Friday, July 31, 1981

Zürich (7/25/1981)

Saturday, July 25, 1981
I planned to go to Luzern, but upon arrival at the train station, the schedule convinced me to go to Zürich, instead. Thought I asked for a round trip ticket and paid 23 CHF/$11.50. In leaving Biel, you could see the Kinderspital/Children's Hospital up on the hill. I saw many community garden plots, one with a section of playground equipment among the proliferation of flowers and vegetables. It seemed all the tomato plants were sheltered under plastic sheets. Most plots had little garden huts with porches. The Swiss chocolate brown cows were lying down. Yes, it was raining. Saw a few horses and sheep. In and near the towns we passed, the area was very industrialized along the railroad track. The two-lane highway that sometimes ran parallel to the railroad had an occasional small billboard - each one with crossed out alcoholic beverages and the message “Nein, danke! Ich fahre!” ("No, thanks. I’m driving!") Passed through the wide and fairly flat valley of Zürich with mountains closer on the north side and in a cloud cover to the south.
In Zürich, I walked down Bahnhofstrasse/Train Station Street, the main shopping street, checking out souvenir prices. I saw a lot of fireworks for sale, as I did in Bern last week. Now I could see that the fireworks are for the August 1st celebration. Now all I have to do is figure out what is so special about August 1st!
Turned down the flag-decorated Linth-Eschergasse/Linth-Escher Lane to the Jemoli department store. I also have been stopping at bookstores to look for something decent to read in English or German. I don’t want to read Gothic novels or re-read classics in German. As I left Jemoli, I heard a deep lowing sort of sound (yes, like a cow!) and noticed people gathering in front of the store and looking up. Three Alpine horn musicians were standing on the store’s overhang. They finished their two selections and then climbed back through a window!
Jemoli Alpine horn musicians
View towards Fraumünster
with the twin towers of Grossmünster to the left
Farther along Bahnhofstrasse, I turned into the older section of town with narrow cobblestone streets that wound up and down. The bay windows were painted and lettered as one might imagine they had been originally. These stores seemed rather exclusive, mostly jewelry boutiques.
Found myself at the Limmat River with water flowing swiftly from the lake and huge swans gliding along. Walked around Fraumünster/Lady’s Cathedral and back to Bahnhofstrasse. Along this end of the street were some very exclusive clothing stores. I rounded the corner into a park, where a flea market was being held despite the drizzle. A lot of old stuff that must have been antiques according to the prices. A beer stein for 58 CHF/$29 and cow bells with worn leather straps for 85-230 CHGF/$42.50-115! I didn’t find any bargains and didn’t have the nerve to try to barter. There was a group of Asians who were really avid tech people or professionals. One had a TV camera while another carried sound equipment and a 35mm camera with all kinds of gadgets. Two women were rummaging through a hippie’s suitcase while the camera man zoomed in for close-ups. Everyone seemed to take them in stride.
Walking back along Bahnhofstrasse, I made the customary stop in the Sprüngli confectionary for chocolates. Went along Augustinergasse/Augustine's Lane and to the Lindenhof/Linden Court, a shady park with a couple of sidewalk chess boards (3mx3m/10'x10').
Augustinergasse/lane
Augustinergasse/lane
View from Lindenhof
Bahnhofstrasse
I wandered through another park where I saw what looked like a nun tangled in a swing, and a fat bearded man salaaming on a bench. He was facing northeast, rather than southeast, the direction of Mecca.
At the Bahnhof/train station shopping arcades, I checked out the huge vending machine where you can watch your article being retrieved and shuttled to you. Tried some Blätterteig-Salzstengeli/Puff pastry salt sticks. Delicious! I bought a Time magazine with the idea that I would subscribe, and this magazine did include a card for 50% off a subscription. That still makes it 80 cents per issue, but at least I will be guaranteed to receive mail!
The sun had come out, so I went to the Landesmuseum/Swiss National Museum. The inner courtyard was covered entirely by scaffolding.
Landesmuseum
Landesmuseum
It is located in a complex built in 1898 in the historicist style by Gustav Gull in the form of the French Renaissance city chateaus.
On the train back to Biel I discovered I only had a one-way ticket, and had to shell out another 23 CHF/$11.50. Fortunately, you can buy tickets from the conductor.
Walking back home in Biel, I could hear the church bell ringing. They must have fixed it, because it had been silent since Tuesday.

Sunday, July 26, 1981
I thought I was going to be late for the 10:00 Mass in German at the Catholic Church, St Maria Immaculata/Mary Immaculate. But I was early for the 10:30 Mass. The inside of the church was small and simple even though the outer building seems much larger. A priest came out and went to the confessional, where he remained throughout Mass. Another priest came out and began the Mass, in Italian! I was rather surprised, but figured I could understand more in Italian than I would in German. Sitting right in front of me were the two ladies from the hospital Wäscherei/laundry, whom I thought spoke only French! I hope they don’t now assume I speak Italian, because I’m not sure I could understand the linen set-up in Italian either!
There were three sets of prayer books, in French, German, and Italian. I’d still like to try Mass in German, but at least I have this option. People came in during the middle and end of Mass, talking. Some went to confession during Mass. Some people were well-dressed and others dressed casually.
While looking out the window of my room, I can watch the goings-on in the hospital parking lot. The past two Sundays there is a man who parks in the lot and smokes while looking up at the Personalhaus/staff residence. He stays about an hour then drives off. (???)

