:: fact 3 ::

Paprika.

Given the extremely high standard of living and high salaries I have been particularly dismayed at the poor selection of crisps in Switzerland, and more in point, Basel. Populated heavily by expats taking advantage of low taxes and ridiculous salaries, it has been a shock to find that crisps generally come in two flavours, original (being salted) and paprika.

Until arriving here, I didn't even know that Paprika is a flavour, but here everything is flavoured paprika. And it does actually grow on you.

Now the Swiss will argue and say, hey, you can get Roasted Chicken and Oriental, however these are two relatively new chip developments and given the fact they were spotted in a bargain bin in Denner, I don't think they will last. Oh and you can always pay extortionate prices for a small pack of Walkers chips at the local Brit pub, but that doesn't really count. Who wants to go to Pickwicks anyways, unless you are watching the footy (aussies read soccer).

Now this may seem a really dumb thing to prattle on about, but coming from Australia where we have a complete aisle in the shops dedicated to every possible tasting chip imagined, being limited here left me stumped. Particularly given that the Swiss do like their beer. ANd I am sorry, Pretzels are not good all the time. Oh and you will pay about 4-5 CHF for a packet of crisps too.

What makes this all the more vexing, is that in 10 minutes, you can pop over the German border and once again be welcomed by a wonka-like selection of crisps. Funnily enough though, they also sell paprika flavour.