Interlaken and the mountains

we are going to the top of Europe!

Hello Heidi

Sunday Afternoon at Landesmuseum

Zürich at night

did you know that they have a big BBQ after the snowman is gone? Bratwurst is very tasty!

oh no, the snowman is gone!

Zürich Sechseläuten

Zürich Sechseläuten

www.sechselaeuten.ch

~This Zurich spring custom got its unusual name from the fourteenth century custom of ringing a Grossmünster bell at six o'clock in the evening to proclaim the end of the summer semester working day. The first ringing of the bell provided a good opportunity for a small springtime celebration. In the 20th century, this and other aspects have evolved into the presentday custom. The prelude is the children's parade on Sunday afternoon, when the children march through the city in historical costumes on loan from the organizing committee, or in imaginative costumes of their own making. The Böögg, a giant snowman made of wadding, accompanies them as a hint of the spectacular proceedings to come the next day.

On Monday afternoon, generally the third Monday in April, the members of all the twentyfive guilds (only men) proceed through the flag bedecked city, wearing historical costumes and accompanied by various bands. Since the year 2000, they are inofficially proceeded by the women's society of the Fraumünster. Until the end of the eighteenth century, the guilds were associations of craftsmen who participated in governing the city. Since then, they have only carried out social functions, of which Sechseläuten is perhaps the most colorful.

At six in the evening, everything converges on Sechseläutenplatz at Bellevue, on the shore of Lake Zurich. There the Böögg, or snowman, symbol of the wintertime of which everyone is weary, awaits his fiery and explosive end. Groups on horseback, representing some of the guilds, gallop around him to the music of the Sechseläuten march, an old hunting march, until the Böögg finally explodes. The quicker his symbolic end occurs, the sooner the long awaited spring comes. In the evening, the guilds visit one another in their guildhouses, where jovial, witty speeches are given. Many of the old guildhouses are located on the banks of the Limmat river, where such visits could previously be made by boat.

~ myswitzerland.com

my first fondue

Happy Easter

and Happy Birthday to Grandma and Auntie Sandy

Lugano

more photos

Lugano

I miss you

born to be wild

Bear in Bern

 

new home

 

Basel

Basel - a city borders both Germany and France.

a cool boat ride on Rhine

More Photos . .

a snowy week

let's go car shopping in Stuttgart!

Stuttgart, Germany - where else can you find better cars?
Let's see, a Porsche or a Mercedes?

More photos

Heute habe ich mine Haare geschinitten...

Haircut @ Sim Sala Bim - Kindercoiffeur.

es ist kalt!

Mt. Rigi

Luzern

This is our first trip outside of Zurich. Luzern is only 50 minutes by train. I love riding on the train, no more car seat! Every Saturday morning, the farmer's market is by the river. Flower, bread and of course cheese! We stayed at the Magic Hotel. Each room is charmingly decorated. Ours is the Swiss Chalet. Lunch is at Heini Conditorei, yummy. Mom finally gave in and let me have some hot chocolate, I love love love chocolate. My afternoon was chasing after the pigeons and running around the fountains as always. I totoally regreted for having too much fun running and fell asleep before Mom and Dad enjoy the fondue dinner :(

Luzern 03/10/07

my new playground