By Bob Van Leer

  (LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND, Sept. 14, 1994) - Lake Lucerne is big, 44 square miles and 26 miles long at its widest point. Our hotel, the Palace, is directly on the lake and our fifth floor room overlooks the lake. There are almost always boats in view and a number of swans on the water, as well as assorted ducks and coots.

  This morning we took a boat ride on the lake, leaving from our hotel and docking at the old city for lunch and sightseeing. The scenery from the lake was limited because it was a cool, gray day with intermittent rain. Occasionally there is a break in the clouds and we can see a few mountains.

   A couple of Swiss army jets streaked overhead and our guide explained 16 weeks of military service is required of all men by the age of 20. She said it is optional for women and few volunteer. The men then spend three weeks per year in military service until the age of 50 (officers 55). However, our guide said the cost to the government is so high military expenditures are planned to be cut in half.

  After lunch, Betty and I went shopping in the old city area. Prices are not cheap here. We were told an average two bedroom apartment rents for $800 per month. Goods in stores seem as high, or higher than in the U. S.

  I needed a haircut and couldn't find a barber shop, so I stopped at a beauty parlor that advertised services to "Damen and Herrn". It was a large shop and I was the only "Herrn" there and they are not likely to get too many. The shop wasn't really equipped for men. Only one woman in this large shop spoke a small amount of English. She gave directions to Miriam, the operator who actually did the work.

  First, I was to have my hair washed, but the equipment was too small for me to fit under without considerable contortions. At least it lightened the day for the shop. All the nearby operators were giggling watching the efforts. My operator, Miriam, did give a good haircut, but my bill was 40 Swiss francs, about $31.00 in U. S. currency. So I think I'll be back to Milt for my next haircut.

  In the evening, we were given a talk on Swiss history and culture by Bruno Friederick, a Swiss engineer who went into culinary arts and has a background in Swiss history. Bruno said this little country has several climate zones because of geography and the climate is unsteady because of the mountains. A cold wind from the north keeps the Lucerne area so cold that cows are kept inside four months of the year. On the other hand, the south side of the country on the other side of the Alps is much warmer. A warm wind from the south meets the cold wind from the north and swirls up valleys leaving valleys a few miles from one another in different climate zones.

  In women's rights, he said Switzerland has not been very progressive. Women have had the vote only for 10 years. In some small villages women are still not permitted to vote on local issues. The Swiss have no unique nationality. Three different groups make up most of the population - German, French and Italian. There is competition between them. Bruno commented the French Swiss work less than the Germans and earn less. And he said the Italians in the south work less than the French.

  The country is only 16,000 square miles in area, about 10 times the size of Curry county, and has about 8 million people. The Swiss have always had to live by their wits. Natural resources are few. Only a fourth of the country is suitable for agriculture. International banking, including the famous numbered accounts, is one way to gain income.

  He said the Swiss are fond of beer and wine. The average adult consumes 19 gallon of beer annually, more than the Germans, who consume 17 gallons. But he hastened to add these are not records. The highest beer consumption is in Holland with 23 gallons per year per adult.

  Swiss have a passion for chocolate. The country is a big exporter of chocolate, but Swiss eat 25 pounds per year compared to 8 in the U. S. Tomorrow will be another day of train travel. We leave Lucerne, have lunch in Interlaken and our final destination is Zermatt, all in Switzerland.