tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9596397241470244612024-02-20T20:13:20.566-08:00My Swiss BlogAn account of life in Switzerland as an exchange student in Zürich...Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-70372697752537536432014-05-04T07:33:00.001-07:002014-05-04T07:33:09.463-07:00A Week in MoscowHaving heard many stories, anecdotes and even warnings about visiting the Russian capital, I arrived feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Upon arriving at Domodedovo Airport, I quickly familiarised myself with the Russian mantra of 'service with[out] a smile' and proceeded to meet a good friend of mine from Switzerland. Together - equipped with a basic proficiency in Russian and a thirst for vodka - we would explore Moscow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Standing on the Red Square.</span></div>
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My very first impression of Moscow was, as expected, a mixture of delight and amusement. Within an hour of arriving, I was to experience my first 'only-in-Russia' moment. Sat in a bar on the central <i>Noviy Arbat</i>, I witnessed a Ferrari racing down the pavement, scattering frightened pedestrians, followed by two police vans and, of course, a drunk Muscovite riding a horse! Needless to say, a wide grin plastered my face.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Social bathrooms: not only available in Sochi! Apparently, this was a gimmick inspired by the internet memes.</span></div>
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During the days, we took in the many magnificent sights of Moscow, such as the Kremlin, the Red Square, the Park of the Tsars and the All-Russia Exhibition Park. Whilst the nights were spent sampling Russian beer and vodka in bars and <i>Stolovayas</i> (remember: Moscow never sleeps!).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the Kremlin.</span></div>
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Thanks to a handful of very hospitable, close friends, we had a truly unforgettable time. When visiting foreign countries, I think it is so great to have local friends who know the best hang-outs, speak the language and generally treat you to an experience that is so much more enjoyable than travelling alone.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The beautiful metro system in Moscow is referred by some as 'the palaces of the people'. Pictured: <i>Arbatskaya</i></span></div>
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Moscow may well be a sprawling and perhaps intimidatingly impressive city, but I felt so comfortable there. Indeed, I saw no cause for the previous well-meaning words of warning I had received. I could imagine returning for a longer period of time as I only scratched the very surface of the capital.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the Kremlin and the embankment.</span></div>
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Me and my travel companion enjoyed our stay so much that we made another of our gentlemen's agreements. After we improve our Russian, we will take the Trans-Siberian Express and discover the beauty of the Russian countryside and the more traditional towns and cities.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Park of the Tsars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The changing of the guard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The All-Russia Exhibition Park.</span></div>
<br />Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-14506785131866264222012-08-14T14:05:00.000-07:002012-08-14T14:05:11.045-07:00Goodbye Switzerland<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
time has finally come to leave Switzerland. It has been an epic year,
I've seen beautiful Switzerland (amongst other countries) and have
met really great people. As with ever when moving into a flat with
random strangers, you never know how it will turn out. I was
fortunate enough to find myself in an apartment full of cheery people
(with equally sociable neighbours), with whom I became great friends
over the period of one year.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Boat
trip on Lake Lugano.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
spent my last day in Switzerland in Lugano with two good friends,
which is in the Italian-speaking part of the country. With a
Mediterranean climate and surrounded by mountains and lakes –
indeed like many Swiss towns – it made a nice way to round off the
exchange year.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lugano
is situated in Tecino, the predominantly Italian-speaking canton of
Switzerland.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swiss
towns and cities, due to their small size, tend not offer many sights
to see, but you'll often find a lake to see! We took a boat trip on
Lake Lugano and spent the rest of the time eating. A very laid-back
place and many houses along the lake looked completely cut off from
the outside world. Sublime...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
sleepy streets of Lugano.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
now on my way back home, taking my time by hopping off the train in
Paris for two nights. It's been sad to leave Zurich, but I also am
looking forward to going back to Aberdeen and studying properly for
once – and not like an exchange student! I want to thank everyone
in Zurich who made my time as special as it was, I'll miss everyone.
And I want to thank YOU too for reading these blog posts. I hope I
didn't waffle on too much.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">;-)</span></span></span></em></span></div>
Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-44389035388777611322012-08-12T06:06:00.001-07:002012-08-12T06:06:49.606-07:00Zurich Street Parade<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Who'd
have thought? The world's largest, and perhaps wildest, outdoor
techno parade in Zurich; a relatively quiet and small city in one of
Europe's most conservative countries. Famous DJs from both
Switzerland and abroad held sets in the parade, which started at 1pm
and went on well into the night.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
parade's moving stages are called 'love mobiles'.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">950,000
people took part in the free festival this year, including me and two
good friends. Many of the other festival-goers were dressed in crazy
costumes, some much more revealing than others. Indeed, skimpy
outfits were the norm and seemed to not just be limited to girls, a
few older gentlemen could also be seen sporting little more than
leather hot-pants, unfortunately.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Each
moving 'love mobile' had their own DJ, all of whom playing better
techno music than the last.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
only were the streets teeming with ravers, loads of yachts and boats
covered the lake, gathering closest to Utoquai bridge, part of the
parade's route. In the hot August Sun, there would have been nothing
better than cooling off in the water whilst listening to the music.
Shame I can't quite afford a nice yacht in Zurich just yet...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All
ages could be found at the parade, some enjoying the music more than
others.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">From
the hotel balconies lining the streets, dressed-up dancers could even
be seen making the most of their prime position. I did however also
notice some older hotel guests, seeming as though they weren't
originally aware of the huge techno extravaganza taking place,
looking on uncomfortably in bemusement. A hilarious sight to behold!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lake
Zurich bustling with yachts of techno enthusiasts.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
hot Sun combined with the music and only drinking beer was not
particularly conducive to keeping you fit. Nevertheless we spent a
good eight hours there and I now have the buzz to go again next year!
Maybe next time I'll wear a costume myself, although perhaps I'd best
avoid the more skimpy of costumes...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-63804042648134698632012-08-02T04:23:00.000-07:002012-08-02T04:23:08.720-07:00Alp Horns, Cow Bells And Yodelling<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
1</span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">st</span></span></sup></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of August was the Swiss National Holiday. All across Switzerland
people celebrated the founding of the Helvetic Confederation. Zurich, which
usually is adorned by Swiss flags anyway, showed its national and
cantonal colours even more proudly yesterday.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
26 cantons of Zurich represented in the parade.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
parade made its way along the Bahnhofstrasse, showcasing
stereotypical Swiss types – donning traditional dress and
brandishing cow bells and alp horns. Aesthetically, the parade was
beautiful indeed, although acoustically less so - a brash mix of
trumpets and eccentric yodelling.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alp
horns are quite unwieldy instruments.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">At
the end of the parade, a stage, equipped with the biggest flag I have
ever seen in my life, was the scene of a speech, a rifle-fire salute,
flag juggling, alp horn playing and yodelling extravaganza. With so
many national symbols, I thought it might have been uncomfortable, as
a foreigner, being there. Thankfully, the event was completely free
of politics and tourists were very much made to feel welcome.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
stage at B</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ürkliplatz.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Swiss are quite keen when it comes to fireworks. I can only really
make a comparison to the 5</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></sup></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
November in the UK (Guy Fawkes night), but there were much more
explosions to be heard over the skies of Zurich last night than I've
ever heard back at home. Although this might have something to do
with the cheap price of fireworks – and the ease of access to them
here – despite the earlier, not-unconcerning exploits a Swiss
friend told me he got up to as a teenager...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-32122296449357621132012-07-29T05:58:00.000-07:002012-07-29T05:58:33.877-07:00My Final Month In Zurich<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Time
flies when you're having fun. A saying I've always found to be true.
