Author: bigdaddc@comcast.net

We had a fun afternoon traveling to the beautiful Swiss town of Zweisimmen.   A fantastic ski area in the canton of Bern.  Our Thun Tiger offensive coordinator Chris had organized an arrangement with the community to conduct a football camp for the local children.

So, I hopped in the van with Chris and two of our U-19 players Angel and Joel.  They had already loaded up the gear we needed for our demonstration.   We began a picturesque drive through the beautiful countryside.

Despite the rainy weather (I think I have jinxed my second homeland – it has pretty much rained on and off every day since I arrived two months ago!) Honestly the beauty of this place will knock your socks off.  It’s like driving through a post card.

I do have to say – the rivers running into Lake Thun from the mountains are nearly overflowing due to the enormous amount of rain …  the entire river is rapids from the mountains to Lake Thun.  Looks really dangerous to be honest with you.

Well we got a break – the weather held off for most of the three-hour training session with the youngsters.  Two of our other U-19 players also joined us – as Shawn and Omar arrived right before we started.

What great young men we have in the Tigers organization.  Willing to give up their afternoon and battle what could have been a really rainy day.  But, luckily as I already mentioned – the rain fell on and off, but never really very hard.

By the way Chris is a doctor and a surgeon who specializes in hip replacements.  (I know he has been eyeing me up – but my hips are fine…some other parts not so much).  Naturally he is very organized and he really had everything worked out for our camp.

He and the four players did all the work!  I did my usual cheerleading.  Now, although I speak very few words of Swiss German and these youngsters pretty much speak no English.  We all had a great time!

I imagine the kids all went home and told their parents about some grey haired lunatic clapping, high fiving and blasting out a “Whhheeeeww! (Ala Worldwide Wrestling Federation’s Ric Flair!)

But, really a big thank you to Chris, the Tigers, and these fabulous young men who helped these youngsters appreciate the game of American Football!  Just another episode or (mis)adventure in my football wanderings!

Get the day started with some Swiss chocolate and a cup of tea.

Start down the hill from Strattlighugel 46 to lift some weights at the gym – “Self-Fitness.”  Well actually I am not sure I would consider it lifting weights anymore – more like exercising with weights now!

I get about a quarter of the way down and I realize that I don’t have my wallet.  Which means I don’t have my gym card … nor do I have any money to go to the grocery to get lunch … hmmm … beer as well.  Not so good

Oh, by the way did I mention it is raining.

After a little internal debate, I hang a U-Turn, walk back up the steeper part of my trip and return to Strattlighugel 46.  Unbolt the doors … find my wallet and reverse action again.

Yup, still raining!

Well, it was quiet at the gym, so was able to get through a good workout.  Whip across the street, pick up my beer (I mean groceries … well, they are technically groceries – right?)  Back up the damn hill through the rain.

OK enough of my complaining.

About a week ago I went back down into Thun to visit the Thun Castle (Schloss Thun) after some encouragement from my friend Nic.  He told me it is awesome to wander around up there and then get into the museum.

Well, although the museum was still closed due Covid restrictions … I guess there are no germs in restaurants – but they hang out in museums???  Hmmm …. Go figure.

But, the walk around the Schloss was really pretty cool.  Here are some shots of the place.  Oh yeah, the cannon.  Well come on it is a castle!

This week my journey in Switzerland took me to the nation’s largest city – Zurich.  The city itself is around 430,000 according to the 2018 census – but the entire surrounding area of Zurich is probably closer to 1.5 million or so.

Many non-residents may find that they are wrong in thinking that Zurich is the capital of Switzerland (Bern is the national capital).

The city is located on one end of Lake Zurich in the north central area of Switzerland.  It has a beautiful airport with some outstanding views of the Alps that is the busiest in the country.  The rail station is also the most active and Zurich is a natural hub of travel to and through my second homeland.

