4 posts tagged “switzerland”
This time I went along with Alexa and the boys to sell at the flea market. I got rid of my friend the sewing machine and a few other things to lighten my load. The boys brought some toys to sell but as soon as they made some money they found other things to buy so took home as much as they brought. Jeremy made a mistake and sold his prized item for 50 Rap instead of 15 Franks so he wasn't quite so happy but maybe it will help him learn his numbers in German. Here he is busy selling.
I found this little treasure at the flea market this morning. The guy couldn't speak any English and I don't think he knew how to use a sewing machine anyway. I brought it home, cleaned it up and started taking it apart. It basically works except that the thread keeps falling off of its sideways holder and the part that keeps the bobbin in place is missing too. I overlooked those things on the sidewalk. One more catch, the motor works but fails to make the needle go up and down. I can turn the knob by hand though and then it acts like it would sew something. Oh well, maybe I'll get it figured out yet. Moral of the story, probably shouldn't buy something you can't test or can't discuss with the seller.
I went to the bank this morning and conducted my entire transaction in German! I was so excited that the event warrants its own blog entry. This doesn't mean that I will be able to again next time, only if I need the same thing but nonetheless I'm learning bit by bit.
The typical Swiss is scrupulously honest, narrow-minded, industrious, pessimistic, boring, hygienic, taciture, healthy, tidy, frugal, sober, selfish, spotless, educated, insecure, introverted, hard-working, perfect, religious, rigid, arrogant, affluent, conservative, isolated, private, straigh-laced, neutral, authoritarian, formal, responsible, self-critical, unfriendly, stoical, materialistic, impatient, intolerant, unromantic, reliable, conscientious, obstinate, efficient, square, enterprising, humorless, and unloved.
-David Hampshire, "Living and Working in Switzerland"