Tuesday, July 28, 1981
View East from Kinderspital balcony
View ESE from Kinderspital balcony
View Southeast from Kinderspital balcony
View South from Kinderspital balcony
View Southwest from Kinderspital balcony
View West from Kinderspital balcony
One of my usual unusual trips to the store: I went to the grocery store, but realized I forgot my money. Went ahead into the Altstadt/old town where there was a Philippe Robert exposition. Apparently he was an artist and botanist, or at least painted flora. A latter day Swiss Audubon. There is a Robert room in the basement of the Kinderspital/children's Hospital, with four walls and one hall covered with pastoral paintings. I don’t know if it is the same Robert or a relation.
On my way home, two girls asked for directions in Swiss-German. Once they spoke high-German, I was able to point them on their way.
Okay, so they don’t technically speak German here in Switzerland! They speak one of many Swiss-German dialects. Each valley must have its own dialect! Because Biel-Bienne is near Bern, we have Bärndütsch. To me, it sounds like a hick version of German, with words said sloppily and with the ends of words dropped. Fortunately, all the parents of the my kids can speak high-German, and most of my kids are babies or too mentally impaired to care about my German. (I also work with all the Italian-speaking families.)
Mamma mia! This evening I had a really clear view of snow-capped mountains. One peak almost looks like the Matterhorn!
View from Personalhaus of the Alps
Wednesday, July 29, 1981
Spent an interesting evening with Doris B, the special education person who seems to be more of an arts and crafts therapist! She is very organized.
I people-watched while waiting for Doris at the train station. The man arguing with himself, the two old men having a conversation but each following his own line of thought, the group of backpackers having butter and marmalade on slices of bread, the dark man with his two bleach-blonde kids, the lady in the tiger-stripe shift and gold heels, the guys in shorts and canvas shoes…
By 20:15 Doris arrived by bicycle and parked it at the station. We walked along the canal to the waterfront of Bielersee/Lake Biel. Doris pointed out the toilettes “that empty into the river.” She then explained we were walking “on” the lake, on reclaimed land. They built a school two years ago on the reclaimed land. The “beach” was unexpectedly a manicured grass lawn with benches and an unobtrusive snack bar under some trees. At the water’s edge there is a stone wall down into the water, with stairs leading into the water spaced out at intervals. Apparently most people just jump in along with the numerous swans! Doris saw a couple young fellows she knew, and they said the water was very cold. We passed couples sitting on the benches, Frisbee players, and rollerskaters. There was an area where you could rent rowboats, pedalboats, or canoes.
We doffed our sandals to step into the water that was indeed very cold. Although we wore bathing suits under our clothes, we didn’t do any bathing today! We sat on a bench to go through some maps and brochures about Biel and Bielersee that Doris brought. As the sun set, we walked along the waterfront past the tourist boats with red and yellow lights strung up.
We tried to go to the Odeon Café, but it was closed for the holidays. Had a drink of Schweppes mit Zitrone/quinine water with a slice of lemon at the café across from Migros. After walking Doris to the train station to get her bicycle, I walked back home through the nicely lighted old town. The sky was clear and you could see the Big Dipper. A very nice evening.

Thursday, July 30, 1981
Went to the Post Office with Hosson M, the Palestinian friend of Helen S, the CP Station Special Education teacher. Hosson, who has athetoid cerebral palsy, can speak English quite well. She wants to learn German. Arabic is her native language. She says her family is in Jordan, but she is not sure if she lives in Jordan or not. There must be a miscommunication somewhere. Helen went to Jerusalem this summer to help at a home for the handicapped, and I believe that is where she met Hosson.
I later learned that Hosson was abandoned by her parents and lives in a home in Jerusalem. She works in a kindergarten for handicapped children. She considers herself to live in Palestine and hopes one day it will be a nation. Helen started out as a kindergarten teacher. She then joined a Peace Corps type organization and worked in several countries. She worked for a couple years in the administration of this organization before studying to become a special education teacher. She took a job in the Arab part of Jerusalem where she stayed nearly ten years and where she met Hosson. A year ago she returned to Switzerland and only several months ago began working at Kinderspital Wildermeth.
We met Helen at Migros. Later when I walked home, I met the two laundry ladies. They explained something loudly to me in a language I did not recognize. They managed a couple words in German, so I think they are off on vacation, or somehow they are finished! I seem to keep bumping into this pair, who apparently live(d) in the Personalhaus/staff residence.
Found another four-leaf clover.

