Apero

Tonight was my farewell party at the EBK.  In Switzerland, it is tradition that the person leaving buys all the food and drinks for everyone (or at least that's what my work colleagues told me!).  Anyway, it was a great time.  I was surprised at how many people came.  

I wanted to thank them for all their generosity and kindness in making our experience here so wonderful.  While there is no doubt my language skills did not progress as well as I had hoped (or they had hoped), the were very gracious in making me feel comfortable by speaking English around me.  I had the opportunity to work on many interesting and challenging projects, and I wanted to thank them for including me so openly as a member of their team.  I also wanted to thank them for all their great travel ideas.  No doubt, for anybody who ran into me on Monday morning over the past nine months knows that Pam and I have traveled A LOT!  We have criss-crossed Switzerland many times.  It is a beautiful country with so much natural beauty.  

But, most importantly, I wanted to thank them for not just treating me as a work colleague but as a member of the their extended family.  They invited Pam and I into their homes for dinner, they invited us out for a day of hiking, they even invited me for a swim in the Aare.  I have formed many lasting friendships here in Switzerland.    While I have many fond memories of my experience here, the most lasting will be the great times shared with others.  

When people ask me back home what I think about Switzerland, I would say:  the only thing more delightful than the Swiss countryside is the Swiss people themselves.

Here are a few pictures from my Apero.  

Snow in Bern!

It has been snowing pretty heavy here in Bern in recent days.  I am told this is somewhat unusual for mid-December.  I guess Switzerland is leaving us a nice good-bye gift.  Anyway, I took the camera along on my way to work this morning.   See pictures of the snow.  

Looking back through some old blog entries, it struck me to see how much the city and its flora changes through the different seasons.  I am so glad we were able to capture it for posterity's sake.

Gstaad - Day 2

We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland!  The view from the balcony off our hotel room was amazing.  It looked like the entire village of Gstaad had been dipped in white frosting.  After breakfast, we went for a walk around town.  

Gstaad is best known for its skiing and spas.  While a few slopes were open during our visit, many of the luxury spas were closed (the high season was still a couple weeks away).  The Palace Hotel -- perched on a nearby hill, towering over the tiny village like Mad Ludwig's castle --  is one of the Gstaad's most famous spa resorts.  We decided to walk up the hill to see if it was open.  It wasn't.  But the views were still worth the trip.  

Pam was getting a little cold, so we walked back down to the village for some hot chocolate and enjoyed what appeared to be a junior hockey tournament being held on one of the outdoor rinks.  Hockey is apparently pretty popular in these parts.  Anyway, after the hot chocolate it was time to get back on the train to Bern.  So long Gstaad...for now!  See pictures from Gstaad Day 2.

Video:

"Bye Gstaad"

Train ride back home.

Gstaad

With only a few weeks left before our adventure in Switzerland ends, we decided to visit Gstaad for an overnight. Gstaad is located in the southern part of the canton of Bern in the Bernese Oberlands (Bernese highlands). Our guide book says it is a "see-and-be-seen spot" and one of Switzerland's most glamorous ski resorts. We just had to check this place out!

We left by train late Saturday morning and headed south via Spiez and Zweisimmen for the two hour ride to Gstaad. As it turns out, Gstaad is located along the "Golden Pass" -- a scenic train ride which links Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva. We snuck into first class at Zweisimmen and enjoyed stunning panaromic views as the train meandered through the snow covered mountain passes. 

Once in Gstaad, we checked into our hotel (Hotel Alphorn), and then quickly headed out for some delicious fondue and raclette. Yum! We had only enough energy left for a quick nightcap and a cigar before the cheese-induced coma took full effect.  We were soon out for the night. See photos.

Videos:

Heading to Gstaad.

Entering the tunnel.

Exiting the tunnel.

Plowing through the snow.