Now, this is an old place – it is over 2000 years old.  Settled in 15 BC by the Romans.  The architecture does reflect the age of the city and it is a blend of modern and old buildings – making it very interesting for the many visitors it entertains.

The river Limmat flows from Lake Zurich and the “Old Town” is built around either side of the river.  It makes for some really picturesque scenes.  Views of really old buildings, churches and clock towers built amongst restaurants and shops.

Obviously, everyone knows that Zurich is a big center for the financial sector of Europe – well for the world for that matter.  I mean we are all aware of those so called “numbered” Swiss bank accounts.  Those accounts no one can get to see.

Well, I think I still have some money in one of those accounts from one of my earlier visits.  No wonder the IRS is always holding up my tax returns!  Hopefully they never find those gold bars I buried in the yard.

With all of the visitors, the size of the city and also the international business done here there is definitely more “hustle and bustle.”  The city is busy and the pace is different than most other parts of the country.

I have been here several times and I am always amazed at the constant movement along the shopping district with some really pricy places.  The “Bahnhofstrasse” is a long stretch of shops and restaurants that can but a dent in your wallet.

As you come out of the massive Bahnhof – which has a really great shopping area as well. You step right onto the Bahnhofstrasse – and away you go … spending money to your heart’s content.  Better bring a lot of $$ when you slide on down that street.

Anyway, was a good trip and like everywhere else in Switzerland – the chocolate and beer (die schokolade und bier) – well pretty good here as well.

Made a trip to visit my friend Chris in Winterthur this week.  Chris is the defensive coordinator for the Warriors who play in that city.  We met several years ago at the Swiss National Football camp and have spent a lot of time talking football via emails, zoom and now we have a chance to see one another in person again.

“Winti” is located in the Northern part of the country and is a town of about 110,000 or so (That makes it the sixth largest city in the country).  Compared to a lot of Switzerland it is relatively flat – but there are a lot of parklike areas and Chris told me that the city likes to consider itself a very “green” city.

We wandered around the downtown area – and like Zurich there is definitely more hustling around.  There is a large shopping area as you leave the Bahnhof and head through the market place towards “Old Town”.

Like many other Swiss cities the “Old Town” area is made up of cobblestone streets with fountains and nicely situated restaurants where you can sit outside and eat or drink a beer (“Ich trinkt ein Beir.” – German for “I drink a beer” …  See I am learning a little of the language here and there – plus I think it was actually three beers!)

Which by the way we did.  We had a nice lunch coupled with a few beers as we did what we always do.  Talk about football and our respective teams.  We exchanged thoughts about where football is and where it is heading in Switzerland.

It was great to see Chris – now there are no professional football players or coaches in Europe.  Let me add an asterisk to that.  There are some “import” players and coaches.  The “imports” are compensated in the amount a football club can afford.

Like anywhere else some clubs have more sponsorship (think bigger cities) and therefore more money than others.  So, some clubs will get an “import” player or coach who is compensated.

The compensation is not going to make a player leave the NFL, or a coach from the US quit his job.

Most players are from Division II and III, or NAIA teams.  Yes, there are a few QB’s who were backups at bigger schools – but not so many.  Consequently, the players who are brought over to Europe are basically guys looking to continue on playing football because they like it.  (I will emphasize that this is certainly not a path to the NFL!)

Most of the hired coaches are either real young guys with little experience but have a lot of piss and vinegar and are full of energy.  Or they are like me – old and have a lot of experience (not all of it good!) and are willing to share it.

Europe is a great experience for players who want to keep playing and also enjoy learning a new culture.  The same for coaches.  It is certainly not for everyone.  But for guys like me it is an absolutely amazing experience.  Now – I have to admit I hit the jackpot when I was introduced to football in Switzerland.

A little about the salary structure.  Usually, coaches and players who are “imports” are the same in regards to pay.  Generally housing is guaranteed – it is sometimes a shared apartment or flat.  It is livable, but don’t confuse it with staying at the Plaza Hotel.

