More from the Onion Market in Bern

This is the famous clock tower in Bern and dates back to 1530. We caught it just as it was finishing its hourly strike.  One of these time we will get to it when it starts with the jester coming to life, Father Time turning the hourglass, the rooster crowing and the golden man hammering the bell.

This is probably the most unusual of Bern's eleven 16th-century fountains. This one is called the "Child-eater" and was probably intended to show children what happens when they break the  laws of the town.

We wandered into Kornhauskeller which used to house the city's wine cellar. Cool arches and artwork painted on the ceiling. Now it is a popular Italian restaurant. And speaking of Italians....

....we tripped upon this stall at the Onion Market selling amazing olives, seafood salads, homemade Ravioli and Italian cheeses and meats. Those ravioli were as big as the palm of your hand!

The Annual Zibelemärit (Onion Market) in Bern

This yearly festival was recommended to us a "must see" event. We are so glad we attended this traditional folk festival dating back to the 15th century. Farmers from the surrounding areas bring in over 50 tons of onions sold loose or woven into braids, wreaths, clusters and "necklaces".

There were also stalls selling gifts, hats, mementos and carnival junk. We enjoyed our cheese tart and onion tart and loved smelling the roasting sausages, chestnuts and onion soup. 

The younger visitors have fun throwing confetti and using plastic hammers to annoy and tease anyone they choose, including us!!!  

Our Thanksgiving Feast

On Sunday, we gathered together with our American co-workers and the Sister missionaries and enjoyed a belated traditional, potluck, way-too-much-food, gluttonous Thanksgiving Feast with all the trimmings!

That EXPENSIVE turkey roasted beautifully and tasted fabulous as did all the other dishes!

 The basement "bunker" of our apartment building was perfect location for our celebration.

 

A Ballerina-Slipper Pink Sunset

We stepped out of the temple the other evening just as the sky presented a beautiful sunset. The Alps, seen in the distance, are snow capped now and look lovely in pink! Glad we caught the colors on film.

Taking Baking Abroad

We have enjoyed commiserating with our son, Keith,  about the challenges of shopping and cooking in foreign lands.  We can't read the labels, we can't find some ingredients and have to figure out substitutions, the ovens are smaller, the temperatures are in Celsius, the measuring systems are all metric. Alas, the "need to feed" friends and neighbors is greater than frustrations and in the end persistence and a little bit of skill wins the day.

Here are his Thanksgiving dinner rolls baked in Israel.....

...and ours baked in Switzerland. They look surprisingly similar!!!

Answers to last installment of "Guess that Swiss Thing"

 Did you guess that these contraptions allow you to raise them to reserve your parking stall or lower them to open the space for others?

Did you guess that these poles with angled flags at the top demonstrate the elevation of planned new construction. Any neighbor who objects has a chance to make it known to the building commission.

The poles in the field indicate that a new building will be constructed. The poles have to stay in place for about a year before building can begin. How very considerate and efficient!!!

A few of the friends we have made in Switzerland

There are some people in life who make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger and live just a little bit better. From top left to right: Temple Co-workers Sister Berz from Switzerland, the Bottas from Italy, Sister Cantoni from Italy, the Dittlis from Utah, and the Dettingmeijers from Germany. Bottom row: The Heymans from California are serving a Member Leader Support mission in Calabria. We met them in September when they were here for a temple trip. They are here on another temple trip and we were able to have them over for dinner. The Sister Missionaries come by frequently. They are from Northern Ireland and from Utah. No matter where you go friends add fun and interest to your adventure!!!

Centuries Old - Two of the churches in Bern

Inside the Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church). Completed in 1729.

Only outside pictures are permitted of the Berner Munster (cathedral). Construction began in 1421. Zoom in on the sculptures above the green doors in the picture above. It depicts the last judgment and contains 234 figures. Back in the day of its creation few people could read, so this was the method used for teaching. Amazing detail, fabulous colors! Very cool!

Yet Another Episode of "Guess That Swiss Thing!"

What in the world are these "things" bolted to the ground?

 Strange poles are often seen posted on houses.....

....and in green lawns. What could they be? Answers posted soon.

Walk of Discoveries

 One of our favorite things to do is take a walk to some place new and see what we discover. We found this tree-art using old cell phones and cameras. Very clever use of "junk"! We walked through beautiful woods and passed by fields bordered by large piles of harvested sugar beets.

 As we headed back into town we found this discount meat market with every kind of meat even horse meat. We had to keep from gulping when we saw the prices. Look at this 2.2 pound/1kg Tomahawk Steak. The price is $58.75!!! We wish our cattle rancher friends in Randolph could get this price per pound!!