I am happy to report that we did not spend any time in MediaMarkt today.  I am not happy to report that the reason for this is because May Day is a national holiday.  This information would have been useful before I let the milk and eggs run low.

I discovered this delightful quirk when I walked to the local mini mart and bakery to find them closed with a big sign in the window that I could only assume said "Go home and plan better next time".  Every must-do for the day was squashed under the weight of the great Swiss conspiracy to make life as inconvenient as possible. I have composed a letter in response.

Dear Switzerland,

I am writing to inform you that holidays were created for shopping.  Also, could you please not use the word Ausfahrt so prolifically on your highway signage?  My kids think it's a hoot to repeat it each and every time.  I am not amused.  Well, maybe a little.  Ahem.

Your American friend,

Kimberly

PS Ausfahrt is german for Exit.  It is pronounced exactly as you think it would be. You see my dilemma.