The financial commitment depends on the strength of the club – but anywhere from $2500 – $3500 before taxes.  Often one meal per day is included – but not always.  Depending on length of stay you will have insurance.

Also, many clubs will give you a European cell phone so you don’t go broke with your US plan.  Gym memberships are common as is transportation (often you are better off with a bicycle or an all-city or country public transportation pass than a car).

Oh, and don’t worry about a language barrier.  There is none – English is used pretty much everywhere.  (I cannot guarantee that about Japan where they have tremendous football – you have to talk to my friend Greg Gregory who is coaching there right now.)

Most European seasons are three or four months – so that is the extent of your commitment.  You will not get rich!  But, you will meet some truly amazing people.  Both on and off the field.  That I can guarantee you.  Then there is the ability to see so many things.  It truly is amazing.

So, anyway it is truly a great summer job for a player who wants to keep playing – or for a coach who fits a special niche.  I love it and have recommended it to many of my friends.  I also recommend it to players from a school like Moravian College (a Division III school in PA where I work) if they want to experience a great time before they enter their 40+ years of real world work that they will be facing!

Damn, how did I get so far off the track with my meandering around?

Back to Chris.  He is a truly gifted coach, and I can see that whenever we talk via zoom or finally more in person.  Chris is one reason why I have so much faith in the great leaps in improvement that football has made in Switzerland.

Yes, the players continue to improve – case in point players from our small city of Thun – the Harvey brothers are playing college football in the US – Johns Hopkins and Washington and Lee.  Danny Antolovich (all 6-7 and 300 pounds of him) is on a scholarship at UCONN.

There are players here!

But, there are coaches here as well.  They continue to get better – obviously this propels the athletes forward.  I am so impressed with the intensity and the seriousness of the coaches in Switzerland. (Our staff in Thun is one of the best in the country – I am sure of that).

I just love it!

OK – let me finish up with this.

Chris – in life away from football is an airline pilot!  Yup, he flies all over the place.  Now I ask myself (“Self”) would you rather roam around flying a jet or worry about stopping a particular team’s offense or defense?

I’m voting for “the friendly skies”

Anyway here are some shots of Winterthur!

Well as most know I have had some adventures here in the land of the Alps – and then I have had a few (mis)adventures – you know like falling off the train in Bern a month or so ago.

On Thursday I inadvertently added to the list of (mis)adventures on my trip to visit my friend Delmus in Luzern on.  It was an honest mistake that will be forever remembered as “The Tunnel to Nowhere” in his household.

It started off fine as I boarded the 8:35 train to Luzern at the Thun Bahnhof from Platz (Place) 3 outside the station.  No problems switching trains in Bern (Nope, did not fall off this time!) and climbing on for the last leg of the journey to the beautiful city of Luzern.

A note or two about Luzern.  First another beautiful Swiss city set alongside a lake and ringed by magnificent mountains.  It is a city of about 82,000 people in central Switzerland and located off the shores of Lake Lucerne.  The waters of the River Reuss leave the lake and flow through Luzern (also known as Lucerne by the way).

This picturesque area has several great landmarks like the Mounts Pilatus and Rigi (Swiss Alps) and the famous covered wooden Chapel Bridge (oldest covered bridge in Europe) which cuts across the Reuss at an angle.  Part of the bridge is the 115-foot tall Wasserturm or water tower.

The bridge was part of the city’s fortifications and was built in 1365 (Think – USA Declaration of Independence was in 1776 – unless we have cancelled that out).  This place is old folks!  In fact, this bridge – the Kapelibrucke) is the oldest truss bridge in the world.  Don’t ask me what a “truss” bridge is – I have no clue!

“Old Town” is nestled (how about “nestled” for a college word??) along the river and the restaurants there are a very good place to dine outdoors and visit with friends or have a coffee (well beer) and just observe the crowds wandering around.    The shops, towers, and architecture along the cobblestone streets are extremely attractive to the many tourists wandering through.

