Sometimes the Swiss just amaze me…and not in a good way. Yesterday I was buying flowers at Hornbach (like a Home Depot). As usual there was only one cashier open. Customer service isn’t a big priority here. Not like back home anyway. There could be a line six people deep with several employees standing around but they still wouldn’t open another register. It’s another pet peeve of mine but not the one I’m focusing on right now.
So I went to get in line and found myself behind a full shopping cart without a person attached to it. I knew right away what was going on. The owner of that cart was holding a place in the long line while still running around the store shopping. What?! Lines are meant to stand in when you are done shopping. I can understand an occasional time or two when you forget something, so you leave your cart in line and run back to get it. That is acceptable, but it is not okay to hold a place in line as you continue to shop. I’ve seen it done several times where people have made multiple trips back and forth to get more items while holding a place in line. I wasn’t in the mood for it yesterday, so I butted in front of the personless cart and didn’t even look in that direction when the woman returned to the line. She proved me right though…she was holding several more items which she put in her cart.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mission Accomplished
Matt had a few ‘to-do’ things on his list for Bruce and Cindy’s visit. The first was to introduce Bruce to a variety of Swiss and German beers. This mission was accomplished early on in their visit – I think the photo was taken on day 3.
The second ‘to-do’ item was to grill out as much as possible. Matt and Bruce are grilling buddies back in Minnesota. Bruce makes one delicious steak on the grill. The steaks aren’t the same here, so we settled for a variety of local sausages. Based on how much meat they grilled for just this one meal, I think it’s safe to say this mission was also accomplished.
The second ‘to-do’ item was to grill out as much as possible. Matt and Bruce are grilling buddies back in Minnesota. Bruce makes one delicious steak on the grill. The steaks aren’t the same here, so we settled for a variety of local sausages. Based on how much meat they grilled for just this one meal, I think it’s safe to say this mission was also accomplished.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Rochers de Naye Hike
We kept very busy during Bruce and Cindy’s visit. My favorite day was when we hiked around Rochers de Naye. We started it off with lunch at a restaurant in Col de Jaman. The restaurant had just opened that day for the season. Prior to that there had been too much snow to drive there. We had a traditional Swiss lunch with Matt and Bruce trying the rösti (hashbrowns served with an egg on top). I can’t remember the name of Cindy’s dish, but it was super cheesy whatever it was, and I had Alpine macaroni, which consisted of lots of milk, butter and cheese. My mouth still waters when I think about it. It was that good.
Since it was a 2 – 3 hour hike uphill to the peak (Rochers de Naye) we decided instead to hike from Col de Jaman to a nearby train station to ride the cogwheel train up to the top. The weather cooperated – the sun was shining with only a few clouds in a very blue sky. The views from the peak were beautiful.
We took the train back down to another little stop. I think it was selected by the guys because it had a bar selling cold beer right next to it. After quenching our thirst we began the hike back to Col de Jaman. You’ll notice on the picture of this sign that it should take 45 minutes to get to where we were going.
However, if you look like this, it takes you one hour and 30 minutes. Not bad for being 29 weeks pregnant though.
We were moving pretty slow on the way back because of my belly but we all made it safely to our destination. Overall, it was a fun day and a perfect example of what it’s like to hike in Switzerland.
Since it was a 2 – 3 hour hike uphill to the peak (Rochers de Naye) we decided instead to hike from Col de Jaman to a nearby train station to ride the cogwheel train up to the top. The weather cooperated – the sun was shining with only a few clouds in a very blue sky. The views from the peak were beautiful.
We took the train back down to another little stop. I think it was selected by the guys because it had a bar selling cold beer right next to it. After quenching our thirst we began the hike back to Col de Jaman. You’ll notice on the picture of this sign that it should take 45 minutes to get to where we were going.
However, if you look like this, it takes you one hour and 30 minutes. Not bad for being 29 weeks pregnant though.
We were moving pretty slow on the way back because of my belly but we all made it safely to our destination. Overall, it was a fun day and a perfect example of what it’s like to hike in Switzerland.
