Twissted Swisster

Raebechilbi Richterswil 2009 (Turnip Festival)

2009-11-15T11:45:00.003+01:00

Turnip Lanterns at Tabebechilbi Festival

This Saturday night marked the Raebechilibi festival in Richterswil. The annual festival is a celebration for the local community to carve turnips and put tea lights in them. A similar tradition to the American pumpkin carving around Halloween I suppose.

The center piece of the festival is parade for the children to carry their carved turnips through the streets of the town. During the parade all the local homes and shops display thousands of carved turnips, each one glowing brightly. Literally every windowsill and roof awning is lined with hundreds of glowing turnips.

Just before the parade starts all the locals are up on ladders lighting the candles that have been set out during the day. It was really amazing to see all the glowing veggies as a loud cannon sounded and all the street lights in the city were cut to announce the beginning of the parade.

In addition to the children carrying there personal turnips, often hanging by strings from a stick some local community groups also created enormous parade floats for the celebration.

The floats themselves were often times nothing more than huge boards strapped to farm wagons. The boards had pictures painted on them in black and white and then hand hundreds of turnips with candles afixed to the white parts.

As is always the case with such festivals many of the floats were political or were representative of recent news. There was one celebration Bolts news world record for the 100 m sprint, 9.58 s. There was a tribute to Michael Jackson. There were two tributes to Snoopy. I don't know what that was about but maybe someone else knows.

One local cultural custom that I can not get over in Switzerland is that fact that they charge and entrance fee to attend parades. I am used to parades being free. You line up in the street and watch the floats and bands go by. Here there is a little bit different mentality here. As we got off of the train we were confronted by hordes of people selling plackets as then call them here. These are little trinkets or medallions on a string that you are supposed to buy and hang around your neck indicating you paid the obligatory 6 Francs to stand in the street.

I have never really seen anybody checking for these medallions, most Swiss are very good about following the rules. However, this time as were were standing waiting for the parade in the drizzle there was a women walking the parade route and checking that everyone had there placket. If you didn't have one she would be happy to sell you one.

This year the parade started around 6:30 and lasted about 1 hour. There were some food booths and hot drinks available as well. It was definitely worth the trip if you are close to Zurich and looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

Subway Opens In Baden

2009-11-13T21:20:00.002+01:00

Today was my first trip to the new Subway in Baden. I was inspired to stop by after a recent phone call with Mother. After having visited Switzerland twice she has enough experience here to understand about the only 'Americana' you get get here is MacDonald's. So when I told here there was a Subway coming to town she rightly asked, "Why would Baden need a Subway? It is such a small town, I can't imagine why they would spend all that money on public transportation."

So Let me give you my critique. The Subway sits on the south end of the old town. Just a stones throw from the clock tower. I went for lunch today only after another American colleague of mine suggested we check it out for lunch.

The place is just a little bit larger than a University dorm room and has about 4 tables. I guess that suits the lunch crowd well. I had completely forgotten the place was a short walk from the school. Showing up at shortly after 12:00 on a week day was not a good idea as I was competing with the local school kids to get my "Ham und Turkey auf honey oat."

A 15 cm sub (6 inch) will set you back about 6 Swiss Francs ($6). I decided to go with the value meal. That included a 30 cm sub (foot long) a medium drink, and a bag of chips. I was treating so I picked up my friends tab as well. Total cost for two foot long value meals plus a cookie, $36. Yes my American friends, scream in horror, that is about the same price as you would pay in the U.S. to cater an entire Superbowl party using your friend Vito down at the local Italian deli.

The good points, the sub tasted great. It was made on that wonderfully soft and delicious American style bread that the Swiss seem to cringe at. I had my choice of American style sandwich toppings. Things like tomatoes, onion and green pepper. I guess that is hard to understand unless you've tried to order a sandwich in der Schweiz. If you have grown to love the Swiss version of the sub, worry not my young Swerge. You will be offered the option to include slices of hardboiled egg on your sandwich.

The best thing about the Subway by far was the soda fountain. It is the only place in Baden that has a soda fountain. The only downside, no ice machine. Yeah, I know its rough but you gotta roll with the punches sometime and take what you can get.

Hotdogs & Raclette

2009-11-12T22:34:00.001+01:00

Raclette Cheese

I definitely do not eat raclette & hotdogs together. But believe it or not they do have something in common. Strangely enough they are my two most popular selling food photos lately on a stock photo website that I contribute too.

