Tried the Fondue

On the last day that Mike's parents were here, we went to a small restaurant called Cafe Midi. They specialized in Fondue and that's just what we had in mind for that meal. Luckily, the waitress was able to understand and speak English fairly well, so we asked her what she recommended as our first ever fondue experience!

She suggested a half/ half fondue, it had 2 different types of cheeses blended together with a white wine. It was supposed to be the mildest flavor.

They brought the fondue in a small pot on top of it's own flame to keep the cheese melted and hot. It was also served with bread and small potatoes to dip in the fondue using our skewers. It was a unique flavor and very filling! I didn't need to eat a lot to get filled up.

I don't think we will ever have fondue again (it wasn't that amazing), but I am so glad that we tried it while here in Switzerland-where it was invented and a big part of their lifestyle.

We rode the Funicular

At the entrance.

Looking up at the track.

The Fribourg funicular is a listed historical monument and unique in Europe... it is actually the only one to run on waste water from the town, which it uses thanks to a system of counterweights. The funicular links the upper part of the town to the lower part. It was constructed in 1899 and is still running today! We rode it for ~2 francs each…

The car we ride in.

In the car.

To Gstaad

Our next adventure continued south towards the alps, to the town of Gstaad.  Again, the scenery was fascinating. We traveled through many little mountain towns home to several chalets and modest farms.  The road curved and swerved hugging the alps we traveled through. Upon reaching our destination, we had to, again, park slightly outside of the city and then walk through the majestic downtown.

Gstaad is known as a "ski-town", so at this time of year many of the shops were bare or closed.  But the window shopping sufficed, as there were numerous luxuries to see in this wealthy mountain town.

The streets of Gstaad

One site of significance was the Gstaad Palace. It is actually a running hotel that is a dwelling for the rich and famous. One night in a single classic room costs 720 francs (or ~$735). And ONE night in the penthouse suite would cost you 13,900 francs (or ~$14,200). WOW!

Gstaad Palace

At the end of the road we met some friendly cows…which all seem to where bells! It's pretty cute to see.

Friendly cow with bell.

After we had enough of the sights here, we ventured back to Fribourg!

Trip to Gruyeres

Mike's wonderful parents are visiting us in Fribourg! Earlier this week, they rented a car and we traveled approximately 40 minutes to the nearby city of Gruyeres- which is actually known as one of the most prestigious sites of Switzerland. And it is also a car-free town, so we had to park just outside and walk up to it. We ended up parking at the Maison du Gruyeres (translated to "House of Gruyeres"), which houses cheese and a lot of it!

CHEESE!

After having a delicious lunch at the Maison du Gruyeres, we started the hike to the city, with the Chateau de Gruyeres (castle) as our destination in mind.  The scenery surrounding the area was "storybook-like". We were in the foothills of the snow capped Swiss Alps, with dark green pastures in all directions. Once reaching the city, it was all very historic and preserved in such that way.

Just within the town

 

View from Chateau

The castle was monumental. It was constructed in 1270 at the very top of hill we stood on. It's currently a museum preserving the great history that consumes it.

Chateau de Gruyeres

We looked around for a bit greatly enjoying our surroundings, then headed back to the car for our next adventure…

Mike & I

The Amazing Toilet

Today while visiting a WC at Gruyere, when I flushed the toilet, this happened….

This past weekend...

…(on Saturday) Mike's parents arrived in Fribourg! We met them at the train station here around noon, then walked them to the hotel they will be staying called the Hine Adon. Another man staying there gave us a little history on the place: Supposedly "hine adon" means 12 rooms, therefore only 12 rooms are at the hotel, each with a name. They are actual names also. For example the Nelsons' room is called, "Josef".

After getting somewhat settled in, we showed them to our cozy apartment. Unfortunately, it was raining when they arrived and continued to rain into the evening so not much sight seeing was possibly. We just visited the grocery store, then had a relaxing evening at the Josef Room.

Sunday was Mike's first home game! We all got to go and watch. They ending up winning by quite a bit, and it was so fun to watch. After the game we went to eat at the Asian restaurant below our apartment. It was nice to finally put a taste to the smell. We each ordered a different chicken dish and was very pleased with the meal.

