Well….we begin our descent into the Swiss territory and what I am sure what will be a long day will begin with my friend Daniel picking me up at the Zurich airport after I clear customs. Going into a foreign country is always an unknown for me.
Just as entering different airports in the US and going thru security varies from city to city – it seems that is also true of customs clearance in various places. I have only done these international visits six or seven times and each one seems to be just varied enough to throw you a little off balance.
It’s funny even though you know that you have done nothing wrong you still have that feeling that something will get screwed up. I know it is irrational, but none-the-less it is the feeling I get whenever I am on foreign soil.
Well despite the petty apprehensions we will soon be on the ground and my new (ad)venture will take off. It will be pretty interesting because I am not quite sure how I am getting around other than Daniel picking me up to start things off.
Apparently, Daniel is lending me his apartment in Bern. This is a city where I spent a few wonderful days during my October visit to Switzerland. But, I am not really well acquainted with the city and getting around might be an issue. But…what the heck this is to be a little bit about exploring as well.
I do feel guilty about using Daniel’s apartment even though he did offer it. I hate to disrupt his schedule since I am sure that he will be working while I am there. I know that I am coming to Switzerland to help the Tigers and they want to be very welcoming to me, but my idea is to not cost them very much money and also not to mash up their lives during my ten-day stay.
Anyway, we are about to begin starting with the busy first two days of Coach Stephan Pulver’s Thun Tiger practices!
Things went well as Daniel met me at the airport and we took the train to his apartment in Bern. We had a great train ride visiting about different things and also exploring where our (ad)venture would lead us this time.
Whatever turns we made down this road it was going to be exciting for me. Being around my friends and taking part in their practices and meetings was going to be an awesome. (Meetings with players here are called “theory” sessions! – I always thought that was an interesting term to apply to coach to player meetings.)
After the hour or so on the train we made it to Bern on the first rainy day I can remember in my many visits here. It was a little cool and obviously wet…and the natives seem to be dressed for a long winters day. I guess they must have thought I was crazy in my usual sweat shirt and shorts.
We went up to Daniel’s apartment which was on the top floor of five (he graciously carried my bag all the way up since there is no “lift” in the apartment.) I certainly offered to take it part way up….but he would have none of it.
It is a great place in a really neat part of town. The typical beautiful architecture which blended the history of Bern while lending itself to some modern ideas as well. Daniel explained how this area was filled with a population of young professionals and students making for a vibrant section of town.
Plus it is within walking distance of one of my favorite areas I saw on the last visit – “Old City” After being there in October for a few days I can see why it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Old City was built on a hill that the river Aare loops around on three sides. The river looks like a horseshoe snaking around a tongue of land on which the city was built (12-15thcentury!). Now seriously – our country was formed in the 1700’s for perspective. Yet the “Old City” is relatively unchanged and it is obvious as you walk through it.
We walked towards the train station and the modern part of Bern down to the one of my favorite “chain” stores that is found in Switzerland – Coop (pronounced “Cope”). Along with Migros they are two stores you can find almost anywhere in Switzerland.
This particular Coop is four or five stories high and has virtually anything you could need from cosmetics to winter clothing, from groceries to bedding. You can spend hours there wandering around (and I might just do that sometime this week).
Daniel took me to the top floor which has large plate glass expanses and looks out into the city. He had a great looking cup of coffee and me, being the boor (it is boor not bore right??) that I am had a coke. Unfortunately, Daniel had to work and our visit ended but would be continued when he finished for the day.
I wandered back across one of the bridges that span the Aare and found his apartment getting lost just once. All I know it is a street name that starts with a “G” and ends with “Strasse”. Well good luck with finding street signs – I know that locals can find them….but I had a harder time.
So getting lost only once I feel was a major accomplishment.
Bye the way on the flight over I was able to see “Bohemian Rhapshody” on the onboard entertainment. Anyone who is a music fan should see it. As everyone probably knows it is about Freddy Mercury and “Queen” and their history.
It is really well done and I have a greater appreciation for the depth and breadth of both Freddy Mercury and the other members of the band. When you realize the strength of the library of work they had – well it is truly amazing. Although it is a little long (so it is great for taking up a small portion of a seven-hour flight) it is well worth your time.