Other people

27.11.2007 21:28 Ended up in a bar this evening with an acquaintance dissecting other people. It was fun and pleasurable. What do you think of x? And what do you think of y? It’s funny after a bottle (an acquired taste, but for 7,50 EUR a bottle who cares?) of Spanish vino how insightful you get about others…present company always excluded of course. Everybody else is difficult, moody, too German, not enough of this or that, strange, not qualified, loud, “if I was in charge I would fire him”, or just not “like us”. Love it. Trashing other people is good. Especially if you know that they will do the same about you…

Flat problems

27.11.2007 21:42 With the help of my kind Spanish friend we contacted the agency again. Yesterday I was waiting, waiting, waiting and nobody ever showed up to repair my air condition system. Today they said that it was being repaired. So just coming home now I’m taking the chance and switching on the heating. Had enough of freezing. There is only so much a Scandinavian woman can take about temperature. After all, there was a reason for moving…

Business acumen

26.11.2007 19:19 Where’s the business acumen when I need it the most? Had a friend call the agency today to arrange for the repair of the air conditioner and the dish-washer. They rang back to say between 18.00-18.30 this evening. Here I am at 19:20 still waiting…I’m hungry and want to make dinner but I don’t want to eat in the middle of them arriving. Somebody has indeed been in my flat though and switched on the dish-washer which is now since more than an hour just staying at the same place making the same noise. Told’m it wasn’t working. They thought I didn’t understand how to operate a dish-washer. Well, guess I will keep on waiting for that business acumen and timeliness the guidebook so proudly stated!

Domestic problems

25.11.2007 21:22 Is it normal to have a dishwasher running for 7 hours? I switched it on about an hour before I left, thinking it was strange that it wasn’t finished. But ok. So left, and when I came back just now it was still running. I don’t think it’s normal. Another thing to bring up with the agency tomorrow…

Downtown

25.11.2007 21:16 Las Ramblas. What can I say? A touristy place that sells pictures, paintings, calendars, have these people who look like statues with paint, pickpockets, prostitutes, normal people, a mix of everything. We ended up in the “second oldest restaurant in Spain”, from 1786 or similar. It was nice. I was planning to have cannelloni with spinach, but they wouldn’t take my order unless I ordered a main course too. So “wild boar with chocolate sauce” it was. Yes, it was nice. Ish. Just far too much. I wonder how you can make an order just for once course in Spain? I have yet to find out…

Now and then

25.11.2007 21:10 The first time I was in Spain I was 16 or thereabouts. Spain was very different back then. For once they had toilet paper of the quality that didn’t suck up anything liquid whatsoever. The fact that they had “standing toilets” I refrain from mentioning, the ones that had one hole that you had stand over and do your business. Mind you, both No 1 and No 2. See? I didn’t mention it :) Now, they have gone the other way around. Now they have 1. real water closets and 2. toilet paper. Toilet paper that is so soft is dissolves once it gets into contact with anything wet. Like pee. I have to spend a lot of time picking little pieces of toilet paper out of my you-know-what. Not pleasant. Just thought you’d like to know.

Rambling

25.11.2007 13:11 Am going to something called Las Ramblas this afternoon. It’s supposed to be some hip place next to the sea with lots of little bars and restaurants. Sounds like a place for me.

Neighbourhood

24.11.2007 19:38 Went discovering the neighbourhood today. It’s 5 minutes walk to the Mediterranean sea, and the beach is great once you get there. A little bit too many skyscrapers and too much cement on the way though. Great waves, but it’s a bit too chilly to swim. I also have what must be one of the biggest malls next-door. One of those that has many entrances, and I always seem to manage to get out another one than the one I came in. No sense of direction whatsoever. I should be an actress in Lost. Was trying to locate a pair of slippers, since now when I cannot use the air condition to get heating the floors are a bit cold. Had to give up though. Too many shops, too many people. And they all speak very loudly in Catalonian/Spanish. Which I guess is normal considering the country I’m in…

How low can you go?

24.11.2007 19:35 So was running a washing machine yesterday evening, and today it was dry enough to iron. Discovered that Spain must be populated with pygmies, since I almost had to stand on my knees over the ironing board, alternatively bend over like a 90-year old woman with back problems.

