A "Bongland 10"..... ! You kill it again, Nic! But, in all seriousness, this is yet another fantastic, well balanced piece filled with interesting facts and people. It's almost like reading National Geographic....but far more fun and enlightening! Thanks for the mood lift - it's more appreciated than I think you know.
Cool to see you writing about Switzerland. I am from Montana in USA and living 1.5 years and going in Kanton Schwyz. I go to Zurich for work 1-2 times a month, but it's a bit foreign to me compared to Schwyz (or the Vierwaldstätter Kantons, the founding Swiss ones, all Catholic). Lot of Italians, Albanians, and Kosovans down this way, Italian is useful to speak, but I definitely have to learn colloquial Swiss or basic high German to do some basic daily things, which I enjoy. People are in my view far more open and curious and really tend to be talkative here. Something about the more nationalist than cosmopolitan attitude, the more rural yet still connected situation, and life in rather than next to the mountains. It reminds me sometimes of Montana in ways but far more effective in a government sense, and very community driven. People here are usually amused and intrigued when I explain I come from Montana rather then New York or Ohio. My main criticism of Switzerland is I wish it had cheaper restaurants (it's a fair bit cheaper in the rural areas though) and I wish it had true vast wilderness (it has vastness and beauty but not the truly rugged and all consuming wilds).
No bourbon in Zurich!? Hm. It’s available more widely than it used to be around the world (which is to say, still not that available) - and winter is certainly the right time to be drinking it. If you find a good one, have one for me...
Hearing numerous languages is something I routinely experience in London.
To be honest I'm not sure what it means to be British or especially English anymore, particularly as the UK's ruling "elite" appear to have embraced collectivist, continental philosophy (much to my disdain).
As usual, I loved the travelogue. You've really nailed Zurich perfectly, although personally I found it deeply ironic that this supposedly stolid, well-run country had a major banking crisis in 2008, when its banks were shown to be disasters of the first order. In contrast to the US, however, the Swiss government came down on its financial institutions like a ton of bricks and basically restructured the whole sector (whereas in the corrupt US, the criminals who created the mess got bailed out and worked to undermine every single meaningful reform to prevent this from occurring ever again).
You also captured the country's Calvinist quality perfectly. In Zurich, it is exacerbated somewhat by the fact that the city is full of Swiss Germans (who, I always thought, make the Germans seem positively Italian by comparison). Hence, much as I love the country, I've generally preferred the French and Italian speaking areas (where you get the best qualities of the French and Italians coupled with that wonderful Swiss style efficiency.
I took my wife to Swizerland a few years ago. My first time there. Her first time in Europe. I remember not being able to immediately understand the spoken German (very unfamiliar accent), that we saw a passer-by in a business suit bin a stray piece of trash and continue on his way, and that even the "bad" parts of Bern were places I might like to live (as a student). I also remember seeing lots and lots of architecture firms with storefronts. Is this a welfare program?
Thanks for this diary entry, but Zürich has nothing to do with Calvinism. Zürich like any other large city of Switzerland has blossomed on the back of Protestantism. I would agree with that statement. But Calvinism, as a variant of Protestantism, is a phenomenon very much limited to Geneva and its neighbourhoods. Protestantism in the German part of Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Zürich) was championed by different reformers. Zürich's protestants were led by Zwingli. The latter kind of Protestantism is Lutherian and very different from the Genevan doctrin of Calvin. Calvinism defends a very rigorous ethos, which is not the case for the Lutherian branch. Clearly Zürich's success may owe much to Protestantism, but if you want to speak of Calvinism you have to write about Geneva.
First up congrats to the Croats. They played well and intelligently. Less than 4 million population which is declining by 30k each year. Croatia’s TFR is about 1.48, about the same as Switzerland but the latter’s population is increasing by 50k per annum. So, well calibrated in volume and quality, Switzerland’s immigration program would appear to be a net benefit. Interesting case study.
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Good to see Bongers living up to their reputations
"[try to] name one item of news that happened there in the past 50 years."
2004 (or was it 2005?): Stan Wawrinka split from Roger Federer. [drops mic]
A "Bongland 10"..... ! You kill it again, Nic! But, in all seriousness, this is yet another fantastic, well balanced piece filled with interesting facts and people. It's almost like reading National Geographic....but far more fun and enlightening! Thanks for the mood lift - it's more appreciated than I think you know.