I now have less than a month left in Zurich before I finish my year
abroad. I was at home for a little while but I just had to come back
and spend my summer over here – partly because I actually wanted to
have some warm weather (a rare phenomenon in the UK) and also so that
I could start with my reading for next year without the distractions
of home life.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Relaxing
by the Limmat river.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course, I don't plan to spend the whole time here doing something
productive! There are still parties and barbeques going on as well as
the Zurich Street Parade - a crazy music festival (on the 11</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></sup></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">)
which transforms the orderly, Swiss city into a huge rave! Best of
all, unlike many things in Switzerland, it's free!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
pristine Lake Zurich looks rather inviting in hot weather.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Besides,
I can use the odd break, reading my prescribed literature on National
Socialism for the new semester in Aberdeen is only bearable in small
doses. In many respects, this year has been a bit of a break in
general, in anticipation of the hard work waiting for me for honours
the next two years.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
lake at night, looking over to the Utoquai bridge.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
leaving Switzerland on the 14</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><sup><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></sup></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of August and I've already had to say goodbye to a few friends. I'm
going to miss this place and the people, all the more reason to come
back here at some point - I'm already looking forward to the ski
season.</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-86407740638900138552012-07-17T05:45:00.000-07:002012-07-17T05:45:47.663-07:00The Reverse Culture Shock<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">On
my very first week of university in Zurich, I was warned that the
reverse culture shock will be worse than the initial shock of moving
to a foreign country. This definitely seems to be the case, for me at
least. I've spent the last week or so back at home in England, (in
order to attend a wedding). And it's been very bizarre being back...</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
it's not raining in England, it's about to rain.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
left a relatively cool Zurich (25C) only to find that I forgotten
just how bad British summers are, arriving into overcast 13C
Manchester. What I found really strange, is that people speak English
here, and not just any old English, but English with English accents!
It took me a while to get used to not hearing passing strangers
speaking German. Indeed, to begin with I found it very difficult to
adjust to. Through force of habit, I thanked someone in German for
letting me passed in the airport and I spent a good 10 seconds stuttering to an official, when trying to find out where I needed to go.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Finally
reunited with a mug of decent tea!</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was also affected by the recent road trip I had in Germany and
Poland, it felt very strange seeing cars driving on the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>correct
</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">side
of the road again! Apart from all the weirdness of being back in
Blighty, it's been great seeing my family again – and not to
mention being able to eat fish and chips! British 'cuisine' may not
be terribly good, but I missed it all the same. I'd say Swiss cuisine
is better, but that's not all that important when you can't afford
eating out!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
local, where the pints are affordable and the craic is good.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
biggest shock however, was receiving change from a tenner after
buying three pints in a pub. In Zurich, you'd be happy to get one
pint of beer for that and still have the shirt on your back. It's
been great to be home! Having said that, 10 days has been plenty of
time and I'm looking forward to spending one more month in Zurich,
where hopefully, the concept of 'summer' isn't a far-fetched fantasy!</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-22897600428992729032012-07-09T23:38:00.000-07:002012-07-09T23:38:40.718-07:00Road Trip: Part Three<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
final leg of our journey was originally to stop over in Wroclaw. We
decided however to just spend an afternoon there. From the outside,
Wroclaw looks uninviting. Grubby suburbs and uneven roads surround
the centre. But I guess most suburbs of most cities tend to appear
that way.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wroclaw
can actually look pretty, depending on the camera angle you take.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Once
you get to the heart of the city, you discover quite a pretty old
town district, lined with cafes and restaurants. Another opportunity
to try Polish food, </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>pierogi</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
(filled dumplings) is something I'd definitely recommend for example.
Without really knowing anything about the city beforehand at all, we
exhausted our ideas of what-to-do in one afternoon. I'm sure the city
has more to offer though.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Dresden,
the reconstructed Frauenkirche.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
drove onwards to Dresden, which proved to be a good decision. There's
plenty to see there. Most of the old cathedrals, theatres and other
buildings which were destroyed during the Second World War have been
rebuilt, some still with original masonry. A very impressive sight
indeed. Dresdner cuisine is also supposed to be pretty decent, but we
were more tempted by South African instead, not quite authentic, I
know, but better than eating at a certain fast food chain!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
main square in the city.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">An
ace road trip, covering the best part of a thousand miles. Although
as much as I love travelling, I could take it easy for a while now!</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-53396464108307246542012-07-08T03:05:00.000-07:002012-07-08T03:05:47.020-07:00Road Trip: Part Two<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
Hamburg and Berlin we drove across to Krakow. There was no mistaking
that we were in Poland, immediately upon crossing the border, the
motorway became incredibly bumpy – so much so that I'm not even
sure if motorway is the right word for that haphazard strip of
tarmac. A sharp contrast to the smooth speed-limit-free Autobahnen of
Germany! Nevertheless, we somehow made it to Krakow with an intact
chassis.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
main square in Krakow.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
friend's family – whom she had never met before – were kind
enough to host us. They live in a farm outside of the city and we
were given a warm, Polish welcome (yet more beer). I can't speak
Polish, so understanding what was going on was a little tricky, but I
did pick up a few useful words – </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>beer</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of course included (</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>piwko</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">).</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
the old town district of Krakow.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Krakow
itself is a very pretty city and there's plenty to see and do. We
spent most of the time eating – Polish food is great (not a country
for vegetarians)! After looking around the city, we headed to
Wieliczka, just outside Krakow, in order to check out the salt mines
that our hosts recommended.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
shop 100 metres underground in a mine - very strange...</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
mine was really cool, the miners had sculpted statues into the rock
salt – including a 3D carving of </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The
Last Supper </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">which
was impressive. In fact the salt mine was like nothing else I've
seen. There was a cathedral chamber (where you can be wedded for 2000
Złoty), a conference centre and even a little shop down there. I was
half expecting to find a Starbucks and KFC too. 'Mine' is probably a
misleading term for the place, rather I'd call it an underground
exhibition centre – which also carries out the odd mining operation
from time to time. Very bizarre – but definitely worth a visit!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
impressive cathedral chamber.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
very enjoyable time had in Krakow indeed, I could've stayed there
longer! The road trip then took us back West, next stop Wrocław...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-13428033620500138792012-07-06T05:18:00.001-07:002012-07-06T05:18:32.367-07:00Road Trip: Part One<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">At
the end of June, me and two flatmates embarked on a road trip. We
began the journey in Hamburg, where one of my friends hails. Hamburg
is a huge harbour city, once part of the Hanseatic league, in the
north of Germany.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Speicherstadt</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
district is where all the trading goods were stored.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Any
visitor to Hamburg is pretty much obliged to go to the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Reeperbahn</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">:
an unashamedly bold red-light district (the biggest in Europe in
fact). It's wild reputation certainly is deserved, at least upon my
first impression. In any case, beer is an intrinsic part of German
culture, whether you are in a Bavarian beer garden or the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Reeperbahn</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
beer should always be involved in any trip to Germany! </span></span></span></em></span>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Relaxing
with a beer after taking a boat trip through the harbour city.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hamburg
is one of the most exciting cities in Germany, rivalled only by
Berlin. But unlike Berlin, I could also envisage that life in Hamburg
might also be pleasantly relaxed at times too. </span></span></span></em></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
a couple of nights in Hamburg, we had a quick stopover in Berlin, where another friend joined our road trip. I
had already been to the city before during the winter, but it was
nice to be there in temperatures above -15C! Again, as mentioned,
beer has a cultural significance in Germany. A great excuse to try a
Berlin speciality: </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Berliner
Weisse.</i></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Woodruff,
blackcurrant and rhubarb flavoured beer.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
beer can actually be flavoured with fruity syrups, this makes for –
to put it politely – an interestingly unique beer experience. Far
too sweet for my liking, it tasted more like cider, which would've
definitely tasted nicer.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
an evening in Berlin, we set off again in the morning: bound for
Poland...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-88660609072219730122012-06-24T06:44:00.000-07:002012-06-24T06:44:04.549-07:00On the Röstigraben<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Being
soaked randomly after having a bucket of water thrown on you from a window
above is perhaps not the best way to be welcomed into a town.
