traveltales: BALLENBERG

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

BALLENBERG

Eco-museum and Swiss Woodcarving

We took the train from Interlaken, to Ballenberg, Switzerland’s only outdoor museum. I’ve visited many eco-museums which seem to be popular everywhere, but I think Ballenberg was my first. Eighty homes and structures of every Swiss style and from every canton exist on sixteen of the museum’s 77 acres.

The park has many lovely wooded hiking trails. All kinds of exhibits and demonstrations were taking place on the grounds. I personally found the lace making and herbal medicine exhibits of particular interest. Others enjoyed the bread making and blacksmith.

Opened in 1978 the museum is open only from Easter to late October. Many of the houses were over 100 years old and had been lovingly restored. There is the inevitable gift shop and two restaurants on the premises. We had a hearty lunch in the large restaurant.

Ballenberg was a delight to visit and was the favorite of my eco-museum visits.

The famine of the late 1800s was a big factor in the woodcarving business. In the 1870s over 1000 woodcarvers perfected their trade during the long Swiss winters. The only wood carving school in Switzerland is in Brienz. A three-day exam is required for entrance to the school’s four-year apprenticeship program.

The school established in 1884 had 30 carvers in residence. In 1944 they started making violins. I was looking forward to buying a small wood carving but it was not to be. This turned out to be one of the very few disappointing visits I’ve encountered in years of traveling. Sadly the guide was truly disinterested, rushed us through one room after another and appeared bored even answering our questions.

We did see a lovely exhibit of antique music boxes. The gift shop had hugely inflated prices and my buddy saw the exact scarf for 43 francs which she’d paid 10 francs for in Interlaken!

The same attitude seemed to prevail throughout the small village of 2500 people. There are many small shops and on the stroll back to the waterfront I saw a Hummel figurine I really wanted to buy but the shop refused to take a credit card so they missed a sale.

This was a few years ago and I wonder if attitudes have changed any.

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.