july 12, 2010. bern.

In contrast to America, many in Switzerland choose to buy groceries and cook at home. Perhaps it's how expensive dining out is. Or perhaps it's because people generally prefer it and see it as more healthy and tastier. Personally, I tend to cook more at home and I was pumped to see that an entire country was doing it. Even the young people. In America, most young people live off fast food, ramen, and instant macaroni. And they continue doing so until they get married, make lots of money so they can eat out everyday, or die. As morbid as that sounds, it's true.

It was a Monday morning and I really wanted to surprise Iwan and Flo with lunch. I chose to make Ragu sauce and I knew that they would love it. Who doesn't like meat sauce? I went to the local Coop and bought groceries in Switzerland for the first time. It was the first step in becoming a Swiss. Everything was reasonably priced except, if one compares it to American prices, the ground beef. Swiss cows are well taken care of and not injected with all the crap that goes into ours. So the meat is probably better for one's health. O well. It still tastes the same.

When I returned home, I asked Flo if she would be home for lunch. She said she would be and I was psyched. She was going to love it. I began the process at ten and was not done until a little after twelve. Although we were waiting for Iwan to join us, Flo unfortunately had to leave by one. She had her first serving and I kept her company at the table. I was going to wait for Iwan to eat. We talked about what we would do and decided that when she came back from school, we would go to Marzili, the outdoor park near the river Aare. Just as Flo was finishing her plate, Iwan walked in and I began to set up some plates for him and I. Flo decided that she would have seconds and I was glad.