Nevertheless, I was quite content in Fribourg – besides, the heat
soon dried me. Fribourg is situated right on the Röstigraben –
where French and German speaking Switzerland meet. The town is
bilingual (predominantly French) and somehow seems to work just fine.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
view over Fribourg from the bar.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
went there with a flat mate in order to visit another friend and we
had a tightly packed programme. This first involved getting up a
3.30am to witness the sunrise on a mountain summit. We enjoyed our
well earned breakfast - continental buffet style – right on the
summit, watching the sun rise, albeit behind clouds. Watching a
sunrise can feel magical, but so can lying in on a morning!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
sunrise from the summit of Kaiseregg.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
also wanted to take out a boat and head from Thunersee to Bern, but
the water was still pretty cold. We settled instead for having a
chilled out barbeque. We did reach Bern in the end anyway, taking the
lazier option of the train. It was nice to be back in Bern, but I
still find it hard to believe that it's a capital city, or a city at
all. Despite there being quite a big demonstration in front of the
parliament building, the place still felt quiet and relaxed.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-13921800434921658162012-06-18T03:48:00.000-07:002012-06-18T03:48:47.162-07:00Hiking in Kandersteg<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yet
again, I went into the mountains this weekend. It's simply not
possible to be in the Alps too often, each visit is as enjoyable as
the last. The Erasmus Student Network organised a hiking weekend in
Kandersteg; a tiny, alpine village in Berner Oberland – close to
the cantonal border with Valais. A beautiful mountainous region not a
million miles away from the well-known areas of Interlaken or
Jungfrau.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
valley seen from the west face of Bunderspitz.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
arrived in the village on the Friday evening, giving us the chance to
fire up the Finnish sauna cabin that we had to ourselves. Definitely
a good shout – and I could really enjoy the sauna, although had it
been after the hike – my sunburn would've probably made me suffer.
Sunburn, which I have to add, that only seems to have got to my nose
and ears: not a great look!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Steinbock
sighting.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
hike itself was pretty decent, good weather and conditions and the
route was cool too. We headed up to the summit of Bunderspitz before
traversing around the east face of the mountain and descending to the
west via a pass – where we witnessed a spectacle. A lone steinbock
(a rare alpine mountain goat), which strolled up to a cliff edge
beside us and simply jumped down – running down a vertical crag –
not only without dying, but with grace!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
scree slopes of the eastern face of Bunderspitz.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">On
the Sunday, before heading back to Zurich, a challenge awaited us:
Jacob's Ladder. A simple task of climbing a set of wooden ladders,
the catch being that the rungs began at one and a half metres apart
and the gap increased incrementally. It certainly sounds easier than
it was in practice. An uncomfortable challenge complete with many
compromising positions – spectating was definitely more
entertaining.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Jacob's Ladder challenge: everyone in the group managed, some found
it more trickier than others.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Again,
another great time in the mountains. Now that the Summer is upon us,
I'm sure I'll get some more hiking done too.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-25061277770987199472012-06-11T05:41:00.000-07:002012-06-11T05:50:03.336-07:00Opinion: The Economic Crisis And The Swiss Perspective<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Being
a Euro-sceptic Brit living with Germans and other students of
economics has lead to many interesting debates regarding current
affairs in Europe. We tend to have different opinions on many issues,
although I do find the Swiss here to be equally as Euro-sceptic. Many
of these 'debates' are usually held after a few beers – alcohol
tends to make philosophers of us all!</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Switzerland,
not being a member of the EU, is lucky enough to still have its own
currency, allowing it to cushion itself from the turbulence of the
surrounding Euro zone. Having control of their own currency, the
Swiss are able to change their interest rates – much like the UK –
in order to suit their own economic needs, whereas the Euro zone
nations find themselves tied to the same rates. A disadvantageous
situation indeed, which lead to the crisis in Ireland – the Euro
zone-wide set interest rate resulted in creating catalyst conditions
in the Irish property market. A bubble which popped quite
spectacularly back in 2009.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">'</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>We
want the Deutsch Mark back</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">'
Graffiti in Constance, Germany.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
current crises in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland are
prompting Europeans to reduce their exposure to the Euro and to
increase exposure to perceived safe haven currencies, such as the
Swiss Franc and indeed the Pound Sterling (despite our own harsh
economic climate at home). This frenzied purchasing lead to the
overvaluing of the Swiss Franc, crippling the Swiss export industry.
The Swiss cheese and watch industry are not to be underestimated!
Back in November the Swiss National Bank then set an artificial peg
to the Euro of €1 : 1.2CHF to protect the Swiss economy. The Swiss
Franc is probably the most overvalued currency in the world. </span></span></span></em></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swiss
protectionism has created a noticeable island within the Euro zone.
