Foods You Thought could be Found Anywhere

When you think pure American food, what is it that you imagine?

Personally, I had always imagined any fastfood staple such has hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries and soda. I've also imagined pizza. I've even imagined Mexican food, but I soon realized that it's called Mexican food for a reason even though I practically grew up with it.

(Though the Swiss do have their Mexican restaurants here. Which certainly does not fit my perception of Switzerland.)

I've discovered a few things though.

Sliced bread is American. There is no such thing as sliced bread in Switzerland. Except for one exception.  They call it "Toast" in English. Why? Because it's bread especially made for the toaster. It's not used for anything else.

There is a very rare thing called Peanut Butter here. It's only been introduced to the grocery stores here within the past five years. So peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Totally American.

Brown sugar can only be found on American military bases. They don't have it anywhere else. So have a recipe that calls for brown sugar? You'd better have a lot in your food storage or you make it yourself. Here there is only sugar and raw sugar.

Hamburger buns and hotdog buns. Also another food item you have to really know where to look in which grocery stores to find. Oh, and remember me saying there is no such thing as store bought sliced bread? This applies to the hamburger and hotdog buns. You slice it yourself.

Sloppy joes. Doesn't exist here. Meat isn't supposed to be sweet.

However, hamburgers and cheeseburgers are made at certain restaurants. But I wouldn't recommend buying and eating any from anywhere other than McDonald's and Burger King. It's like drinking water thinking it's Sprite.

The Swiss have an addiction to soda and energy drinks. I truly wasn't expecting that. Though I was expecting their addiction to tea. Oh, and you know Starbucks? In the States it's more used for it's coffee. In Switzerland it's more used for it's tea.

But, the Swiss do have their awesome cheese that makes any recipe that calls for cheese that much richer. I had no idea cheese could have so much power in food! They also have their amazing rich chocolate that I adore. They have chocolate pudding, that is chocolate pudding. They have their chocolate bread. Which is in the picture on top of the toast bread. It's a croissant with a chocolate filling. Love those. They may not have really sweet cookies, but their bread and their chocolate makes up for that.

Another interesting thing to note is that in Switzerland it is very difficult to not get non-organic fresh fruits and veggies. I honestly didn't know the difference until I was told.

But to tell you the absolute truth? I'm loving the food here.

How to be a European

I've gathered much of this information from relatives or observations. I find it interesting. I love the European people. They are very nice, just with a different culture to get used to.

Number One: You are a people watcher. You sit at a bench or a table outside (or even inside) and you really focus and stare at people until you see them look around because your stare is so intense they can feel it. Though that's just the foreigners that can feel it. After awhile you don't notice when you are being stared at. Currently, I can look outside and watch the older couple that live next door sit on their bench with their binoculars and look across the valley to the other mountains or the roads or I don't even know what. But Europeans like to watch.

Number Two: When you walk you don't smile. You especially don't smile to people you say hello to. But you do say hello or else it is like a slap in the face. But they think you are odd if you are smiling. Unless you're members of the church. They like to smile.

Number Three: If you wear a hat, it's part of your religion or you are very wealthy and you have an extremely attractive looking hat.

Number Four: School children all have the same uniformal backpack with different fabric. The schools expect the children to have all their different school supplies in the same place in every backpack.

Number Five: You bike. A lot. It doesn't matter what you are wearing, a business suit, a skirt, jeans, shorts, dresses, etc. You still bike.

Number Six: Children are to be well behaved. All the time. If they are not, then you feel extremely apologetic for your children.

Number Seven: You do not make lots of noise. You don't talk with a loud voice. Your laughter is even muted. You never yell.

Number Eight: You must be very fashionable. You wear expensive clothing. You do not wear PJ's or sweats in public which is anywhere outside the doors of where you live. You wear whatever fashion from any time period you want, but it must be expensive looking.

Number Nine: You know how to get from Point A to Point X without asking for directions or having a map or checking the schedules of the trains, buses, and trams. You know it by heart.

Number Ten: You must know at least three other languages. Not just know, but be very nearly fluent in all of them both in speech and writing.

Number Eleven: A one and a half hour trip to anywhere is classified as a very, very long ways.

Number Twelve: Owning a home is only for the very well-to-do families.

