How Do You Know You're In Switzerland...

...when you

1. Are charged and taxed for garbage pick up.  Let me explain.  Swiss cities charge between 120.00 and 150.00 CHF (up to $178) a year for garbage pick up.  Plus, in order to throw out the trash, you need to buy region specific garbage bags which have a disposal-tax included .  This means that ONE garbage bag may cost between 2.00 and 3.00 CHF.  I like this because if you are required by law to pay a ridiculous amout for ONE garbage bag, I can guarantee that you will reduce, reuse, & recycle as much as possible.  And this is the kicker...the city that I live in has a weekly garbage pick up.  NOT TWICE A WEEK.  Trust me, since moving here, I have learned how to limit waste.
2. Are required as a dog owner to obtain a dog license.  And your dog is required to attend a training course with learning programs that include basic obedience exercises (like walking on a leash), socialization of the dog, and a course in town (getting on the elevator, taking the bus and train…).  And believe me, the dogs here are so pleasant.  The training is evident on the trains and in outdoor public areas.
3. Are required to get a number plate for your bicycle.
4. Pay a voluntary church tax.  NO COLLECTION PLATES HERE.  Each person's religious affiliation is documented through their state and a voluntary tax (up to 3%) is withheld from their annual income.   

This Swiss are sooo un-American.

Breakfast in Switzerland

I'm a fan of Swiss food, it's freshness, that is.  But compared to American food it can be quite boring.  When dining at a restaurant don't expect variety nor the little extras like unique sauces or special ingredients.  In my opinion, Swiss restaurants offer the same experience you can get in your own kitchen.  So when my husband and I decided to venture out in our new city and grab breakfast, I didn't expect much...as usual...unfortunately.

 Haupteingang = Main entrance to the old city

 Local shop / cafe.

Our breakfast. Four bread rolls, two cappuccino, one orange juice, and butter and honey which cost .70 CHF = .84 USD each.  Condiments are not free in Die Schweiz.  The total cost for breakfast 15.70 CHF = 18.77 USD.

Caio.

The Fabulous Swiss Train...and your first born

I love the rail and bus system in Switzerland.  Somehow, the powers that be were able to produce a rail and bus system with an efficient schedule that allows travelers to visit every nook and cranny in the land of cheese and chocolate without waiting more than a few minutes between connections.  This includes buses, train, trams, funiculars, and some cable cars.

Over the years, I have read countless articles about Americans wanting and NEEDING a massive, high-speed rail system.  Obama wants major changes to the public transport systems, but he will not get it.  Ummm.  He has also spoken of using the European transit system as an example.  But unfortunately, the US doesn't believe in investing in its infrastructure on the same scale as most European countries.  This is something an American tourist will spot the moment they land in most European countries.  Things here are different, updated, and modern!

But of course this is Switzerland which means it will cost you your first born.  Compared to Chicago, a

• CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) day pass is $5.75.  A Swiss 1 day travel pass is 68.00 CHF ($71) for 2nd class.
• CTA monthly pass is $86.  A Swiss monthly pass is 578 CHF ($603) for 2nd class.

Granted, the Swiss rail pass I am referring to allows you to travel throughout Switzerland.  For a monthly regional pass from point A to point B only, be prepared to cough up 350 CHF ($364).

But I love it and use it everyday.  Did I mention that we get a major discount through my husband's job.  FYI, the words major and discount are never used in the same sentence in Switzerland.  So instead of paying the annual fare of 4850 CHF ($5057) for a first class pass, we pay about 20% of that.  I love it!

Funiculars are rail lifts that used on steep hills. This is in the capital city of Bern.

photo courtesy of flickr

Cable car in Lugano, Switzerland

photo courtesy of europeforvisitors.com

Weekends in Switzerland...The Swiss Alps

I have to admit, I don't do much during the weekends.  In Switzerland, the shops close at 4:30 pm on Saturday and are closed all day on Sunday.  Besides it's winter, which means extremely cold temperatures and clouds galore.  I hate winters here.  They are not as bad as Chicago, but they are quite depressing.  With that being said... lately, I can brag that we have been blessed with a few cloudless, sunshine-filled days.  So what better way to take advantage of the weather than to go to The Swiss Alps.

My husband and I hopped on the fabulous swiss train and made our way thousands of feet above sea level where we viewed breath-taking sights while eating Migros take away sandwiches and sipped on costly cappucino.

We went sledding

Sis-in-law

Me

Hubby and sis-in-law

Just Zurich!

Just a few snap shots of my daily stomps throughout Zurich.  Enjoy!

Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Zurich Main Train Station)

My lunch.  Schinkengipfeli and orange juice. 

Ciao! 

Beautiful Switzerland #2

Just wanted to post photos of our beautiful boat ride along Lake Lucerne.  They were taken some time ago.  I forgot to post them.

Tschois!