Honestly, Luzern is one of the most attractive places you can find anywhere in the world.

****Oh yeah back to my (mis)adventure or “The Tunnel to Nowhere” episode.****

I get off the train it Platz (Place) 3 and trail some fellow passengers to the exit way and down the ramp to meet my friend Delmus.  I get to the bottom of the ramp – hang a right back to where the Luzern train station is.  I get about 20 meters (I use meters become I am becoming Swiss).  Well there is a big bike storage area for thousands of bikes to my left and a cement wall right in front of me.

Not getting to the Bahnhof that way.  So, I reverse my direction and go back the way I came.  Continue past the ramp I came down and in another 25 meters find a stairway out.  Well, OK – Up I go and find myself on a busy street.  But, not in the train station.

Now folks I have been in the Luzern Bahnhof many times over the years.  It is a magnificent steel and glass building with several stores and shops located inside of it.  This busy strasse is not cutting it.  Get a message from Delmus … “Where the Hell are you … I am a gate 3 where are you?”

I call him and say I got off at gate three went down the ramp and outside standing on a street looking at the Lucerne college of Science or something like that..??  I tell him I will return to my starting point and try again.

Back down the steps … 25 meters later… up the ramp to the tracks.  Looks the same as when I got off the train.  Look around – see no other alternative.  Back to the ramp – well maybe I am missing something … turn right (again) go 20 meters seeing the bicycle storage and the same cement wall over again.  SHIT!  Turn around go all the way to the end and climb up the steps and am back out on the street.  SHIT!  (I guess I should say “Scheisse” since that is SHIT in German).

Now I am beginning to wonder if maybe I got off at the wrong stop and this might not ever be Luzern!  A minute or so after I get to the street again – Delmus texts me.  “Don’t move – I know where you are!”  A few minutes later I hear my name being called and here comes my friend walking up the sidewalk towards me.

He explains to me he realized what I had done.  Instead of going right when I got off the train I followed some people left to the ramp.  Unlike all the other ramps in the train stations that have two ways to go this one only had an exit.  So, there was no way I could get to the Bahnhof once I went down the ramp.

Delmus told me the same thing had happened to him and his family at some point when they had visited the city many years ago.  Therefore, he realized what I had done.  Another lesson learned on a (mis)adventure in Switzerland.

Anyway, this was a tremendous visit with Delmus and his wife Nadine and daughters Neomie and Louana (please excuse the spelling because it is probably wrong).  Also met Neomie’s significant other Phillip.  Plus – their two dogs and two kittens.

Nadine is the perfect hostess and they have a beautiful apartment.  Great evening of eating, drinking and talking with my friends.  We stayed up too late watching football highlight videos with Phil (who plays football here in Switzerland).

The dinner we had needs to addressed … we had Raclette.  An amazing Swiss dish where you heat cheese, scraping it off over potatoes and then placing any of the various toppings you cook at the same time.  Think onions, bacon, sausage, beef, peppers, veggies … hell anything you can think of you can make!

It was a wonderful meal with great conversation – renewed friendships and well it was just a great time.

Also, Delmus got out his rifle and pistol to show me.  Delmus was US military – married Nadine (a Swiss citizen) and now a dual citizen.  He was allowed to keep his weapons because almost every man in Switzerland is armed.  Switzerland is neutral, but all men pretty much serve in the Military for a year.  Then, when they are done with their requirement they leave the army.

But, when they do it is they must take their weapons home with them.  You might think that is  dangerous but Switzerland has almost no crime.  (Go ahead – look it up!??!)

Switzerland may be neutral but it is probably the most armed country in the world!

Anyway here is Luzern!

There are Cranes everywhere!

Other than myself, friend Bruce Altrichter and my late friends John Holland and our Muhlenberg College professor Dr. John Trainer few people know this.  There are only two Cranes native to the United States.

