After breakfast, we had a short introductory lecture about Bern before taking the bus to Interlaken West and the intercity train to Bern (about an hour). There we had a guided tour of the old town of Bern.
But first, a word about the train bathrooms: Very clean. In or near every car. With a sink, soap and a hand dryer or towels.
Our tour guide is an editor for the local paper which - he told us - is older by one year than the New York Times!
Along the main street there are stores under the arches so that if it rains, you can stay dry.
The parliament building:
You can no longer "hide" money in Switzerland because there is a data exchange between most countries and Switerland.
There are lots of fountains in Bern. This one is called the "child eating fountain."
Lots of buses, tram and bicycles everywhere. Even on/at trains since there is ample parking and you can take your bike on the train.
The Bern clock tower or Zytglogge is from the 13th century and has also been used as a guard tower and a prison. It is a remnant of the first city wall. The striking (pun) features are the astronomical clock and the unusual features of a court jester, dancing bears, a golden cuckoo, Chronos, the Greek god of time (among others) each time the clock strikes the hour.
Along the arcade, there are cellars for storage or also to be used as an additional spot to sell their wares.
The oldest and most important church in Switzerland is the Church of St. Vincent:
I found a park with sand areas for children to play with smaller versions of heavy equipment. Children were everywhere!
The color of the River Aare, as well as many other rivers in Switzerland, is due to glacial sediment. All the water is very pure and drinkable.
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