Every year there comes a time for me when I may
ask for a few things from Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or in my case,
from the Christkind or "Christ Child." This has remained unchanged since
1947; now, 50 years later, that time of the year has come around once again.
What do I wish for this year? Fifty years ago
any gift should not cost more than 10 Swiss Francs (~$7, last year I did
not receive what I wished for, and the year before my wish remained as
unfulfilled. What, pray tell, could it be that I so fervently desire?
I want a screwdriver! Yes, that’s right. This
has been |
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my wish in 1995 and 1996 - just a screwdriver,
nothing more, nothing less. And strictly speaking, not even a whole one,
only a Replacement Part No. 2 for my screwdriver kit.
Christmas 1981, that’s when I had bought this
“Universal Tool Set” made in Switzerland. I had bought it for myself in
Zurich, Switzerland, in a specialty store on a street called “Rennweg,”
where the lights of the Christmas decorations gleamed especially pretty
and are sure to be as pretty still today. Only now, it’s a little harder
getting there than it was then. I now live a few thousand kilometers east |
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| of the Rennweg in the United States of America.
And wish for that Part No. 2 as fervently as some other Swiss are longing
for a grilled sausage - Zurich style - or a St. Gallen smoked sausage.
Not from Saint Nick, those folks have relatives or friends in Switzerland
and know how to obtain those Swiss delicatessen even here in the States
- it’s just a matter of savvy and street smarts! I too contacted my existing
friends in Switzerland and asked them very nicely to help me out. Emil
went to the trouble to go to the Rennweg twice - and in person. Christin
went there as well and placed an order for me. |
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