Bern

The other Friday (September 19th), I went to Bern to see a doctoral thesis defense. The woman I'm working with primarily here was the candidate's advisor. The first 30 minutes or so the candidate presented her work, and then the next 30 minutes the committee asked questions. Once the questions were over, we all left the room so the committee could deliberate. I thought we were done. But everyone waited in the hallway. A few minutes later, we were brought back in, all remained standing, while the jury gave its verdict. She passed - with highest honors. I guess it was a Swiss version of a graduation - marking the solemnity of the event.

Once that was over, I decided to hang out in Bern for the beautiful afternoon. Nostalgic for tailgating, I couldn't pass up the brat stand. Only 20 minutes from Fribourg, Bern is quite Germanic - much to my brat-loving delight. Just under 7 CHF later, and with European ketchup, I savored my brat - a little taste of UW football.

I had been to Bern once before this summer, with TASIS (as can be seen briefly here). It was a Sunday, though, so the streets were quiet. Not so much on this second visit. With TASIS, the other staff and I stopped at Starbucks. I decided to relive that moment - with a 7 CHF mocha. I probably should have kept the mug as a souvenir at prices like that.

Strolling through the streets was delightful. In the old part of town, the buildings have arches with covered sidewalks that give onto the street. Trams, buses, and Bern-folk walk around everywhere.

Only 20 minutes from Fribourg by train, the capital of the confederation is worth visiting again before I leave.

Oh. Yeah. And to complete my food frenzy - I couldn't resist a Burger King. 3.50 for a fries. And 20 cents for ketchup.

What follows: One shot of part of the University of Bern's campus. Views of the city. Views from the tower of the Cathedral. And a view of the belly of the Cathedral.