The evening ending with football, first the Packers ( I was outnumbered by the fans) and then the Vikings!!   It's so nice to still get to watch some sports that remind me of home while overseas.

Cafe Glacee

This is the name of the most recent place Mike and I visited. It's a coffee AND ice cream place, two of my favorite things!  We ordered a coffee and a chocolate banana milkshake. It was very delicious. We lounged for a bit in the quaint area, even looked at the paper (only looked at the pictures, because we still don't do French).

This is what you get when you simply order, "Coffee." (yum!)

The chocolate banana milkshake!

BFO Basketball

This is how they refer to the team that Mike is on, it stands for Benetton Fribourg Olympic. They have started the season great with a 2-0 record. His first game was in Zurich, Switzerland. And they just had their second season game yesterday in Basell, Switzerland.  Next weekend they are home, so I get to attend!

A Swiss Map to show the places.

For more of Mike's basketball season you can follow his blog at www.mikenelsonbasketball.com or the team's website at www.fribourg-olympic.ch/

The change of season is FALLing over Fribourg

Creme Glacee

This is the French word for ice cream. Last night, after supper, Mike and I walked to the nearby ice cream store. It was wondrous, with so many flavors to choose. (I will need to visit this place several times, to taste them all!)

Luckily the petit size came with 2 scoops and I could pick 2 different flavors.  After several minutes of serious thinking, I finally chose the caramel and tiramisu! Oh it was heaven in my mouth.

Side note: We were having trouble with the language as usual before ordering. After a couple of trys, the lady looks at me and says, "Espanol?" I had to reply with, "No."  Bummer! There goes the validity of my last post...

They recognize the German in me

In the United States, my dark complexion and features had many people fooled.  I can't even put a number to how many thought I was another ethnicity. Especially in the summer time, after a days tan, then the occurrences were about every other day.

I have heard the following guesses at what my background is; Hispanic, Philippine, Cuban, Guatemalan,  French, Native American, Indian, Italian and probably some others I can't remember right now. It's always strangers who ask with the most confidence too, and most often it's the customers to where I waitress. But in other random occasions as well.

There was a time on a travel to Duluth, MN. We stopped at a small diner on the way, the waitress asked me what tribe I belonged to...or... I have visited Mexico a couple times, with each vacation I have had the locals come to me and say, "espanol?" or just simply start up a conversation in Spanish.

HOWEVER, in Switzerland...these people know people.

When at the phone store, the employee recognized my last name and asked, "Is this the same Medenwalds' from southern Germany?" And I could finally reply, "yes, my ancestors are from there." That's not the only time, at a visit to the post office our English was hard for the lady to understand. She looked at me and asked, "deutsch?" The answer was yes, but I do not speak any German to help out this matter.

I am sure bordering the country my ancestors are from helps with the recognition, but either way, it's nice  that people are finally get it right. :)

70 degree Sunday

It was a gorgeous, sunny day yesterday and we took advantage of it! We had decided to go to another Museum we heard about. It was about a 25 minute walk from the apartment, so it was a great day for the hike.

On our journey to the Museum of Natural History we came across a major crowd of people of all ages. It looked like a marathon for runners had just occurred. In the center of the city was hundreds of people surrounding booths, restaurants, and food stands. We inquired this for awhile, scanning the different options of food any beverages. Things were offered such as, beer, juices, bread, ice cream, somethings that looked like a brat, etc. Mike and I choose the "churro" stand and purchased 7 churros for 5 francs.

The yummy churros!

Churros in hand, we continued to the Museum. We found it and entered, free of charge! (there is no admission fee) This museum was much more interesting that history one we visited weeks ago. Again, everything was in French & German. However much more attractive to the eye...there were ancient fossils, meteor rocks, actual stuffed animals from past and present, even live animals (small rodents, fish, and insects).

After enjoying the museum all we could we started our travel home. We made a couple stops on the way. First, at a very peaceful park which we just observed and walked through.

Then a necessary stop at the train station for a few grocery items, (the train station is the only thing open on sundays,) on the way.