Number Thirteen: You find riding on the public transportation system with people in military dress carrying guns not very odd at all.

Number Fourteen: When you plan your vacations, you schedule and reserve places years in advance.

Number Fifteen: You are skinny.

Number Sixteen: You smoke and you don't mind it when others smoke right next to you either.

Number Seventeen: You own expensive, lovely cars and you drive fast.

Number Eighteen: You would never look for hotdog buns, hamburger buns, sliced bread, or peanut butter in the grocery store because the store doesn't stock them and you'd have no use for them anyways.

Number Nineteen: You have an assigned laundry day and time on that day.

Number Twenty: Do anything that could be considered work on Sunday will give you dirty looks. This includes any type of gardening.

Number Twenty-One: You only eat or make foods that are in season, because you won't be getting any food that is made out of season.

Number Twenty-Two: Drinking alcohol and tea is a cultural thing, and you are extremely rude to refuse. Unless you have a very good reason not to.

Things I've Learned about Children

This message was passed around on Facebook for those who it was applicable to.

Dirty dishes prove I feed my children, messy floors prove that I let my kids have fun, piles of clothes prove I keep my children in clean clothes, a messy bathroom proves that I bathe my children, and an un-made bed proves they had a warm place to sleep! So next time you walk into my house and see a mess think wow those kids are loved!

Someday I may actually type these words down (with slight variation), put them in a simple frame, and the hang it on the wall so it's one of the first things one sees upon entering my home. Then I wouldn't have to say anything to excuse any mess. Plus, it would be a great reminder to me that messes aren't always the end of the world.


Along with this, I've learned a few things one ought to know about children.

They do not like your schedule on when it's time for bed. They like to make up their own schedule. An hour before dinner, for example. Then they don't want to go to bed afterwards. They are also natural alarm clocks. They come into your room informing you that the sun is up and they are up, so why are you in bed? And you can't say, just a few more minutes...

They are really adorable when they are half asleep when they are just waking up. They are simply hilarious at this stage with their tired eyes and their sleepy smiles. They're plainly happy to see you.

When you decide to go on a little walk with them, and they inform you they do not want to ride in the stroller, you immediately make sure they know they will have to walk all the way. Especially, since if you carried them on the way home up the mountain, your arms will fall off. You know this from experience. Yet, later, when you are coming back up the mountain to go home, you give in because you see how exhausted they are. Well, you give in until your arms fall off.

Do not plan to arrive anywhere quickly. To begin, it takes awhile to get kids ready. You need to find shoes, socks, and perhaps their clothes if they've decided to take them off and put them in a location no one is aware of. If you are driving, you realize that you forgot a number of things and have to run back in the house multiple times to get all of it, but you notice you still forgot something when you are halfway to your destination. If you are walking, the children will stop to see every flower in bloom, every bug, the source of every noise, the cracks in the ground, old leaves to crumple up and anything else that captures their attention and imagination. It's wonderful and causes you to truly think about the things we are blessed with.

Expect them to try to eat like an adult with their spoons and forks, but realize they will make a mess anyways as the food is too stubborn to stay on their utensils so they use their hands to scoop it up onto their spoons, miss their mouths but not their faces or their stomachs.

Comprehend that there is a mystical force that totally destroys a room you just cleaned when your back is turned for just a second. There is also a force that causes children to ruin things in less than a second. So just don't be under the illusion that all the expensive things will miraculously make it through a childhood.

Finally, the last thing to know about children are that they are extremely precious little bundles of love and are perhaps the greatest teachers in the world.

Institute in Switzerland

Things I love about Institute in Switzerland:

Translators
These people are truly the greatest people ever. You have no idea how awkwardly odd you can feel until you are in a place that is half familiar to you, yet you can't understand most of what is said. It's crazy. I'm so grateful for returned missionaries and for missionaries who are from an English speaking area serving in Switzerland, such as Elder Field from London, England if anyone knows him.

Food
They serve actually meals after institute. So not only do you get Swiss chocolate in the class, but you get delicious food afterwards. The reason for the full-blown European meals (meaning it's like a lunch) after institute is because so many people arrived straight from work or the university and didn't have a chance to eat a dinner. Plus, most have a long time before they arrive home as well. Takes a long time to get from the stake center to home for most. But I love the food.