As I have mentioned many times before, prices in Zurich are high –
antisocially high at times. The plus side is that this keeps the
Swiss relatively prosperous: unemployment is very low, Swiss farmers
aren't priced out of the market and consumers can afford to choose
high quality, ethical goods (such as organic products) more so than
anywhere else I've experienced.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swiss
Francs are a perceived safe haven for European investors.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
remember as a teenager being excited at the prospect of the EU and
the new Euro currency. I was (and still am) hugely in favour of
greater European integration – I loved the idea of being more
easily able to head to the continent. But even as a teenager, I
realised that the Euro could not work as a monetary union involving
so many different European countries with differing compositions,
interests and positions on the business cycle. The main advantages of
the Euro are often said to be trade and ease of mobility. Whilst I
cannot argue with ease of mobility, I refuse to believe that the Euro
is a prerequisite for pan-European trade (again, citing Switzerland
and the UK as examples). </span></span></span></em></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Indeed
the very same currency which set out to improve the welfare of
Europeans seems to be endangering it. For example, I doubt the Irish
with a high unemployment rate are currently benefiting from any
increased trade. The exception is Germany, whose export industry
benefits from the cheap Euro.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Swiss don't seem to be interested in joining the EU any time soon,
particularly considering the crisis, which may end up threatening
this country, should the proverbial hit the fan. Fortunately direct
democracy in Switzerland ensures that the Swiss will only join the EU
project, if they so wish.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></em></div>
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you have any comments yourselves, please leave a comment!</span></span></span></em></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-12242298727572650712012-06-05T04:22:00.000-07:002012-06-05T04:22:00.516-07:00The Scenic Route To Milan<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Over
the weekend, me and four of my flatmates decided to take a break.
It's the middle of the exam period, but taking a break can be just as
important as studying! That's my excuse anyway. We decided to go to
Milan and take the scenic route: the mountainous Bernina Express
route meanders over the Bündner Alps dropping back down into the
Italian foothills. 'Picturesque' doesn't even come close.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Bernina Express route took us into 120 tunnels and over around 50
bridges in the alpine canton of Graubünden.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
route took us through a UNESCO World Heritage Park in the Engadin
(South East Switzerland). Three or four hours usually suffice to
reach Milan, but taking the slow, scenic route, we spent 9 hours on
the winding tracks. The time was made enjoyable, not only due to the
magnificent views, but also because the train conductor was extremely
friendly, taking it upon himself to sit with us and tell us jokes
about the Zürchers and the Americans (with an American friend
present) – just great!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
view from the village of St. Moritz.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
lunch, we made a quick pit stop at St. Moritz, the most expensive and
most exclusive ski resort of Switzerland. A mountain village where
jewellers and banks outnumber ski hire shops and cafés. One of the
few places on Earth more expensive than Zurich! So we just had lunch
and went swiftly on our way... </span></span></span></em></span>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Swiss Italian villages on the South side of the pass.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Crossing
the border into Italy, leaving the Alps behind us, we could
immediately sense that we were no longer in Switzerland. A €5 train
ticket to Milan (on a less than stable train), Mediterranean heat and
a slower, yet slightly chaotic approach to life all indicated that! </span></span></span></em></span>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
cathedral – and crowds – the pope was in Milan on Sunday.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Milan
is no pretty city, especially for Italian standards, but it is
definitely a city worth visiting. It's not far from Switzerland
either, as I mentioned earlier, it is possible to get there in four
hours using the more direct train. This was my first time in Italy:
the first of many I hope – even just simply for Italian cuisine.
It's certainly earnt its reputation. I made the most of the occasion
and filled myself like a king at each meal time – not being in
Switzerland, I could afford to too!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
typical street in Milan.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
very enjoyable weekend indeed – I now hope to see more of not just
Italy, but also the Italian speaking parts of Switzerland. There's
something about the relaxed atmosphere which immediately appeals to
me. Next stop perhaps Logarno and Locarno?</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-71888418404911688292012-05-27T05:20:00.001-07:002012-05-27T05:20:44.022-07:00Swiss English<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hello
together!</span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Swiss are fortunate enough to have a linguistic situation which very
much encourages the learning of multiple languages. English included.
Indeed, the Swiss tend to speak a very high standard of English.
However, English is often viewed as a cool, trendy language – this
leads to the peppering of Swiss German with random English words
which tend to be used, shall we say, </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">creatively.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Image
source: Deccon Bewes</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
example in the special board above. '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Tages'</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
is German for '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>of
the day'</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
however the unfortunate juxtapositioning of the English '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>hit'</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
leads one to look onwards, perhaps to a restaurant that isn't
offering excrement of the day...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
English used is often strange, and can often be completely made up.
Consider the following: the Swiss often go </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>wellnessing</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
or enjoy </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>wellness
weekends</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
in order to </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>aufpowern</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
('</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>power
up?'</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">)
after a stressful week of work. 'Wellness' actually refers to spa
therapy – inventive in itself, before reflecting on the point that
I'm not even sure if 'wellness' is even an English word?</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsotcyX5UpelsWyz0f1mQ_r1dEA5zXHi5HKts_BEI7DuYE5pK2Ng0mS-6kg_REO0SkkesW1pY7HUwcG8tlb8RAX6FoqOvDsrGpK4Nu8XiUUxa0C0q8E_5h_8UDqe5N-NDYy3gesb-mqc/s1600/Igloo+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsotcyX5UpelsWyz0f1mQ_r1dEA5zXHi5HKts_BEI7DuYE5pK2Ng0mS-6kg_REO0SkkesW1pY7HUwcG8tlb8RAX6FoqOvDsrGpK4Nu8XiUUxa0C0q8E_5h_8UDqe5N-NDYy3gesb-mqc/s320/Igloo+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Flumserberg:
a nice but unrelated photograph.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
you do happen to find an English word in use in Swiss German, being
able to speak English is no guarantee of understanding its meaning in
Switzerland! We all know what a car is right? Err, a car is a car.