Neighbourly

24.11.2007 11:14 Unexpectedly my door rang. It was angry neighbour telling me that my air condition leaks into his flat and that his wall is wet. This is apparently all my fault, and he really hopes I have insurance because this is gonna cost. Oh dear. When he had to breathe in I took the opportunity of telling him that I have been here 4 days and that I had no idea. It took some time before this sunk in, but then he apologized. Guess I’ve got to talk to the agency on Monday…

The guidebook

24.11.2007 10:30 Eventually I got the city guide to Barcelona. I didn’t buy one (cheapo me) but was promised to borrow one. It says amongst other things that “Catalans in general, and Barcelonans in particular, are famed for their business acumen, their passion for work and their economic ability. In southern Spain they are seen as cold, tight-fisted and work-obsessed”. “The standard of living is high, but it has to be paid for, and the work ethic is especially noticeable if you come here from elsewhere in Spain”. Hmm. Perhaps I should’ve gone to another part of Spain? “Efficiency, punctuality (!) and deeply serious reliability are of the essence. Barcelona works VERY hard.” Hmm again. Hmm because that’s what I was told in Zurich when I moved there. To me, the “Zurichans” are just the same as everywhere else. Does that mean “Barcelonans” are too? Probably. After all, I’m reading out of a tourist guide, trying to attract tourists=money. Me cynical? Of course. I also read somewhere in the guide book (cannot find the passage any more so no quotation) that Barcelonans are introvert, cold and difficult to get to know. Hello Switzerland! I should feel right at home. But maybe it’s like it’s said: “better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t”. Do I miss Zürich? Yes a bit, but since I know there is the light in the end of the tunnel (and it’s not a train!) I like being here. It’s a change. And I get to know a new city in another country. How bad can it be?

Euroland

23.11.2007 20:58 Bro is coming to visit next weekend. I was almost sending him an email to say “you don’t have to exchange money, I have enough euros” until I realized that he lives in lovely euroland too. Yes, I know the reason why Switzerland don’t, and I appreciate those, but heck, it would be so much easier. It just seems that I happen to always visit the countries where euros are not much appreciated. Like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England and the US. While I can understand why the US do not join euroland (think the answer lies in the name here :) I cannot accept that the stupid Nordic countries and the United Kingdom think they are something special. UK even insists on doing the miles, the pint (ok, that one I can accept), the pounds and the ounces, driving on the wrong side of the road etc etc. Nobody is special today. Cooperation is the name of the game to survival these days. Not sure that Darwin picked up on that, but then again he did live quite a few years ago. And nobody is perfect…

Friday night

23.11.2007 20:51 Ok, so now it’s almost time to go out. No food will be served before 9pm. In the meantime I had to drink to put a damper to my hunger (followed the Catalonian (see, I’m getting used already to not saying Spanish!) rule of having just a sandwich for lunch). But what a sandwich! Crispy bread, air-dried “jambon” and a lovely cheese. With a Coke. I know. Shouldn’t but did. Look forward to a few tapas. Is it very tacky to order Sangria? Heck, I’m a tourist here, and they are very friendly. After all, I’m sitting on the $. Or in my case CHF’s…frankly, I don’t think they care. Any money is good money. As long as it’s euros. Did you follow?

Lischping

23.11.2007 20:21 It would certainly help to have a speech impediment if you want to try out speaking Spanish. They don’t do s’s here. S becomes ‘th’ in Spain. Or should I say Catalonia? Because the animosity between Catalonia and the rest of Spain is about the same the dislike between ze Swiss and ze Germans. Cerveza which in most languages would be pronounced “servesa” is here “thervetha”. And in case you’re stupid or haven’t ever travelled cerveza means beer. Gracias means thank you. Or should I say “grathiath”? And here is me still trying out my German whenever I can, having gotten to the stage where I can use the “z”. Now all of a sudden I’ve gotta learn “th”. Why is it that I always feel I have a steep learning curve? When can I ever sit back and relax and say “I’ve learned enough in my life”? Never (no s’s in that word :) is probably the answer…

