28 August Thursday

See, the washing machine works! By the way, I have a better view from my laundry room than from anywhere in my house in SF.

Today was the logical continuation of yesterday as the number of contractors multiplied. At one point, I had five wandering around at the same time. Berri was here with his maestro, Leandro, evaluating what it would take to paint the exterior of the house. Signor François Weiss (who’s name tells you everything you need to know about Switzerland) was checking out the hardwood floors and someone (I’m calling him Gaggetta) came by for the awning. I didn’t catch his name or really much that he said. Odd guy. Everyone else was dressed in old tee shirts and shorts but he had snappy pants, loafers (that may be the first and last time I ever reference a man’s shoes), sunglasses and a nice shirt. He breezed in, cranked the awning, rattled out something in Italian, and was gone. All I understood was “around 100 francs,” “come by Monday,” and “leave me the key.”

Weiss has also been working on the yellow house across the street so we went over there to check out the flooring. He had a colleague laying some planks “translate” something for me. I squinted at him. Why was the translation harder to understand than the original? Oh yeah, he was speaking Schweetzerdotch!

In the evening I managed to get in a swim. For the first time in my life, I used a swim cap. I found it quite helpful for three reasons. As it was bright red and covered my head, it saved me from sunburn doing the same. Secondly, it was a small beacon for passing ships and boats and all the other nautical vessels and propellers whizzing around my head. (I exaggerate so my mother has more to worry about.) Mostly, however, the cap keeps my ears warm. The water has been between 20-22 degrees, which really doesn’t bother me except for the first 30 seconds upon entry and my ears get sore.