Well, not in Switzerland. A Swiss </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Car</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
is actually a coach or bus. So if you see a car-lane on a Swiss road,
you should probably avoid driving down it...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mega
easy, gäll? Schönes Weekend!</span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh5xu35bAxA" target="_blank">Funny related youtube clip</a></span></span></em></div>
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</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-51953731485568094682012-05-21T01:45:00.001-07:002012-05-21T01:45:39.891-07:00Munich<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This weekend, Munich was host to the UCL football final between Bayern M</span></span></span></em></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ü</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">nchen and Chelsea. Me and a couple of friends went over to watch the game (at a '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Public Viewing</span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">', not the stadium). I'm no football fan, but I had a great time back in Munich.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Back in Munich, I first came here two years ago.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The city was packed full of drunk and rowdy fans – both for Bayern M</span></span></span></em></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ü</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">nchen and Chelsea. It was weird seeing so many English people – they seemed to be upholding the stereotypes people have of us. For example, whilst sat on a train, an English family spent a good 20 minutes discussing the weather – and of course the fans were as loud as you'd expect. Especially in the underground, everyone packed in, chanting loudly and began shaking the tight carriages. The atmosphere was great!</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">FC Bayern M</span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ü</span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">nchen</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We were supporting Bayern M</span></span></span></em></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ü</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">nchen – of course – probably like many other English people back home I suspect. We spent the day in a typically Bavarian manner: </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Weiss Wurst</span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, pretzels and white beer for breakfast – followed later by going to one of the beer gardens to watch the game. A Bavarian victory would have seen the whole city party, so it was a shame Chelsea won. After the final penalty goal by Chelsea, the whole city became eerily silent...</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Watching the football from the comfort of a beer garden.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The trip was affordable too, thanks to </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Mitfahrgelegenheit</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (car sharing), we managed to avoid shelling out for expensive train tickets and once there, we stopped at a friend's place. For others it wasn't so cheap, everywhere there were people trying to pick up tickets for the game on the black market – the going rate was about € 1000,- !</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-54326916002091974542012-05-16T04:34:00.000-07:002012-05-16T04:34:38.967-07:00See You In Aberdeen!<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was invited to the University of Zurich's exchange afternoon
yesterday. The event was to help outgoing Swiss students, wanting to
take an exchange semester elsewhere, meet up with students from the
partner universities. Naturally I excepted the invitation, partly
because I felt obliged to, but also because I was interested to see
if any students wanted to come to Aberdeen in September.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
University of Zurich has partnerships with universities all around
the world.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">To
my surprise, I actually did meet two students who are planning on
coming to Aberdeen. Cool - so I thought maybe I could help them if
they had any questions. It turns out questions about minor things
like accommodation and the university system isn't exactly what they
had in mind. No, they were much more interested in trying to have
their stereotypes of British student life confirmed / rubbished. I</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>s
binge drinking a problem? Are there parties every night? Is it always
cold?</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
These were the kinds of questions that I had the pleasure of being
able to answer...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
University of Aberdeen hosts a relatively large number of exchange
students, considering that the university is quite small.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
reckon, I promoted Aberdeen student life well, as they still seemed
keen. The afternoon reminded me of how I felt a year ago before
coming to Zurich: an uneasy mix of excitement and anxiety. They'll
have a great exchange semester, I'm sure. I've certainly had an
excellent exchange year here. It felt a little weird to be saying,
“see you in Aberdeen”, afterwards – another reminder that my
time here is about to draw to a close...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-74870894631980996722012-05-06T09:12:00.000-07:002012-05-06T09:12:27.658-07:00Getting Hold Of Chuffs<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Zurich
is often quoted as being the most, or close to it, expensive city to
live in globally. High standards of quality, high salaries &
production costs and low levels of competition all contribute to
keeping Swiss prices sky high. Students can feel the pinch at the
best of times, not least here in Zurich. However with Swiss economic
prosperity come opportunities that can allow students to afford to
live here.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKeffEf8aGzjyAe2cLLQPQCDWpxZSN6E4-XQthcEETEmVmKE09wf3IMLQSldfhzlU0StcbgAWSTh1GMTMEHthfdueEmi6BIjIQIf4VzzIHscSwG6l3D34TkUyQnDMfHZI-sZQeS6sFBc/s1600/Regen+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKeffEf8aGzjyAe2cLLQPQCDWpxZSN6E4-XQthcEETEmVmKE09wf3IMLQSldfhzlU0StcbgAWSTh1GMTMEHthfdueEmi6BIjIQIf4VzzIHscSwG6l3D34TkUyQnDMfHZI-sZQeS6sFBc/s320/Regen+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swiss
Stock Exchange: You don't have to work in banking and finance in
order to be able to afford to live here as a student.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Before
even considering looking for jobs, students of the ETH and the
University of Zurich are able to accept invitations to participate in
paid surveys. Many of these surveys take the form of economic themed
games on a network, enabling the more successful of players to earn
quite a decent amount. As I discovered, even if you have a run of bad
luck, you can still take home pay equivalent to a acceptable hourly
wage. Maybe I should try my luck again...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM-nNTyznuHoi55DS20XmoRqnqHzuWN-IWzo2BGitgniy9q240eTcYJ34MXKVgYIHb3MrhuorYARKuatunOtjzkPKsdZe1n-KbbOFL5WF4oVxB8-igpFmL70d6CymQxmoUlBsk92Uusk/s1600/SAM_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM-nNTyznuHoi55DS20XmoRqnqHzuWN-IWzo2BGitgniy9q240eTcYJ34MXKVgYIHb3MrhuorYARKuatunOtjzkPKsdZe1n-KbbOFL5WF4oVxB8-igpFmL70d6CymQxmoUlBsk92Uusk/s320/SAM_0510.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Swiss Franc (CHF) – affectionately called the 'Chuff' amongst
British expatriates in Switzerland – is a strong currency: allowing
the Swiss to afford to travel abroad and import.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks
to the ETH; jobs and internships in the Swiss technology industry are
abundant in Zurich. For those of us not studying technology based
degrees, there are also a number of other positions available, for
example on the <a href="http://www.marktplatz.uzh.ch/" target="_blank">university market place platform</a>.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
have been lucky enough to find work in English tuition. Anyone
currently on a year abroad, whether you're in Switzerland or France
or Germany, can make the most of this opportunity. By knowing the
local language (allowing you to translate expressions and understand
your client) as well as English, students and professionals alike
appreciate the services you could offer. And most importantly, it can
