Haircut

I made sure to get a hair cut just the day before I left for Switzerland, so I wouldn't need my next one for awhile. It's now December and I am in need of a trim to get rid of my split ends.

Awhile ago I talked so some of the girls asking them where I should go when I need a haircut and about how much it would be. They concluded that there are salons all over the city, so that's not a problem…but the price is outrageous = ~ 75 CHF (~$75)! Also, if I want conditioner after they shampoo, that would cost me an extra 10 francs. I was now rethinking more about whether I will need a haircut or not. One girl did inform me that her friend went to hair school and she could get my hair done for cheaper. This intrigued me, however I was still skeptical.

There are actually two hair salons next to our apartment, "Anges Coiffures- pour dames et messieurs" and "Black Hair Hair Salon."  Yesterday when walking back to our apartment, we noticed that a lady was in "Anges Coiffures" and not busy. We entered and attempted to speak to her, she spoke German and no English. I did notice a sign while I was there that advertised a shampoo and cut for 25 CHF!

So that night, I used google translate to put a couple of phrases into German so I would be able to communicate with the hair lady. I translated, "I would like a haircut, when can I get one?" and "I would like a trim to cut off my split ends, just cut off about 5 cm please. Thank you." I wrote the German versions on a piece of paper. Today Mike and I went down to the salon to attempt getting me a haircut.

I was very nervous prior, because not only is this my first hair cut in Switzerland…it's also my first haircut from someone other than my mom and this lady doesn't even speak English. I had no idea what I would come out looking like.

The phrases I had translated worked, and with many hand gestures and head nodding we were able to figure out what we each wanted. I hopped into the hair chair that moment, she put an apron on me that had holes for my arms. I thought that was pretty neat. She then again verified the amount of hair I wanted cut, I agreed and then it began. The strange thing about this "cut" though was that she didn't use scissors. She used a tool that looked like a jagged razor and then would take pieces of my hair and angle razor my hair off. I have never had this done to my hair before, but I just let her do her work. I wouldn't be able to object anyways because of the language barrier. She was very precise with my hair and didn't cut very much off, both I was very pleased with. She even gave me a little product in my hair at the end.

When she was finished, I said, "Danke" and she replied, "Bitte". She then gave me a card that she filled out and we were able to understand that if I get 9 haircuts the 10th one would be free! However, I may just do one more haircut while I am here.

Success! I got a reasonably priced and good haircut today! :)

Saint Nicholas Day

 Last Saturday, Mike noticed crowds around the Cathedral and center on his way home from the gym. Shortly after he got back Mike, Steve and I went to go check it out.

To our surprise, Fribourg hosted its own little Christmas Market! There were many stands selling various items such as; candy, baked goods, meat, costumes, balloons, crafts, hats, etc. They were even selling the hot wine (vin chaud) here. However, Mike and I were more interested in something hot and ended up with coffee.  We walked all around the area, appreciating the festivities.

At one point, we visited a marvelous smelling meat booth that was selling spare ribs, and brats that were either beef, veal, pork or homemade. I got the "homemade" option and it was fabulous!

We ran into a friend who explained a little more of what was going on around the town…She described that is was a celebration of St. Nicholas (or modern day Santa Claus), and that he was coming to the town. However, there were two of them, one good and one bad. The good one wears a red suit and hands out fruit to all of the good kids, and the bad one wears a black suit and is rumored to punish the bad kids.  When night falls, St. Nicholas (the good one) then rides through the town on a donkey leading a procession to the Cathedral. He then gets on a platform and does a speech reviewing the past year of Fribourg, following his remarks there is a big feast.

I looked more into this celebration and found out that St Nicholas Day dates back to an ancient custom celebrated in Fribourg in the 18th century. Saint Nicholas is Fribourg's patron saint who performed a miracle at this time. "...Legend has it that St. Nicholas brought three children back to life after they had been cut up by a butcher and put in the salting tub. This story, which is depicted on the cathedral portico in Fribourg, has established St. Nicholas as the tutelary saint of children, especially boys, while St. Catherine is the guardian angel for girls. St. Catherine's Day, November 25, used to be celebrated in similar fashion in Fribourg."

You could pay 5 CHF to take a picture with St Nicholas, I just snapped a quick one of him myself!

Conquered the Bus today!

We have seen the busses go by daily all throughout the city of Fribourg. However, we have never attempted to ride them. We usually walk anywhere we need to go within the town.

Back story: Mike still doesn't have his contracted car from the team. So he is usually stuck riding with others to basketball practices or events, and when we go other places we simply walk. Lately, it's been getting colder with snow. So he asked the team if he could get a bus pass, he got it late last week.

Today, Mike wanted to go to the gym for a basketball "shoot around". These aren't required so most of his teammates don't attend. So now was his first chance to use the bus pass. From some past speculations, we knew he had to go to the bus stop about a block away to get to the gym. He got on the first bus that stopped there…

I was still at the apartment, when about 15 minutes after he left for the gym, I received a text, "I think I got on the wrong bus I don't know where I am," and then, "And now the driver parked and turned off the bus for lunch."

