Switzerland is a fascinating country. It is almost too good to be true. It's kind of reminds me of the Truman show where everything seems perfect but you wonder what in the hell is going on behind the scenes?!! Har.
People here are happy, have good salaries, good healthcare, excellent infrastructure. It's a beautiful country. Its diverse. They won't get involved in anybody else's war. It's too bad they're stark raving mad!! (Just kidding)
So here are some fun facts about Switzerland:
1) I don't know about other cities in the country, but Lausanne has few traffic lights and no stop signs. When drivers see pedestrians, they stop and let them cross. I may move here just for that.
2) It's not unusual to see soldiers on trains with their assault rifles. I sat next to one today. Men have to do either military or civilian service. They go through basic training for about six months and then have annual training every year for 10 years. If you choose not to comply, they take 3% of your salary til age 37.
3) A Five Guys cheeseburger is $15.
4) Sundays are sacred. You are to do nothing to disturb your neighbor: mowing the lawn, washing clothes, hanging laundry, parties, etc. it is a day of quiet to spend with family and friends. Nothing is open.
5) Switzerland has a low obesity rate. With all these steep streets, I can see why.
6) Woefully behind on womens rights. Women did not get the right to vote until1971!! One small district didn't pass the right to vote until 1991. YEAH 1991.
7) The Landsgemeinde. Switzerland has 26 cantons(districts or states). Historically, four times a year, people would gather in large groups in 8 of the cantons. Anyone could propose a new law or amend an old one. It was majority rule, by show of hands. This still happens in a couple of places.
8) Switzerland has shelters for every single person in the country in case of nuclear war. It's the law. Large complexes have to build it into the building. The biggest one is in Lucerne which is built under a motorway and can hold 20,000 people. These are kept up and have necessities to live for months.
And there you have it, wonderful and quirky Switzerland!
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September 16, 2022 at 07:43PM
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