European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 21, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Let s go compiled by Norm Zeigler Rothenburg Celebration the old will Cal City of Rothenburg of Dor Tauber West i , stages its annual Imperial City festival this weekend. A medieval fair is the heart of the Celebration with some 1.000 Rothenburg residents outfitted in period costumes. There will be demonstrations sept. 23 and 24 of old rafts roving entertainers in the marketplace an Encampment of knights and various parades plays and other special events. 1 he schedule a torchlight procession of groups including members of various guilds at i . Sept. 22 a re enactment by the knights of King Rudolf of Habsburg of the Imperial City ceremonies at 2 . Sept. 2 fireworks Al 8 30 . Sept. 23 Der . A historical play at , and 12 15 . Sept. 24 and shepherds dances at 2 30 and 4 . Sept. 2-4. Details Are available from the tourist office in the marketplace 101.091161-40492. English speaking staff members usually Are on duty. Return of the cows this is the Lime of year when the cows Are brought Down from the Mountain Meadows to Winter in the valleys. In Many areas of the Alps the cows return is celebrated with festivals. The practice is known throughout the German speaking areas As the Alma Trilb. In the austrian province of Salzburger land two of the better known festivals Lake place sept. 23 and sept. 30 in Krimmel and sept. 30 in Hollerbach. The cows Are decorated for the occasion and in the towns souvenirs and handicrafts Are available for Purchase. For details Contact a 5731 Hollerbach Tel. From West Germany 0043 f 5b2-b105 or a-5743 Krimmel Tel. From West Germany 0043-6564-239. Nature preserve hike i hers who Are More interested in experiencing nature than giving their legs a workout should visit , in the Swiss Canton of glarus. A two hour hike along the timer Holenweg Elm High route takes hikers through one of the oldest wildlife refuges in Europe. Visible along the Way Are Many types of Alpine plants and a Panorama of the surround Iii 111,000-fool peaks. I or details Contact Kur und Vermehr Verein is Natal. Ch-h767 com Switzerland m. From West gernunymki11 -58-861727. Swiss Harvest festivals Viii tin Advent of the grape , the Swiss National tourist office has made Avail ibo a Bro Hure listing Swiss Harvest festivals. Tor example will hold its event sept. 22-24, with Hing bands dancing and a Flower procession. The fire Booklet i Man be d by contacting 5chwei/cr 23,6000 Frankfurt . 1, West Germany Lei. 06 -25600124. Save on austrian trains through nov. 5, the Ostreim silk austrian National Railroad offers special round trip fan s under the name Oit Erreich a Gaz la. The offer divides the country into four regions. The second class Price for a round trip ticket to the Region must Distant from the West German Border is 87.60 Marks $45 children from 6 to 15 pay half Price. The special tickets Are valid for 10 clays. Tickets and More information Are available Al All train stations in West Germany and Al travel agencies hat sell Deutsche Bun Desbah tickets. Castles in France i lie French tourist office offers a brochure listing 72 castles and Villas in France that accept paying guests. Accommodations available include rooms apartments and whole houses. Also included in the brochure Are tips on restaurants wineries Golf courses Tennis courts and other attractions. The brochure. Chateau acc Eil. Is available at the French National tourist office Wesl Endstrasser 47, 6001 i rank furl 1, Lei. 069-7560830. Ardennes hotels restaurants two new guidebooks list hotels and restaurants in in Southern Belgium and the ardennes. Both contain information on Price Comfort class and cuisine. With descriptions and photographs of available facilities. Both booklets Arlienne and Metic and 227 Bale Athl rvs n Are available from be Gische Verk Ehrsam Berliner Alice 47,4000 Dusseldorf 1, West Germany Tel. 02 it-326008. New Bike route a new 220-mile-Long International Bike route has recently been opened from Den Holder the Netherlands to the belgian French Border. More than 50 Miles of the route wind through the thinly settled polder areas of West Flanders. Also included along the route Are the cities of Damme Brugge Nieuwpoort and Dik suide. More information is available from Westt Dorisme Pasteel till Egem b 8200 Brugge 2, Belgium let. Two wheeled vacations the East Flanders Region of Belgium is offering special bicycle vacation packages through late october. The Region is known for its Flowers Hills and windmills As Well As for the City of Ghent. Cyclists can choose to stay in one hotel and make Day trips into the Countryside or to travel from hotel to hotel. Three and four Day packages Are available for the hotel to hotel plan. Distances to be covered daily Range from 22 Miles to 43 Miles. Accommodations available Range from moderately priced hotels to youth hostels. Half Board arrangements Are available and Many hotels will provide a bag lunch. For More information Contact be Gische Verk Ehrsam Berliner Allee 47, 4000 Dusseldorf 1west Germany let. 021 1-326008. Swiss Flea markets a listing of Flea markets in Switzerland is available from the Swiss National tourist office. The Booklet Flohm Srote provides information on the locations dates and Points of Contact for Flea markets throughout the country. It is available from Schweizer Vermehr Suburo Kalse Strasse 23, 6000 Frankfurt . 