Friendly LDS Swiss people who speak English and can help me get from Point A to Point X when we have to get on a bus, get off at the right stop, get on a tram, get off at the right stop, get on a train, and get off at the right stop.
I love LDS Swiss people who speak English. Very, very helpful. Plus, you actually can make a friend without having a huge issue of a language barrier to overcome. They want to hear about America. They want to know how long you've been here and how long you'll stay and what you've be able to do and see. You are extremely happy to be able to have communication occurring with people who don't totally intimate you. I'm so grateful that there is an institute here and that I'm going to it. Wonderful people with great personalities and big hearts.



So it was a great day today with that alone. Let alone all the other things I was able to do. Went up a gondola lift to the top of a mountain and took some pictures. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Pictures do not adequately capture everything you wish it could. But I tried.

Joy in the Journey

♥ Don't always have your happiness depended on the Golden Ticket; enjoy the chocolates of life. ♥

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking that people should choose to be happy more often. There are so many instances where people are in terrible circumstances by our standards, yet they are still a happy people. Now, of course we should be aiming towards good and righteous goals, but we should be enjoying the journey there.

Today I went on a walk around Sattel, Switzerland. Instead of having a certain destination in mind (unless you count going back home. Eventually), I strolled around the area. I walked up to a little Catholic chapel. I visited the graves there. I walked uphill for quite a ways. Then I went all the way down the mountain to the valley and visited a playground. I have to say that I really enjoy Swiss playgrounds. Wish I had them when I was growing up. Actually, they're still fun. There should be more Swiss playgrounds in America.

But I enjoyed the journey. Being a visitor to an area causes you to look at the common little things that I'm sure many who live nearby pass up because it's such an ordinary everyday thing. It's nice to see things that are different in life in an alternative culture and country. However, I believe its important to look around you in your everyday life. Then your life will be that much more exciting.

Life is pretty joyous when you take the time to enjoy it.

As Sisters in Zion

Als Schwestern in Zion

Als Schwestern in Zion vereint laßt uns wirken

es segne der Herr unser Mühn, unsern Fleiß.

Sein Reich wolln wir bauen mit all unsern Kräften

und trösten und stärken nach seinem Geheiß.

As Sisters in Zion

As sisters in Zion, we’ll all work together;

The blessings of God on our labors we’ll seek.

We’ll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;

We’ll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

That's the first verse of the Hymn "As Sisters in Zion" both in German and English. I thought it rather appropriate.

The General Relief Society Meeting occurred at four this morning. As I was sleeping at that time, I watched it online this afternoon. Even though many of you have already heard a lot about it and the little reminders are everywhere on Facebook, I'd like to put my two cents in.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about the Forget-Me-Not flowers. They are small little flowers the color of clear blue skies. Each flower has five petals. In his talk, he gave us five things those petals represent:

1. Forget not to have patience with yourself.
2. Forget not the foolish sacrifice verses a good sacrifice.
3. Forget not to be happy now.
4. Forget not the why of the gospel.
5. Forget not that God loves you.

President Uchtdorft said, "The happiest people I know are the people who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who thread by daily thread weave their tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their life. These are they who are truly happy."

The little Forget-Me-Not flowers are a symbol of the little things that can make your life sweet. I'd recommend you not forget them. Personally, I'm now planning on having a little flower pot with these flowers in it. I'm probably planning this along with hundreds of other women around the world, but I really think it's a good idea.

Today after Sacrament meeting, Brother Siegenthaler, the same gentleman from last week, came over to chat with me. He's such a sweet man. He expressed to me his love of my generation. He has great hope and joy for the future because he sees my generation strong and active in the gospel. He told me that my generation is a wonderful one. Then he was very sweet, informing me that I am a very beautiful young lady and very spiritually strong and that it was going to be very easy for me to find a "young gentleman" to marry because these days my generation is full of young men in the gospel who actually deserve the wonderful young ladies. I love this man. He's such a sweetheart.

Then in Relief Society we spoke of Eve. It was fascinating.

One of the questions posed to us was: What were the commandments given to Adam and Eve?