be fun – as such tuition sessions may simply take the form of
conversations – whereby you'd offer corrections and tips.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFdWPdI6AipLycDdHkKwUqVroTzEQcJ6DAOXwacGVJ6wsfonUGLm6r_YJqhdt7H04T0aCTvlUzkfzzl8ZdeN9jcr8t0Uoltnok0mT9DGAiLMeMIY5838FSitOnD6054F6wt_L1E8tUXA/s1600/SAM_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFdWPdI6AipLycDdHkKwUqVroTzEQcJ6DAOXwacGVJ6wsfonUGLm6r_YJqhdt7H04T0aCTvlUzkfzzl8ZdeN9jcr8t0Uoltnok0mT9DGAiLMeMIY5838FSitOnD6054F6wt_L1E8tUXA/s320/SAM_0720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
only does Zurich appear high on the list of the world's most
expensive cities, but it also appears high on quality of life
leaderboards too. A correlation perhaps?</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
a bizarre feeling speaking English again after so long, even it is
just during a few sessions a week. Although I prefer speaking in
German here, it is nice to be able to hold a conversation without
having to think constantly about how to formulate what you want to
say in a foreign language! It's certainly going to feel strange once
I return home after this year abroad!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Regardless
of where you are on your year abroad, working in your host country is
a great way of gaining useful experience as well as networking –
which may better facilitate finding work in the country after
graduation, if you wish to return. And for those of us in
Switzerland: high prices also equate to high wages, so make the most
of it!</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-47695319215589892332012-04-27T06:34:00.000-07:002012-04-27T06:34:29.191-07:00Schwyz: The Birthplace of Switzerland<br />
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<em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Schwyz
is located in central Switzerland, around an hour away from Zurich.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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 (</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>d'Schwiiz</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
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.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
typical inhabitant of Schwyz.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">View
from the meadows of the Mythen mountains.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
will most definitely not be the last time I head into the Alps...</span></span></span></em></span></div>
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</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-20397309438411355702012-04-17T03:06:00.000-07:002012-04-17T03:06:39.680-07:00Zurich Explodes<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This Monday was a cantonal holiday here in Zurich – to mark the </span>Sächsilüüte<span style="font-style: normal;"> (high german: </span>Sechseläuten<span style="font-style: normal;">) 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.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmpcvv02WRNiwAsrJeCqn3MdtaNomIAPd9eQYIPtvspTchAhfgMIIfQeqKl3alHTwLLqoSP1cvm7gtzxmKath0u3QKdzUTxecW7UfUhvhjAaA-m-dkS5_x6OGCo6wUFGoCryPAiXuFWU/s1600/Boog+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmpcvv02WRNiwAsrJeCqn3MdtaNomIAPd9eQYIPtvspTchAhfgMIIfQeqKl3alHTwLLqoSP1cvm7gtzxmKath0u3QKdzUTxecW7UfUhvhjAaA-m-dkS5_x6OGCo6wUFGoCryPAiXuFWU/s320/Boog+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The ten metre high burning snowman.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sächsilüüte<span style="font-style: normal;"> 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 </span>Böög<span style="font-style: normal;">), 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...</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf6uPe1VmraxLfV-YaXgFW1nwt2JHmSMflWK_5HvXvP8GGG6kZhnylqHgp_o3qmMOE3t1HlWZmgbDIKRJQMYz_Wd06ElE_dbUI4S3vbDpLswcux7WCsEGe9h5c51IZqzi_S_8Y5r3YyU/s1600/Boog+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf6uPe1VmraxLfV-YaXgFW1nwt2JHmSMflWK_5HvXvP8GGG6kZhnylqHgp_o3qmMOE3t1HlWZmgbDIKRJQMYz_Wd06ElE_dbUI4S3vbDpLswcux7WCsEGe9h5c51IZqzi_S_8Y5r3YyU/s320/Boog+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The parade before the burning of the Böög.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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!</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-85154910242705919492012-04-15T07:18:00.000-07:002012-04-15T07:18:56.223-07:00A Viennese Spring Break<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM9KGs4rFy9jajdwpCqZTg-QXduSKcBhQmlurBON40lFsofmbzB76p_XEqxbY77WCDNwRcvJrJI8tOzlwbDedISAsRFzb3GCJOba3lczrI5vOQo8dWlKMgesoNL5kNyDGRkXtFKsPmKE/s1600/oes+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM9KGs4rFy9jajdwpCqZTg-QXduSKcBhQmlurBON40lFsofmbzB76p_XEqxbY77WCDNwRcvJrJI8tOzlwbDedISAsRFzb3GCJOba3lczrI5vOQo8dWlKMgesoNL5kNyDGRkXtFKsPmKE/s320/oes+021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The Hofburg was once home to the Habsburgers and is situated right in the middle of the Austrian capital.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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 </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Wiener Schnitzel</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> – 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...</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66ga7XMuKYbV7KqFaHthVItvDFwILAJNTZC8APX01h5RsXq4WtfWLcFbOSfx-NT8W5D6gO8NHDFM2Z-TgzkE59ULXxopyoCFcsfgPUEXTLq8EKDigsdVFEepvNrrTcX-EGQ9vmZlGsRk/s1600/oes+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66ga7XMuKYbV7KqFaHthVItvDFwILAJNTZC8APX01h5RsXq4WtfWLcFbOSfx-NT8W5D6gO8NHDFM2Z-TgzkE59ULXxopyoCFcsfgPUEXTLq8EKDigsdVFEepvNrrTcX-EGQ9vmZlGsRk/s320/oes+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">From the Schönbrunn manor you can see the whole of Vienna.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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 </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Kaffeehäuser</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, perhaps accompanied by </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Sachertorte</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> and served authentically with(out) a smile by a Viennese waiter</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntrJExb2SAeVSE7NCatYlbRTUk7mDWqXYRlkVCWSPJUYWvNoYm9wyid9AmMOgy0UUwe9SGdtf6QOh4UtshTjSxGAZ0x7BV8s_l-vJ5UhHx7h_7-Lfb22iauYC0VyWi9jrPWjqmNCT3pI/s1600/oes+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntrJExb2SAeVSE7NCatYlbRTUk7mDWqXYRlkVCWSPJUYWvNoYm9wyid9AmMOgy0UUwe9SGdtf6QOh4UtshTjSxGAZ0x7BV8s_l-vJ5UhHx7h_7-Lfb22iauYC0VyWi9jrPWjqmNCT3pI/s320/oes+005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The infamous Hundertwasserhaus, designed by architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser (formerly Friedrich Stowasser).</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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 <a href="http://fm4.orf.at/" target="_blank">FM4</a> (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...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-36676216926036465042012-04-12T10:51:00.000-07:002012-04-12T10:51:32.456-07:00Czeching Out Prague<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWZXVwZ7MyP87LEZY031vaOlKk0gt_5zmbSrPweEgMEVp-jtTivTUMcjOYtX-9Esp67wQbSx7IVuJ1Gd3lIF6Y2SAJBmRAURyRiYs0NdGX0cuC6PtZvdWpIStSehJKv8lX4ydFN8HBnk/s1600/SAM_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWZXVwZ7MyP87LEZY031vaOlKk0gt_5zmbSrPweEgMEVp-jtTivTUMcjOYtX-9Esp67wQbSx7IVuJ1Gd3lIF6Y2SAJBmRAURyRiYs0NdGX0cuC6PtZvdWpIStSehJKv8lX4ydFN8HBnk/s320/SAM_1464.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The picturesque old town district of Prague.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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. </span></span></span></em></span> </div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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...</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D2nTflV0TgDNGNc_FujG1H2BoUDw6vG6qlT_DS1YXXvzvrn65VIXtLRuXRsKhp8XlrmdMjcyCmJY2H0FP639_iS7Svhzo8De3jYC0mL_kXVdz69HTDQLEPUl-pRISaiiluGnt7TgRXc/s1600/SAM_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D2nTflV0TgDNGNc_FujG1H2BoUDw6vG6qlT_DS1YXXvzvrn65VIXtLRuXRsKhp8XlrmdMjcyCmJY2H0FP639_iS7Svhzo8De3jYC0mL_kXVdz69HTDQLEPUl-pRISaiiluGnt7TgRXc/s320/SAM_1463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The capital of the Czech Republic, a very interesting place indeed.