Cool to see you writing about Switzerland. I am from Montana in USA and living 1.5 years and going in Kanton Schwyz. I go to Zurich for work 1-2 times a month, but it's a bit foreign to me compared to Schwyz (or the Vierwaldstätter Kantons, the founding Swiss ones, all Catholic). Lot of Italians, Albanians, and Kosovans down this way, Italian is useful to speak, but I definitely have to learn colloquial Swiss or basic high German to do some basic daily things, which I enjoy. People are in my view far more open and curious and really tend to be talkative here. Something about the more nationalist than cosmopolitan attitude, the more rural yet still connected situation, and life in rather than next to the mountains. It reminds me sometimes of Montana in ways but far more effective in a government sense, and very community driven. People here are usually amused and intrigued when I explain I come from Montana rather then New York or Ohio. My main criticism of Switzerland is I wish it had cheaper restaurants (it's a fair bit cheaper in the rural areas though) and I wish it had true vast wilderness (it has vastness and beauty but not the truly rugged and all consuming wilds).
No bourbon in Zurich!? Hm. It’s available more widely than it used to be around the world (which is to say, still not that available) - and winter is certainly the right time to be drinking it. If you find a good one, have one for me...
What about the Credit Swiss debacle ?
How did your conversation with the Saffer go?
Hearing numerous languages is something I routinely experience in London.
To be honest I'm not sure what it means to be British or especially English anymore, particularly as the UK's ruling "elite" appear to have embraced collectivist, continental philosophy (much to my disdain).
As usual, I loved the travelogue. You've really nailed Zurich perfectly, although personally I found it deeply ironic that this supposedly stolid, well-run country had a major banking crisis in 2008, when its banks were shown to be disasters of the first order. In contrast to the US, however, the Swiss government came down on its financial institutions like a ton of bricks and basically restructured the whole sector (whereas in the corrupt US, the criminals who created the mess got bailed out and worked to undermine every single meaningful reform to prevent this from occurring ever again).
You also captured the country's Calvinist quality perfectly. In Zurich, it is exacerbated somewhat by the fact that the city is full of Swiss Germans (who, I always thought, make the Germans seem positively Italian by comparison). Hence, much as I love the country, I've generally preferred the French and Italian speaking areas (where you get the best qualities of the French and Italians coupled with that wonderful Swiss style efficiency.
Great post! Hope to see you in Toronto soon!
I took my wife to Swizerland a few years ago. My first time there. Her first time in Europe. I remember not being able to immediately understand the spoken German (very unfamiliar accent), that we saw a passer-by in a business suit bin a stray piece of trash and continue on his way, and that even the "bad" parts of Bern were places I might like to live (as a student). I also remember seeing lots and lots of architecture firms with storefronts. Is this a welfare program?
💯
Also love Ticino
Montreux is tremendous during the Jazz Festival.
Geneva and Lausanne very pleasant as well
Thanks for this diary entry, but Zürich has nothing to do with Calvinism. Zürich like any other large city of Switzerland has blossomed on the back of Protestantism. I would agree with that statement. But Calvinism, as a variant of Protestantism, is a phenomenon very much limited to Geneva and its neighbourhoods. Protestantism in the German part of Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Zürich) was championed by different reformers. Zürich's protestants were led by Zwingli. The latter kind of Protestantism is Lutherian and very different from the Genevan doctrin of Calvin. Calvinism defends a very rigorous ethos, which is not the case for the Lutherian branch. Clearly Zürich's success may owe much to Protestantism, but if you want to speak of Calvinism you have to write about Geneva.
Outstanding observations and dead on about the U. S. being like an insane asylum. The political and media pollution we endure really tests the mettle!
Go to confession immediately if you can find a priest , Christmas in a Protestant country ! 😤
First up congrats to the Croats. They played well and intelligently. Less than 4 million population which is declining by 30k each year. Croatia’s TFR is about 1.48, about the same as Switzerland but the latter’s population is increasing by 50k per annum. So, well calibrated in volume and quality, Switzerland’s immigration program would appear to be a net benefit. Interesting case study.