1. "Be fruitful, and multiply" (Moses 2:28). Meaning they should have children.
2. "Replenish the earth" (Moses 2:28). Meaning they must take care of the earth and all the plants and animals on it.
3. Adam and Eve must stay together. (Moses 4:18). They were married before they were ever made mortal, so they had made a covenant to be together forever. The marriage was eternal from the beginning. If one was made mortal and the other was still immortal then they would not be keeping their covenant.

The one that usually is the first that comes to people's minds is that Adam and Eve were commanded to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Moses 3:17 reads:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

It was not a sin that they partook of the tree of knowledge. It was a transgression. God told them the actions and the consequences of such actions upfront. They really had the agency to choose to keep God's commandments. They realized that in order for them to keep the three commandments of having children, taking care of the earth, and staying together (especially for Adam after Eve had already partaken) they must partake of the tree of knowledge. I almost think that it was a relatively easy choice to make knowing that they were married eternally and that they would have a Redeemer to return them to the presence of God after they physically leave the Garden of Eden where the literal presence of God was. It must have been a great comfort. They could have children, take care of the earth and be mortal, and still be able to have a chance to return to God's presence after their mortality.

In anycase, it was a fascinating lesson given in High German and translated for me.

To finish up this day about my sisters in Zion, I was able to go to church with not just one, but three of my girl cousins.

On the way home, we realized that we were each daughters of sisters. It would be so nice to someday have each of our mothers' sisters' daughters in a photo. In this photo, we were only missing five other girl cousins, our mothers, and our grandmother to make this more complete.

As Sisters in Zion indeed.

Brunnen, Switzerland

Today I took a trip with my cousin and her kids to Brunnen, Switzerland. It's a really great place. Really gorgeous. I love it.

Brunnen, Switzerland is on Lake Luzern (or Lucerne in English). The north-western part of the lake is where the city Luzern is. That's where I went to after my adventures on the train and again when I saw the Glacier Gardens.

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The city Brunnen is certainly a place for tourists, but that's totally understandable as it's breathtaking there. It's also in the heart of "William Tell Country". I recommend you search William Tell on Wikipedia as it's a fascinating story. I saw one building with a mural depicting his adventures and why he's so celebrated. I've also learned that Brunnen is one of the original cities in Switzerland. The Swiss Confederation has been said to be on August 1, 1291. That day is like America's 4th of July. Brunnen is a very crowded place on this holiday as it's also near where the original charter was signed so they have huge fireworks shot from land to explode over the lake. What a sight that must be!

But since I wasn't here on the 1st of August, I've taken pictures of the beautiful scenery with the mountains, lake and city.

Side note: People have very nice cars here. It's amazing. I don't even know what kind of cars they are, but you look at them and you just think, That's expensive. and that one's expensive. and, oh! That one too! I plan on taking more pictures of all the expensive cars I see. They are literally every other car on the road and every other parked car. It's just ridiculous. Especially since they're more expensive here than in the States.

This chapel was built in 1633. That's several centuries ago. Just in case you can't do the math. It's a really tiny chapel. But really pretty. At one point in it's history it became a restaurant because a bigger building was built nearby. But in the 90's they restored it. It's still being used.

This is a drinking fountain. Without the button. It just goes constantly. It's really nice. You can just get yourself a drink by bending over and catching it as it falls. You can wash your hands in the water that's sorta standing water (but not really as it flows down another pipe). But they are very convient and everywhere. I love them. A lot. Plus, they are generally very nice fountains.

That's all for today. Not many words, but lots of pictures. I'm so very grateful I didn't forget my camera. This trip could've been torture without one. My brain could not keep every image of all I am seeing. At least with a camera I can capture a few to remember the rest.

People are People

Life is pretty crazy sometimes.

So my cousin, her kids, and I went on a day trip yesterday. It was loads of fun. We were on our way to Luzern via train. It's quite the experience going on a train with three small children. I begin to feel sorry for my own mother who has five children and we were all really small together. I mean, I've always been grateful but you certainly gain a new appreciation for all she does.

In anycase, we were sitting sorta behind these group of youngish guys who had been seated since we boarded. They were playing a card game and speaking a different language. Totally not surprising. I would've been shocked to hear English.

Well. They were very blatantly checking us out. It was kinda weird. Complimentary sure. But honestly, we had three kids with us and... I don't know. It's just you don't plan these things, you know? Especially when you are in a foreign country, with your cousin, on a train, with three kids. It was odd.