Yes, this photo was staged at home just before we gorged ourselves on cheese. I just love the wanderschlumpf shirt (a.k.a. brownies) that my wife found a flea market that we used in this picture. It really makes the photo.

So let the ski season begin and be sure to have a bit of Raclette at the ole' ski hutte.

11.11 11:11 Guggenmusik Season Begins

2009-11-11T22:03:00.003+01:00

Guggenmusik Costumes

Today at 11:11 am marked the beginning of the guggenmusik season. The season of strangely dressed, horribly sounding brass bands. Loud out of tune music, made better with a few plastic glasses of your favorite alcoholic elixer. Baden had it's own stage and celebration setup in the Theaterplatz just behind my appartment.

This was a good chance for me to test out the new lens I recently got. A Canon 70-200 2.8. I bought it particularly for its low light capabilities. I was not disappointed. I took a flash with me but ended up putting it away because I didn't need it. I got some excellent pictures.

I like this photograph in particular because it really gives you an idea of how crazy the costumes these bands wear look. I can't believe people walk around in such things. Even better is the face painting that goes along with it.

2009-11-11T19:02:00.002+01:00

Fall in Switzerland

It seems that the fall season lasts a bit longer here in Switzerland than I was used to back in Chicago. I always remember the leaves being off the trees in my suburban Chicago home town before Halloween.

Here the leaves linger a little bitter longer into November. I think part of that is the fact that there seems to be a lot less wind here than in the Windy City.

The fall colors are just wonderfully amazing here. I was on a business trip this afternoon and on the train ride home, I was looking out the window and the beauty of all the mix colors really struck me.

The Cloud Has Landed

2009-11-08T17:32:00.002+01:00

This afternoon I trekked up to the castle in Baden to test out a new lens and take a couple of panoramic photographs of Baden.

Above was the final shot from the day. The most noticeable element of the photograph is what I affectionately call the cloud. The gray mass of cloud that arrives around this time of year and won't leave until March or April.

One of the reasons for my trek up to the castle today was to practice the shot so if and when the clouds to lift this winter I'll be ready to get a good picture.

Building a Lamp

2009-11-06T21:44:00.003+01:00

A couple of weeks back when we were in Paris we bought a couple of old antique surveyors tripods with the intention of converting them into standing floor lamps. At the time I figured this would be pretty easy to do. I would just run to the hardware store, but a couple of light sockets and cords and wire myself up a lamp.

I had done it a million times in the U.S. making lamps out of pipes, glass jars, whatever I could get my hands on. What I didn't count on was that the Swiss are not by any stretch of the imagination DIYers. The don't do anything themselves. Any kind of home improvement task around the house can not be done by the 'man of the house' but rather must be done by a licensed professional.

So why, do I care, well this means you can't get all the same trivial pieces and parts at a hardware store like you can in the U.S. I could not find light sockets, treaded lamp rods, or lampshade brakets available at my local Jumbo home improvement store. I was floored.

Luckily, I had a chance to stop in a Home Depot during my recent trip back to the U.S. In no less than 10 minutes I had found and purchased the parts I needed and was set to pack them in my bags for my return trip.

A couple of nights ago I pulled out the parts as well as a trusty screw driver, and in about 20 minutes did something no Swiss would ever do. I turned a wrench without a local certification from some governing body. Amazingly, nothing blew up, no one was injured, life continued, and now I have a really neat looking lamp in my living room.

Wedding Today

2009-10-31T16:11:00.002+01:00

It has been a nice trip back to the U.S. I have really enjoyed the family and food, and a few days off of work to relax. It always amazes me how much simpler things are when you don't have to translate all the signs you are reading all day.

This morning we are headed to the wedding we had come back to attend. It is the wedding of a good college friend of mine. He stood up to my wedding and I really felt like I had to come back to be a part of his wedding as well. Although we don't see each other all that often and generally only speak about twice a year I still consider him a close friend. It is one of those relationships that you don't have to work to hard at, you just get along well no matter how long you have, or have not been in touch.

On a photography note, I got a new lens while I was here as well. It is something I have been mulling over for some time. Seeing as the lens was about 20% cheaper in the U.S. it was time to grab it. I am taking it to the wedding with me and suspect it will get some good use today. I took it for some test shots the last couple of days and think it should do a very nice job.

My Favorite Corner in Baden

2009-10-23T20:25:00.002+01:00

This weekend I am a bachelor. Plenty of time to do....stuff. Whatever I want. So like any bachelor I turned to the things that I like, and spent the evening walking around Baden with my camera.