Saturday, July 25, 1981

Work begins (7/13/1981)

Monday, July 13, 1981
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!
View South from the Personalhaus
View Southwest from the Personalhaus
View (with a rainbow) Southeast from the Personalhaus
Friday, July 24, 1981
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!

Saturday, July 11, 1981

Headed to Switzerland (7/8/1981)

Wednesday, July 8, 1981
Once again I am headed to Europe for a job! This time as a Bobath physiotherapist at the Kinderspital Wildermeth/Wildermeth Children's Hospital in Biel-Bienne, Switzerland. I have completed the NDTA Baby Course and have brushed up on the German I learned in high school.
I took a Capitol International Airways flight from J F Kennedy in NYC to Brussels, Belgium; the cheapest ticket available. Our flight was delayed 30 minutes, leaving at 21:30.
My seatmates were 77-year old Karl, on his very first plane trip, and his wife, Marge, who is as old as Karl's youngest daughter by his first wife!

Thursday, July 9, 1981
After arrival in Bruxelles/Brussel/Brussels (everything is in both French and Dutch here), I had some time to explore the city. Checked my two large suitcases, exchanged money into Belgian francs, and bought a map. Reminded me of my Eurail Pass tours, where that was the routine each day!
It must have been on the advice of my urban transportation father, to take the "premetro"/underground tram line from the North Station to Rogier, a line that opened in 1974.
Rogier premetro station
I had to transfer to another tram to continue to DeBrouckere where I transferred to the Metro/subway to Central Station. It was interesting that one had to open the subway doors; they did not automatically open.
Wandered through the Galerie de la Reine/Koninginnegalerij/Queen's Gallery, one corridor of the shopping arcade Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert/Koninklijke Sint-Hubertusgalerijen/St Hubert Galleries:
Galerie de la Reine
Ended up at the Grand Place/Grote Markt. Here are two of the several guild halls around the square:
Le Sac & La Brouette guild halls
Le Sac/Den Sack/The Sack was the guild of carpenters and coopers; built in 1645. La Brouette/Den Cruywagen/The Wheelbarrow was the guild of the grease makers; built in 1644. Both are considered to be in Italian-Flemish style.
The Maison des Ducs de Brabant/Huis der Hertogen van Brabant/House of the Dukes of Brabant (1696):
Maison des Ducs de Brabant
The steeple of the Maison du Roi/Broodhuis/House of the King (rebuilt in 1860 in neo-Gothic style):
Maison du Roi
Originally where the bakers sold bread, later an administrative building for the Duke under the King.
The steeple of the Hôtel de Ville/Stadhuis/Town Hall (completed in 1449 in Gothic style, restored 1840):
Hôtel de Ville
Returned through the other section of the arcade, the Galerie du Roi/Koningsgalerij/King's Gallery. Later I was to hear kids chanting in the galeries for the echo effect. Uneven cobblestones on the way to Central Station threatened to turn my ankles. Heard the song "Lucille" by Kenny Rogers. Passed a fountain where kids were splashing and one fell right in. I saw lots of GQ men, but was harassed only by "Moroccans."
After a break at Central Station, I wanted to visit the Mannekin Pis, but was surprised to see it was pouring rain. At least that cooled the temperature. I was going to take a subway, but the passage was flooded with backed up sewage. P-U!
Returned to the North Station to retrieve my bags and wait for the train to Basel, Switzerland. Because of my two large heavy bags, I took the first seat I could find; not caring if it happened to be First Class. (NB Remember that these were the old suitcases with only one handle on the long side! No rolling wheels!) Fortunately it was 2nd Class, but unfortunately it was a smoking compartment. Fortunately, only two of the passengers smoked, and only one cigarette each. The train left a half hour late at about 23:20.

Friday, July 10, 1981
We were due in Basel at 5:47, but arrived at 6:45. (We were either late, or the schedule did not account for Daylight Savings Time in Switzerland! This year it appears Switzerland is on the same time as the rest of Europe.)
Because I was entering Switzerland with a work permit, I had to check my bags and find the health exam location down a tiny side street. I was buzzed through a door at about 7:00 and soon had a chest x-ray for a 10 Swiss Franc (CHF)/$5 fee. I was told to return at 10:00 for my passport. I had time to walk to the zoo and back.
The train left Basel at 11:28 on the dot, and I arrived in Biel-Bienne about 1-1/2 hours later. I checked my baggage (thank goodness!) at the Biel train station and decided to walk the 2 km/1.2 miles to the Kinderspital. It was a winding uphill walk!
Once at the hospital, I met the director, Herr S, who called the housekeeper, Frau L. A loiterer at the desk turned out to be Hetty D, a fellow physiotherapist. She offered to go with me later in the evening to pick up my luggage. Frau L showed me to my room in the Personalhaus/Personnel or staff residence. I fell asleep and was awakened by the phone in the kitchenette across the hall. It was for me! Hetty had her car, and we drove to the train station to get my bags. We stopped in a tearoom in the old town for coffee/tea, and were given a complimentary slice of layered cream cake!
Time to unpack and write postcards and letters.