After we got off, my cousin and I just laughed. She informed me that they're probably from Italy because the train we were on goes from Italy through Switzerland into Germany. Plus, they smelled a little. Meaning they've probably been on the train for a long time. But it was complimentary, still odd. Made for an experience. Italians. Who would've thought?

The reason for our day trip was to go to the Gletscher Garten also known as the Glacier Garden in English. It looks like this:

It's that awesome looking? Answer: Yes.

They have this tent thing over it so that it doesn't become more weathered down. It's been a place to go to for many many years. A glacier went through forever ago.

Those big holes? They were created by those rocks swirling around by water. Nature is pretty impressive. It really is.

This lion is carved at the beginning of the gardens. Wikipedia is very helpful in understanding the significance of it. It says, "It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, France. The American writer Mark Twain (1835–1910) praised the sculpture of a mortally-wounded lion as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.' " It was really breathtaking. Europe is pretty amazing. Just seeing places that were built before the US was a country... It's cool.

Also at the Gardens they had a mirror maze. It was pretty intense. You think it's going to be easy, but when you are inside it you are so confused. 

Your depth perception is messed up. You stare at yourself in a mirror trying to figure out if it's a mirror or if it's the mirror just beyond it. So totally worth it. You are so so so confused. Loved it.

Then they had a tower there that we climbed and climbed and climbed up the stairs on the mountain to even reach. Then we climbed some more to get to the top of the tower. These are a few photos of Luzern I took after we finally arrived at the top:

After the gardens we went to Zurich because one of the kids had an English class. Then my cousin and the kids went on their way home after I was shown around Zurich a little bit. I hung around in Old Town wandering around, exploring, watching people, reading, writing.

Well, as I was sitting on a bench another random experience happened. A random guy sat down next to me and started talking to me in English. He was kinda interesting. After awhile of chatting about politics and the different plus and minuses of different countries and religions etc. etc., he decided to be more forthcoming and actually be blatantly forward. And guess what he asked? If I'd like to have drinks with him sometime. I cannot believe I was asked on a date while in Europe nor can I believe that I was asked to go on a date to actually drink alcohol. Poor guy. I do not understand people sometimes. It was another thing to add to my list of things that happened to me while in Europe. It's quite the adventure.

At 7, I began to make my way towards the stake center. I was going to institute. In Europe. It was lovely. I'm so grateful to returned missionaries. I really am. Especially ones that speak English and can help me translate. So I had a translater. I was given more Swiss Chocolate as well. I love church activities in Switzerland. I really do. After institute they provided dinner. See, in Switzerland there is not YSA branch or ward. Only family wards. So institute is really the only place where people meet each other. People go straight to institute from work or school so they're hungry and need more time to socialize. I met this really nice girl who just moved into the city. She's from Austria originally but she went to Arizona, US for high school for the exchange program. She stayed in a town called Joseph City. It was settled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than half the population are members and that's how she was introduced to the church and where she joined. It was really awesome to get to know her. It was even better that she knew English so well. She knew English and Swiss German, sorta. So it was fun. New friend. I'll see her next week. I'm excited. I love the gospel. It works miracles for people. I really and truly love it.

Coming home was a bit of a problem. I had a difficult time pronouncing the name of the girl who was to give me a ride and then I couldn't speak German at all. However, when we were on our way home it was a lot of fun. We had this problem speaking to each other, but with some basic English and big gestures and mind communications girls can still talk about all things girls can talk about.

So basically at the end of this post I suppose I can announce that people are people everywhere. I love it.

Going to Church

Church in Switzerland is pretty great.

Today was the primary program and my cousin is the music director. So we tried to arrive early. Thus, of course, we arrived sorta kinda early. My cousin got everything ready and her daughter went and sat on the stand. Meanwhile, the twin 2 year old boys and I went and sat down in the back.

The building is interesting. It looks like a new building. But in the basement where the nursery is it's a part of a former bunker. The sacrament room has one main entrance and one simple door in the back. There aren't any benches, but rather only chairs. It reminded me a lot of church at BYU-Idaho.

Soon an older gentleman came over and asked me if I was using a certain seat. However, I had no idea what he was saying at it was either in Swiss German or High German or another language.. In anycase it was in another language. I made gestures expressing I have no idea what he's talking about. And I said, "I'm sorry I don't understand." However, he knows English. So that was awesome.

