The other day was quite busy taking care of clerical work for the city of Thun. Hey …. I don’t want to get deported! Much was accomplished – and thankfully my friend Dan Frey was able to help me get many things squared away. Well actually let’s say, he got things fixed up for me as I stood around and listened to him talk to various officials.
Me …. I can barely speak English …. But everyone in Switzerland pretty much speaks it with fluency and confidence. An amazing fact is that the Swiss generally all speak and understand Italian, French and “Swiss” German due to the way their country is situated. Now to that add some English – yup, these people are smart.
Sure, I could have gone to the Thun City Building and filled out my registration and gone on to get a travel pass at the SBB train station and worked my way 
through it. But my friend Dan Frey insisted (and I mean “insisted”) on helping me. He took a day off from work and graciously spent his whole afternoon in clearing the way for me.
There is no doubt that without him it would have been a very long day. With this area being primarily German it was so helpful to have someone who spoke Swiss German to quickly answer questions in his native tongue and then be able to explain things to me.
As I have mentioned before – athletics draw like-minded people together and also develops strong bonds of friendship. This is true everywhere. But, it just seems like it is even more evident with my friends in this beautiful country.
Most everyone knows that I love the game of football. But, really it is the people you meet along the way that make it special. Until last Saturday Dan and I had only communicated through email, “Whatsapp,” Skype, or Zoom.
Obviously, that changed with my landing in Zurich on Saturday morning. Where Dan insisted (there is that word “insisted” again) he drive two hours to pick me up. Honestly, I could easily have gotten on the train to Thun through Bern. I have actually done that a few times over the years.
But no – he “INSISTED” that he pick me up and then turn around and drive another two hours home.
I can already see that Dan and I will remain friends until the end. What an unselfish person. Making sure I was picked up at the airport – got to my apartment and then quickly over to the Thun Tiger’s first of two practices for the day.
Then following our second rainy practice of the day he took me to his home in the countryside where his wife Monika made a wonderful dinner for us. She said it was pretty easy – but there is no way it was.
By the way he “INSISTED” I had to go to his home for dinner!
Bacon wrapped chicken breasts with a béarnaise sauce along with potatoes. For dessert – she made a special Italian dish with some type of chilled creamy – well I wish I knew what it was –topped with warm fruit. Absolutely wonderful. (Think cheesecake like but almost a firm yogurt – ah hell just indescribably delicious!)
Lone thing about that fabulous meal – there was no way that he had to “INSIST” that I love it! That was pretty damn easy.
From there – finally home to my new apartment after my long flight and double practice day! Pretty much worn out by the end of that second day!
Here’s a few interesting facts about Switzerland:
- As of August, 2020 the cost per semester at the University of Geneva (pretty good school) is 500 CHF (Swiss Francs) per year. Well let’s see I guess that adds up to 1000 CHF per year! Remember I told you the people basically speak four languages before they even get to college.
- There around 7000 lakes in Switzerland!
- Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership the world. But, nearly half the gun related deaths as the US. Swiss crime rate is one of the lowest in the world.
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- Remember they have mandatory military service and after they serve their one year they HAVE to take their weapons home with them!
- Average salary in Switzerland is above 100,000 CHF per year. Renting a 3-Bedroom apartment is around 2,300 CHF per year.
- Unemployment rate is 4.8%.
- The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest in the world. Took 17 years to build and allows trains to go through the Alps in a straight line. Hey, I have taken that train from Ticino to Lucern and it is truly impressive!
OK, I know you might think I am a font of knowledge. Well not so fast … it’s amazing what you can find on Wikipedia!