Mike walked in the door a few minutes after, I asked what happened, he replied, " I got on the bus, it went up and around a hill, then I was the only person on it, when all of sudden the driver turned off the bus and ate lunch for about 5 minutes. When the bus started again and approached our apartment, I just got off and decided not to go to the gym." (Mike failed)

We next ate a quick lunch and would be soon off towards the grocery store for some needed items. I thought we should try this bus thing again, so we went to the nearest bus stop outside of our apartment and stood in front of the signs doing our best at reading and trying to figure out how to purchase a ticket for me, which bus to get on, where does it go, when does it stop, etc. After about 15 minutes, we think we about had it all down. The machine printed me off a ticket that I could use for the next 30 minutes, it cost 2.40 CHF, and we were getting on bus #2 headed towards the mall (where the grocery store is located.)

We did successfully make it to the mall, however when we approached the doors, they didn't open.  We also noticed that there weren't as many people out and about as usual. We assumed it was some sort of Swiss Holiday. We then just picked up a few things at the Train Station, (which is always open and across the street from the mall), we then got on bus #2 back to our apartment. (Mike and Shannon passed!)

We felt pretty accomplished walking back into our apartment after riding the bus to and from the train station/ mall area. We even high-fived in celebration! :)

Joyeux Noel

This is how you say "Merry Christmas" in French!

We visited the Christmas Market in Montreux, Switzerland last Sunday.  It is just down the road from the Chateau de Chillon and stretches along the water of Lake Leman (Geneva). This Christmas market is open every year from November 25-December 24 and is known as one of the top Christmas markets in all of Europe!

Inside the village.

It was fun to see and so beautiful. There was a Christmas village in the center of it all and also little, brightly lighted huts all around. Each of the huts sold hand made crafts or tasty treats.  We walked the whole stretch admiring all of the hobbies from the locals.  There were also many attractions that accented the festival, such as a large Christmas tree and even a ferris wheel. There was a traditional drink that was served as well as many stands called hot wine, (which we all tried). It was very good hot, however once it started to cool down we all agreed that the taste did too.

Drinking our Hot Wine.

The market stands along the water.

Enormous Christmas tree within the Market.

"The Prisoner of Chillon"

BY LORD BYRON (GEORGE GORDON)

  I found a copy of the poem on the following website. I attached it for those of you who would like to read it.

It's pretty long, that's why I didn't just post it on here…but it's a very moving and powerful piece.

Enjoy if you would like to- http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=173098 

Chateau de Chillon

We traveled a little South to visit "one of Switzerland's must-sees", the Chateau of Chillon.  This is a 12th century castle built on a small, rocky island on Lake Leman (Geneva). And for more that 260 years it was used as a fortress, arsenal and prison.

View from the road.

Amanda & I in front of the moat.

Standing on a dock next to the castle.

When approaching the outside of the castle, it didn't look that big…but after crossing the moat (and paying the admission fee) we entered into a vast courtyard. We spent well over an hour intrigued by our surroundings while touring the castle.  We traveled through a cellar, a keep, a postern, prisons, a crypt, a chapel, a dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, a bathroom, a watchtower, many courtyards, and so much more.

In a courtyard.

Medieval toilet- the holes lead to the water.

In the watchtower. 

Small corridor, Mike was crouching most of the time.

It was so interesting being throughout such a historic structure. One of the areas that we found most interesting was the prison. It was at the very bottom of the castle. Standing within it, all a person could hear was the waves of the water smashing against the outside walls. It was very dark and eery. We learned of a famous man who was kept there for 6 years, Francois Bonivard, chained most of the time to a pillar in the dungeon. This prisoner supported the Reformation, and this angered the people. He was released in 1536 by the Bernese.

The pillar he was shackled to

After a poet, Lord Byron visited Chillon, he was inspired to write a famous poem that described the prisoners despair and brief moments of hope titled, "The Prisoner of Chillon."

Amanda Weekend!

Amanda Durick just spent a long weekend with us here in Fribourg. We had lots of fun while doing the following;
On Saturday morning, we went to the market and wondered the streets of Fribourg...

Went to Mike's home game vs Basel on Saturday night…

Later that night, went to an Irish Pub and club called "Mythic" with some of the guys…

On Sunday, traveled to Montreux with Steve to the Chateau de Chillon…(a famous castle along the water)

And the Christmas Market along Lake Geneva…

On Monday, we SLEPT IN. Then, did some shopping in Fribourg. Later, Amanda cooked us an amazing lasagna meal. We also invited Steve over for supper as a "thank you" for bringing us around on Sunday. Then she already had to leave on Tuesday morning. Overall, a very good time with a great friend. It was so nice to share how we live in Switzerland with someone so close to us. :)