They gave me these little translator things that make it look like I'm wearing a very non-attractive stethoscope. However, taking care of twins causes me to frequently take off the translator things because it's really hard to hear anything the boys say when I wear it. The older gentleman was really helpful when things fell. Sweet man.

The primary program was focused on the Old and New Testaments. It was nice. What was interesting was that every once in awhile the children spoke in English.

No matter where you are in the world, the Holy Ghost is the same. It's wonderful.

After Sacrament Meeting, I spoke with the gentleman next to me. He wanted me to know how special and how blessed my generation is. When he was a young boy it was before the World War II and the missionaries came. It touched something in his heart. It was powerful. But then WWII occurred and the missionaries left. He'd study the Bible cover to cover multiple times. And the scriptures that touched him the most was about the living waters and the bread of life and if he partakes of it he'd never hunger again. It was powerful because he was starving. He had no food. He really was starving. He had brushed against the Gospel but wasn't able to partake. He was saved by the Americans. The American planes flew overhead. The war was over. Then there were American missionaries that came across him. He was so happy. He had not thought that he would ever see them again.

Sunday School was fun. It felt like a normal Sunday School. The lesson was Lesson 34: “Keep the Ordinances, As I Delivered Them”. Good lesson. All in High German.

Then I went to Relief Society. I was lucky enough to have sister missionaries in the ward today. One of them has been in Switzerland for only 4 weeks. She was from Idaho and even went to BYU-Idaho for two years. It was kinda funny. But she was very helpful in translating for me.

However, this sister missionaries were the ones giving the lesson today. The lesson was "Chapter 40: Temple Work and Family History". It was a lesson I had my last week in America. It was fascinating. You know how in American the lessons we have about genealogy work is mostly about going to new.familysearch.org as well as doing indexing? And of course going to the temple to do work for the dead. But in Switzerland the focus is on going to the churches. You know, the churches with records dating back quite a long ways into the past? Where you have to go talk to the Catholic priests for access to the records? Yup. That's what the Europeans do. They discussed how many hire people to look up their genealogy for them and how those without money usually have the time. So each has their own talents and availability for this. But I also learned how important it is for Americans to do their genealogy work. One family was finding their ancestors and many generations back they found a line whose temple work was all done. It was quite the surprise for them. But what had happened was that an extremely distance relative in the states had done his or her own family history and temple work and as a result made it easier for this new family to finish up their line until the common ancestor.

Both the Americans and the Europeans do the temple work and family history, but it seems to me that we each have our strengths and weakness and we help each other out.

The Europeans find the written records and go through that process.

The American use the technology to help organize those that had lived in that past.

Isn't that fascinating? I thought so.

I love the gospel. I truly do.

How to be an American in Switzerland

While I was at Europa-Park the other day my cousins told me some interesting things.

Number One: If you have a question, especially when you feel as if it should have an obvious answer, you ask it in English. Because Americans ask questions all the time. No one thinks second thoughts when an American asks questions. That's just how they are.

My cousins then began people-watching. It's a European pastime. A hobby really. They just stare. But we began watching people and tried to guess who belonged to which nationality. I learned a few more things about being American in Europe.

Number Two: Americans smile when they walk. Apparently this is a big giveaway. You pretty much do not need any other qualifiers once you come across this. Europeans don't really smile, but they aren't grim. They just relax their faces a bit more then we do.

Number Three: You are an American if you where a hat. A baseball hat especially. That's a giveaway too. I have yet to see someone in a baseball hat.

Number Four: You are an American if you have a backpack. I think it's a certain kind of backpack. Not the hiking packs, because lots of people use those in Switzerland as they hike across the country. Not the uniform Swiss backpacks either. Those backpacks are all the same, though they might be different patterns or fabric. The reason for this is because of the school system. Which I'll have to explain at a later date.

Number Five: You are an American if you wear tennis shoes. Europeans are people too. I've seen business shoes, heels, flats, sandals etc. I've yet to see tennis shoes unless they are jogging and biking seriously verses just trying to get from one place to another.

Number Six: You are an American if you have lots of kids. Europeans don't.

