Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Life in Bern

Living in Bern is pretty darn sweet. Since I'm not working I get to play a lot more than Darrell, but he does manage to get out in the afternoon for a run and then a swim (or more accurately a float) down the Aare River near our apartment.

There are trails on both sides of the river, and also a steep trail that takes you 1,000 feet up to the top of the Gurten, our local hill. The funicular is quicker than the runners and definitely faster than the cows.

Funicular in background and cows grazing on steep hills by the Gurten trail
The river is the main summer joy in Bern and hundreds of people enjoy floating down the river! I've attached a 58 second movie and two photos to give you a sense of the playland of the Aare River.

Floating down the Aare River



Fixed "surfing" on the River with a line attached to a tree on shore!

For young children, since the Aare is definitely not safe water, parents can take their children to public pools or to splash in the fountains on the plaza in front of the Parliament building.

Cooling off in the fountains
Tourism is alive and well in Bern in the summer so you can listen to street musicians while you ogle 14th century buildings and refill your water bottle at the 15th century fountains!

Filling water at one of the many fountains
Playing the alpen horn near the "new" city gate










 And, common to European life everywhere, you can always find a café for a great cup of coffee!
 
Finding love at the bottom of a cappuccino