A close-up and personal look at Switzerland
November 24, 1972 was the day that Mani Matter died. But let me start at the beginning. Who exactly was Mani Matter and what did he do? If you’re Swiss, then of course you have heard of the man. You… Read moreA Point in Time: 1972 – Mani Matter
Bears are unquestionably an integral part of the city and have been since the founding of Berne in 1191. After all, Berne means bear. How Berne got its name is what legends are made of. One of the less exciting… Read moreBerne and its Bears
Markets are a pretty regular occurrence in the city of Berne. Twice a week the farmers set up stands where you can buy fruits, vegetables and flowers fresh from their farms. A couple of weeks before Christmas there is the… Read moreThe Traditional Onion Market in Berne
The ‘Kindlifresser’ or Little Child Eater fountain in Berne is a real attention-getter. Really, how often do you see statues of ogres eating children? Berne has more than 100 fountains, 11 of which are sculpted allegorical figures made almost 500… Read moreThe Little Child Eater Fountain in Berne
When I came to Switzerland I fell in love with the geraniums on the windowsills. They are epitome of Europe, history and tradition for me. In my mind they are warm, inviting and are always red. Although I think they… Read moreGeraniums in Switzerland
“If that happens then I can call myself ‘von’”. I’ve heard many people make such exclamations. That means that you’d be somebody, somebody important or as they say in Swiss German you’d be “more better”. To be sure, the Bernese… Read moreA Point in Time: 1980 – Madame de Meuron
I know I’m showing my age, but when I came to Switzerland you bought a train ticket at the station. That’s the way it was. Period. No Internet and no i-phones. Each and every train station, big or small, had… Read moreSwiss Trains have Changed
Here is the “M” installment of my abc collection. I choose about three words and write something regarding them trying to relate them to Switzerland or the Swiss or my life in Switzerland. This week’s words start with “M”. “M”… Read moreCollection abc – M is for Money, Mantra and Münster
Normally you have no control over what name your parents give you, sometimes you have a little control over nicknames. Sometimes. Actually, shortening names is done everywhere. I know of someone in America whose name is Charles William, his long… Read moreWhat are you called? Nicknames
The Swiss have a long and solid tradition with clocks and watch making. The oldest clock in Switzerland is the Clock Tower (called Zytglogge, which translates into “time bells”) in the capitol of Berne. We lived maybe a walking distance… Read moreClocks, Time and Punctuality
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