A Thirty Minute Tour Of Tirano

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Schwingen In Switzerland

We stopped in Tirano because it is the end point for the Berninia Express. Most visitors to Tirano stop on their way somewhere else whether on a train journey, to ski areas like to St. Moritz or Pontresina, or on the way to Milan. On someone’s advice, we decided not to stay in Tirano, Italy, but stayed in Lugano instead. They told us Tirano was small and Lugano offered more to see and do in Lugano. They were right. It has only about 9,000 inhabitants (it is still considered a city because it has walls that were built to protect it). We took a 30-minute train tour of the town. Although it was in a wonderful setting, our tour was enough. Here are the highlights: The Catholic shrine of Madonna di Tirano is dedicated to the supposed appearance of the Blessed Mother to Mario Degli Omodei on September 29, 1504. Pilgrims credit the appearance to an end to a pestilence. They have a nice plaza around the church.

The town has some pretty old buildings but their beauty is trumped by the natural beauty of the Alps that surround it.

Tirano has a river, a gorgeous setting, some tranquil sun-drenched piazzas and some ancient, winding streets. I’m pretty sure that the food there is pretty good. We saw lots of people out in cafes enjoying the sun. If we head there again, I will put it to the test.

An Interesting Bus Ride To Lugano (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
The Bernina Express Out Of The Alps And Into Sunny Italy (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
Epic Ride Through The Alps On The Bernina Express (Part Two) (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
Switzerland’s Panoramic Train, The Bernina Express (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)
Ciao Bella Lugano (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)

Why We Miss Driving In The US

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Schwingen In Switzerland

We are lucky to have a car and be able to drive here. Nevertheless, it is a lot more stressful than driving in the US. The rules, the road signs, the cars, the roads and the other customs are all different. Because they aren’t yet second nature and we learned in a different environment, driving takes a lot more effort. We don’t think of Sunday drives here as relaxing. Here’s why we miss driving in the US.

The signs are different.

Speed limit signs are round with a number indicating the speed limit (in k.p.h.). Unfortunately, we haven’t seen many of them. More often, we see circular signs with a slash through them. They indicate that the listed speed limit has just ended. We would find it much more helpful if the new speed were posted. These signs mean that the limit reverts to the standard speed limit posted at the borders.

We find this especially difficult because we live mere miles from the French border. The limits differ in France. I get the default speeds confused.

Due to Europe’s multi-linguality, many road signs have symbols instead of words. Modifiers (such as, only farm vehicle are permitted) are always given in the local language, which we probably won’t understand.

Traffic lights are rarely above the road. Instead, they are mounted on posts on either side of the road. I have found myself in the left lane watching the stoplight on the right side (I missed the light for my left turn). The lights change from red to yellow (before becoming green), giving everyone a change to get a great start off the line.

Street names frequently change, at irregular intervals and without warning. It is even more problematic because there aren’t signposts at intersections. Street signs are posted on the corner of buildings, just above the ground floor. This makes them harder to see from the car. Sometimes they are missing. Other times, they are in a different language than what is listed in the guidebook.

The rules of the road differ from the US.

There is no right turn on red. Given the may complex intersections, it is understandable (but still slightly frustrating when you are sitting in traffic).

The speed limit drops when the road is wet. What qualifies as wet? A drop? A rainstorm?

Here, yellow diamonds indicate priority. In the US, priority is generally standard given your location. Roads here tend to intersect at bizarre angles and turn randomly. As such, they need a different way to show priority. They use yellow diamonds (intersecting roads have yield markings). In the absence of signs, it isn’t the first vehicle on the spot, but the vehicle coming from the right that has the right of way. Approaching intersections, I constantly worry about whether I have missed a sign…

Customs are different here.

Standard transmissions are standard. Although it doesn’t bother us (unless we are stuck in traffic) a lot of our friends miss having an automatic transmission, particularly on hills.

Radar detectors are epidemic. Rather than seeing a police car roadside or lurking in a median, inconspicuous radar/camera/strobe lights cameras are everywhere. We live in constant fear of receiving a giant ticket in the mail. Why a giant one? Look below at the section on speed limit signs.

We were astounded the other week when on our trip through the south of France, people didn’t immediately pull over for an ambulance. Apparently this is common here. Even so, it was foreign to us. In the US, drivers are required by law to pull to the right and stop for all emergency vehicles with siren and lights. By the way, emergency vehicles here sound just like they do in the Bourne Identity movies.

The roads aren’t the broad, straight avenues that we grew up on in the US.

Shoulders? What are those?

Good luck finding a straight road. The roads are narrow, winding and often steep.

The German Autobahn doesn’t always have speed limits. Fun, but not exactly relaxing. We didn’t get to take full advantage of it because we spent most of our time on the world’s narrowest lanes in construction.

Parking spaces are Texas tight.

