Basil

Basil is Switzerland’s third largest city with 195,000 people. Our ship is docked just inside Switzerland- the monument for the border with France and Germany is a 15 minute walk down the canal. The town was founded by the Kells in 400 BC. The Romans incorporated the area in 200 BC, using the Rhine river as a border to their empire. It later became part of the Holy Roman Empire until the Swiss fought for independence in 1291. At that time, it was a loose confederation of Cantons. Always a trading center, today Basil is also a pharmaceutical center. The Swiss constitution is from 1848 and is modeled after the US constitution, but changes to the constitution require a citizen initiative with 120,000 signatures and then a vote of the people. It took three votes to give women the vote in 1971.

Munster Stained Glass Windows

Today we had a short walking tour of the city. The Munster is the reformed church and is built in Gothic style. One of 12 European churches built by Henry II and Cunigunde. We saw another one in Bamberg this year. The city hall or Rathaus isn't built next to the church, but is several blocks away, symbolizing the separation of church and state.

Switzerland Today Discussion

In the afternoon we had a talk about Switzerland today. Our speaker is currently a teacher with a 4-year-old son. A high school teacher here requires a master’s degree as well as a 2 year teaching credential. He had bicycled from his home to France for produce and to Germany for other groceries to save money today.

The school system sounds very similar to Germany's. Non-compulsory kindergarten at age 5 or 6, Elementary school for five years and then at age 12 you attend one of three high schools. The low-end school results in learning a trade, the mid-level is for office workers, and the high end for those going to university. For trades or office work you apprentice during the last two years, working 3 days per week and schooling 2 days per week.

He summarized his income and expenses:

• So that one parent is always home with their 4-year-old, he works three days a week earning $5400/mo and she works 2 days/week earning $2600/mo.
• Rent is $500/mo.
• Insurance costs them $1000/mo. with a 2000 deductible.
• One car costs $1000/mo.
• Groceries $1500/mo.
• $350/mo. for retirement savings
• Income tax can vary but typically 5-8%

Boy bobbing bubbles