Drinks

23.11.2007 20:15 I couldn’t help but reflecting how cheap things are here. I was in Stockholm last weekend and paid the equivalent of around 45 euros for 4 drinks incl tip (2 strawberry daiquiris, one vodka drink and one beer). This evening we paid 7 euros for 3 drinks (1 gin&tonic, 2 beers) also incl tip. So ok, the drinks in Stockholm were more fancy, but still. The difference is not corresponding to the income levels. But I happen to know that everybody, absolutely everybody, in Sweden cheat on their taxes because the tax percentages are far too high. You wonder why? Of course it is to be able to afford the drinks…

The little things

23.11.2007 19:59 There are a couple of things I miss not being a home. Apart from friends and all that social life going on of course. Like living in this flat, not having a bedside lamp. Which means the light in the bedroom is not good enough for reading. The fact that I can wash my clothes having a washing machine, but nowhere to hang it to dry (solved by using hangers hanging on door knobs, socks and underwear on the bath tub, and various items on any hanging device I could find). I actually got the agency to get me an iron, there was an ironing board in the flat but no iron. Stolen by previous tenant? No music. Only CNN and Eurosport in English. Which means the TV might as well not be here, I just don’t use it (unless I’m lucky enough to find some music on the telly). The fact that the living room has only windows, so that I feel I’m on display every time I lie on the sofa. But apart from these little things everything is dandy…perhaps apart from being alone in a city I do not know with no plans for the weekend. But hey, somebody gave me a city guide! PS. Seriously, I don’t feel sorry for myself. I will go out tonight and explore the surroundings where I live. And it certainly could be worse than living 10 min walk from the Mediterranean Sea.

Working life

23.11.2007 19:42 This is nothing I have much experience of but I met a person today who works here. This is how a working week can be in Barcelona. Monday-Thursday: 9am-ish people stroll in. 11 o’clock it’s time for a half-hour long coffee break, usually at a nearby bar/coffee-place. 2 pm-ish it’s time for lunch. As you know from previous blog item this lasts around 1,5 hours and is very pleasant. And very loud. This should really appeal to me since I’m a loud person myself, but you don’t exactly get any brain rest. 3.30 pm-ish it’s time to go back to work. Which lasts until all hours. At 7pm you can still see lots of people in the office. So it’s not like they do not do their fair share of work, it’s just done different hours than I’m used to. Friday: big breakfast in the morning, appearing in the office around 9 as usual. Coffee break maybe, but not necessarily. Then around 3pm the office is empty. Lunch is skipped. It’s time to travel home for the weekend, or just take off early after a busy week. Me kinda likey. It’s not a bad usage of time. Just different to what I’m used to. Especially when I heard that the Friday routine is adopted three months over the summer. So that people can enjoy life. There is definitely something for ze Swiss (and the rest of Europe for that matter) to learn here…

Nonsense

22.11.2007 21:03 As far as I know Spain has adopted the non-smoking policy in restaurants and bars. Lucky for me it seems like this message hasn’t filtered through to the owners of these establishments. Here they happily ignore this nonsense-rule and smoke on. Barcelona rocks!

Lunch the Spanish way

22.11.2007 20:10 Talking about food. Lunches here are great but takes a bit to get used to. First of all no restaurant serves any lunch food before 1pm. I’m almost dying of hunger at 12. More common is to eat around 2 pm. Many little cafés and restaurants serve an excellent lunch with three courses for next to nothing. Yesterday I had creamy mushroom soup as starter and a grilled fresh fish for main. No way I could eat dessert. Couple of beers with it. Bill? 9,50 euros. Today I had paella as starter, which shocked the hell out of me since it was a huge plate. Then a thin steak covering most of the plate with salad. Had to skip dessert today too. A beer with that. Bill was 12 euros incl tip. Lunch lasts usually around 1,5 hours. I tell ya. I can really get used to this. But I will have to develop a faster metabolism. A month here, and I will look “different” coming back!

