Christmas - America vs. Switzerland

A few nights ago, my husband and I attended his company's Christmas party.  My husband's boss asked us will we celebrate an American Christmas or a Swiss Christmas once our little one is born.  I said, "American."  Of course, my husband said, "Swiss." 

I made my decision based on this...

 photo clubadfundum.ch

The dark, chilling figures in soot-covered faces are Samichlaus' helper(s) named Schmutzli. There are many tales surrounding the duties performed by Schmutzli.  My husband was raised to believe that he snatches misbehaving children, places them in his sack, and takes them to the forest.  Another story claims that he carries a broom of twigs to administer punishment to naughty children.

In recent years, Schmutzli's scary reputation has taken a more positive turn.  In some parts of Switzerland, he is viewed simply as Samichlaus' companion and helper.  But in the smaller, more conservative regions, the original Schmutzli still exists.

Personally, I prefer the good ole American "naughty or nice" tactic.  I can't imagine frightening my little one with the thought of being kidnapped.

Eventually, we concluded that we will combine both Christmas traditions. Problem is, my husband wants to include old school Schmutzli, while I want to exclude his @$$.  We'll see who will win this one...

Caio.

Baby Countdown : 74 days

Only in Switzerland #1

It's pretty common to see this is Switzerland when we're lucky enough to have hot weather.

Check out the opened back door.  The car was unoccupied for hours.

Some Swiss don't have any qualms leaving their car doors not only unlocked, but opened to ensure their dogs get sufficient air.  I've seen this on occassion in several parking lots.  And my husband laughs every time I lock the door within seconds after entering the car.I can't help it...30+ years of programming.

Only in Switzerland can someone leave their car unattended with an opened door!

I'm Over This

INCONSIDERATE SWISS SMOKERS!
Moving to a new country means falling in love with a new way of life.  It can also mean, missing the little things... like designated smoking areas.  You see, many Swiss people smoke and without designated smoking areas it can be hell.  Hell for people like me; a nonsmoker who despises cigarette smoke.

In Switzerland, smokers have no qualms lighting up in shared areas...bus stops, train stations, outdoor cafes, park benches, lakefront picnic areas... If there is a crowd, large or small, you can guarantee several people will light up without consideration of the people around them.  Smokers in Switzerland don't care if the person next to them is a baby in a stroller or a fetus in a uterus; a crowd of spectators or a crowded outdoor market. They will smoke anywhere.  I'm over this!

FYI- It has only been one year since a nationwide smoking ban prohibiting smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, cinemas, and schools (YES, SCHOOLS) has been in effect.   

• Crazy is walking past a school and witnessing teachers and students gathered together smoking outside of the building.
• Crazy is having people light up two inches from you at a bus stop. 
• Crazy is having people blow cigarette smoke in your face while you order a sandwich from an outdoor sandwich stand. 

Caio.

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

My Long-Awaited Day Off

I've been ghost for the last few weeks... WHY?
Because of work.  I work Mon-Fri, 42.5 hours a week.  By Swiss terms this is considered working 100 percent. 
100% + long commute = tired ass.  Therefore, I'm not in the mood to write new posts on a daily and sometimes on a weekly basis.
But I do enjoy receiving emails inquiring about my life in Switzerland and your plans to visit Die Schweiz.  So keep them coming!!

Today, my husband and I hopped the fabulous Swiss train and made our way to Gornergrat, 10,000 feet above sea level.  We enjoyed our day.  It was quite warm; the sun was shining (I haven't seen the sun in days maybe weeks).  There were plenty of American tourists who made their selves known.  Many people complain about Americans traveling abroad; Americans are too loud, they complain, they dress, well, sooo American.  But it was refreshing to be amongst my people.  I say this because I am beginning to get the painful American questions at work.  Just to list a few:

• Are most Americans overweight?
• Is it true that Americans eat McDonalds for dinner?  (I find this one to be hilarious.)
• Is it true that Americans eat pizza with their hands?
• Why do Americans talk loud? 

My response to the last question was, "Maybe, because we are more outgoing and inviting.  We are not stiff and we appreciate a good time."  And the Americans I came across today proved this to be true.  They initiated conversation, asked questions, laughed, shared stories of their travels in Europe.  I loved it.  Moral of the story:  I'm American and damn it, SO WHAT!

Ciao.

Teaching in Switzerland

Before moving to Switzerland, my husband (then fiance) and I decided that I would not work for a while; atleast until I got my feet wet in the land of cheese and chocolate. 

Fast forward a few months later (sooner than expected), I now teach 3-5 year olds at a bilingual private school. I assumed that most international and bilingual schools required teachers to speak both German and English.  Well, I was wrong.  I sent out my resume to 10+ schools; received responses immediately; went on interviews; received multiple offers and landed a job. 