I mean birds guys … birds.  Yes, the Whooping Crane and the Sandhill Crane are the only Cranes here in North America!  Hey, I can’t make this stuff up.  It has to be true it is on Wikipedia.  Yeah how about this – the Whooping Crane is like the giraffe of birds (hmmm the giraffe of birds – maybe not the best analogy there.)  Well, OK it is the tallest bird in the US!

Actually, I feel privledged to have seen both kinds.  Believe it or not the Sandhill Crane will zip through Arizona (where I saw them) as they migrate.  Amazing!

Anyway, these are some big birds – very impressive when you see them.  Go on – look them up!

OK!  Back to my original statement – referring to Switzerland however.  There are Cranes everywhere.  But now I am referring to the Cranes used for construction.  Several years ago when I first came to Switzerland I noticed that they had these construction towers everywhere.  I am not kidding you – everywhere!

Most are orange – and yes, they are extremely tall.  They often come in pairs and trios and sometimes more! (Personally, I think they are pretty damn cool!) But literally you cannot go a few miles (sorry …  kilometers) without seeing one.

I must confess after talking to several other friends they are all over Europe.  You might say “commonplace.”  But think about the US – where do we see them?  (mostly in large cities that are building UPWARD!)

Trust me, not like this.  They are like rabbits  “(Crane Rabbits”) multiplying everywhere over here throughout the Alps.

But, OK let’s think about Switzerland for a minute.  It is mountain upon mountain – and not talking about those midgets like the Blue Mountains or Appalachians.  They are pretty big.  So, if you want to build a house or apartment you are pretty much on the side of a pretty steep incline.

What do you do – you bring in the Cranes … nope, not the Whooping of Sandhill type.  But, these guys!

Then you level everything of and drop in all the equipment needed, the cement, steel, pipes, windows, nuts and bolts and whatever else you need to create your project.  Simply amazing!  Honestly – amazing to see!

Take a look at a few of them …  I am not kidding you – this is a small collection that I have.  It has become an obsession of mine.  Call it “The Cranes of Switzerland!”

OK … so Reudi (my landlord – theoretically … well, we are pals – so actually we are friends – hard to consider him my landlord since he buys me beer!) grabbed me and asked me if I wanted to go on a tramp (walk) (hike) with our friend Ulrich through Faulensee on Friday!  Well why not!!??

Let’s go!!

****We have pretty much one day of nice weather paired with a day of rainy weather here in our part of Switzerland.  Well is that so terrible?  I have a day of wet beer balanced with a day of dry beer – how bad is that?****

Wake up Friday to a beautiful Swiss sunny day.  Reudi and I hop in his car and rip down the highway and through Spiez to Faulensee where Ulrich and his wife Edda live.  (Actually, looks like there are few restaurants in Spiez worth visiting!!?  We will see!)

Ulrich leads us on an hour walk (seemed like an hour and a half!) up and down the hills (mountains) around his town of Faulensee.  Then down around the beautiful views around the Thunersee.  Such a beautiful picture-perfect place.

Both Ulrich and Reudi are such brilliant guys – the lives they have lived.  Living all over the world and the people they have worked with and around.  Seriously it is fun just listening to them.

OK – Ulrich is good with English.  Reudi and I are like two old guys lost on a desert island trying to understand each other.  But, who cares we are buds!  We figure it out.

I actually looked at an apartment in this town because it is such a beautiful area.  There is no doubt I could live in Switzerland.  Such great people and well – it always looks like a post card.  I could live here easily.

Anyway – here are some shots of this picturesque little area near my hometown of Gwatt.

I don’t know … but many of you don’t know that I do have a soft side to me – especially when it comes to flowers.  I have always been fascinated by the different types and shapes of these beautiful plants.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t resulted in a “Green Thumb” for me and my success in growing them has often resulted in failure.

However, I have always been aware on how flowers can give people such a lift.  It’s amazing how a simple bunch of blossoms can brighten a day for someone down in the dumps.

