March Theme Day for the friends over at City Daily Photo is Glass. So let me join their fun, albeit unofficially, by jumping back to a former life outside of Israel, just for today.
After a strenuous hike up the Alps on a hot summer day, the reward was one bottle of cold local beer at the upper station of the cablecar. Curious why a beer label would show a pilgrim with a halo, I shlepped the empty back to the chalet and found in the owners' bookcase a history book of the place.
Sure enough, there he was! Fridolin was a missionary who, it is said, converted the people of Glarus to Christianity in the 6th century.Real or fictitious, Fridolin remains the patron saint of Glarus. Since 1388 (the battle of Nafels) he has appeared on their flag.
St. Fridolin is the only saint to be depicted on a Swiss canton banner, and I'm pretty sure the only saint to appear on a beer bottle.
Let's raise a GLASS to him and to my good years in Switzerland!
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So this is really an interesting story! I've never seen the picture of a saint decorating a beer bottle, but it's nice! Gruetzi and Prost! Zum Wohl! Auf Dich!
ReplyDeleteUsually, we see tappist monks on it.
ReplyDeleteFridolin sounds funny ! I didn't know that saint. There's so many things I ignore, and I learn via blogs.
A votre santé, Dina !
Very interesting and unusual post, Dina! The only thing I can think of that comes close is Blue Nun wine, but I don't think it's a particular nun!
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice picture, indeed! Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - very interesting!
ReplyDeletethis is a very amusing anecdote of your previous life
ReplyDeletelife before israel must have been a lot of fun
happy month to you
Lovely illustration (was it a good brew?) I found only one reference to chocolate and white clay and I'm thinking maybe I need a stamp. A bee? come visit and join my informal survey
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that beer tasted mighty good and who knows... uplifting?
ReplyDeletehello beautiful Dina.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for some gorgeous history.
CHEERS well everything should be done in a way religious way.
Well I think one of these times I will give you a couple of hebrew words.I checked the user guide on my computer, and if I am understanding correctly I can convert the characters, ofcourse the keys will remain the same standard english alphabet but striking a particular key should elecit a hebrew character if I am understanding correctly.
However right now I am reluctant to take the plunge. My computer has been working so well since its purchase for a year and a half haha I hate to come off track however eventually......
have a beautiful day
love and light
and saying shalom is so inadequate yes it is meant to be uttered in hebrew script!
In french it is easy to type.It is the same letters with alt. keys for accents.
Maria, vielen Dank!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, do your Trappist monks make beer? I'd love to see those bottles! Our Trappists at Latrun Monastery make and sell wine.
Susie, Blue Nun wine?! No kidding! I had to Google to learn about it. "Some of my best friends" are nuns in blue. I wonder if they know about these wines.
Shantaram and Dottie Jo, thanks! Glad to see you.
P.A. I guess it was a good brew. I don't remember much after downing one whole bottle of beer. hehe
A bee as your potter's mark? Hmm...
Maria, fun? Well, in Switzerland I was living and working in a contemplative monastery, as a long-term volunteer. Plus a few months working in a small hotel (mostly gardening) in the Alps. It was a great experience.
Kay, uplifting, right next to the ski lift, haha. Good one!
Jordaenne, thanks for your shalom שלום whether in Hebrew or Latin letters. In Switzerland I had to go to the public library or the university to do e-mail and the French keyboard drove me nuts. Took me forever to discover how to make the shtrudel @ .
Your curiosity was rewarded! (as were we!) Aloha, Dina
ReplyDeletewell thank you for the beautiful shalom.Give us more some time.
ReplyDeleteYes it all depends on what you are used to but if you have a keyboard with the designated language displayed then ofcourse that is the easiest and whether I am typing in french or english it requires the same keys except for the accents so that makes it easy for me to transfer.
Although I vaguely recall hearing that in some cases when typing a foreign language there may be a virtual key board displayed on the monitor.
that sounds like a beautiful experience in Switzerland where God and nature in the mountains must be treated so closely to one which I can very much relate to.
love and light
Imagine finding Swiss beer in the Jerusalem Hills. Gruetzi to you, too!
ReplyDeleteCloudia, is there a Hawaiian word for Lechaim, cheers, etc.?
ReplyDeleteJordaenne, yes, there is a virtual keyboard somewhere. I should find it and finally learn where the Hebrew characters are hiding.
Hi Chuck. We could use one of those beautiful glasses you posted to pour the Swiss beer into. LOL
Yes, the empty bottle made it into JHDP but too bad the full ones never reached the Jerusalem Hills.
Our little village actually has one restaurant, India-style food. (It is in a huge converted chicken house!) Maybe I could suggest they import the Swiss beer.
Happy March to you.
Dina, this is a quite interesting story.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled about the great, great conversion to Christianity of the important journalist Magdi Allam. He has written the splendid book Grazie Gesù.
Have a nice week!
Ein Prosit!
ReplyDeleteOK, Dina, yours must be the best theme day post I've seen yet. Certainly gladdens my heart to remember raising a glass, or two, in Switzerland. Wonderful choice and post!
ReplyDeleteThat is great history! Thanks for the smile!
ReplyDeleteI'll drink to that!!!
ReplyDeleteGREAT POST!!!!!