Random Thoughts

Well...it's been a little over a month now since we first moved to Switzerland. It's been weeks filled with major adjustments and change, but we're slowly getting used to our new surroundings. Well, between taking the kids to school, running errands, and sorting the house I've been trying to learn what I can about Switzerland. Here are some things I've learned and observed:

* Switzerland is an orderly society. Whether you're at the post office or a retail store, often times you have to take a ticket to be waited on. Also, people go out of their way to follow the rules. People just don't try to bend the rules around here. For example, there are parking garages here you pay at where you have to pay for the amount of time you "think" you're going to stay. That's right, a parking garage based on the honor system. And the thing is everyone here will pay the fee.

* Speaking of fees...there are fees here for everything. And most places you have to pay for parking...even at the grocery store.

* The Swiss view everyone as equals. Whether you're a well-to-do financier, or a waiter at a local coffee shop...the Swiss view everyone as individuals with the same basic rights. In the mind of a Swiss...no one is above the law, and no one is an exception to the rules. This culture stems from the days when most of the Swiss lived in rural mountain villages. During those times the survival of the village in such a harsh region was up to the citizens working together as equals. The culture has stuck ever since.

* I always assumed Switzerland was a socialist country, but evidently it's a complex form of democracy. The country is made up of 26 cantons (think counties in America.) The cantons make up the Swiss Confederation. The confederation started around 1291 when 4 cantons decided to stop making war against one another and join together in unity. Other cantons followed suit soon after and the country was born. The government is based primarily on the cantons, with a national government overseeing everything. There are 7 ministers who lead the confederation, and there is a president and vice president who are elected by a federal council every year. Also, the country symbol is "CH," which stands for "confederation helvetica."

* Evidently there are earthquakes in Switzerland. At the time of this writing we just felt one. Nothing that caused any damage. Just freaked us out a little.

* I know it's only been a month, but so far all the Swiss I have met seem very open to foreigners and Americans. Zurich and the surrounding region is an international city, so the Swiss are used to outsiders. Everyday I'm thankful that we don't live in France, where we would have to put up with a lot of stress being American.

* Children around here are given a lot of freedom. It is customary, and encouraged, for young children to walk to and from school. I'm talking children Megan's age. You see them all over walking on the sidewalk with not a parent in sight. The Swiss encourage this because they feel it builds independence and self reliance.

* Swiss is of course neutral and proud of it. Each year they discuss whether or not to join the European Union and accept the Euro as their main form of currency. But with Greece dragging down all the European economies there's no way Switzerland is going to join anytime soon. The Swiss know that they would just be Europe's "cash cow," and they're not about to get in that mess. Instead, the Swiss prefer to deal with each country on a one-on-one basis.

* I love the roundabouts here. Why the U.S. doesn't implement them more is beyond me. You hardly ever have to stop. It's great.

* Switzerland is a beautiful country, but space is limited around here. The roads, parking lots, buildings areas, and neighborhoods are all crammed together. Switzerland is small to begin with, but when you add the fact that it's 1/4 water, 1/2 mountains, 1/2 residential, and 1/2 farmland...it's no wonder space is tight.

* Dogs need to be registered in the town you live in. You pay a yearly fee for your dog (around 150 francs), and if it's a puppy you are required to take your dog to dog training. Required. On the flip side though dogs are welcome at many public places. It is not uncommon to spot a dog at the grocery store or even a restaurant.

* Most stores here are closed on Sundays. So you better hit the grocery store on a Saturday or else you're waiting til' Monday.

* Most bills here are paid via online banking. You never see checks written here.

* Every Wednesday kids get out of school an hour earlier than normal. Don't know why. It's just always been that way.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll add more facts as I come across them, but Switzerland is a fascinating country. And of course I never go anywhere without my iPhone, which I have countless apps loaded that help me survive. Everything from language apps, to Swiss phone numbers, to train schedules. Yes, this has been a big transition for all of us, but we're hanging in there. Of course it's nice to have such picturesque scenery around us. It reminds us why we're here and keeps us motivated.