Meeting the “local”

22.11.2007 20:02 In the evening I was meeting up with somebody I will see quite often here in Barcelona. Thing is, she’s not Spanish, she’s English! So much for the local connection. Mind you, she has lived here for a year or so, so she knows more about the place than I do. Not difficult actually, since I never set foot in Barcelona before. When shopping I was obviously thinking about this, so I got a bottle of something reddish, fizzy in a nice bottle. Thought we could have a drink when she arrived, and get to know each other a little informally since we’ve only spoken on the phone before. Turned out that she only wanted water! And I even asked twice! Oh dear. This ain’t gonna be fun I thought. But first impressions can obviously be deceiving. And I should’ve remembered the English’s way of being shy and avoiding, having to be convinced. She told me later that I should’ve tried harder :) We later had an excellent dinner in town. Tapas and red wine. They recommended 3 plates with tapas per person, but I think that is only if you haven’t eaten for 3 weeks and work in construction. Because it also comes with a delicious tomato bread and other paraphernalia. Had to leave almost half of the food, which really hurt. It was too good. And things I hadn’t tried before like grilled/marinated little peppers, roasted artichoke, a dish with eggs and shrimp, the fried squid of course and more. And a really tasty red wine (not too expensive either) which neither of us can remember the name of…guess we have to go back and find out.

Shopping experience

22.11.2007 19:52 Then of course I had to go shopping, since the apartment was stripped. There was no toilet paper, no nothing in the fridge. Guess that wasn’t part of the service. Had forgotten what it’s like to food shop in a foreign country not knowing the language. And on top of that I must’ve found the biggest supermarket in Barcelona. Row after row after row of groceries of all kinds. Felt like doing a Borat, the scene when he grabs a shop assistant and points to a package asking “wat is dis?” and the assistant answers “cheese”. About 76 times. Imagine the time it takes to shop when you know the names of “cerveza” (which I anyway didn’t want to buy), “vino” and yeah, I guess that’s about it. But I managed to get some olives, ham, bread, cheese and milk. Do you have any idea of how many milk sorts that is available on the Spanish market? And all I wanted was normal milk to have in my coffee. Which turned out to be powder cappuccino in the end, since I hadn’t seen a coffee-maker in the flat. I also got some salt and pepper (“pimiento blanca molida” – who would’ve known?). Guess I was thinking that I would cook one evening. HAHAHAHA!

Barcelona – here I come

22.11.2007 19:41 Well, it’s gonna be like this for a little while now. I blog when I have time offline, and then I post it in lumps whenever I get a chance. So you see, no use in avoiding the blog…there might be something there! Life in Barcelona is, hmmm, different. In many ways actually. First of all I haven’t spent much time abroad since I moved to Zürich more than 5 years ago, just a week here and there. So all my foreign experience had gotten a bit rusty. When I arrived here on Tuesday afternoon I went straight to the agency which held the key for my apartment (the one you saw pics of earlier). Only at three in the afternoon they were out. There was a sign on the door I couldn’t quite interpret, but I guess it said something like “gone for lunch, customers not welcome for the moment” or something like that. In Australia it would have said “gone walkabout”. But I’m not a difficult person, so I sat down at on outdoor (!) café and had a cerveza. Some words you never forget :) Well, half an hour later they came back, all three of them. One of them spoke a little English. Hurray! So we walked to my flat, I inspected it and that was that. It is very spartan but I like it. Two bedrooms (questionable beds though but I’ve been so exhausted since coming here, I slept like a log anyway), bathroom (obviously), kitchen and a living room. The living room is a bit funny though with balcony doors which are windows floor-to-ceiling opening up to a terrace. When I sit on the sofa it feels like I sit on display since there are many tall buildings around. I’m on the 9th floor. If I lean stand at the right angle I can actually see the ocean! I wonder how life in Zürich is?

Life in Barcelona

Hola! Well, here's where I am right now. Been a bit busy, so have ignored the blog for a coupla days. There is much to say, and I'll be documenting some of it later today. Unfortunately I do not have computer access in the evenings (more time for me to explore here :)...but will write offline and post tomorrow. Adios for now...

Drunk as a skunk

So again, why change a winning concept? Must admit, am a friend of the skunk for the moment. And ran into a taxi driver who apparently drove me home 3 weeks ago. I have no idea, but he told me so and when he said he was from Brazil it rang a bell. However, I don't think we'll be close friends since he thought I was from Finland...