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1kcqt9RhOzYlw7foa6ty4p1ZqICE2LTuSFyxKZlXnqF4QWy5q-BEawZH9wiknSyRQ7bwovI0w-h1PzwHFW60-P3Z5vucPyOYUBdiU8fVhsDN_b4DnMtJhveibk2QDxy3ZOx_c5qMzzo/s1600/SAM_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1kcqt9RhOzYlw7foa6ty4p1ZqICE2LTuSFyxKZlXnqF4QWy5q-BEawZH9wiknSyRQ7bwovI0w-h1PzwHFW60-P3Z5vucPyOYUBdiU8fVhsDN_b4DnMtJhveibk2QDxy3ZOx_c5qMzzo/s320/SAM_1495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Agharta<span style="font-style: normal;">, a small world-class Jazz venue hidden away in an old wine cellar.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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!</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-37665971329698400802012-04-05T08:33:00.000-07:002012-04-05T08:33:45.900-07:00'Humor Sapiens'<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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 </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Humor Sapiens</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> – was held in </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Das Zelt</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, a new venue in Zurich which has already been visited by a fair number of Swiss celebrities (including Miss Switzerland and singer, Baschi).</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX7gCTCjrrr7tPLcjcMyQdN9cHCZtVqEDbh2nQEqFhiMXmCWI1aZ-uhjf3-rWs8bMFulo_24FJg18mSQNH90t4wEOEnwckly9bMbSR8r-2QvsLq432tmbvTGI88My2FZIhdxWgV9w1Us/s1600/Marco+Rima.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX7gCTCjrrr7tPLcjcMyQdN9cHCZtVqEDbh2nQEqFhiMXmCWI1aZ-uhjf3-rWs8bMFulo_24FJg18mSQNH90t4wEOEnwckly9bMbSR8r-2QvsLq432tmbvTGI88My2FZIhdxWgV9w1Us/s320/Marco+Rima.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Marco Rima's comedy: </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Humor Sapiens</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (image source: Das Zelt)</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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!</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnhs7N6btDYSAe5sIuGdJRjP4G-8UsVXkgghS-XSJJoL_eO-LTrZ8WLxkYpJVDSisc3MMEbvap7oh9kG1rLzj3VCH2-8UZ2ye6-QjGf7zyreGTs7DaXUuv8zqQOf6y0d-bYAlTM_Rw0k/s1600/SAM_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnhs7N6btDYSAe5sIuGdJRjP4G-8UsVXkgghS-XSJJoL_eO-LTrZ8WLxkYpJVDSisc3MMEbvap7oh9kG1rLzj3VCH2-8UZ2ye6-QjGf7zyreGTs7DaXUuv8zqQOf6y0d-bYAlTM_Rw0k/s320/SAM_1385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Das Zelt</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> – or </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The Tent</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> – is new to Zurich. </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Das Zelt</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> can also be found elsewhere in Switzerland.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmKm8-I2pgGgD90Ru45jFuKXwIdWbvs_OWlrwyA3flHV181o0yYnJaNW064OEgzfzuPVSI_ORvclDT4GqUeXVXjTL25Drd_CMh5ZGljqgGQDLPGCUbN2ghmAJTYqC93pEUPxt0cJ7D6o/s1600/SAM_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmKm8-I2pgGgD90Ru45jFuKXwIdWbvs_OWlrwyA3flHV181o0yYnJaNW064OEgzfzuPVSI_ORvclDT4GqUeXVXjTL25Drd_CMh5ZGljqgGQDLPGCUbN2ghmAJTYqC93pEUPxt0cJ7D6o/s320/SAM_1388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">An audience of around one thousand take their seats.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A very enjoyable evening indeed and a fantastic birthday present. Huge thanks to my flatmates!</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-78727132459701708452012-03-25T04:54:00.000-07:002012-03-25T04:54:51.358-07:00(Miss)understanding the Swiss Germans<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Following on from the following post: <a href="http://lewisdale-swiss.blogspot.com/2011/10/dummys-guide-to-swiss-german.html" target="_blank">A Dummy's Guide to Swiss German</a></span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I received a book that I had ordered through the post this week, </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Kleiner Sprachatlas der deutschen Schweiz</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (small, linguistic map of German-speaking Switzerland). This will serve as my research material in preparation for the presentation I have to give about Swiss German soon. It's going to be a challenging to sound as if I know what I'm talking about to a predominantly Swiss audience!</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGH71S4NylHjZJ3H5Js9DIR_VAoudBlfiT8a7vIAcn0A9BqwtKA9LFFh079-UVnz10hcHqPdBOYyTsfozzH0Ez02pi8flityUWMMSEbd8Hhei8SJx5g4UcVZ6VQkgwWLLf5__jvGEgBs/s1600/SAM_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGH71S4NylHjZJ3H5Js9DIR_VAoudBlfiT8a7vIAcn0A9BqwtKA9LFFh079-UVnz10hcHqPdBOYyTsfozzH0Ez02pi8flityUWMMSEbd8Hhei8SJx5g4UcVZ6VQkgwWLLf5__jvGEgBs/s320/SAM_1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Züritüütsch is the variant spoken in Zurich, and therefore the variant I am learning – or at least attempting to learn.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Unlike High German, Swiss German isn't a single language, rather a group of loosely related Alemannic dialects. The Zurich variant, </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Züritüütsch</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, doesn't sound anything like the slower paced </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Bärnerdüütsch</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> of Bern, which in turn bears no resemblance to the seemingly incomprehensible alpine dialects of canton Wallis, </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Walliserdiitsch</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">. Even the Swiss find that too much. Because of these huge variations from canton to canton, town to town and valley to valley, Swiss German appears to be very free to outsiders. A language without grammatical rules to worry about – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh7Var9muNY" target="_blank">something ideal for backward,rural farmers...</a></span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well, that's not exactly true. </span></span></span></em></span> </div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There is of course grammar, it just differs depending on where you happen to find yourself on the East side of the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Röstigraben </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">(imaginary French / German speaking boundary through Switzerland)</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">. Word order for example tends to be something that isn't uniform. This makes learning Swiss German quite a headache to start with, but it's worth it – the trick is to find one variant relevant to you – and focus on learning that particular dialect. So long as it's not </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Walliserdiitsch</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, you should be able to understand enough of what others say, and vice versa. </span></span></span></em></span> </div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For example, “When I was a little kid...”:</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Als iech es chlii Chind </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>gsii bin</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>...</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Als ig </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>bin</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i> es chlii Chind </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>gsii</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>...</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Als iich </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>bin</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>gsii</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i> es chlii Chind...</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Als i es chlii Kchind </i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>gsii bin</b></i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>...</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All four forms are correct in their respective dialects. Good luck selecting the right one for you!!!</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqeVBB5Ah-2aEJptFH_1ypDwk2xKNumtxeuccyuqkBAWKFpamsP5g4J_mK5UYc6bhuJDTqdXGtOADe0s6mC7qT3GrubskSp8erCQPc4tGFjTsyMMCXL4LhYzbZ-9xyeVQpZlcz9UPXnI/s1600/SAM_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqeVBB5Ah-2aEJptFH_1ypDwk2xKNumtxeuccyuqkBAWKFpamsP5g4J_mK5UYc6bhuJDTqdXGtOADe0s6mC7qT3GrubskSp8erCQPc4tGFjTsyMMCXL4LhYzbZ-9xyeVQpZlcz9UPXnI/s320/SAM_0380.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swiss German differs from valley to valley, so it's best to stick to the variants spoken in the larger cities. Photo: Kerns, canton Lucerne.