Oh and today.. we visited Chez Aeby to buy a roll of garbage bags, (24 francs later.) However, to our delighted surprise, the kind lady gave us a small box of Creme Brulee chocolate! It is soooo good. :)

Chez Aeby

This is the name of a small grocery store very close to our apt, it's across the street and less than a block away. It is open monday through saturday, 0800-1800 closing of course for lunch daily from 1200-1330.

Mike was in Switzerland about 20 days before I got here, he visited this place very often due to it's convenient location, which led to familiarizing himself with the only person ever working in the store. The lady store owner, (we still haven't found out her name, probably something we should get on our next visit.) When I arrived to Switzerland, this was one of the first places Mike brought me. She was delighted to meet Mike's American girl friend.

She is a very sweet, welcoming lady, well in her 60s. She doesn't speak english the greatest, but loves to practice on us. Every time we enter the store she recognizes and greets us with, "Hello" rather than the usual "Bonjour." Even after gathering our items and paying she usually attempts to continue the conversation. One saturday we asked her what her weekend plans were, she responded by saying, "I will be very busy, I have 10 pictures coming for eating tomorrow." I pondered her reply for a bit...then corrected her with, " You have 10 people coming for dinner?" She smiled and giggled a little saying, "..ooohhh yes, PEOPLE not pictures." haha

She even gives us treats when we visit, usually little chocolate pieces but one day we were really lucky and received a, larger than normal, cucumber!

Because of her nice gestures, I wanted to do something nice for her. One morning I baked a pan of Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I wrapped up a couple pieces for her and then got on a french translator website, so I could write her a note. In French, I wrote "I baked apple coffee cake this morning and would like you to have some." Once I was finished we headed over to Chez Aeby for the delivery.  She was more pleased than we had expected. She made little happy noises, then proceeded to hug and kiss both Mike and I! Then she read the note, and complimented with a "Bravo!" When we left, we all had huge smiles on our faces! :)

Food

On Jenell's request I will try to describe Switzerland's food as best as I can...

So far I am limited to judge and describe most of the food, simply because Mike and I are being economical when it comes to this. We have been cooking all of our meals at home and since we only know how to make American cuisine, that's what we have been eating. Until we can budget in more "eating out"(currently we go out to eat 1x/ week or less), we have been sticking mainly to various chicken dishes, spaghetti, tacos, sandwiches, etc.  Also, We have found out that many things that typically accustom a meal (free of charge) in America, usually costs something here.

We have eaten at the local McDonald's. It's the same exact food I remember from America however the prices are astronomical! For the 2 of us to eat, the total amount rang up to 29.50 francs ($30.30). Note, 2 ketchup packets = 0.4 francs/each.

We have also gone to eat at the "Populaire", which is again similar to American cuisine. Mike had the Texas Burger, and I ordered the Fribourger. We complimented those with glasses of water, those ended up costing us 3 francs each.

Next on the list of places to go out to eat:

• a Fondue Restaurant, supposedly that was invented here and goes well with local wine
• a Brewery Restaurant, the local beer is called Cardinal and not that bad tasting
• a Tea Room Restaurant, I have seen full restaurants that I am assuming have wonderful croissants and so much more!
• an Italian Restaurant, we walk by several on our way to the grocery that look fabulous
• The one we live above, at the bottom of our apt building there is an Asian restaurant that we have yet to visit
• and many, many more throughout our stay!

Oh I am almost forgetting something...CHOCOLATE! Switzerland is known for its chocolate, it is everywhere and so good! At the grocery store they have a full 2 aisles of just chocolate, so many different variations. Just yesterday while at the Coop, a lady was handing our chocolate samples, I had a Tiramisu sample!  Another funny interesting chocolate story....at Mike's preseason home game they played Victoria, a team from Spain. At the beginning of the game each of the Swiss players handed a box of Swiss chocolate to the other players.

Another known food item in Switzerland is CHEESE. This again, is everywhere and very intimidating. We have know idea which kind to buy because there are so many options. We have mostly stuck to parmesan, mozzarella, and some white kind?? Still have some things to learn when it comes to food around here.