Number Seven: You are an American if you are loud. Most Europeans seem to think of themselves as quiet. Not sure if this is true. The trains can get pretty loud when you head to or from a city. But I suppose that could be the foreigners.

Adventure Day

Today was Adventure Day. I love those days. Most of the time. There are requirements for Adventure Day.
1. You must be trying to go somewhere (either somewhere new or on the way back home).
2. You must have a good atitude at all times.
3. You must have something negative happen to you (getting lost, car breaking down, etc).

I went canoeing with my cousin and his friend today. They needed someone over the age of 18 to accompany them. They needed someone with spare time. I was lucky enough to meet both of those qualifications.
Problem. I didn't really know where we were going canoeing. Nor did I know how to use the amazing public transportation system they have here to help me get there.
There = Nidau, Switzerland

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I learned how to use the public transportation system today. You get on one train, get off, get on another, get off, get on a tram, get off, walk a lot then you're there.

Simple.

Ya, right.

What's ironic about the whole thing is that the most difficult part I was expecting (switching trains and making sure you don't miss it) was actually the easiest, while the easiest part was the most complicated. Apparently when you are on a tram it doesn't automatically stop at every stop. You have to tell it to stop by pushing a button. So we missed Nidau and made it to some small little town that we learned was not Nidau, after walking around for several minutes. We then start heading one direction and we got to the next tram stop. In Ipsach. The wrong direction. So we walked back to the other stop. Then waited because poor little me was totally exhausted. We got back on the tram headed towards Nidau. We got off at Nidau.

However, that was not the end of it. Oh, definitely not. We were now looking for the lake. It's rather obvious on the map. But when you are on the ground the hills and buildings block it. We saw the river (learned later it was a canal) and tried to figure out which direction it was flowing. We assumed the river would flow into the lake. So we started to head East. If you look on the map that is the WRONG direction. Again.

You see the town called Port? Where a river and the canal meet? Ya. We passed that. See that first bridge on the left? That's sorta where we started. It was beautiful. But I was tired and the lake was not showing up.

So we started walking back. Then my cousin asked directions. The person had no idea. We found a map. YAY! It was under the first bridge where we started. I figured out where we where (from walking along that canal and over the river, so I recognized it on a map). And I learned we had to head North into town and had about 6 blocks to go until we turned left.

By the time we arrived at the canoeing place we were all a little bit exhausted. and hot. It was fun. We went canoeing. I was excited because I could sit. That was fantastic. However, I now had to exercise poor little stick arms and muscles I rarely (if ever) use. We canoed down to Ipsach. Ironic. We canoed back and after an hour we were very very very tired.

So we left after talking to the wonderful Swiss person who helped out us poor, confused Americans.

We got back on the tram. Then we went to Luzern, Switzerland:

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It was dark by then. But beautiful and busy. It was fantastic. See the little train symbol? That's where we got off. It's a huge train station. The trains are on the main floor. Underneath them and the streets and buildings outside is a huge shopping area. It was just... amazing. I know that a lot of places have shopping areas like that, but still. I was in awe. Though I guess it could have been because I was totally tired.

We then went to McDonald's right next door. It was the most classy McDonald's I have ever seen. Ever. The seats were amazing. The ceiling was amazing. The menus looked amazing. It looked like either wealthy or young adults went there. It was a place to go apparently. What was sorta funny was that my cousin, who grew up in Switzerland since his toddler years, asked me what McDonald's in America looked like. And I didn't really know what to tell him. "Not like this." Maybe a Switzerland gas station? But not? I had no clue.

After that we went on some famous wooden bridge. And walked by a tower thing that apparently suffered from a fire sometime. It's famous. But I have no idea what the story is there. But I have a picture of it. Oh! Wikipedia says it was built in the 14th century. Makes sense. The thing was covered with huge fat spiders. But I walked on it!

We also went and saw a church. Which Wikipedia tells me is Church of St. Leodegar built originally in 735 and then the current one was erected in 1633. Apparently something happened to the first one. Still beautiful and old. Sadly we weren't able to go inside as it was late (you can even tell the time on the tower). But we saw some of the grounds. There is a cemetery there. It was gorgeous.