So let me run down a few unique differences between Swiss and American schools:

1. My first brush with the education system came not too long after I moved to Switzerland.  You can imagine my surprise when I found out that full time cashiers at the local grocery store make more money than I did as a first year teacher in the US.  Considering that I worked in one of the highest paying states for teachers, I was blown away.
2. Schools do not have cafeterias.  Children go home for at least a 1 1/2+ lunch break.  This means that most Swiss mothers do not work or work part time when their children are young.  (FYI- the average married Swiss mother works 14 hours a week)
3.  There are no government funded day cares nor preschools.  They are all private with a typical price range of 1500.00 CHF a month for one day a week attendance to 2700.00 CHF a month for full time attendance.
4. Swiss children do not learn how to read until the age of 6 turning 7; compared to the US which is age 5.  Swiss children spend the first few years in school playing, learning to socialize, learning how to behave as students, etc.  (I love this!)
5.  For public schools and some private, Wednesdays are 1/2 days.  Also, many schools operate on block schedules, meaning students may spend all day at school part of the week and 1/2 days the remaining days of the week (hence, again, making it difficult for mom to work).
6.  Students spend a lot of time off school grounds on field trips (I think this has to do with the Swiss' love of fresh air)  Therefore, on many weekdays I see the streets and trains jammed backed with students and frustrated teachers.
7.  The Swiss have many public holidays and school closings (many closings are designed for family holidays - the Swiss are very family-oriented).

This bit American kids will love.  The Swiss finish school at the age of 15 or 16 (FYI - 15 being one year before the legal drinking age of 16 for beer, wine, and cider).  The catch is that they must work or gain an apprenticeship.  If they are unable to get either they must go to school for another year at the parent's expense.  Most Swiss students attend vocational school or develop a skill through apprenticeship after graduating.

Ciao.

Not 'Round Here

By reading my earlier posts, it's easy to conclude that I love Die Schweiz.  Switzerland is a loooovvvvely country...clean, picturesque, safe, small, diverse.  It offers the best transit system in the world. I can go on and on about how much I appreciate this country.  However, there are a few things from America that I miss like crazy. 

I miss...REAL JUNKFOOD with orange cheese - Cheez Its! and Cheez Doodles.  Now I eat fruits, breads and oats for snacks.  Really!  Who wants to flop on the cozy couch to watch a movie while eating this?

Bircher Muesli (Google photo), uncooked oats, fruits, and nuts. 

Add yogurt if you want to live dangerously.

A SUGAR-FILLED BREAKFAST - McDonald's in the morning - hotcakes!  Now I eat a croissant, yogurt and coffee or cappuccino.  A real American breakfast every now and then will hit the spot.

I also miss whiting fish sandwiches, cheesecake (Sara Lee will do), an Americanized taco (I say Americanized b/c in Mexico you will never find a taco with cheddar cheese and sour cream unless they are catering to tourists), an Americanized baked potato (the Swiss actually eat plain potatoes, give me the Americanized one any day), Nephew Tommy's Prank Calls (the In The Closet call was hi la ri ous!), black and Dominican hair salons,  Target, people covering their mouths when they cough, BBC Eastenders and A&E Intervention.  There are plenty of websites that offer these shows, but the networks work like dogs to make sure they are taken down.  If anyone knows where I can view these shows online, pls drop me a line via email.  In the meantime, I watch Absolutely Fabulous and Footballers' Wives over and over again.  I love Adina and Patsy.  The British seem to have the best shows.  I recall reading an article in which Will Smith was campaigning for BBC America to broadcast Eastenders in America.  It's nice.

Oh and most of all I miss my mom and lil sis (my twin).  Ciao.

Ironing Boards...hmmm?

Ok, so today I was in one of the neighborhood grocery stores... when I noticed this...

IRONING BOARDS!
Many of you recall my dilemma regarding parting with 100.00 Swiss Francs to purchase an ironing board.  Well, today I stumbled upon two ironing boards for 68.00 CHF ($65.70) and 48.00 CHF ($46.40).  Both appeared to be made quite well; of excellent quality.  Both were sturdy and heavy and included iron rests.

Needless to say, I left the store without an ironing board.  Not because of the price, but simply because I wasn't in the mood to purchase one.  Forty-eight Swiss Francs is not 98.00 CHF.  I will save fifty bucks!  When I eventually get it...

Currently, I am creating a list of what I miss about the States.  Today, that list got a little longer...I miss being able to purchase 10 ears of corn for $1.  Or four for $1.

3.40 CHF for two ears of corn.

You're in Die Schweiz now BABY!

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable weekend. 

To my family, I love and miss you all.  Zav, I am so proud of you.  Yes, I'm in Switzerland, but I still got the juice on you.

Thanks to all of my followers for following.