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Whilst leafing through my </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Sprachatlas</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">, these differences become quite clear. Take the High German word '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Butter</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">' for example (same in English), whilst an Appenzeller would ask you for some '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Schmaalz</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">' for his toast, a Zürcher would say '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Anke</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">' – both of whom would probably have to ignore the polite request from the Walliser in the corner who'd ask for '</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Öichu</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">'. And they're not the only examples of such radical differences in Alemannic.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In the meantime, you can always use the following Swiss German phrase, no matter where you find yourself in the Alemannic lands!</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>,,Wiä bitte? Ich verstoh kei Schwiitzerdüütsch!'”</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[I'm sorry, I don't understand Swiss German!]</span></span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-11070848140533173992012-03-18T15:43:00.001-07:002012-03-18T15:47:51.984-07:00Innsbruck, Austria<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A mate of mine who also studies German is currently on exchange in Innsbruck. I decided to head over there this weekend, to catch up over a few beverages and see the sights of the city. Innsbruck is quite a scenic place, it lies right in the heart of the Tirolean Alps and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IphiwgnsuyhFun4N9UeqbBFTCsIfP5iC7kp6ZNcf-OGMJCzv6e3spCqQxbOET2y4P0mu6cUiKoDbA0Gsp-Y5BZNuNKRXudGvF5yY-10jLU54go-IDRqBF0HQOK4osKrAxpJVnNd6AwI/s1600/Inn+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IphiwgnsuyhFun4N9UeqbBFTCsIfP5iC7kp6ZNcf-OGMJCzv6e3spCqQxbOET2y4P0mu6cUiKoDbA0Gsp-Y5BZNuNKRXudGvF5yY-10jLU54go-IDRqBF0HQOK4osKrAxpJVnNd6AwI/s320/Inn+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Innsbruck is ideally located for skiers and climbers.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After the obligatory – and very welcome – </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Wiener Schnitzel</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> and 1l </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Mass</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> beer (a novelty after being used to the expensive 0.33cl Swiss </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Stängli</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">), we went out to sample the night life with some other students who study there. Innsbruck may be a small city, but it has quite a decent night life – owing to the number of students living there. Or at least that was my impression, of course the fact that it was St. Patrick's Day may have had some role to play there.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxsQHb3LJQaoAVl5ouuQhq_OoXM0iKQ3wYCEvbubXLwh6NxHGnijK4FuzrLjyBMa5gQ3-Gbl94y3ynW1DuXF1ZnQdn_eWC3RkUQ2CS61uEncMoZRHzwG6Vew2JtO9Un4693hNJXOjeBU/s1600/Inn+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxsQHb3LJQaoAVl5ouuQhq_OoXM0iKQ3wYCEvbubXLwh6NxHGnijK4FuzrLjyBMa5gQ3-Gbl94y3ynW1DuXF1ZnQdn_eWC3RkUQ2CS61uEncMoZRHzwG6Vew2JtO9Un4693hNJXOjeBU/s320/Inn+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The centre of Innsbruck by day.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It was my first proper trip to Austria this year, that is if you exclude the dinner last semester in Feldkirch that I had after having seen everything that's to be seen in the country of Liechtenstein. I really like Austria, indeed it's the very place that sparked my enthusiasm to learn German, over seven years ago...</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps yet another Austrian excursion is in order when I have the time. Now, I've heard a lot about Vienna...</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959639724147024461.post-62064431823586244032012-03-10T05:42:00.000-08:002012-03-10T05:42:36.492-08:00The Spring Semester<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's March already. My second and last exchange semester in Zurich is under way. Time is definitely going by quickly. This semester already seems to be going better than the last semester, probably because I'm settled here now. My courses are pretty much the same as last semester, except literature has been swapped with two other courses: </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Makroökonomik</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (macroeconomics) and </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Geldpolitik</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (monetary policy). They're certainly more interesting – at least to me – and I find it cool that my professor for </span></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Geldpolitik</i></span></span></em><em style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> actually works at the Swiss National Bank.</span></span></span></em></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80RFubzkuApwVI6i15hIIshBHp_UX_idnsepv4wtupIZ5YCDe5bxS9-TzEHXXCzLRhqPYMVFT0lrCXhssE7G636Gjjk4OChgZWi4GC0rX34WwDIYOEv9UDB-rVW1rDYgDEoTjGmxnJlo/s1600/SAM_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80RFubzkuApwVI6i15hIIshBHp_UX_idnsepv4wtupIZ5YCDe5bxS9-TzEHXXCzLRhqPYMVFT0lrCXhssE7G636Gjjk4OChgZWi4GC0rX34WwDIYOEv9UDB-rVW1rDYgDEoTjGmxnJlo/s320/SAM_1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">View from the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>ETH Polyterrasse.</i></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Again, it seems like it's going to be a busy semester. Lots of early starts, even a 6pm finish on Mondays and no free week-days (many students here have Fridays free for example). Feels too much like work – well, almost. This semester I must also give a presentation, in German of course, about Swiss German variations, as an Englishman, to an audience of mainly Swiss students. That's going to be - shall we say - interesting. Hmm, what have I got myself into?</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CFNqBYp43IXRVBOpUSt-gnLtkGz0UEoVDW5MyaGtR5r0CQ0ai_c7ZELnDh2BEzlcoeqEtiV2hLv3Q5TNQBItr_dmD5Gl5c8T21ar43G_DalknJ4mlUoroJ8kvvOCWDiUqf66FCP_C2A/s1600/SAM_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CFNqBYp43IXRVBOpUSt-gnLtkGz0UEoVDW5MyaGtR5r0CQ0ai_c7ZELnDh2BEzlcoeqEtiV2hLv3Q5TNQBItr_dmD5Gl5c8T21ar43G_DalknJ4mlUoroJ8kvvOCWDiUqf66FCP_C2A/s320/SAM_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Bächlerstrasse</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> student apartment complex.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The new semester brings with it a fresh helping of nervous / eager exchange students. Some of which have moved into the student apartments here in </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Bächlerstrasse</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">. And with the new exchange students and the Spring semester comes partying! Plenty of it.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ6L8xg7anxqQOkbPXcvGqSR-iP4-4jJiqcOaLFQ8-TF0S7oMvg9glOKGKAxLT__0HgEFiP31mmHK5chFZitpg9wfGZ15viVb2sBdM3e8ZEcN3fmCBgdwj0vzrlS7VhIOV4ksSIk4Mv8/s1600/SAM_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ6L8xg7anxqQOkbPXcvGqSR-iP4-4jJiqcOaLFQ8-TF0S7oMvg9glOKGKAxLT__0HgEFiP31mmHK5chFZitpg9wfGZ15viVb2sBdM3e8ZEcN3fmCBgdwj0vzrlS7VhIOV4ksSIk4Mv8/s320/SAM_1307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's right, 9GAG.com is also popular in Switzerland: A popular meme is pinned by one of the </span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>inspected Spring clean</i></span></span></em><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> signs instructing us to, well, clean.</span></span></span></em></span></div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <br />
</div><div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The Spring semester also brings the obligatory inspected Spring clean. Acceptable, given that it's mentioned in the contract, it's just a shame that it also coincides just after a number of flat parties going on here. Making cleaning an even bigger task – that's before any possible / expected (delete as appropriate) hangovers are considered.</span></span></span></em></span></div>Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07185936881512153492noreply@blogger.com0