Discovering Switzerland in America

Time (a Swiss preoccupation, how appropriate) has taught the The Frau that small slices of Switzerland are readily available for her consumption not far from her American home. 

Take this refrigerator at Esther's European Imports in New Glarus, Wisconsin. It's not often a selection of drinks in an American store excites The Frau, but that is because most American shelves are not stocked with Rivella, Elmer Citro, Pepita, and Sinalco. Merci vielmal for this cornucopia of Swissness, Esther from Thun. She has run this shop for many years.


Next, take this shelf. It looks like something found in Switzerland, but nope, this is a shelf at Alp and Dell in Monroe, Wisconsin. It's the largest Emmi cheese dairy outside of Switzerland (they even have a supply of Swiss brown cows and proper Emmi equipment here). Esther's husband, Tony, runs this place and will take your order in Swiss German if you prefer. And guess what, American friends, his shop delivers. So forget that pizza delivery, it's time for a little Raclette this winter.





Then...The Frau was recently wandering the streets of San Francisco, when she found Switzerland at Pier 17. It's an expanding hub of Swiss diplomatic presence in America and it comes with a proper Swiss clock so you're not late to discover it. Expect nothing less.













Finally, The Frau can't help it–she always gets a little nostalgic when she sees this plane, whatever American airport it happens to be waiting in. But she feels very lucky to have gotten to spend almost a month in Switzerland this year and even more time experiencing the American side of Switzerland. And there's a lot of Switzerland still waiting to be discovered in the United States. 

What to do in Switzerland This Fall

Is it too early to be thinking about December holidays? Swiss grocery stores say “no.” In fact, they were thinking about Christmas way back in August. Here’s a display from the Baden Migros grocery back in September.

Until December, though, there are lots of great things to do in Switzerland. Here are a few highlights:

Eat Chocolate and Cinnamon-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds at Jucker Farm

Every fall in Switzerland there’s a pumpkin paradise just waiting to be discovered. It takes place at Jucker Farm, a working farm where towering sculptures made from pumpkins can be enjoyed along with some chocolate and cinnamon-roasted pumpkin seeds and fresh apple cider.  

There are two Jucker Farm locations in Northern Switzerland: Seegräben and Jona. Both are wonderful. At lunchtime, each farm restaurant offers a hot buffet with meats and pasta, a salad buffet, soups, sandwiches, flammkuchen, and desserts like apple strudel. The food is reasonably priced and very good—which makes finding a table difficult.

For more information visit www.juckerfarm.ch

Observe the Largest Turnip Parade in the World

Photos by Brian Opyd

On the scale of parades featuring flames in Switzerland, the Richterswil Räbechilbi (Turnip Lantern Parade) is quite tame. But what it lacks in risk it more than makes up for in its ability to celebrate normally ignored root vegetables.

Think 29,000 kilograms of turnips (all grown locally), 50,000 candles, 1,100 participants, and 20,000 visitors (in a town of 13,000) and you’ll get the idea. When the Swiss combine the words “turnip” and “festival” they mean business. In fact, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Richterswil Räbechilbi is now the largest turnip parade in the world. 

For more information visit www.vvrs.ch

This year's parade is Saturday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Richterswil.

Hike the Morteratsch Glacier Trail

If The Frau had to choose her favorite hike in Switzerland, it would probably be the Morteratsch Glacier hike—especially if it’s mid-October. There are several reasons for this. 

One is the sheer beauty of orange and yellow larch trees framing the icy snow and the (hopefully) blue sky. The Engadine area is famous for its autumn colors, and not without reason.

Two is the length (approx. 5-6 kilometers, 1 hour 40 minutes total) and ease of the walk (fairly flat, on a mostly wide and graveled path), which allows one to admire the scenery without being distracted by blisters or aching muscles. 

Three is easy access. The hike begins and ends at the Morteratsch train station, whose neighbor is the Hotel Restaurant Morteratsch—a relaxing place for lunch.

For more information www.pontresina.ch

P.S. 96.9 more ideas for un-touristy fun are included in The Frau's second book, 99.9 Ways to Travel Switzerland Like a Local, which was published in May. It makes a great Christmas gift, at least for those of you already buying Lebkuchen at the Migros.