I can remember, profound changes and fabulous events have topped the past years of our lives: Adventurous travels, exciting jobs in distant lands, countless moves and new beginnings, further education and exams, new work places and of course the birth of our children. Each of the last years has brought us much excitement. A life in a whirlpool. But what about 2012?
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Eight years ago Michael became Swiss on paper, but his Swissness has also shown in his behaviour: If our phone rings after 9 p.m. he wonders what the emergency was, he never once starts a meal before everybody has sat down and wished each other an enjoyful meal and punctuality is his golden rule.

Last Monday, however, Michael became even more Swiss. He played the role of Samichlaus’ servant. Samichlaus (a bit like Father Christmas in other regions of the world) is an ancient tradition in Switzerland; the day of St. Nicklaus is celebrated on 6th December. Samichlaus, his Schmutzli and in this area even a servant go from house to house and bring joy to the children (in some cases it’s rather dread than joy). They announced themselves by the ringing of a bell or the blowing of a cow horn. Sometimes Samichlaus comes with a donkey, sometimes on foot or by car, if the distances are too great.
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