Car-free pedestrian zones all over. Usually, there is usually a barrier preventing you from driving in these areas, not that you would want to. They usually have crazy streets. You can’t get into them, but getting around them can take a while.

Oh well, at least the scenery is good.

More problematic is when there is merely no entry sign with words underneath. These are easy to miss. Often, they have words underneath describing which cars are permitted to enter…in another language. They may allow certain vehicles, like taxis or local residents and business owners, to enter.

One way streets. It isn’t just that you have to make sure that you are going the correct way. The problem is also that if you miss your turn, you can’t change your route easily. It can take an extra 20 minutes to get back.

Roundabouts (aka traffic circles). Worse with driving in the UK and you have to go them the other way around.

Buon Appetito! Eating Our Way Through Milan

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Schwingen In Switzerland

Although we saw some cool stuff in Milan, one of the main reasons to go to Italy is for the food and drink. They are an attraction in and of themselves and did not disappoint.

We had at least two cappuccino for breakfast every day. Italians only order cappuchinos until 10:00. Although italians only drink cappuccino until 10:00 a.m., they pop in for expressos all day long. If you run into a friend in the street, it is customary to pop into a café for a quick espresso at the bar while you catch up. Ten minutes later, you’re back on your way. Perfect for caffeine addicts like us who don’t always like to linger at a table.

Before dinner, Italian tradition is to have an aperitivo. It is a pre-meal drink meant to stimulate appetite, but seems to be an excuse to go out for a drink, relax and chat with friends. When in Rome, or Milan…

I loved the Antipasti, the appetizer course, because I usually hadn’t gorged myself yet so I could eat while I was actually hungry. The food was so good that I did a good amount of eating when I wasn’t actually hungry. It was so tasty that I just had to eat it. Who knows when I’d have another chance to taste something like that?

One of his favorites was a cheese plate that included burrata, a fresh artisanal cheese made from mozzarella and cream. Although people eat cheeses that are older than some of our nieces and nephews, you are supposed to eat burrata within 24 hours after it is made. Ours came on a plate with fresh buffalo mozzarella and ricotta. De-lish-us!

In Italy, pasta is usually the next course, known as Primo Patti. Although they sometimes serve soup, rice, polenta, etc., it’s usually a rich pasta dish. Carbalicious.

Secondo, the main course, usually consists of chicken, meat, or fish. With so many courses, thankfully the portions aren’t too large. Most Italians don’t eat an antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce at every meal, but the selections are always on the menu. Just because we pigged out doesn’t mean you are required to.

The dolce (Italian for sweet), dessert, ends the meal. People often order an espresso to help digestion and to finish off a meal. Plus it gives them more time to sit and talk over food and drink.

Sorry, we couldn’t wait to take a picture before taking a bite out of our daily gelato. We weren’t the only ones who liked gelato, just check out this cute little guy. He was going to town on his gelato. Notice how he is inside the restaurant.

Remember, friends don’t let friends serve each other packaged food. Viva l’Italia.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)

It’s Election Time In Geneva, Switzerland

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Schwingen In Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the world’s oldest democracies and a direct democracy. In a direct democracy, people vote on policy initiatives directly, instead of for a representatives who then vote on policy initiatives (a representative democracy).

Switzerland’s Parliament Building

The practical effect of this is that they vote regularly and on almost everything you can imagine. It also means that these pop up billboards appear every few months. He doesn’t like them because late at night, people use them to hide when there is not a readily available bathroom. He thinks it makes the area smell like a urinal.

Elections will take place on March 11, 2012. Here are some of the referendums they are putting to a vote:

Wednesday morning primary school for students ages 8 to 12 would be required. For 4-8 year olds, a so-called “open school” would ensure a home school on a voluntary basis. There would be sporting, cultural or support for struggling students, but not the curriculum so as not creating a gap between students.

Last spring, parents and teachers revolted against the introduction of mandatory Wednesday morning school. This is a compromise. Should children have to go to school on Wednesday mornings? Oui or non?

There is an initiative on whether people should be allowed to build second homes. Arguments for the initiative include: urban sprawl, a rise in housing prices and scarcity for indigenous families, and construction of second homes will still be permitted in areas below the listed ceilings. Aruguments against the initiative include: federalism, the threat of the loss of jobs, and that it is excessive.

Another issue that will be up for a vote is tax benefits for home buyers/owners. Arguments for include: the promotion of home ownership in a country that lags behind others in this category, support to allow renters avoid liquidating their retirement savings to purchase a property, and a component that will encourage greener buildings. Arguments against the benefits include: the government’s need for the taxes, it is ineffective in promoting home ownership, home ownership is not a measure of economic success, and it will cut other social benefits.

Should workers receive six weeks of vacation a year? Currently, every worker in Switzerland receives a minimum of four weeks.

There are a lot of posters about a law regulating protests. The posters for it argue that it will help ensure that protests are peaceful. The posters against argue that it is an unreasonable limitation on speech/expression.