I love this one particular corner in Baden down near the river. There is something about the twisting, turning cobblestone road that is just so photographic.

I hung out on that corner just taking photos and watching people stroll by for about an hour. Sometimes it is fun to to stand there with a camera and a tripod. Even if you aren't taking pictures the fact that you have a tripod seems to give you reason to just be standing around lookin' at stuff. I've noticed when I have the tripod out people aren't as suspicious. They figure you must be an inspired artist so you have a right to be hangin' out.

5 Steps To Getting New Pages In Your U.S. Passport In Switzerland

2009-10-22T17:36:00.005+01:00

I'm coming to the point where I don't feel like I am having a lot of new experiences in Switzerland. However, getting new passport pages definitely counts. To make it easier for everyone else that might be looking to do the same, let me give you my punch list of things to do.

1.) Fill out the application form on the web and print it.

2.) Pick a time to go to the Embassy in Bern a 15 minute walk from the main station. Remember counter service is only opened from 9:00 - 11:30 Monday through Friday.

3.) Don't bring a bag, if you need one leave it at the train station in a locker. This includes purses, no purses for the women. If you bring a bag they make you walk around the corner and leave it at a bakery that will charge you a couple of francs to hold it for you.

4.) Yes you should go and stand in the line that says Visas.

5.) Cut to the front of the line. If you are American you get first priority because the embassy is there to provide services to U.S. citizens. It feels a little weird but go in the line to the left, you may be the only person in that line, and will cut ahead of 15 people applying for visas, but it is your right so take advantage of it.

Just to be clear, you will be allowed inside with your papers, a mobile phone, and it might be good to stash a small book or something to read in a jacket pocket just in case.

Once inside you take a number and the process of getting additional pages only takes about 30 minutes if there is no line. It is much less painful than I thought and the service was great.

Hope this helps and happy travels.

Taxes Due

2009-10-17T08:21:00.003+01:00

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks that I have really neglected the blog. Nothing has really inspired me lately. I think part of that is the change of seasons. About a week ago the 'cloud' moved in. The eternal gray cloud that comes in Mid October and doesn't part ways with Baden until late March or early April.

This week my taxes were due for the U.S. I am always amazed at how tax firms that are supposed to be professionals at preparing taxes seem to make very basic mistakes in my taxes every year. I guess this is the age of Turbo Tax tax preparation. I get a sense that the thought behind tax preparation has left the industry over a decade ago and now its point, click, type, print and file.

This year was a best mistake yet. Despite a clear note that I work in Switzerland, and so does my wife, and that salaries for 2008 were reported to the tax preparer in Swiss Francs, the tax preparer did not convert the income from CHF to USD when entering the data on the US tax forms. I do not know the rules for what exchange rates to use so I always attach a note, stating that salaries are in CHF. Given that my U.S. tax preparer does quite a few tax returns for expats I would have thought this was basic.

End result, because of exchange rates at the time it looked like I made 15%-20% more than I actually did. I surely did not want the government getting some extra magic money because of my tax preparers mistake.

As taxes are due for late returns on 15 Oct there was a series of phone calls, corrections, and very large PDF files flying across the internet this week to get things sorted out. The tax firm handled my complaint well, but really that kind of mistake should have never happened in the first place.

Fall in Paris

2009-10-05T19:34:00.002+01:00

Late last week I needed to make a short business trip to Paris. It gave me a good excuse to spend a weekend there and take in the sights. The weather was really great over the weekend and I had a chance to meet up with a friend of mine that lives in Paris.

We ate at the one restaurant we always eat at, Chez Papa. I don't think I have ever been anywhere else with him for dinner in Paris. It has become a running joke of sorts. He is from Toulouse and this particular resturant serves typical fair from southern France. I think it is his excuse to get a taste of home.

Blackhawks Tickets For Tomorrow Night

2009-09-28T20:55:00.003+01:00

I turned on TS1 today to watch my home town hockey team playing HC Davos. I actually turned the game off after the 2nd period because it was such a one sided match. I wasn't surprised. What was more surprising was to be watching my home town team, the Chicago Blackhawks, playing a game in Zürich. Aside from watching the game in Italian, it was quite a treat.

