Thanks for Understanding

Most Swiss citizens have no income tax removed from their payroll but pay their taxes at the end of the year after completing their annual return. Because we are foreign residents, Todd's income is taxed at-source (removed from payroll) without any deductions applied. We then receive the overtaxed amount back in a refund once we complete our tax return. At least that is the idea. A couple of weeks ago, we received a letter from Bern's tax authority. The letter explained that they had changed to a new system for processing income tax returns and they were experiencing major problems. Thus, they would not begin processing 2010 tax returns for married couples until July 2012. And of course, they closed with the well-used phrase in all business letters here..."Danke für Ihr Verständnis". Not sure what this will mean for our 2011 and 2012 returns. I just find it all a bit funny.

Murten Christmas Market

Xavier and I spent Sunday afternoon in Murten, checking out the town and the Christmas market. There were lots of stands selling handmade products, some flea market type stuff, and all the typical Swiss market foods: raclette, fondue, waffles, roasted chestnuts, gluhwein (hot, spiced mulled wine), beer, wine, brats). And also a stage will hourly musical performances.

Making Our Own Snow

Isabella was sick and stuck inside for a few days, AND we've all been wishing for some snow, so we decided to make some. Nothing like folding and cutting to keep the spirit bright:)

Capturing Bern

Izzi commented yesterday as we were leaving Bern, "Mom, we really need to start taking photos of the buildings in Bern. When we get home and people ask us about it, it will be hard to describe how it looks...like the Bundeshaus for example".

New Visa...New Process

This is the time of year that we have to renew our Swiss visa, allowing Todd to work here and us to live in CH along with him. Last year, we just filled out a couple of papers, Todd's company signed and stamped, and we sent it all in with new photos of each of us.

This year, we were notified that we had to visit the migration office for photo, signature and finger-printing. I don't know how this compares to the process in other countries, US included, but I can say that I really didn't like watching my two babes get finger-printed.

Looking Ahead

When you make an international move, you need to do some of the planning and preparation well in advance. So of course the children overhear some adult conversations concerning our planned move home July 2012. And both of them occasionally blurt out thoughts regarding the matter. I thought I'd start recording them here. Many I've already forgotten but I'm sure there will be plenty more.

Xavier was looking out the train window on our outing to Bern last week and noted "It's going to be weird to go home and not see all these trains and buses."

Steiner Schule Basar 2011

We all did our part to support the school's holiday basar again this year. Izzi and I spent hours and hours making advent wreaths the week before, we made home-made items to sell at Xavier's class stand (Xavier, Izzi and I needle felted; Todd and Xavier built a catapult that was an instant sell item), and Izzi and I made the "years" buttons from clay with her class. Todd and I also worked preparing deep-fried apple rings this year.

We were all so busy manning the class stand or working in the crepe/apple ring booth, or walking around selling pins that not many photos were snapped. Here's a couple...

Xavier standing in front of his classes stand:

(back to camera with brown hoody)

Xavier enjoying the outdoor "railway"

Halloween 2011

One of the US holidays most missed by Isabella and Xavier is Halloween. It is not celebrated in Switzerland, although we hear rumors of certain neighborhoods in certain towns taking it up.

This year, we planned some special activities on Sunday, October 30, to mark the day. Xavier's friend, Isaac, spent the day with us so joined in as well.

We started the day with some family games, mask decorating (a kit sent by a Bern - now back in the USA - friend along with some other treats) then carved pumpkins and roasted pumpkin seeds. After, Todd planted clues for a treasure hunt that would lead the kids to some hidden treat bags in the forest. Although without the thrill of the door-to-door trick-or-treating with other children, it turned out to be a very nice day.

Pumpkin Carving

Finding Clues

Copenhagen>Barcelona>Copenhagen

Copenhagen
In mid-October, I met Garnette in Copenhagen and proceeded to have 12 amazing days traveling with my sis. We chose to spend time in two cities that were equally wonderful but very different: Copenhagen and Barcelona. There was a short pit-stop in Berlin, but aside from seeing a very nice neighborhood market, it was short and not worth writing about.

Copenhagen was all about bikes. It was amazing to see the wide bike lanes constantly streaming with bikers. Well, not exactly bikers. Just regular people of all ages, sizes and life styles. That's what struck me most. That biking is nothing special there. It is for everyone and a regular old thing. Most bikes were of a similar make and many rattled. Most had baskets and they got you where you needed to go. Copenhagen is flat too which made biking it such an easy pleasure.

G and I rented bikes each of the days we were there. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first getting used to the speed and quantity of bikers on every side of you, but it was also so invigorating.

Garnette had great information from her friend's brother who lives in Copenhagen with his family. We visited all the neighborhoods, restaurants and bars he recommended. The food, drink and atmosphere were laid-back and yummy.

We took the train over the 10-mile Øresund Bridge to Malmo, Sweden, and spent the morning wandering around its quaint center.

G in front of bike rental shop



G in front...biking around Copenhagen





So many bikes they must be managed...shouldn't every city have that problem



Tivoli all done-up for Halloween


Waiting for train from Copenhagen to Malmo


Malmo Central Train Station


Malmo photos












Barcelona

We went from cool/cold but sunny Copenhagen to warm/hot Barcelona. Our hotel rooms in Copenhagen, although clean and functional, were typical teeny European. In comparison, our Barcelona hotel was large and luxurious.

