Liechtenstein

Pam and I had talked about visiting Liechtenstein since we first arrive, but we never made it -- until now!  Honestly, there was not much to see.  The country is only slightly bigger than Manhattan, but it actually feels smaller because two thirds is covered by mountains.  The country is 5km wide and about 30km long.  The Rhine River plain that runs along the western border is really the only inhabitable area.  

We took a bus from the Swiss city of Sargans to the capital of Vaduz (no border control).  The bus ride itself basically took us through the southern half of the country.  We did not see much of interest except a quaint castle in the village of Blazers.  So, we decided to spend more time exploring Vaduz.   After the obligatory visit to the post office, where we bought some souvenir postage stamps and mailed several post cards, we walked to the Vaduz Castle (a.k.a. Schloss Vaduz).  

The castle looms over the capital from the hill above, although it is closed to the public because the royal family is still living there (Liechtenstein is a monarchy).  The views from the castle were worth the climb, but we didn't stay long.  We were hungry, so after a few pictures, we walked back down to the city for lunch.  I discovered a delightful beer from the Liechtensteiner Brauhaus, which proudly displayed the logo: "Eins Land, Eins Bier."  Pretty cool.  Doubt I'll be able to find that beer back in New York!

After lunch, we got back on the bus and headed north toward the villages of Schaan, Nendeln, and Schellenberg.  Nothing compelled us to get off the bus at those places, so we just stayed in our seats until we crossed the border into Austria.  When we finally got off the bus in Feldkirch, it was official: we had stepped foot in all five countries bordering Switzerland -- Italy, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Austria.  We walked around Feldkirch for a little bit and stumbled across a street fair, where I enjoyed some fried dough before we got back on the train and headed back home.  See slide show from the day.

Videos:

Schloss Vaduz

Austria!!

Zibelemärit

While Thanksgiving spirit over here may be lacking, the Bernese have their own traditions to celebrate. Today is "Zibelemärit" (onion market). It is a traditional folk festival where farmers from the surrounding area bring more than 50 tons of onions into the capital to sell. It is only celebrated in Bern. According legend, the Bernese awarded the people from the nearby city of Fribourg the right to sell onions in the city as reward for their aid after a fire destroyed much of Bern in 1405.

I'm told as darkness falls, the streets of central Bern erupt with partying that includes confetti battles, street jesters, and locals in onion costumes. Very strange. I'm thinking I know a few people that might fit right in with this crowd! :)  See pictures.

Videos:

Zibelemarit

Berlin Calling

We got off to a late start on Sunday after our whirlwind tour of Berlin the day before.  Leaving Austin behind at the hotel (he was still recovering), Pam and I decided to return to the Riechstag to see if we could visit the dome.  The Reichstag dome is an iconic glass dome constructed on top of the Reichstag building.  If nothing else, it looked like there might be some nice views of Berlin from up there.  We stood in line out in the cold for about 45 minutes before finally getting in.  It was getting dark by this time, but I was able to get a few pictures off.  

After walking around on the top of the Reichstag for a little bit, we decided to head to a nearby restaurant called Die Eins.  The food was ok, but the real attraction was the nice location right along the river.  Dorthe and Austin met us at the restaurant afterward.  

We crossed into east Berlin and visited the Tacheles -- a squatting artists' paradise.  Dorthe explained that artists (illegally) moved into the building after the Berlin Wall came down 19 years ago and turned it into one of the best-known exhibition spaces in the city.  To be honest, it kind of felt like squatters had been living there for 19 years.  The central stairwell smells of marijuana and urine. The structure is missing its back wall, and what remains of the building is covered in graffiti and peeling posters.  It was no doubt an interesting place to visit.

After our tour of Tacheles, we decided to go see a movie at a nearby theater.  The movie was called Berlin Calling, an independent german film with english subtitles.  It wasn't bad.  After the movie, we said goodbye to Dorthe and thanked her for her wonderful hospitality.  Then Austin, Pam, and I headed back to our hotel for some rest.  We flew back home the next morning -- us to Zurich, Austin to LA via New York.  All in all, it was a great weekend.

 

See photos of second day in Bern.

Videos:

Tour of Tacheles

Austin to Berlin!!

Pam, Austin, and I hung out in Berlin this weekend.  Austin was in Germany to attend some film award show (one of his films had been nominated).  Not sure how we decided to meet up in Berlin, since it was a bit out of the way for both of us.  But it turned out to be a great weekend.  

Pam and I flew in on Friday night.  Austin, who arrived earlier that day, met us at the hotel and we spent a few hours catching up before we turned in for the night.  We had an ambitious schedule the next day.  After breakfast on Saturday, we took the bus to Checkpoint Charlie and then walked to what remains of the Berlin wall (most of the Wall has long since disappeared from the city).  We also visited ruins of the gestapo headquarters basement, which has been turned into a tourist destination and memorial. 

After the memorial, we made our way to the Brandenburg gate, but not before stopping for some Glühwein (red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon and sugar) and fried dough at an outdoor festival.  It was getting bitterly cold out, but we pressed on.  Unfortunately, without a guide book we were pretty much wandering aimlessly.  We stumbled across Berlin's Holocaust Memorial and the Reichstag (a.k.a. parliament), then we walked into East Berlin to enjoy a few drinks at a chic bar.  After drinks, it was back to the hotel for a quick change and the start of evening festivities.

First stop was a club to meet up with Austin's friend Dorthe who lives in Berlin.  The band at the club (Cold War Kids) was just finishing up, so we left and headed to a 1930's theme party sponsored by members of Darthe's dance school.  It was a bit awkward showing up out of costume, but we made the best of it.  It wasn't long before we were off to our next stop: an improve comedy club to see some of Darthe's friends perform.  After the show, everybody headed across the street for an after party.  

It was about this time that my body started to seriously break down.  I was exhausted.  Pam and I decided to leave Austin at the after party.  The last I saw of him that night, he was chatting it up with his new "friend" and showed no signs of slowing down.  Some things never change... 

See photos from first day in Berlin.

Videos:

Stupid American!

Brandenburg Gate

Protest Rally

Riding the subway.

"It's our turn!"

"One of these is not like the other!"

It's Fall Y'all!!!

Just a few weeks after the first snowfall in Bern, we are enjoying great running and walking weather. It's still fall...unbelievable!! Is this global warming? I think Al Gore is unto something. Anyway, Brian wanted to go for a walk to get some fresh air. He is a bit under the weather (slight cold) so a walk didn't seem too taxing. 

We walked to the zoo and saw some animals. Then to the spot where I sometimes (weather permitting) do my stretches and lunges after a run. We were just enjoying the weather. It was a beautiful day.

See Photos

Videos:

The Aare River

Pam's spot