Well, if you are someone who can appreciate these jewels that pop out of the ground Switzerland is the place for you.  Flowers of every sort are everywhere and all over the Alps.  Honestly every color and shape you can think of – they are here.

Having a garden is almost a prerequisite in Switzerland.  One friend told me he spent over a hundred thousand Swiss Francs getting his garden right.  Yes, you read that number correctly. 100,000 Swiss Francs!

I saw pictures of it … truly magnificent.  A few small ponds, benches, bushes, flowers – it was stunning!

Over the years I have learned that there is a “color wheel” that you should use when planting your garden.  At our house in Michigan I tried … sometimes got it right … sometimes not.  But, here I share you many shots as I wandered around this “post card” country.

So … big weekend coming up here for the Thun Tigers.  Sunday the 22^nd will be a great day (FAMILY DAY) at the Lachenstadion here in Thun!  Everyone who is in the area should really stop by for a beer (or five) and a hamburger and watch our teams play.  Will be great!

But, I am going to target my friends in the states who have some corporate jets at their fingertips.  Trust me, they know who they are.

Come on Dave D and John C … you have them. Spool them up!

Listen – think about a great weekend in the Alps … including football, burgers and beer.

Thun Tiger Flaggies!

Get your pilot … grab some family and friends … hop on that jet and fly to Zurich.  (Well, have a beer or two on the way across the Atlantic as well).  Land at the airport (which is beautiful by the way) have another beer as you wait for the train which is right there in the airport.

Hop on that train … take the two-hour ride to Thun.  Our limo meets you at the Bahnhof and takes you to our “Four SeasonsLIKE” resort at Strattlighugel 46 in Gwatt, Switzerland.

Come on … why not?

We all sit around with our host Ruiedi and have a few drinks and talk about old times – you hit the sack due to jetlag.  We go out to get more beer (for ourselves of course!)

So, Saturday’s itinerary.  Breakfast at a fabulous Bakery (Backerei) – Steinman’s – you know croissants with butter or chocolate, maybe some rolls with fruit.  Come on you get it … something that goes well with champagne!

Next, we (you) slip onto the boat that cruises along the “Thunersee.”  Everyone relaxes – order your third drink and close your eyes behind your sunglasses.  Next stop is Interlaken.

This area is a wonderful place … but, it truly is a tourist trap.  Don’t buy anything here.  Also, do not eat at the Hooters that is in Interlaken.  ***I am someone who has been in many Hooters over the years so I know.***   The wings are not very good at all in Interlaken.  They need to close down and start over again.

I know the guys who started Hooters in Clearwater – they would be very disappointed in this location.  The food is just – well honestly it is bad!  You don’t need to eat in Interlaken anyway – you can hold off and find great places everywhere back in Thun.

Back to the boat to Thun!  Well, actually we could take the train – it is faster.  But, your call!

The boat drops you off at the limo stand and your driver whips you back to the Mountaintop.  Maybe shower – or drink a beer then off to a great dinner of Pizza, pasta and well OK another beer or three.

Fully stuffed….back home for a Cigar and something like a cognac to put you to bed.

In the morning you are kissed by the sun as it peeks over the beautiful mountains (Bernese Alps) that surround the “Thunersee!”.  Your limo awaits!  Ralph the driver offers you the choice –  A straightway cruise down the mountainside to the stadium or – he can drop you off at the Gwatt Deltapark bus station for Bus #1 to take you to the field.

My friends take the Limo – well it does have champagne and Mimosas.  I take the bus because I do have to stay alcohol free until the day is over.  Indeed it will be a long day – first part of day is at 10:00 AM and the last game is over perhaps at seven or eight in the evening!   (Hell, it is going to be a long day!)

Thun Tigers Senior team!

One way another a great day of football!

My pals all head back to the Gwatt Four Seasons – have another beer or whatever.  Hit the sack.

Then … back on the limo to Zurich – hop on their private jets back to the US!

Wow … what a whirlwind weekend!  But, well worth it when you see how beautiful this area is!