Today was the official start of my job at the Kinderspital Wildermeth/Wildermeth Children's Hospital. I was introduced to the staff and kids of the CP Station/Cerebral Palsy Center, a section of the hospital that houses full-time live-in patients, usually the most severely involved children. They also offer out-patient therapies and a special kindergarten.
I work Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 with a one hour lunch break. That's a 45-hour work week!
Tuesday, July 14, 1981
Today I had to go to the office of the Fremdenpolizei/Foreign Police at the Fremdenkontrolle/Immigration Office, to fill out more forms and have my visa and health certificate checked. They apparently need a letter from my hometown police department stating that I have never been incarcerated. Another 10 Swiss Franc (CHF)/$5 fee.
I also chose a bank to open my Swiss bank account! The Swiss Bank Corporation had its name in English, as well as in German, French, and Italian. I had to open a salary account, as one is not paid with a paycheck, rather the salary is deposited directly in your bank account. You do earn 3% interest, but I am limited to withdrawing no more than 25,000 CHF/$12,500 per month. Ha, ha! I’ll be lucky to earn that much in a year!
Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Most documents and products are in at least three languages, depending on the more prominent languages of the area in the country. However, English is also used frequently.
Biel-Bienne is located on the language boundary between German and French speaking areas, and is officially bilingual. However, it seems more French than German.
Wednesday, July 15, 1981
Met this evening with Elisabeth J, the Swiss physiotherapist who is currently attending the NeuroDevelopmental Treatment (NDT) course in Basel. Previously known as Bobath Therapy, it is a treatment technique/philosophy geared towards patients with cerebral palsy. Here, they still use the term of Bobath therapist. I am taking over Elisabeth's patients during the eight-week course, so she reviewed their cases with me. She also brought me a bag of Basler Läckerli, a traditional hard spice honey biscuit specialty of Basel. We tend to think of the German honey bread as gingerbread, but it is its own type of confection.
Thursday, July 16, 1981
Grocery stores seemed to be open only during my work hours, which meant I would have to shop on weekends or during lunches. Today I learned that on Thursdays, the shops stay open late. Yippee! I had wanted to keep my weekends open for exploring.
Saturday, July 18, 1981
So it is raining this weekend! Decided to go ahead to Bern, taking the express train in less than a half hour for 12.60 CHF/$6.30. First I found the Post Telephone Office to get the address of the US Embassy where I had to send my request for my criminal record! Then I called Mary Q's apartment, which is where Rosie S is now staying. Rosie was recuperating from a fall that knocked her senseless, literally (she can't taste or smell). We talked for a half hour on just 50 centimes/25¢!
Explored the underground shopping arcades, found the shop (Bastelzentrum) for the "Bern doll" kits (at 60-80 CHF/$30-40) to make your own, walked up to the bear pits to watch the Bern bears beg for food, and headed back to Biel.
Wednesday, July 22, 1981
Finally cleared up enough to get a view of snow-capped mountains to the South; the Alps!
Hmm, they don't show up in the photos!
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| View South from the Personalhaus |
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| View Southwest from the Personalhaus |
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| View (with a rainbow) Southeast from the Personalhaus |
Today I handed in my linens. Not sure if I followed the proper procedure, as the laundry ladies only spoke French. I did get a fresh set of sheets and a duvet cover. The Swiss are supposed to be very civilized, but I can only change my linens every two weeks. Not that I get them so dirty… But I do turn them over after one week!
Found my second four-leaf clover while in Switzerland; the first was found last Friday!
I borrowed a magazine from the hospital waiting room and completed the prize puzzle (in German!). I'll try mailing it in to see if I win 100 CHF/$50!
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