The End of Switzerland

Chantal, over at One Big Yodel, posted about a Newsweek article today and I would like to share it with you.

Here you go: The End of Switzerland.

Now, the end of the article says the author lived and worked in Switzerland. I'm not sure where though. I find that Swiss cities are still some of the cleanest I've ever been to, the trains are 99% on time, and the highway construction is way more efficient than in the US.

But the rest? Well, I can't say I disagree with it all.

Feel free to give your take here or head on over to Chantal's blog to join the discussion.

Chateau d'Oex, part deux

Saturday brought nice weather so we busted out of our apartment after Betti's morning nap to explore the town a little bit more. We did some window shopping, checked out our restaurant options, and decided on pizza. While we were sitting there, a band stopped outside to play.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
They really got into it. The chef in our restaurant then rewarded them with some bottles of wine and they got even more into it. Marion loved it.

Lunch was good except for the annoying preschooler sitting at the table. So we gave her our camera. Here is a lunch experience through the eyes of Marion.

After lunch we walked around the town a little bit more. Chateau d'Oex is a small town but it was so nice outside we stretched our walk as long as we could.

Notice the British flag in the last picture. This town was full of Brits. During our walk we stumbled upon a balloon museum.
Our afternoon included more pool time.
Seriously. Going on vacation with kids? Get a pool. It's a lifesaver. Unless you have a child like Betti, who doesn't get excited about things like pools.

Sadly, the next day brought some of the best weather of the week and it was time for us to go. At least we were able to see some beautiful views on the way out.

The good weather didn't last for long though. We found ourselves in a massive snow storm on the way home. Did you know that snow plows in Switzerland travel together so that they can get the entire road at once? Makes sense to me, no plowing snow into the other lane. However, it completely sucks if you get stuck behind the plows. Luckily we did not. But we saw a ton of people on the other side of the road that did.

After a long drive in the snow we managed to make it home safely so that Marion and Brian could make me a yummy birthday cake.

A perfect end to a perfect family celebration!

Chateau d'Oex

Last year I was told about the International Balloon Festival in Chateau d'Oex, a small town in the French section of Switzerland. The festival takes place at the end of every January. We missed it last year but I thought it would be a perfect getaway for our family for my birthday this year so I booked it straight away.

Brian had some work come up at the last minute so I took the kids and drove down to set up shop with them by myself.

We arrived a little early, which didn't make the property manager too happy. But I had a screaming hungry baby so I really didn't give a crap.

We settled in and went to bed so that we could wake up and enjoy the pool in the building where we stayed.

Marion doesn't care where we go as long as there is a pool around. It's amazing how a little water can make a vacation. Note to self: always book a hotel or rent an apartment that has a pool!

After some pool time, Brian arrived and we went out for a walk to see the festival, some balloons, and take a helicopter ride.



After the helicopter, we went into the event hangar to catch the end of the children's day facilities. Marion had a snack and enjoyed the free bouncer

Brian and I marveled at the proximity of the absinthe booth to the play area.

After some bouncing we headed into town to get some groceries then back to the apartment.


The next day we decided to go up the mountain for some sledding. The weather wasn't so great (snow!) so Brian went down the mountain with Marion while Betti and I hung out in the restaurant at the top. Then it was back home for rest while Brian did some solo skiing in the afternoon.

Friday brought some more crappy weather (more snow!). Betti and I took the opportunity to relax at the apartment while Brian took Marion for her first ski lesson. She couldn't contain her excitement and prepared for her lesson super early.

Night glow was scheduled for Friday night and I had been looking forward to it for awhile. The website didn't say it was canceled so, despite our thoughts that it may not happen because of the weather, we decided to take the kids out for a night snow walk.

It was canceled.

So back we went, praying for better weather on Saturday.

To be continued, since this is getting kind of long. This is kind of a boring post (sorry!) but that is what happens on 'relaxing' vacations, or vacations with kids that have relaxing moments!

Ice skating on the mountain

Or, Marion's first ski lesson.

For some reason she calls it ice skating. We don't know why. Anyway, she wanted to try it out and we figured, 'Why not?'

So off Marion and Brian went during our trip to Chateau d'Oex. Except her lesson was in Gstaad. Fancy schmancy.



She did really well! The instructor said she was coordinated, balanced, and athletic for being on skis for the first time.

Maybe all she needed was some skis for her to be graceful? God knows she isn't balanced or coordinated on her own two feet!

Betti's walking!

That's reason enough for a two post day! She did five steps yesterday, used this morning to rest up, and now is on a roll. So thoughtful of her to give me a preview last night so I could have the video camera ready today.

That makes her three and a half months ahead of Marion. I knew second kids had a tendency to do things faster, but seriously?

The best souvenir mug ever?

We thought so.

Bern Bear Attack

So I'm a little late on this. Back in November, a mentally handicapped man managed to get into the new Barenpark in Bern.

A police officer shot the bear in an effort to save the man. The aftermath has been interesting and so very Swiss. My favorite part of that article is this quote,

"Everyone is responsible for themselves," said Puzo, who was not on duty when the attack occurred. "It's like going to the Amazon, being in a boat, being told the water is full of piranhas – and you still jump in. People are more dangerous than animals."

Personal responsibility. Love this in Switzerland.

Shall we venture to guess what would have happened had this event taken place in America?

My guess: Animal put down due to being a risk to society and a lawsuit from the victim for the enclosure not being foolproof.

What do you think?

On another note, here's one more big difference between Europe and the US. Reporting. If you feel so inclined, you can check this link for actual photos of the bear mauling the man.

Incredible. I never realized how tame the news is in the US until I came here.