Schwyz: The Birthplace of Switzerland

Spring is arriving and with it comes more coursework, studying and exams. This Wednesday afternoon I decided to take a little time out from all of that (as if I don't take enough breaks already!) and head back into the mountains for a leisurely hike. A short train ride brought me into the heart of Switzerland, canton Schwyz.

Schwyz is located in central Switzerland, around an hour away from Zurich.

Schwyz is not only the geographic heart of Switzerland, but also historically speaking too. In 1291, the canton of Schwyz signed into an alliance with the neighbouring cantons of Uri and Unterwalden, forming what would later come to grow and develop into Switzerland. Indeed Switzerland owes it's very name to the small canton (d'Schwiiz in Swiss German). However these founding cantons don't seem to have changed much in the intervening years; they're still rural, a little backward and full of Swiss charm.

A typical inhabitant of Schwyz.

There's something very refreshing about having the Alps on your doorstop. I wouldn't have it any other way. When the hustle and bustle of Zurich begins to get to you, the mountains - which are just a stone's throw away - beckon you. It's just a pity that the ski season is coming to a close.

View from the meadows of the Mythen mountains.

This will most definitely not be the last time I head into the Alps...

Zurich Explodes

This Monday was a cantonal holiday here in Zurich – to mark the Sächsilüüte (high german: Sechseläuten) festivities. So, I was lucky enough to have my afternoon lectures cancelled. Despite the rain, me and a few of flatmates headed down to Bellevue, by the lakeside, to see just what it was all about.

The ten metre high burning snowman.

Sächsilüüte has its roots in Pagan tradition and is the ceremonial point in time, where the people of Zurich shoo the Winter away and usher in the Summer. This is achieved by, at the chiming of six o'clock, burning a giant snowman (named Böög), stuffed with firecrackers and small explosives. The quicker the snowman's head explodes and falls from the body, the better the coming Summer is said to be. Makes sense...

It can take anything from 10 minutes to 25 minutes for that to happen. This year it only took 12 minutes and 8 seconds. So, we now know who to thank for the imminent approaching heat wave.

The parade before the burning of the Böög.

Before the ritual burning of the snowman, a parade meandered through the Zurich old town. Unfortunately owing to the poor weather conditions, the parade appeared rather lack-luster and miserable this year. The rain had driven away many would-be spectators and the participants of the parade themselves found their enthusiasm gradually sapping away towards the end. Not the best parade I've seen, but it's nice to have one at all. Especially if it means you get the afternoon off!

A Viennese Spring Break

This week I also returned to Austria as I have been meaning to visit Vienna for quite a while now. It was a relatively spontaneously decision to come to Vienna after visiting Prague but it turned out to be a great idea. Coincidentally and unknowingly, my visit in Vienna would be at the same time three of my neighbours from Zurich would also be in town. One of whom, a Viennese, with insider knowledge of the best places to go to.

The Hofburg was once home to the Habsburgers and is situated right in the middle of the Austrian capital.

This meant that I was able to do both the obligatory sightseeing as well as party in Vienna with Viennese students. There's plenty to see in Vienna, the whole city is beautiful and – if you fancy it – it's possible to take a boat over to Bratislava, the Slovakian capital. However, I didn't bother this time. Of course, anyone coming to Austria can't avoid Wiener Schnitzel – nor should one want to – although I perhaps had more of it than I was anticipating. I'm sure there are probably other Viennese delicacies that one must try...

From the Schönbrunn manor you can see the whole of Vienna.

Like Prague, there are masses of tourists here, however Vienna still feels distinctly Viennese. By exploring the narrow side streets for example, you can sample any kind of coffee you can imagine in the many Kaffeehäuser, perhaps accompanied by Sachertorte and served authentically with(out) a smile by a Viennese waiter.

The infamous Hundertwasserhaus, designed by architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser (formerly Friedrich Stowasser).

The night life too is pretty decent, and it's always nice to be able to actually afford to buy a pint or two of beer. From occasionally listening to the Austrian radio station FM4 (based in Vienna), I knew that there's a great club scene in the city with all kinds of music genres, however I'll have to return again at some point if I want to see a live gig or perhaps visit the Danube Island festival this Summer...

Czeching Out Prague

This week is Spring break, so I've had some time to do some more travelling. Over Easter weekend I was in Prague with a flatmate and her sister. I've always wanted to see the city, so a couple of weeks ago, we decided to grab a last minute flight to the Czech capital.

The picturesque old town district of Prague.

The city itself is very interesting, and so was the experience we had whilst we were there. We caught the flight without having a place to stay in the city, hoping that we'd find a cheap hostel somewhere despite the fact that it was Easter weekend and that we'd have to beat through hordes of tourists. Luckily we found a hostel, thanks to some friends who were already there. Not the best hostel I've ever stayed in, especially considering being rudely awaken at 7am by a non-English speaking manager accusing us of having not paid for the second night.

This was technically true... however our friends left earlier than they expected and had paid for, and so it was agreed that we could use their paid reservation. It seems the staff hadn't told the manager, resulting in me having to communicate our agreement in German from the comfort of my bed, immediately after having been awoken...

The capital of the Czech Republic, a very interesting place indeed.

Prague is an extremely pretty city – in parts – and there's definitely enough to keep you occupied with. The popularity of the city is clear, just by looking at the vast number of other tourists in the city. A pity that Prague has allowed itself to succumb to mass tourism, there's a souvenir shop every few paces for example and most restaurants seem to be focussed on making the most of the heaps of tourists by churning out simple, bland food quickly. Of course, one can still find real gems of authentic Bohemian restaurants, it just takes a sharper eye to find them.

Agharta, a small world-class Jazz venue hidden away in an old wine cellar.

We spent a total of two nights in Prague, and both nights featured live jazz music and good Czech beer (including green beer especially for Easter). And of course in the Czech Republic, beer and eating out in general is relatively cheap. A welcome respite for cashed strapped students living here in Zurich!

'Humor Sapiens'

It was my birthday earlier this week and my flatmates very generously gave me tickets to go and see a comedy show in Zurich. The host comedian, Marco Rima, is relatively well-known and successful in Switzerland I'm told. The show – entitled Humor Sapiens – was held in Das Zelt, a new venue in Zurich which has already been visited by a fair number of Swiss celebrities (including Miss Switzerland and singer, Baschi).

Marco Rima's comedy: Humor Sapiens (image source: Das Zelt)

It was my first time at a professional comedy gig, so I wasn't sure what to expect. A world of difference to the amateur – often cringeworthy if not awkward – Comedy Club nights in Aberdeen! Of course, being a Swiss comedian, the show was conducted in Swiss German – so I understood perhaps three quarters of the jokes told. Luckily Rima managed to cram in a joke a second, which meant that even considering my poor Swiss German, I was able to laugh right the way through it all!

Das Zelt – or The Tent – is new to Zurich. Das Zelt can also be found elsewhere in Switzerland.

I can see why Rima is so successful in Switzerland, he doesn't just tell jokes, he entertains. Either by singing with his backing band, 'dancing' (for lack of a more suitable word) or simply keeping the audience in stitches throughout the whole show.

An audience of around one thousand take their seats.

A very enjoyable evening indeed and a fantastic birthday present. Huge thanks to my flatmates!