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| 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/
Sunday, October 10, 2010
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!
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/
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/
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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...
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...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, October 4, 2010
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.
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. :)
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. :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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! :)
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! :)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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:
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.
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