The Onion Festival as I understand it:
This festival is really a craft show without taxes. The traditions include buying onion and garlic ornamentations, wearing candy "bead" necklaces twisted like onions, and an all-out confetti war. It began years ago when the people of Bern were heavily taxed to fund a war. They were given one tax free day and hence the onion festival began. The market is a big event, people come from all around Switzerland and arrive as early as 4 in the morning. We did not.
On our way into town for the onion market. Amelie insisted on bringing her own pram.
The Bern Bear Pit
Mom, Laurent and I
We strolled in at noon and wandered around the markets. We ate lunch and by the time we left the restaurant, school had let out. Big mistake.
The cobblestone streets were now covered in confettti spanning the colors of the rainbow plus precious metals. We were constantly dodging confetti guns on our path back through town. Mom began to get upset when an unruly student threw confetti at her face. Amelie was not having it either. I, on the other hand found the whole event rather exciting and enjoyed the multitude of paper accumulated in my hair.
The big clock in the middle of town
The iconic church spier
Bern, sunset
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