The Blackhawks are in town for the Victoria Cup, a game in which a European Hockey League teams plays a NHL team for a trophy. This year the NHL proposed the Blackhawks as the challenger. Althought the official Victoria Cup game is tomorrow night, tonights match was still worth watching. The game against Davos this evening was a warm up, and I am sure a change for the Hawks to adjust to the local timezone.

So tomorrow a night on the town to see the Hawks, what a strange thing to be doing in Zürich. I can't wait.

Following The Cows Home

2009-09-26T09:31:00.004+01:00

Final Leg of the Alpabzug

So I last left off with us walking the back roads of Canton Appenzell with our milking producing friends and their colorfully dressed herdsmen. As we rounded each hill in the valley we approached closer and closer to the final winter pasture for the herd.

It is not uncommon to find small mountain restaurants along such roads. The cozy little two story buildings are often in the middle of nowhere, and seem to only attract the locals because frankly, there is no one else around.

As the herdsmen would pass such a restaurant the local inn keeper would run out with glasses of what looked like wine. The reward for the long days journey which can often start at 3:00 am. They had the opportunity to drink the liquid refreshment as quickly as possible in the middle of the street and keep moving with the heard, shoving the glasses greatfully back at the inn keeper while still maintaining and heir of importance.

Final, we reached the pasture. The two prized leading cows were released from the burden of their massive bells and the herd wandered on to the grassy hillside to rest and enjoy a bit of fresh grass.

The herdsmen gathered by the gate. One of them holding the massive bells, on hanging from each forearm. The herdsman slowly rocking the bells to continue the gentle tolling of the bells. This feat of strength continued as the others performed a private yodeling concert for the 8 to 10 family members and neighbors that welcomed them home. The quartet continued for about 15 minutes before calling in quits and having their first chance to rest all day.

What a really interesting cultural experience. We could have never planned it, and just were in the right place at the right time. How lucky we were.

Alpabzug: It's All About The Order

2009-09-21T17:34:00.004+01:00

This photo was a complete accident. As we were hiking through the valley after a day at the Alpabzug in Urnaesh I heard what I thought was yodeling. Looking up the side of the valley, I saw a procession of farmers in the country side about 3oo meters up the side of the valley. I urged my wife 'Come on, if we run we can catch them, it will make a great photo!'

As the photo proves after a good sprint caring about 15 pounds of camera gear we caught the merry band of locals just in time. What was amazing is that in the countryside, far from the village the group continued with their traditions. Yodeling in full traditional regalia, these men were not interested in putting on a show, there was no one to impress out here. They were interested only in ensuring that the tradition lived on.

So what is that tradition? As far as I can tell it is something like a formal procession. The group starts with a young boy leading the pack. Just behind a small heard of goats sheparded by the families young children.

Behind the goats is what I'll call the bell cow, or cows. These cows carry the massive bell or bells that as best I can tell are a becon for the other cows to follow. All other bells on the other cows are either removed, or stuffed with grass to silence them.

Behind the bell cow are four men, yodeling, with at least one carrying a wooden milk bucket over his left shoulder. The bottom of the bucket is beautifully painted with an alpine scene.

Following the yodelers are the rest of plodding, dirty, tired cows. The rest of the bunch are hearded by one, unlucky teenaged boy, who tends to look slighlty younger than the four yodelers. This young lad as the undesierable job to proding, slapping, and poking the cows along while wadding through piles of excrement and streams of urine. It is surely not a pleasant position to be in but I imagine he is the sole reason the group of cows get home. With every patch of grass one cow seems to wander over to grab a snack and the teen has to jump into action to keep them moving.

In the rear and not shown in the picture above is the final element of the procession. A horse drawn carriage. The carriage is caring the families wooden cheese molds, copper pots or as best I can tell anything else used in the cheese making process. This carriage is usually driven by the elder man of the family. I would imagine he deserves this position as it affords him a bit of rest at times when he wants to ride in the wagon. I'm sure he has earned the spot after years of particpating in the grueling hike.

So now that you know the who's who of the participants the only remaining question is where are they going?

Check back and you'll get the answer when I tell you about our unplanned side trip as we literally joined in to walk the cows home.

Back Roads of Canton Appenzell

2009-09-20T09:26:00.002+01:00

Back Roads of Canton Appenzell

On Saturday we spent a lot of time wandering around the back roads of Canton Appenzell taking in the sights. The Appenzell region is just amazing. I am a bit disappointed that it took me this long to find it.

I spotted this barn along the side of the road and it just looked so picturesque I had to take a photograph.

This is another example of HDR photography.

