Bern, Switzerland

Wednesday 24th February 1999

Today was a day of last minute organisation and, in contrast to our Middle-Eastern destination, those small, white and lovely flakes of snow were falling softly to the ground. I wrote postcards and birthday cards to send this morning then we went downtown to do some shopping. The postcards cost a whopping SF1.80 (or $AU 2) each to send! After picking up a few odd items we followed the covered archways all the way uptown past fountains with heraldic symbols and emerald waters, the intricate clocktower and parliament building, to the supermarket near the station. We stocked up on all the toiletries that the West does best and food for five as I was going to cook up a storm for Frank, Cathy (his flatmate) and Stefan (his friend) for being so nice.

It was 4pm before we returned to the house (past the bear pit where the bears were being their usual playful selves completely covered in snow) and then Dave was off with the Combi to pick up Stefan and Frank from work. Stefan's father works at the nuclear power station outside Bern and thanks to Stefan he'd organised for us to leave the car in secured parking for two months for absolutely nothing. If you're reading this thanks again because it's very much appreciated. Apparently the little magic bus lies on it's own in the middle of a large car park, patrolled by guard dogs and security officers 24 hours. It must stick out like a sore thumb.

I cooked a mock up Cajun chicken from Frank's spice collection, served on a bed of rice, and it all seemed to go down well (especially with bottles of Spanish red from the cellar). For dessert we had chocolate mousse cones with espresso and then retired to the lounge, where in dim lighting we listened to the rhythmic sounds of Yello. By the time we'd finished cleaning up and packing our bags it was already after midnight. We said our goodbyes to Frank, who although he won't admit it should be pleased to have his apartment back tomorrow. I'll miss his company while we were away but look forward to returning for a few days after the trip to experience Bern through the eyes of a local again. After Cambridge and London, Bern is the city where we have spent the most time in Europe and I certainly couldn't think of a nicer place to spend a few weeks, especially in the snow. It must have been 1am before our heads hit the pillow and I found it hard to sleep, for in three hours we'd be awake again and on our way back in to the Muslim world.