Luzern

I went outside my comfort zone to Luzern yesterday to visit some friends, who moved there recently. At the time they told me about the move, I didn't really get why they wanted to leave Zürich (well, outskirts of Zürich), but now I understand.

They live in a very central location with the best view I've seen in a long time (outside Zürich I mean). And Luzern seems to be a cute and lively city.

So it was a really nice evening with catching up, good food and nice company, except for an odd thing that happened. We were all asked to sit in a row, and wait for the pilot to take off. Very weird indeed. But at least I got a seat in the smoking section.

Home sweet home

Some acquaintances of mine were speaking excitedly the other day of their upcoming holiday. In a motorhome. Hmm, having grown up with parents crazy about caravans, which was nice when I was a kid, I wasn't convinced. I mean, as a grownup being cramped up in a small space and forced to be close 24/7. Two adults and a small kid.

Today I ran into them again, and saw the actual car. There is no other way to describe it. Ok, so it had a tiny stove and a itzy-bitzy-sink with a plastic container for the water, but no shower, no toilet and the "double bed", which basically is the back seat put down and providing 125 cm width for two people. And they were exstatic over the "top bed", which apparently was a tiny space in the roof somewhere, not to be seen when I inspected.

I may not be the most encouraging person at all times, and I couldn't help myself but bursting out "but that's not a holiday, it's a nightmare".

I cannot wait to hear their experience when they get back! Possibly with her being pregnant again.

Non-EU

I have lived in two countries that have chosen not to join EU. Of course, I have lived long enough to remember the time when there was no EU, and every time you travelled it was duty-free heaven. Cheap booze and cheap tobacco, what could be better than that? Plus I remember the time when you could order a seat in the back of the plane, a smoking seat. Those were the times!

Personally I like the idea of EU, having a union makes fighting against each other more difficult, and a world without wars would be utopia. Will never happen, but the forming of EU is a start, just like the federation of the American states.

However, I do like the duty-free bit. And I had forgotten I'm sorry to say, since I used to travel myself a lot and had a never-ending supply of stuff, that when I came to Switzerland a pack of ciggies cost around 5 francs, and now it's up to 8. Almost to the limit where I cringe every time I have to pay. So to my delight I realized I have neighbours who travel! I dunno what took me so long. Maybe because I'm used to rely on me and myself only.

The last couple of weeks I had packs from Tenerife for 3.50 a pack, and from oh-I-dunno-where-he-was for 5.20 a pack. Maybe not so good in my strive to reduce, but heckuvalot better for my purse. Money over health?

Cash is king

Oldfashioned me? Haha. Today I ventured out of Zürich to join some friends in a park and I needed to buy an extension ticket for outside of zone 10 where I live. The cost was 8.40. I didn't have coins, and the machine only gives change on a 20 bill. I started to walk to a kiosk to change my 100 francs bill before I realized the machine actually takes cards.

I think I'm probably the only one not immediately thinking that credit cards mean payment.

SAS going down

You know when an airline is about to fold? It's when they start bombarding you with emails about this and that offer.

And I remember when I had booked a trip to Spain, and phoned the airline to change my ticket to a different destination, since my Dad had passed away, and they couldn't change the booking. I had to buy a new ticket. Then they had the stomach to ask me "so do you want to cancel your seat at the previous booking?".

Hell no. If they would have offered me half the cost, I would've been fine. But being so obviously greedy, and showing no respect whatsoever, they lost my loyalty.

You're going down SAS, and remember where you heard it first.

Abroad

I know, I'm a real globetrotter. Today I was abroad again. And for once at the customs we were stopped. Apparently now in Christmas-times a lot of (cheap) Swiss people go to Germany for shopping and then claim the VAT back, and so the customs people hungry for criminals stopped us.

But they only spoke briefly and took one look at the pretty smile of my friend, then let us go. And there was I with a still valid passport, to no avail.

Proving my point of passports, not a necessary accessory.

Stateless

I remember when I was working in Scandinavia, and invited an American for a meeting and she responded "yes, I'll come, I do have a passport". Which I at the time thought was a strange comment. Turned out she did have a passport but had never used it. She was 60 years old.

Now, my passport expires early next year, and last time I renewed it I went to the consulate here in Zürich, brought a pic, paid some money and signed some papers. Easy-peasy.

These days the routines have changed and I have to go all the way to the embassy in Bern. Pay 200 francs for the admin, 100 francs for the trip there and an additional 20 to have it delivered to Zürich. And it's only valid for 5 years!

I'm gonna take this as a sign that I'm not meant to travel abroad anymore. And I'm relieved. Every time I think of leaving Zürich I get anxious, trying to come up with good excuses not to. Now one is presented to me.

Besides, next year I can apply for a Swiss passport. Not sure they'll accept me, but plenty of time to get used to the feeling of being stateless.

