Bern from the TOP!!

A View from the Top, and since the pic doesn't cooperate, I'll leave it here! 

I want to continue on the journey from the last post. On Wednesday (the 3rd), Paul Hostettler, met us at our hotel and we are off!

First, though, here's a link that Mearl sent me and it is very interesting. In the first part/Bern, we've seen a lot of the places that are in this link. We've seen some of the Zurich ones but not as many. The link explains what has happened to the Anabaptists. I hope you find it interesting.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alan.pibworth/anabaptists/


Paul, as you've probably noticed, is physically fit. He's 78, his wife is 81. He rides his bike, and walks a lot. Mearl and I kept up with him fairly good!!!! ha! ha! We took the tram up to the Top of the World!!!

First Tram ride for us.

We started walking down and continued down until we got to our hotel, aren't you proud of us? It only took 2 1/2 hours. There is a rose garden at the top and then we took the path down.

Overlooking Bern from the Top

We started down the path. Paul sure knew the way and knew the spots, he's been doing it for several years now. The history is really mind-boggling at times.

Walking to towards oldest bridge

Oldest Bridge

Notice the stroller (and man) coming up the path. Look at the brick work also. 

Since my pics haven't cooperated, but you get the idea. We cross the bridge and look around at the old buildings. There are a lot of statues in the streets and along the sides. They depict all kinds of things.

Soon after we cross the bridge, Paul takes us to an area close to the river.

This is where they brought the people to be deported.

Here also is where some were drowned.

This is part of a drawing on the wall depicting the happenings here by the river.

This was probably the most thought provoking place for me. Knowing some lost their lives for what they believed in. Some of those that were deported made their way back into Switzerland and did it for what they believed in. The Anabaptist story is quite interesting. I hope we've given you something to think about.

Notice the lighter center section.

Paul explained that the lighter section of this building was what used to be the size of housing that families had. This one had 3 floors plus the bottom business section. Some families had less, I would imagine. This is in the old section of Bern. 

The mode of transportation here varied. The public tram is available. Cars were seen coming and going, although, not as many as we have. There was garbage trucks here (of course), I add this for my friend's son, Keegan!

The most interesting was the bicycles. The bikes were seen everywhere. In this picture, it looks pretty level, but not so. The street had come uphill and continued uphill. I wasn't quick enough with the camera here. One gal was riding a bike in office attire, dressed nicely, pedaling away and I could see no evidence of huffing and puffing. I was impressed. All types of people rode bikes. Young, old, and anyone in between. 

If I remember correctly this is the church where Paul went as a young boy. Remember, Paul doesn't speak much English, so we are trying to understand as much as we can and he is doing the same for us. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

Paul's a great sport about it and usually gets his point across.

One of the oldest Cathedrals

The city surrounding this Cathedral.

Paul takes us to the center of town (approximately) and shows us this Cathedral. It is being renovated at the steeple area. The rest of it is beautiful. A lot of carvings done in and around the windows/doors.  He told us that the land around this Cathedral had to be built up a lot to hold this massive building. It is close to the river also and has a lovely park around it. There's so many old buildings and so much beautiful architecture in this city. It's a beautiful city but holds lots of torture, heartache, and grief in these surroundings.

Just a few more photos and stories to tell you of this journey.

Thanks for journeying with us.

Sharon (Grabill) McMillan