Betonchilbi session in Näfels, Glarus, in the Swiss mountains refurnished by the Wonders Around the World crew.
I was initially apprehensive about coming out to for this build when I got the call, as all I could remember about my last trip to Switzerland was paying three euros for a packet of rolling papers. However, I needn’t worry, as upon arrival I was informed board and lodging included beer and tobacco. They even started off the project with tap beer on-site, although that was obviously long gone by the time I arrived 10 days in.
When the Swiss contingent of the crew said they wanted to build a church out of the left over wood to burn on the night of the opening party, I was expecting some sort of half-arsed two dimensional cut out. However, after an hour of two I was shocked to see, on my way to my tent, that they had managed to whip up an actual third replica complete with spire, clock and maybe even a pulpit (although I could be imagining that last bit). They then stuffed it with pretty much all the left over wood on site. A good old fashioned church burning, which I think was what everyone needed for the first party post lockdown.
All in all, I’m not too sure what the point of these two anecdotes really are but I hope it shows the willingness of the local crew to go far beyond the call of duty when it came to hospitality and showing us a good time. A few other highlights that must also be mentioned were definitely working on a park where everyone was referred to as boss, building a kidney bowl inside of the old bowl and watching the world’s youngest skate punk band (average age of 8) firing up the opening session!
Shout outs to all the big bosses, you know who you are.
Words by Henry Frowen
Photos by Alan Maag
Music by Einä Ninnts / @einae_ninnts