Swisscom

Coincidence? I think not. Remember I complained being harassed by somebody calling me every day? I googled the number and came up with Bluewin (owned by Swisscom). So like I guessed it was telemarketing. Then I wrote that email to Swisscom, asking for the number and complained about harassment, resulting in getting a letter today. Would you like to refrain from receiving promotional offers from Swisscom fixnet? Yes please. All I had to do was to sign a paper and send it in. Mind you, it's only for Swisscom fixnet and it'll take them 6-8 weeks to delete my name and number from their registers. And here was I thinking they had computers...

A tad busy

There is a definite downside with travelling frequently. You have to wash, iron and fix things in between. And then there is the packing. I hate that. I should actually be doing it right now, since I'm flying tomorrow and I have to go out tonight. Will be missing my Tuesday-night-out tomorrow, so plan b is to do it tonight. Because missing it is just not an option. But hey! Plenty of time tomorrow morning, right? And big suitcase is actually still in flat. FYI I couldn't be bothered to fetch the other one in the attic last week, so travelled with only a wheely bag. It was filled to the brim coming back, almost bursting open. Good thing it didn't since I had lotsa goodies in there.

Stockholm

Forgot to tell you I had a really nice evening Saturday in Stockholm city. We managed to fit in the following places: http://www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite/Page/RadissonSAS/Page/rsasHotelArticle/1053351782789/en/hotelCode--stozs/ - the sky bar at Royal Viking. Cafe Opera as you saw before. Sturehof http://www.stockholm-eating.com/15871.htm and finally for dinner: http://www.riche.se/en/ Haven't been in Stockholm for 3 years so had to fit in as many places as possible. Think I did a decent job!

So long suckers

Planning on leaving the country yet again for a while. This is where you'll find me tomorrow.

This is art!

This my friends is the best strawberry daiquiri I had in a long long time. Not that I actually had a strawberry daiquiri in a long time, but still. It was delish. Compliments to the bartender at Cafe Opera in Stockholm!

http://www.cafeopera.se/

This look like art to you?

When in Stockholm Saturday evening we passed "Plattan", a place downtown where mostly drug abusers hang around and where you can buy anything I've been told. Was informed that it was 55+ women who made art out of wood. However, when we were there we saw several pick-up vans buying the stuff. So much for art?

Booze

Just HAD to buy this one! Flashback 80's. Disco ball (which I actually still have :)...cool bottle, isn't it? Too bad I don't drink vodka. Any takers?

Shower curtain

I felt discriminated against when using the shower. Look at this curtain! They couldn't even fit Switzerland in!

Down under style

Familiar face who wanted to show off his new Aussie-hat. Hard to believe this guy is pushing 60, ain't it?

Irish treat

I brought chocolate (a must when coming from Switzerland) and Dublin boy brought this (I guess it's pretty cold in Ireland too).

Arrival

And so we arrived. Three people from three different countries, meeting up at Arlanda airport in Stockholm. One from Copenhagen, one from Dublin and then me from Zürich.

Apparently they sell identical bags in these countries...

"Rattmuff"

Sweden is also known as one of the coldest countries on earth (at least of those I've been to). Which is why my ride from the airport had this fluffy furcoated wheel in her car, so called rattmuff.

Mostly used by really old people though, since anybody cool wouldn't be seen ever driving with a "rattmuff"...

Observation of luggage belt

I tell ya. It was really difficult reaching for my bag, not stepping over the line :)

And this was in Stockholm, Sweden. A country which is even more rigid with rules than Switzerland. Imagine that!

Smoking lounge

Nice and clean it was too. Not like in England where they have filthy carpets in the smokers lounge!! And a view.

Welcome

Sometimes I just adore ze Swiss. At Zürich airport this announces the smoking lounge, instead of saying just "smoking allowed" or something lame like that. Here we smokers really feel comfortable.