We spent much of our time on foot and made use of the metro to get to neighborhoods outside the center. We started every morning with a trip to the bakery and a cafe for a cafe con leche. Barcelona was full of small, arty shops with cool fashion and jewelry. Aside from shopping, we visited the Gaudi church and apartment building, and the Picasso museum. All were amazing. We washed our clothes at a local laundromat and I got my haircut at a small salon across the street.

Our time in Barcelona was warm and relaxed. I feel so fortunate to have spent time in two awesome cities with someone I know and like so well.

Chasing down a jewelry market

Walking to the end of Ramblas

Cool little bike stuff shop

Our favorite bakery in Born neighborhood

Taking the metro

Barcelona harbor

Sitting at Barceloneta beach

Window shopping in northern Barcelona

Pretty little square in our hotel's neighborhood (Born)

The glory of Gaudi

London Calling

Kim hooked up with her sister to go traipsing across Europe so the kids and I were planning to be on our own for about 12 days. The original plan was to do a few day trips, but after analysis I decided we would jet off to the UK for a few nights.

We took off on Tuesday, flying out of Geneva to London Gatwick. We touched down during rush hour. First mistake of the trip. Do not take the trains during rush hour in London. We made it to the hotel after about 7 hours of total travel. We stayed at a place called Beaumont House. Fairly swanky, at one time a private residence then a Jesuit boarding school and now a hotel conference center. Second mistake of the trip was the restaurant at the hotel. Kids wanted something simple but all the restaurant had was a $40 buffet. Ended up getting room service pizza and fries, the kids were tired so actually turned out OK.

Wednesday morning we headed downtown London. Easy taxi/train from our hotel got us there in about an hour. Our first destination was Ben's Cookies in the Covent Gardens. After a little bit of wandering and a stop to watch a street performer, we found the cookie place...good cookies. We then headed down to Trafalgar Square. We watched some more street performers, took some photos, goofed around. This was actually a highlight of the trip for me, just the energy and history and being in a real city felt great. The kids just explored and we took some goofy pictures...I don't know it was just one of those moments.

On our way to Ben's Cookies we passed a theater advertising The Lion King and there happened to be a 2:30 show. I felt spulrgagious (its my blog, I can make up words if I want) and asked the kids if they wanted to go. It was awesome. I don't know if I have yet seen double digits in professional/Broadway type shows, but this one tops the list. If you get the chance go. The kids loved it.

We then did a bit of shopping and wandering again and started to head over to Big Ben and the London Eye. The plan was to see Big Ben, get some food and then ride the Ferris wheel. Third mistake of the trip, London is not laid out on a nice North/South by East/West grid like Minneapolis. I got us fairly lost for about 30 minutes and finally just popped into a pub to eat and try and figure out where we were. I had fish and chips and a Guiness, Izzi went with the bangers and mash and Xavier had a cheese burger and fries. Good pub food, I could eat it and get fat every day. After we ate, I got us a little loster (see above about made up words) and finally had to ask. Turns out I was leading the exact wrong way, there was actually no way possible to make us go any further away from our destination. We eventually got there and got on board. At this point it was dark (as planned by Xavier, he wanted to ride it at night) but the city was lit up and beautiful. I think it worked well for us, but I would actually suggest doing it first as it kind of gives you an overview of how London is laid out.

Finally we headed back to the train and arrived back at the hotel around 10:30. We were out and about for over 13 hours. We were all ready for bed and needed to get to sleep for Thrusday was day one of Lego Land.

More to follow...and pics

Celebrating Todd with Snow

Todd turns 43 on October 11 but we celebrated his birthday this last Saturday.

More than a week ago, while the weather here was still warm and sunny, Todd decided he'd like to celebrate his day by riding the funicular to the top of Niesen mountain at 7,750 feet. It is referred to as the Swiss Pyramid because of it's nearly perfect pyramid shape.

Sadly, a couple days before our trip, the weather here turned cold and rainy... meaning snow at higher altitudes. But we decided to stick to the plan and visit Niesen.

After an enjoyable funicular ride with a very friendly driver, we arrived at the top amidst blizzard conditions. Visibility was poor; it was windy and cold with blowing snow. We quickly made our way to the mountain restaurant and enjoyed lunch with a few daring dashes out into the snow. The kids and Todd also played in the snow a bit after lunch but didn't last for too long.

We all regretted not getting the view from Niesen, but will always remember Todd's snowy birthday.

Just starting out in the funicular

Low view from within the funicular...still wet and rainy

Arriving at the top of Niesen

Todd eating his birthday meal...french fry candle

Mad-dash around deck to get photo through restaurant window

Todd's hair whiter and wilder than ever

Xavier with large icicle

Izzi warming and waiting for ride back down

Hike from Grindelwald

We hiked from beautiful Grindelwald on Saturday. We stopped midway in Pfinstegg for lunch and some rotobahn rides. Beautiful weather and beautiful views of the Eiger, the Lower Grindelwald Glacier and the Grindelwald valley.

Mountainside restaurant in Pfinstegg

Path from Pfinstegg toward glacier...about 5,000 feet.

View of Grindelwald valley from trail.

Photo from trail.

First part of hike from Grindelwald to Pfinstegg. Mostly wooded.