Bern: Trick Fountains and Medieval Animatronics

In just over a month of being here, we've driven around quite a bit, and one thing we've learned: You know you're getting close to Switzerland when the petrol prices jump. Make no mistake about it, Switzerland is expensive...and being the budget travelers we are, cost significantly colored our experience...though the boys were ecstatic to see Swiss Franks after a month of using Euros.  Switzerland's costliness notwithstanding, we found quite a few gems in its capital: Bern.

1) The Clock. This clock has been chiming the hour with animatronics for over 500 years, which is amazing in and of itself. But to watch the clock is quite entertaining, if not simply to marvel at the engineering of the 1400s. Of course, the downside is that you get to enjoy the clock striking the hour with several other tourists. If you get close enough, you can get your own free guide of the clock!

 

2) The Trick Fountains. In the middle of town is a set of pretty powerful trick fountains. If only we had brought some swim suits!

3) Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Yep, chestnuts in October. Curls loved them.
 

4) Senic Bern: Surprisingly small and easy to walk around in less than an hour, there are some pretty cool sites.
 
 

Too bad the church with the tallest bell tower in Switzerland was under construction.
But the facade had its redeeming qualities....

Especially the funny-looking gargoyles

 

Flying with 6 to Europe

A few thoughts on getting to Europe with a family of 6:

Chicago

First off I don’t like Chicago airport.  It by far was the most crowded and tricky airport we flew into.  I had to go through security twice.  We got divided up twice.  Once when we showed our passports and once when we went through security.  The security was very chaotic.  Next time I would try to skip this airport.

Zurich 

The Swiss airport was awesome.  The check point for passports had a nice happy English speaking gentleman who treated us great.  We also had a blast riding the tram from passport to check in, where you get to hear yodeling and whistling and see funny Swiss photos.

Swiss Airlines

Swiss air was great as well.  Before the flight began they gave the kids coloring books and crayons.  They had children's meals that were better than the adults' meals.  Seriously, in fact they told us we could all order kids meals next time.  Other passengers next to us even commented on the kids meals.  Tons of food and drinks.  They were willing to accommodate the kids.  They had kid friendly movies which is huge at our house.  Before you leave they pass around Swiss chocolate.  This happened on both swiss air flights we went on.

Venice

Getting out of the Venice airport was simple and quick.  However,  the massive amounts of people was a bit overwhelming.  Not the Italians, but the backpackers laying all over the ground and covering every seat possible.  I must admit it was a bit overwhelming and I don’t think it was just jet lag.

Making Connections

We had not one but two short connections (1 hour between flights), so our biggest worry was missing our connections, especially with 6 of us and carry on luggage for each. I'm happy to report that we made every connection with time to spare. So if you're flying with kids, making 1 hour connections is doable.

Getting to our destination 

I was super grateful that our Host University sent a driver to pick us up with all our luggage.  It was huge as we were all so tired and he knew his way.  He even dropped us at the University and then to our apartment.

Overall navigating the airports was exhausting with the security and passports.  The boys did great as they knew as soon as we got through they would get their choice of drinks and shows to watch.  I guess not having cable at home and getting free soda makes them really like flying.

Note for next time try to avoid Chicago.  Only pack one water bottle not two.  No need to have a traveling pillow on Swiss air they have great side pillows and blankets.  No need to bring entertainment they are super excited to just sit and look out the window, watch the big picture of where we are flying over at the moment, talk, or just watch what is being offered.  

Lord Byron's 31 Flavors of Europe

I'm really looking forward to going to Europe. So I decided to write a list about where I want to go when I'm there!

        

1. Croatia

2. Pompeii

3. Brussels

4. Rome

5. Milan (probably their futbol team there).

6. Venice

7. Barcelona 

8. Catalunya

9. Tuscany

10. Germany

11. Austria

12. Switzerland

13. France

14. Madrid
15. Amalfi Coast
16. La Mancha
17. Slovakia
18. Slovenia
19. Sevilla
20. Berlin
21. Prague
22. Luxembourg
23. Czech Republic
24. Hungary
25. Turkey

26. Salzburg
27. Neuschwanstein Castle
28. Munich
29. Florence
30. San Sebastian
and last but not least
31. Siena

 So that's where I want to go! And I'll see you later!

Down with the Bucket List

I have a problem with Bucket Lists. I get the concept: make a list of things you've always wanted to do, and commit to doing, before you kick the bucket. The problem with Bucket Lists is, whether small or ambitious, you indelibly end up putting it off until you're too old or too busy to do what you've committed out to do. Or, even worse, you've kicked the bucket before you even get the chance to finish your list. The problem I have with Bucket Lists is they're actually PROCRASTINATION Lists.

No, we need a better term for a list of things you really want to accomplish, one that represents living in the moment and taking advantage of opportunities as they come. Borrowing from one of my two favorite travel gurus, Phil Keoghan, I propose the NOW list. No Opportunity Wasted (NOW) is a concept the Eyebrow Raising Amazing Race host initiated with his book by the same name published about a decade ago. NOW represents taking advantage of opportunities as they come.
My concept of a NOW List is more than living in the moment. Rather, it's about living in the environment--to borrow from my other favorite travel guru, Rick Steves. If you've seen Rick Steves' videos or books, they're less about sight-seeing and more about sight experiencing, or more appropriately, culture experiencing.

The best NOW life is one in which you experience peoples and cultures rather than sites and tourist traps.

Therefore, this inaugural post on the InnoSense Abroad blog serves as a virtual brainstorm for NOW Experiences that fall outside the normal Europe Trip Bucket List, where Grand Canal Gondola Rides are replaced with Tomato Fights in Spain and playing pipes on a 150 year old organ in Paris, France. While this post will serve as a reference for NOW experiences, unique impromptu activities will be detailed throughout this blog with the Title and Keyword "NOW List".

Got any suggestions to share? Comment on this post.

The NOW List

1. Play the Pipes in St. Sulpice (Paris, France)
2. Float down the Aare River (Bern, Switzerland)
3. Take a Cable Car over Montjuic (Barcelona, Spain)
4. Join a neighborhood Paellera (Valencia, Spain)
5. Add pictures to the Billion Graves App from cemeteries like this and this while remembering to not BLINK
6. Go cliff diving at Cinque Terra (Cinque Terra, Italy)
7. Brave the sulfur smells and enjoy the hot springs of Saturnia (Orveito, Italy)
8. Teach kids in Italy English
9. Attend the free Italian Puppet Theater in Rome
10. Go "Castling" in places like these 
11. Go coo coo for cuckoo's in Germany's Black Forest
12. ...and then there's this (Italy)