Something that I’ve neglected to write about, here on the blog, are Nihad’s Azerbaijani tea-parties.

Nihad loves his home country’s dishes and delicacies. You’ve no doubt seen our previous post chronicling Nihad’s khinkali dish he served the boarders as well as the staff before the winter break.

With him, Nihad brings a veritable library of teas from his homeland of Azerbaijan, of all kinds. As well as Azerbaijani honey and spiced meats. In the evenings, we often sit down for tea with Nihad, after he asks us to join him, which we always do and he serves us freshly brewed tea with honey.

It’s a wonderful moment of relaxation for whoever chooses to join and I can’t believe I’ve never written about it properly, here. It’s a moment we all share, truly. Between the drinkers and those who happen to be passing through the kitchen, it’s impossible not to be sucked into conversation. And the conversation always starts with uninitiated members of the tea-parties asking Nihad about where this tea comes from. This opens the door to powerful cultural exchange as everyone naturally begins to discuss their own home rituals and what dishes ‘they’ would choose to share, were they given the opportunity. It’s wonderful and profound tradition we’re privileged to have developed here in Olympus.

New Arrival Christiaan shares a drink with Nihad, a proper induction into Olympus.

There are other rituals that we love to share here at Olympus and another firm favourite is Mr. Tarun’s trials by fire through the use of multi-player videogames that often turn into impromptu-house competitions.

Mr. Tarun plays Video-Games with Aoto while Ayu and Davyd watch in awe.

Take a little while to think about the traditions that you would share were you given the opportunity. Being brave enough to be vulnerable to show some true passion is a powerful key to many amazing things that make a community stronger.

-Best of The Best from the Olympus Boys!

Just because the winter holidays are over, doesn’t mean that winter isn’t sticking around. With the ice-cold bite of the bise coming from the north-east and distributing shivers among the CDL campus population, the snow is still far from melted.

Over this weekend, the ski-club had its first outing and our boy Nikita tagged along for the ride. Taking the bus early in the morning before the light of day can thaw too much of the frost, the ski club headed up into the mountains to experience the wonderful snow that the Swiss mountains have to offer. And though it was a brisk morning start, our CDL Ski-Clubbers were carving the slopes up like nobody’s business.

(above) Nikita demonstrates a neat technique on the mountain paths.

Nikita shredding some powder.

Nikita arriving on the mountain with the other Ski-Clubbers along with a guest appearance from CDL’s very own Mr. Max

Switzerland is an incredible opportunity for skiing for all proficiency levels. Smooth rides or rough rides, these mountains have it all!

That being said, while the ski club was riding high, everyone down in the valley below were making it a weekend to remember on their own terms!

Maksim and Ilya take it easier down down down below in the heated Tennis dome.

Ivan and Gary in the depths of the culinary alchemy that goes on in CDL’s elaborate Cooking Club.

Our Mr. Tarun provides a challenge for Murat, one of our many Chess enthusiasts here in Olympus.

We celebrate a dual birthday for Max and James! Hip-hip hooray for a double-barrel blast of joy to the face!

Another successful weekend for the boys and staff! It’s a good omen for the weekend after next, with the return of the mountain weekends!

Check back in, soon!

Best of the best from the Olympus boys!