After exploring it was time to go. So my cousin and his friend went on one train and I on another. I paid attention and got off at the right stop and got on the right train, then got off at the last stop and then walked up the hill (steep hill) to my cousin's listening to the cowbells and the sheep's bells while seeing the world light up because of the lightening from the other side of the mountains that were headed our way.

That was my Adventure Full Day. I'm tired and sore, but it was totally worth it. I love Switzerland.

Sattel and Einseideln

These are just a few pictures I've taken while in Switzerland. But the pictures don't really grasp the true magnitude and magnificence of the country.

Here is Sattel, Switzerland:

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 This picture is in Sattle, Switzerland. The Alps are hidden behind the clouds here. Actually it's fog, because for many people (including where I am staying) the clouds frequently reach homes.

This is of some of the cows. I love the cows. I know that it may sound odd, but in Switzerland the cows each have a cowbell. Instead of branding the cows each farmer has his own cowbell so you can tell who the cow belongs to. Also, the country does not need wind chimes. The cowbells actually sound beautiful. It's the music of the grasslands.

 This is a picture of a park right outside the farms. :) It's wonderful.

This is a picture of the Alps that were hidden behind the clouds earlier.

This is Einsiedeln, Switzerland:

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I was in a bookstore in Einsiedeln, Switzerland and I just had to take a picture of some of the books. I just love books.

This is one of the streets. Cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Some areas are paved. Some are not. Still love it.

Things I Love in Europe...

There are several things I love about being in Switzerland.

Of course the first would be the fact that I have family here that I rarely am able to see. It's been a lot of fun hanging out with them and getting to know them better. Plus, having family that has lived here for awhile is nice because they can tell you so much more about the country than touristy places. And you get to stay in a place tourists don't stay in.

I love the greenery. Imagine Rexburg, ID. Extremely green for a longer time. Add in a few hills and mountains and wonderful roads.  Then you can almost picture Switzerland. But not really.

I love the speed limits. They are nice and fast. Most of the time.

I love that you can just hop over to visit another country for a day trip if you wish. Today I went to Germany with my cousins. We went to an amusement park called Europa-Park.

If you ever get the chance to go to Europe stop by Europa-Park. It's an amusement park with different parts dedicated to certain European countries. Well, dedicated to the stereotypes of the different countries that just so happen to be true. It was awesome. Some of the countries included France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and even former British colonies. It was extremely fun. Plus, they have the tallest roller coaster in Europe called the Sliver Star. It's awesome. I loved that ride. Another roller coaster is Blue Fire where you go from 0 to 100 kph in 2.5 seconds. That one literally took your breath away. And you spun and spun and spun. They even have water rides where you can get soaked.

There is also a camp ground there where you can stay for however many nights you want. They charge per car per night. We wandered over there after the park closed. What was the most amusing part was that the camp ground had it's own set of stores and playgrounds and such, but it was all the stereotype of the American West. You know, the Cowboys and Indians and Wanted Posters, etc. That was the greatest thing ever. Apparently most Europeans imagine the American Frontier to look just like that.

I also love the European cars. They're small. They're fast. They're even pretty. I'm kinda planning to get one sometime. :) You can tell who is from which country based on the license plate. I saw cars from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, France...

I love the German autobahn. There is no speed limit. You just go. and move quickly out of the way of the faster cars because they will not slow down. I love the laws for driving. It's so simple and so much faster. You are always in the righthand lane unless you are passing, then you move to the left and go back into the right as soon as you pass them. Most freeways and highways are two lanes. But occasionally there are 3 lanes and in that case the same rule aplies. Also, if you are in the righthand lane you cannot pass the car on the left, it's illegal. It makes a lot of sense in practice. It's so so so much easier and simpler and I love it. I also love the roundabouts. They make total sense once you see it in action. Whoever is in the inner ring get's the right of way always. The outer ring always gives way to the inner ring. If there is more than two rings (though there are no dotted lines on the ground, you just look at the size of it) then the same aplies. The very outer gives way to those in the inner ring next to them and so forth. I love it. I really do.

On the way back from Germany we almost decided to go through France on the way home. But we decided against it because it was late. But isn't that odd that you would have an option like that? I love that too.

I also love the odd castles. They are actual castles. Some a little more ruined than others. But I'll be actually visiting one sometime verses driving under them in a tunnel.

I'm loving this trip. I'm loving my relatives. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Life is pretty wonderful.