We are currently without access to wireless internet in the hotel in Bern, so we will have to play catch up in Berlin in a few days. Until then, no new picture updates.

However, we can tell you our plans while in Switzerland. When we arrived two days ago, our first order of business was to eat at a Swiss restaurant. Since neither of us speak any German (they speak German here and French in other parts of the country), ordering was a major challenge. Yesterday, we explored the city of Bern. We agreed that the highlight was the inside of the clock tower in the center of the old city. We took a tour through the inside of the building, and the mechanism that drives the clock is unbelievable. I don´t think I could develop something like that if I had 1000 years to do it. We also visited Einstein´s apartment in which he earned what is equivalent to a college diploma, and began his work on the special and general theories of relativiy. Next, we saw the bear pits on the outside of the city. The bear is the symbol of the city, so the city keeps them in large outdoor areas along the river. We also took a breather down by the river, which is freezing. Lastly, we walked up to the rose gardens and relaxed in the gorgeous and well manicured park over looking the city. The city is very small for a major citz (especially since it is the capital of Switzerland), so we had no problem traversing it bz foot, even though our hotel is just outside the old city area. Another note: the city is outrageously expensive. The country uses Swiss Francs, which are about equivalent to the US dollar. You will not have a reasonable dinner for less than 18 francs, and that is considered a real bargain.

Anyway, the rest of our activities include a cruise on Lake Thun and visit at Interlaken today, a long hike through the Alps near the Matterhorn tomorrow, and a long scenic train ride (we will probably need some time to relax after the hike) on Monday. Tuesday we are leaving open and will decide on later, and we leave for Berlin on Wednesday.

We may update the blog before we leave for Berlin, but as for now we are off to the train station.