1, West Germany Tel. 069-256001 24. Guidebook for handicapped the City of Bremen West Germany has made available a visitors guide for handicapped people. The 400-Page Booklet lists 1 ,000 facilities in the City with entrances and other accommodations for wheelchair users. The guide costs 3 Marks about $1 .50 plus mailing. It is available from Landes Arbetis Gercin Schapfl Hilife fur behind Rte Waller Hee Strasse 55, d-2800 Bremen Tel. 0421-383066. Free program allows Zurich visitors to meet the Swiss Story and photo by Ron Merkin during the past 22 years More than 100 foreigners have visited Kathy Bienz s Home in Zurich. Most came for dinner some Only for a Glass of wine or a cup of Lea or Coffee and conversation. Bienz had never met any of them before but not one guest paid her a cent for her hospitality. I hosted these people because i wanted my children to learn about other nations cultures to be aware that not everyone in the world shares our country s values beliefs customs she said. Her daughters 23 and 25, Are on their own now. In my opinion developing tolerance and understanding on a one to one basis is the Best Way to further world peace and resolve tensions Between citizens of different lands and members of various ethnic and racial groups she said. Bienz is a member of the meet the Swiss club an organization begun in 1963 by Maude Brink a swedish expatriate who works at Zurich s tourist office. Brink started arranging social get together Between travellers and Zurich s residents in an Effort to counteract what she called the widespread stereotypical image that characterizes Swiss people As somewhat cold Distant and difficult to get to since he program s inception More than 7,000 tourists have been entertained in some 800 of Zurich s metropolitan or suburban Homes. I heard about the program in 1967, when i was working at the information desk of Zurich s main Railroad station Bienz explained. Frequently i referred people to the tourist office around 200 meters away to Book excursions to see Switzerland s Scenic areas. Of course i communicated Wilh the staff at this Agency a lot. They told me about their new service which seemed like an Ideal Way to warm up our Cili enry s reputation. Since joining i be received families couples and single Folk she said. Most of my guests have been americans but i be also met japanese australians canadians and ._._. Scandinavians. Lots of professions have been represented University professors teachers nurses students and two members of the United Stales military who were stationed in Baum older West Germany i dined with Bienz 54, in her four room apartment in Affolter a quiet Section of town about a half hour by Streetcar from the Center of Zurich. She prepared Harrt opre Schalz a traditional Swiss dish consisting of potatoes carrots sausages and herbs All sliced and Fried slowly Over medium heat. This recipe became very popular during world War ii she said. Despite Switzerland s position of Bienz neutrality and our non involvement in the conflict we were affected by food shortages caused by interference with the transport of goods from other countries. Almost All the ingredients i m using can be grown in one s Garden. Everything you see Here comes from a Small plot of land that 1 rent from the City to cultivate vegetables and Flowers when Bienz worked at the Railroad station she had to speak several languages to be Able to help people from various countries. I left that Job in 1964 to have my first baby and have since forgotten most of the French Spanish and italian i knew she said. Thank goodness i still remember my Bienz is now employed As a Secretary and also is a part Lime journalist for her Community newspaper. She is working toward a degree in German literature at the University of Zurich. If you would like to meet Swiss people and enjoy a Home cooked meal and if you plan to spend at least 48 hours in Zurich the amount of time it usually lakes to process a request ask about the meet the Swiss program at the tourist office Bohnhof Strasse 15. The Telephone number is 00-211-4000. Any member of the office staff can provide information. You la be asked to fill out a Brief application form listing your name age nationality profession hobbies and the languages you speak. The service is strictly non profit. No fees Are charged at any time. Children Are no problem. Candidates for participation May be matched with Host families whose children Are around the same age. Moi Kin. A Ira Lance writer. Ken in Zurich. September 21,1989 it Ipei Magazine 21
