Thirty minutes and counting...

Thirty minutes and counting of non-stop internet access.  We are elated, we are overjoyed, and we are suspicious.  Why should buying a new wireless router fix everything?  I don't know, but it feels great.

I decided not to test the IKEA curse and went a different path to find a cure for my shower curtain and curtain woes.  I discovered "Swiss Home Depot", better known as Bauhaus, complete with an orange color scheme and aprons.  Have you ever been overwhelmed at a "do-it-yourself" store, because you know just enough to get yourself in trouble?  Try it in German. 

I ran across the selection of toilet seat covers.  Here is one-third of the selection available.  Why would anyone want to sit on kittens and dolphins?  

Just another Swiss mystery...

I think we may have finally gotten our banking situation all settled.  We went into the main branch asking for a joint account, online capabilities, and credit cards that you can use in Europe without bankrupting you.  What we ended up with was: (sung to the tune of "Partridge in a Pear tree")

6 separate accounts,
5 maestro cards,
4 phone calls,
3 migraines,  
2 credit cards,
and a debit card we really don't need. 

No wonder everyone is moving their money to Asia and Singapore.  These new laws to prevent Americans from hiding money in Europe are unreal.  I tried to explain that I am a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, hence, no money, but they didn't listen. 

The holiday season is in full force here.  No, we do not get time off for Thanksgiving, and at $16/lb, I will not be cooking a turkey.  We will join other ex-pats at a holiday pot-luck on Saturday, while the rest of you will be recovering from Black Friday shopping. 

Speaking of shopping, our grand plan to send special Swiss gifts to our loved ones will not happen.  Shipping is obscenely expensive (3lb package to States $40), and any package sent or received is subject to 7% VAT tax for a value over $100.   Anything not documents is subject to search, and economy shipping (half-price) takes 4-6 weeks to arrive.  Amazon.com and Amazon.de is our new friend. Amazon.de even managed to send two very happy little girls a new Wii after we fried their last one. 

Simple pleasures make all the difference, like a internet that has been up for a whole hour.