Konrad the crab

A comment made me remember Cook Islands. It was great! We had a bungalow with our very own crab. A crab that lived in a hole in the sand on our terrace. I named him Konrad. Konrad the crab.

And I can see that I already then had my beloved purple flip-flops that I had to throw away earlier this year. They were falling apart. Too bad, they were only like 10 years old.

Bhutan

Tonight we were also talking about travelling. I told my friend about the dream I once had to visit New York, mainly because everybody told me I had to see it once. And I wanted to. Until I was travelling to Cook Islands, having to transit in America and they forced me to give fingerprints and do a retina scan. Even though I didn't even set foot in the US at the time (except for when I had a quick smoke outside the doors when nobody saw). Screw them I say. That invasion of my integrity made me decide never to visit America again.

My friend on the other hand has a dream to visit Bhutan. Bhutan you ask? A smaller country in between China and India, and close to the Himalayas. Why, I asked? She wants to walk in mountains.

I rest my case. She lives in Switzerland, is Swiss and have more mountains in the neighbourhood than anybody can ask for. I haven't looked it up, but my guess is that Switzerland has more mountains per capita than any other country in the world.

But we agreed in the end that all dreams do not have to come to fruition. Sometimes a dream can stay a dream, and we'll be just as happy.

I still think she's gonna go hiking in Bhutan. I on the other hand will never visit New York. But I'm sure we'll both be satisfied with our respective decisions. And what more can you ask in life?

What does "erase all" mean?

I was downloading pics from my camera to the computer, and that reminded me of a trip to Spain many years ago. My ex and I were travelling around, 'cause I had in mind to buy a flat there and then retire on the Riviera.

During the trip we took many pictures, and one I was especially happy with. I mean, I am not photogenic, but in this particular pic I looked if not fabulous so at least good.

Imagine my anger when my ex later asked "what does erase all mean"? The fucker had deleted all the pics I had taken.

No wonder we split up. And I will never, ever retire in Spain.

But considering the development of the real estate market in Spain, he probably did me a great favour!

False information

At the tram stop today I was met by this sign. It confused me, since I had just seen tram 15 leave the station, so I thought it was maybe for tomorrow. But no, when I googled it I see that a "Zürich multimobil" drive is between the 20th and 22nd of September. So why is tram 15 still going?

One of the big mysteries in life.

More shoes

The shoe story reminded me of South Africa. Included in my 15 pair of shoes are 4 pairs of flip-flops. The most expensive ones I bought in Cape Town.

They are a pair of high-heel flip-flops (yes I know, sounds ridiculous), but more plateau than heel. I saw them on display in a window, fairly expensive, but at the time it seemed like a good idea.

When I was at the counter paying for them, I was snottily informed that the price was for one shoe! I was so flabbergasted I just paid up (double) and left the shop. Naturally I was identified as a stupid tourist (which I was) and taken advantage of.

Therefore I shall forever keep these shoes to remind me that also I, strange as it sounds, can make mistakes:).

Cash kinda girl

Yesterday a friend and I were talking about the benefits of having a travel card or not. I realized that mine is about to expire (why cannot SBB/ZVV send a reminder?), so went to the station to extend my card.

First they asked for a new photo, apparently the old one is deleted after 10 years (fair enough, even though the guy behind the desk admitted I did look almost the same :), but this I had anticipated, and so presented another but different old one. Turns out it wasn't valid, since a little furry one had put bite marks on it. As I explained to the cats at home, you do not bite the hand that feeds you!

8 francs later, using the photo machine at the station, I presented four fresh new photos to the guy, who had been nice enough to wait for me. Very nice Swiss guy giving service, he should be stuffed and shown in a museum!

Then it turned out my pay card didn't work! WTF? Then I remembered that there is a weekly limit (which I myself agreed to a long time ago), and that I had withdrawn a heap of money earlier in the week. At this point I felt myself starting to sweat, out of embarrassment. I hate to feel stupid. The guy was still nice "it has happened to me too", and not at all disturbed. I thanked him for his patience and told him I'd be back tomorrow. With cash!

Then I went on to the boat. Finally the nice weather is here, and I was so looking forward to a cruise. This was before I realized the water level was almost up to the bridge, and that the stream was far too strong for my little engine. Scheisse!

But every downside has an up. It's actually not too bad sitting in a boat in the middle of the city, enjoying the sun and sipping a drink. It's like I have my own little floating bar. For free!

The Uetliberg-tunnel

I have a relatively new friend, who doesn't know me well. This evening he was picking me up, as we both were invited to another friend of ours for dinner. We agreed that he would drive.

He gave the impression that he only needed our addresses and that he would program those into his gps. Haha. I took a seat in his car, and he handed me a whole bunch of papers. Google-maps. On paper.