Alpabzug: Bringing The Cows Home in Urnaesh

2009-09-19T18:59:00.003+01:00

Urnaesch Alpabzug 2009

We made a special trip to the small town of Urnaesh to see the cows come down from the mountains. The yearly event marks the procession of the cows from the high alpine pastures back to the farms in the valley for the winter season.

Each farm has a procession of animals through the center of town. Each farm's convoy is arranged in the same order. I will provide more on the procession in an upcoming post.

As far as the event itself, the Alpabzug was one of the most interesting local traditions I have yet to experience in Switzerland. The traditional dress, jodeling, and festive atmosphere were really something special. While such an occasion could easily be turned into an elaborate tourist weekend, I felt festival still maintained a sense of authenticity.

Even with the farmers dressed in their traditional clothes, red vests, white shirts, yellow leather pants, and black hats rimmed with flowers they were there to get a job done. It was all about getting the cows and goats back to safer ground for the winter.

Purely by accident we ended up following one local farmer all the way back to his farm. The little unexpected side trip led to some amazing photographs and some experiences that were really and truly something special. I've got over 5 gigs of photos to go through from the day and plenty more stories to tell.

Knabenschiessen: Children's Rifle Festival

2009-09-13T19:41:00.001+01:00

The second weekend of September marks the weekend in Canton Zeurich for the annual Knabenschiessen festival. The two day event is based on a long standing tradition to hold a rifle shooting contest for children and crown a King Marksman at the end of the festival.

Shooting is part of Swiss life. As every man has to participate in military service. An with that service every man is issued a rifle which he keeps at home. During his tenure in the military he must also qualify on his rifle every few years. The military he is not a standing army but rather a reserve force where every member is required to train a few weeks a year. This constant reminder of military also means that every town seems to have a practice range where soldiers can go to practice their marksmanship before they have to pass their tests.

I share that side note just so you understand the role rifles, and shooting play in Swiss life. As it is such a part of the culture seeing hundreds of teens lining up to take their turn with a rifle at the range doesn't seem as unfamiliar or strange as it would in the U.S.

Each child is escorted, one-by-one to a shooting stall. Each stall has a club member that gives instruction and coaching while the child takes their turn firing a few rounds.

The range has about 40 bays for shooting so you can imagine what it sounds like with all those guns going off. As you enter you are given obligatory ear protection for your own saftey.

Scoring is down with an electronic system. As each shot is fired, targets that are projected overhead on the wall are updated in real time with the location of the last shot as well as previous shots and the contestants total score.

As best I could tell any child could register to try. I looked like it would have been fun just to try it once, but I think they wouldn't have let me. First, because I am a grown man, and secondly, it would have been tough to take instructions in German. My rifle vocabulary is obvously something I have not developed yet.

UFO over Baden: Candle Balloons Fill the Night Sky

2009-09-08T20:03:00.003+01:00

Candle Balloons over the Castle in Baden

One Swiss custom I have yet to understand has something to do with balloons and candles. I would love to better understand the custom or the tradition but I have to admit I haven't asked a Swiss as it never seems to come up in conversation.

As best I can tell the Swiss have this tradition of some sort to launch a platoon of balloons carrying candles skyward in the night sky. I don't know if it is done on a particular date or time but if you happen to catch a glimpse of one such balloon launch it is a sight to see.

A few weeks back we were out on our balcony when the a flock of such balloons started rising above the castle across the street. Being the every diligent photographer that I am I ran inside, grabbed my camera and tripod and set-up for a long exposure photograph. The photo above was one in the series of a few pictures that I took.

If anyone knows the story behind this tradition leave a comment, I would love to learn more about it.

Focusing On Photography

2009-09-07T21:33:00.002+01:00

I have to admit that my blogging has taken a bit of a back seat to some other things recently. In particular I have been spending a lot of time behind the camera. Photography for me is a way to relax. A way to take a deep breath and observe what is going on around me. It was one of the few things I can do to really forget everything.

I tend to turn to my camera when I have a lot going on and need a chance to relax, a chance to get away from the day-to-day grind of things.

Being creative with my camera is my form of meditation.

Swiss life, at times it is simple wonderful and awe inspiring. Other times it just gets to the heart of all things that seem to stress you out. Right now I feel more on the stressed side. As always, it will come back to center. I just need time to.......breath.

Do I Live In A Fairytale?

2009-09-01T19:59:00.005+01:00

Sometimes I forget where I am. I find myself day dreaming about one thing, and then slowly coming back to reality thinking, "Where the heck am I living? Is this for real?!"

