Shifting gears -

[kyburg]

Something ceolyn said got my attention.

I tell people what to do. I do? Hmm. Consider it an effect of long exposure to the Swiss.

Three out of four Swiss believe the Pope is too old for his job. Just weeks before this visit, 40 Swiss priests and theologians wrote to him saying he ought to retire. The Pope is visiting Switzerland for the first time in 20 years and that's the reception, folks. Yes, the Swiss think they can "suggest" anything to anyone - and if everyone agreed upon it ahead of time, then that's what you should do.

It's also called "having the better argument" and it's deadly. It can be annoying, particularly when they actually have thought it out and are right more often than not. You can't argue with it. You can't disagree with it.

Telling someone what to do in my book includes the words "or else" at the end. Anything else is up to you.

I'm also beginning to put together the trip to Switzerland in late August/early September, and if you thought Japan is expensive, you haven't been to Switzerland yet. Best hotel cost I could find was $155 a night - haven't checked if Priceline handles accomodations there yet, but I will. There doesn't appear to be any timeshare time available, but the getaways are marginally cheaper - it's just hard to swallow $680 for a week in one gulp, okay? I'm hoping to get us there and back for that much.

I'll have to see what Jim thinks of Swiss food and take him here first. (Didn't know about this place, feyandstrange - thanks!)

evilshell, I'm going to be contacting my friend in Zurich this weekend, but I don't think I have a copy of either your CV or Josef's - he seems to think he has a lead for Jim - good grief - surely he can give you guys a hand, neh? I think Godzilla ate whatever information I had for you, so please please send it again!

You have to still be there when I get there....*whimper*

And now, off to the farmer's market!

Comments

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

Well, for a long time I thought Strom Thurmond was too old to do his job effectively and was hoping he'd retire... *shrug*

As for you telling other people what to do... I've never experienced that. MInd, I've only met you IRL once, so maybe I'm not the best judge of that. *wry*

Have fun at the Farmer's Market! (Any word on the shoes yet?)

C.

[shirasade]

Yep, we're easily one of the most expensive countries of the world - even if you're going on a shoestring (youth hostels and such) or, you know, live here. :)

Soo, are you coming to Basel, too? Lotsa awesome museums and until October 3 the big Tut-Ankh-Amun exhibition. /pimpage of beloved hometown

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Oh, I loved Basel - I won't miss it for the world.

[shirasade]

Well, if I'm in town then, we'll have to meet up, in that case. :)

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

IT's funny; just last night at hte restaurant, madame Brigitte was telling us what she thought the President should do, and about how the Swiss don't mess around with stuff and are very forthright. THis included a sideline on how my boyfriend should ask me to marry him, which quickly degraded into a conversation on how it wasn't really necessary, and she'd asked her husband, but mostly for the taxes, and to promise to come celebrate our engagement there if we ever did have one.

My mom lived in Berne for three or four years, and she agrees the place is lovely and more than up to Swiss standards. I do recommend reservations and a weeknight rather than a weekend, as it does get crowded - and wear layers, as all those fondue burners warm the place up. (I was pretty comfy in a sleeveless top, but brought sleeves for later.) And go hungry!

The whole interior is carved pine, and the bar is festooned with flags of all the cantons. It's really perfect. Swiss wines and some German beers on tap. You'll adore it. Raclette, spatezle, ruesdie, num! They even have - damnit, forgot the name, but that lovely air-dried beef on one of the appetizer plates.

Thre is also a yummy authentic German schnitzel place in town, if you really want to get in practice for the 'eat rich food, then hike up steep hills' lifestyle.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Last time I checked, it said back in stock on the 25th - I'll have to check again. Don't let me forget!

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Do me a favor now and hunt around for something nice and cheap for housing, and I'll stay in Basel for at least part of the stay - waddya say?

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Sounds like I need to brush up on my cantons! (Cliff used to go through the waiting queue at the Matterhorn in Disneyland and name off each one as we went past its shield. I'm afraid to go back and see if any of them are missing now, due to non-maintenance. Would break my heart if one was....)

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

My response to that is ------- YAY!! :)

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the "we're right" arguments. Sadly, you're also right - they usually right after all!! Ahhhhh *head spins*

I just emailed you with my CV, explained the Josef one (or lack thereof). I sent it to the @livejournal.com addy.

We don't plan on going anywhere until the end of the year if things blow up. Let's just hope they don't blow up and we'll be here and one of us happily working :)

I know there's at least one youth hostel in town - they *might* have a double room, if you don't mind going that route. I'll check that out, too.

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

Ok, there are two hostels in town, but this one definitely seems to be the better of the two backpackers hostel (they have a double bed room).

You could also stay in Pratteln at the Etap...not deluxe accomodations, but cheap.

AUGH

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

The spam filter ATE your entire message and attachment. Please send it again!

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

There's a limit - I don't think I can get Jim to do the hostel thing. He's 6'4" and that's going to be challenge enough.

Non-deluxe okay - you should have seen what I lived in when I was there! Tell me more....

[shirasade]

Well, there's Basel BackPack, which also offers double rooms for 47CHF. The youth hostel also offers double rooms in the same price range (although they don't give prices on their website) and is beautifully situated right at the Rhine.

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

I re-sent the email this morning (and then forgot to answer you here! argh, I hate when I do that!)

Nope, at that height the hostel thing is out as is the Etap since they only have a double bed with a bunk on top - and seemingly very short.

I'll keep my eyes peeled. Also, sometimes the basel toursim site has good deals, too.