Now, I have absolutely no sense of direction. I can maybe read a map, but not if it says "go 220m, then turn right onto whatsit-street". And it also said 6.5 km, which apparently meant the total of distance travelled, when I thought it meant how long to still drive.

So we ended up in the Uetliberg-tunnel. I heard about this tunnel when it was built a couple of years ago. I had never been in it. It is long. Especially when you have to drive thru it. And then back.

But we got there. Eventually. And it was worth the hassle.

Stand up toilet

I was watching this program about people trying to change their lives by spending a summer on the countryside. Which is all fine and dandy, and spending time with goats, or running a b&b is all commendable, if it wasn't for the complaints about lack of luxury.

It made me remember the charter trips in my youth, where in Italy and Spain they had toilets which were basically a hole in the ground. And the toilet paper was kinda oily, and didn't absorb any liquid whatsoever.

I was told it was very hygienic when complaining (by men), but I wonder how hygienic it was when your urine splashed up on your feet and legs.

Guess it's new times now. People complain about different things, like when the iphone doesn't work or when the shop doesn't provide all the exotic ingredients you were planning for your dish.

Myself, I am looking forward to the movie about Kon-Tiki. There's a real adventurer for you. I bet he didn't care about toilets or any sort of luxury.

Hollywood boulevard

Friend of mine came across this guy today on Hollywood boulevard.

Oh, am I glad I live in the real world.

Less is more

Was watching a program on how to run a cafe. Made me think of all the hotels I've visited in my lifetime. There are plenty. But I tell you what, gimme a small family-run hotel or B&B over a big hotel chain any day.

Of course it has to be clean, hold a semi-comfortable bed (no bed other than my own is fully comfortable) and serve coffee in the morning.

I know, the big chains have a breakfast you'll die for being hungover, but not at the time they serve it. Brunch for me is from 1pm and forward, and when you travel that's a luxury you don't have.

I especially remember a small personal hotel in Valby, just outside Copenhagen, where I was staying almost every week for nearly half a year. It was a place where they knew my name the second time I checked in. They had 14 bedrooms, and the breakfast was fresh and just enough. They knew my favourite room, and had no problems with me bringing the rest of the wine with me to my room after having dined there.

Also, I remember a B&B outside Cape Town. I think it was in Franschhoek (if you can be arsed to search on the blog, I'm sure you'll find it). There we got up late, came out to the terrace and were promptly asked by the manager what we'd like for breakfast. They did everything, and we just had to ask. Fabulous.

Yes, I like the personal approach, rather than the "I'm-trained-to-be-friendly-to-guests". So in this case, less is more.

Onion festival

I ventured out of Zürich today! All the way to Bern! They have a famous onion festival (why I do not know) every year, and I heard so much about it.

Gotta say though, big disappointment. You really had to look for the onions, it seemed more to be just like any carnival/festival to me.

And who wants to pay more than 20 francs for a ring of onions?

And what was all the stuff with throwing confetti around and banging people with hammers in the head? I wished the hammers were real, when a kid threw confetti straight into my face!

So even though it cost me 94 friggin francs for a return ticket to Bern (SBB, I might have to reevaluate all the good things I said about you before!), it was worth it to meet a good friend I hadn't seen in a long time.

Public transportation rocks

I have never owned a car in my life. There are a few reasons for that. First, when I was living outside a city I couldn't afford it, and second, when I moved into a city I didn't need it.

I do have a driving license. Well sorta. Long story, tell you another time.

When I moved into my current flat I was offered to buy a garage. I politely declined (no car, no garage needed) and also 'cause it cost 40,000 francs. I felt I could use that money for better things. Now I read about new flats being built, where garages are offered for 65,000. But still, nobody would buy a garage in a building they don't live in, so still think I made the right decision.

Anyway, public transportation rocks. At least in Zürich. I even stopped looking at timetables, no need since the trams/trains/buses go all the time.

And I suppose I could walk. Exercise...yes, I've heard of it before!

As good as it gets

Was watching this movie (again!) and am still laughing about it. One of my favs.

Made me think of the time I was travelling around Europe with two guys. One was a colleague, and one was his friend. No romantic bullshit, but three people together 24/7 was an experience. Not that we fought or anything, but sharing a car, a tent, sometimes we splashed out on a hotel room, and the whole time together for three whole weeks was interesting.

As I remember we covered 11 countries and some 3,500 kilometers in those weeks. Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia (when it still existed), Italy, Sweden, Luxemburg, France, Liechtenstein, Belgium and the Netherlands.

My friend drove most of the time, I drove perhaps 1,000 kilometers and the third guy only a bit, since both of us realized he was a shitty driver.

But looking back it was good fun, and I wouldn't have it undone. It was a different Europe back then, and easy to get around. Even though some of the countries on our journey were not very well developed back then.

I'll see if I can dig up some photos from the trip.