Non-French TidbitsBern Switzerland

By Jim and Emmy Humberd

Downtown Bern is outstanding, blocks of arcaded shopping streets, with a beautiful 16th century clock tower in the middle of the main street. Around the city we saw many very nice houses and apartment buildings, and the countryside and the Bernese Alps (mountains), within 50 miles of the city, are exceptional. After several visits, we think Bern would be our favorite city to live in Europe.

The city name, Bern, means bear in German, so we went to see the famous bear pits, where the bears sit up and beg for food. The day we were there, they especially liked to eat carrots.

In one store window Jim saw a jacket he liked, and although the store was not open for business, we could see someone working inside the store. Jim tapped on the window and asked if it was possible to buy the jacket, as we had to leave later this morning, before the store would be opened. Their cash register was not yet open, so they took Jim to a nearby bank to get exact change in Swiss money, and now he owned the suede jacket. Thirty years later it's still in excellent condition, but he doesn't wear it that often here in the desert, where we live.

In front of the National Capitol Building there is a street market (for fruits and vegetables), with a couple of large game boards (squares perhaps three feet on a side) painted on the street. Shoppers, including elderly ladies with a grocery bag, stop, put down their parcels, and play a game of chess. Maybe they make a move or two, maybe they play the whole game.

One year we ate in a restaurant near the Bern railroad station. Emmy had Raclette and cordon bleu, and Jim had the best steak he has had in Europe. We were seated with a young couple. She is a nurse, and he is studying to be a Doctor. They were planning a trip to California the following year.

Books by Jim and Emmy Humberd:
Invitation to France
Invitation to Germany
Invitation to Italy

Hotel in Bern:
Hotel Bern