Tulip Time Again
The tulips are out. There are 100,000 flowers in the park to celebrate the Fête de la Tulipe in Morges. It makes for a very enjoyable walk every day.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Next Round of Visitors
Our friends, Bruce and Cindy, are making the big trip over to see us. They arrive this Thursday and will be staying with us for a week. We’ll spend most of the time in Switzerland but also a few days in Paris. I have the week off from school so I’ve been busy getting ready for them. We have a long list of possible things to do and see, so hopefully the weather will cooperate. They timed their trip perfectly with the tulip festival in Morges. I’m sure this was high on Bruce’s priority list.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Successful Visit (Until the Last Day)
After several days of sight-seeing in Paris, Rowan, Evie and the rest of the family, including Grandma Connie, came to Switzerland. We had a wonderful weekend with perfect weather – 70+ degrees, blue sky and beautiful views of the Alps and Lake Geneva. We took full advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and spent our time out and about Switzerland.
Here are the highlights:
• Walking through the Saturday market and park. The tourist office suggested a little scavenger hunt for the girls to do in the tulip park. They had fun running around looking for Tinkerbell's magic wand while the grown-ups enjoyed the scenery.
• Our friends often take their children to Signal de Boughy, which is a massive playground, just a short drive from Morges. This was the first time I'd been there. The girls loved the playgrounds and the views were stunning. Matt took Marc for a bike ride through the vineyards to see the Vufflens-le-Château while we were at the park.
• Château de Chillon in Montreux. Typically it takes more than an hour to go through the castle but Lisa and the girls were in and out in record time; less than 30 minutes. Marc and Connie weren't far behind them. After a picnic lunch Matt and Marc went for a hike while the rest of us came back by train and then went to the park.
• We ended the weekend with a trip to the baths in the morning before heading to the airport. It was a wonderful time until I put the wrong kind of gas in our diesel car. Bad, bad things happen when one does this. It created a lot of stress and worry for everyone. Thank goodness for my friend, Christina, who came to our rescue.
Here are the highlights:
• Walking through the Saturday market and park. The tourist office suggested a little scavenger hunt for the girls to do in the tulip park. They had fun running around looking for Tinkerbell's magic wand while the grown-ups enjoyed the scenery.
• Our friends often take their children to Signal de Boughy, which is a massive playground, just a short drive from Morges. This was the first time I'd been there. The girls loved the playgrounds and the views were stunning. Matt took Marc for a bike ride through the vineyards to see the Vufflens-le-Château while we were at the park.
• Château de Chillon in Montreux. Typically it takes more than an hour to go through the castle but Lisa and the girls were in and out in record time; less than 30 minutes. Marc and Connie weren't far behind them. After a picnic lunch Matt and Marc went for a hike while the rest of us came back by train and then went to the park.
• We ended the weekend with a trip to the baths in the morning before heading to the airport. It was a wonderful time until I put the wrong kind of gas in our diesel car. Bad, bad things happen when one does this. It created a lot of stress and worry for everyone. Thank goodness for my friend, Christina, who came to our rescue.
Getting Ready
We've been learning a lot as we prepare for baby's arrival in July:
• Prenatal check-ups have been every four weeks. My doctor has done an ultrasound at every appointment, which is a lot more than my friends back home say they had.
• My weight is measured in kilos at the appointments. I love how little that number sounds in kilos compared to pounds.
• In Switzerland women tend to stop working a month, or sometimes even two, before their due date. The doctor said the Swiss feel it's very important for the mother to have time to prepare for the birth. I like their way of thinking.
• The hospital stay is typically five days for mama and baby. Six to seven days if it's a C-section.
• After giving birth the mother is served a cheese platter. Yum, bring on the cheese!
• Prenatal check-ups have been every four weeks. My doctor has done an ultrasound at every appointment, which is a lot more than my friends back home say they had.
• My weight is measured in kilos at the appointments. I love how little that number sounds in kilos compared to pounds.
• In Switzerland women tend to stop working a month, or sometimes even two, before their due date. The doctor said the Swiss feel it's very important for the mother to have time to prepare for the birth. I like their way of thinking.
• The hospital stay is typically five days for mama and baby. Six to seven days if it's a C-section.
• After giving birth the mother is served a cheese platter. Yum, bring on the cheese!
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