tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19662178.post8611550914820779278..comments2023-04-09T16:07:39.987+01:00Comments on Wrinkled Weasel's World: The Sound of MusicWrinkled Weaselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19662178.post-38756241504587640982009-05-01T11:18:00.000+01:002009-05-01T11:18:00.000+01:00I wrote this last night at nearly one in the morni...I wrote this last night at nearly one in the morning. When I wrote "I have my own bit of Switzerland", I meant "in my mind". That is, there is a place I have returned to over the years, since the 70s that is special to me. Perhaps one day, I shall have a place to live there, but until then, I dream.<br /><br />As Subrosa implies (and I have looked into it) buying a house appears to be a process of attrition. Not only that, nobody local - the older folks - seem to be in a hurry over it - usually they put a ridiculous price tag on places in the hope it will put people off, like the one we stayed next to recently. Where I go, nobody wants to leave, and many that travel the world find their way back. That kind of speaks for itself.<br /><br />The Brits over there seem to integrate seamlessly. The Americans do not. The only jarring accent in Vaud is an American one, loudly demanding the impossible, whilst being utterly confused by the simplest menu; "Hey, what's Roasty? Can I have fries with it?"Wrinkled Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19662178.post-78416369992413857642009-05-01T08:24:00.000+01:002009-05-01T08:24:00.000+01:00I'll be in Geneva on onday and may take you up on ...I'll be in Geneva on onday and may take you up on the Café de Paris.Great Big Billygoat Gruffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189547073703317587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19662178.post-79245598588509141612009-05-01T01:55:00.000+01:002009-05-01T01:55:00.000+01:00Thanks Rosa (another night owl, by the looks of it...Thanks Rosa (another night owl, by the looks of it.)<br /><br />Interesting you should mention the 70s - that was went I first visited. I stayed in a room over a cow shed, over looking the Dents du Midi. The smell was incredible! Does my Honourable friend agree with me that the Swiss have become a lot more visitor friendly in the intervening years?Wrinkled Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19662178.post-27732467513504293482009-05-01T01:48:00.000+01:002009-05-01T01:48:00.000+01:00It is a delightful country, I worked there in the ...It is a delightful country, I worked there in the early 70s and have visited many times since. Where I live in Scotland is a beautiful part of the world too but the difference in the government of both countries is vast. I have to admit not so many people, of my acquaintance, speak the three languages. Try to find a French speaking civil servant in Basle - nearly impossible. Then again it would be impossible to find one in Scotland I'm sure, at least one fluent enough.<br /><br />I considered buying a small house there around 20 years ago but the red tape was horrendous and I found I would be required to deposit most of my savings in one of their banks. That didn't suit my situation at the time so it never happened. Not to worry, most hotels are just fine.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.com