I don't know if every expat has this experience, but I would think it is not uncommon. You find yourself doing something you would have done back in your home country, get lost in thought, look up, and there is some dude blowing a Alp Horn.

I had one of those experiences this evening a few minutes ago. I took a stroll up the castle, yeah that sounds kind of strange in and of itself. Anyway, I went up there to get some twilight photos of Baden and I came up with this gem of a photo above. When I saw it I thought, "Do I live in a fairytale?"

ICF 2009 World Championships Thun

2009-08-31T18:19:00.003+01:00

Practice Rune at the ICF 2009 World Championship

Last weekend we headed towards Thun to do some hiking. We had about a 30 minute layover in Thun before we had to catch a boat to our final destination so we decided to see a bit of the town.

We happened upon the ICF 2009 World Championships. Although I don't know anything about it, it appears to be some short of freestlye canoe trick competition. The contestants compete by doing all sorts of crazy tricks on a standing wave in the river.

The event runse from 31th August to 6th September and is about a 3 minute walk from the main train station in Thun. If you are looking for a bit of adventure it might be something to check out.

Where to Buy Bio Fruit and Vegtables Near Baden

2009-08-29T17:32:00.004+01:00

If you are looking for 'Bio' or organic food near Baden, I would like to recommend Herr and Frau Suter's farm near Baldegg. I was introduced to the little farm shop a by a friend about two years ago and we have been going ever since.

We go not so much because the food it organic, but because it is nice to be able to support a local business, that has good produce, and reasonable prices.

We usually stop by the farm to pick up a few things when we are biking in the area. Today was not different, expect for the fact that the road to the farm from Baden has been under construction for a few weeks now.

When we arrived today we found a nice table set up outside with a basket of fruit, some bread, and some fresh juice. Perched on the table was a sign thanking us for coming despite the constructions.

We went in to bu our normal staples, apples, onions, and right now raspberries are also in season. And to our surprise Frau Suter was there as well putting out new food. You may wonder why I was so surprised, I suppose you have to understand that this store is nothing more than a open door to a barn. Inside there is no register, no shop keeper, just a few shelves with things nicely labeled. In the corner you find a small table with a few pads of paper, a calculator, and kasse (Change Box) full of change

The entire store is based on the honor system. So rarely do you see someone there. This being the first time I had met Frau Suter we asked a few questions and learned that besides the fact that the construction will be lasting 4 more weeks she has lived on the farm from 34 years, while the farm has been in her husbands family for over 200 years.

So, once the roads are open, I suggest you take a trip to my favorite farm store. Get on the bus from Baden to Baldegg. You'll find the shop just across the street from the Munzlishausen bus stop. You'll recognize the place by the big strawberry shaped sign.

They also have a place to park if you have a car.

The Swiss Keeping Things Under Wraps

2009-08-25T17:54:00.003+01:00

Aarberg, Switzerland

There are plenty of stories of the Swiss concealing a few dirty little secrets. Art during the second world war, money from the worlds rich, as well as a host of other things that foriegners need to keep safely out of sight and out of country.

Then there are the things that the Swiss seem to hide from themselves. I have very rarely if ever seen a homeless person. I have only once seen any form of a late model vehicle with a rust spot. And I have never seen a prison.

That was until I visited Aarberg. What we thought was castle in Aarberg is apparently some sort of youth detention center. The photo above shows the lovely home for the trouble youth on the hill just in back of the church.

I haven't been able to confirm that the castle really is a prison. I've only heard this second hand from other expats so it might be just a myth. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if it were true.

Subway Comes To Baden

2009-08-24T17:56:00.002+01:00

I got some good news today. A Subway sandwich shop is coming to Baden. While that is not good news for most Swiss I am delighted.

For months there was been a little shop on the other end of old town on Weitegasse under construction. I had been wondering what in the world was going to be put in. On the way home from the swimming pool today I noticed a new sign in the window announcing the arrival on the Subway in the not too distant future.

That makes it an American trifecta. McDonalds, Burger King, and the soon to be Subway.

I will be pleased to have the subway as I find that swiss sandwiches are way to dry. A very thin slice of meet, no condiments, and a hard bun or roll makes for a pretty bland taste experience.

Eating the local sandwiches reminds be a lot of the Bozo show. There used to be this contest where kids had to eat 5 crackers and then whistle. The first to whistle would win.