Suitcase

Due to M's cleaning frenzy while living here, my suitcase has taken a trip to the attic. And I know, I was supposed to pack yesterday evening but hey, that's just not me. So now I'm gonna have to get it, pack and go. Which is "nicht lustig", since it is friggin SNOWING today in Zürich. Ah well, I'm going north anyway... PS. Winning concept worked yet again :)

4 years old

Sometimes I think I'll never get older than 4 years of age. I keep on doing this. Whenever I have an important meeting, or something that I should be fit for I go out. I party. I drink. I go too late to bed. But I kinda think it has worked for me so far, so why change a winning concept...;)

Mandela

I have yet to meet a person from South Africa who has respect for Nelson Mandela. Why is that? Too close to home, or is it that all of us having a great respect for him are wrong? Is perception everything? I'm beginning to think so. But how can a person who spent like 40 years in jail, then founded an organization who made South Africa a player in the world again be bad? South Africa is indeed not perfect, but on the way. I'm thinking Germany here. Germany incorporated East Germany like 20 years ago, and nowadays everybody just talks about Germany. There is no difference anymore. Mind you, I met a German the other day and he was pointing out that he was from Eastern Germany. He was like 9 years old when the wall disappeared. Why is that? Not sure where I'm going with this, but why is it so important where we come from? Why are people who stand out (like Mandela) not appreciated? Perhaps it's like me who comes from the north. I didn't like Abba when they first appeared on stage, but I do now...and yes I know, it's not exactly the same :)

Appetizer

Did I mention my ex has a sense of humour?

Temp

The reason why my cleaning girl will remain temporary :)

On the agenda

Interesting facts about a country I am currently interested in. Sex ratio: 15-64 years: 1.007 male(s)/female (the 7 are for me!) More import than export. 18 million telephone lines. A drug problem. Not too difficult to guess, is it?

Tomato soup and cleaning

Due to some scheduling issues, I am triple-booked this evening. Ok, that's exaggerated but it sounded so good :). Temp cleaning girl is finally showing up to help with the mess that's been accumulating since M left. Ex is (hopefully) showing up ready to make a tomato soup of the overflow from the balcony. And it's Tuesday, so I have to go out. Busy life. Me likey!

Man in skirt

Don't blame me for the bad quality of the pic, blame my telephone!

Private concert

And when I went home on the bus I had a private concert while waiting. In Zürich you never know what you'll come across...

11.11 11.11

I am a bad Swiss-wannabe. They are right in giving me a hard time for that C-permit thing. I had completely forgotten about the fasnacht. How could I? Slap me somebody! I just innocently went downtown tonight to have a quiet drink. I had so forgot about this Swiss party. Perhaps to my defense I have to say there are quite a few of them. But honestly, I should be able to keep track. Shame on me! On 11 November at 11.11 the party starts, and I was totally ignorant. What can I say? I will certainly try to better myself!

Chocolate

Since I'm off to see friends on Thursday I had to go shopping. For chocolate. It is really a must when you live in Switzerland to bring chocolate. So went a bit crazy in Denner. For two reasons I shop there and not in the airport. Firstly, it is cheaper and secondly, you can pack it in your suitcase rather than have a carry-on on the plane. Win-win. Confronted with the enormous selection I had trouble deciding and went a bit over the top I must admit. Yes, a piece of that please. And yes, give me that. And please, that too. Ended up with a whole paperbag of schoggi. The trouble is having all that chocolate at home...and guess what? I failed miserably. Now those round golden-wrapped thingies are all gone. Good thing it's Monday tomorrow. Hopefully my better self will make a sudden return!

On the road

Seems like I'll be on the road for a bit. First I have a private engagement up north the coming weekend, so will be offline Thursday to Saturday. Back on Sunday I should be able to share a few things with you. Then somebody insists that I go south for a little project thingie. This will possibly have a bit of an impact on my blogging. But no worries, I'm sure I'll find a way to share my views. Only, I might have to rename the blog temporarily :)

Swiss outback

In order to get to the real outback here in Switzerland you have to go through Germany. Passing the border to Germany, and then again back to Switzerland. The border stations aren't that big, usually just one guy outside a shack if anybody at all.

And they certainly did not enjoy my taking pictures. Oh dear.

Nice to have's

And this is only the cupboard, you should have seen the wine cellar!

43%

Americans confronted with European culture is always a laugh. And tonight was no exception.

Picture this: an American forced to try "Kirsch", a schnapps which taste like shite but is good for digestion. 43% alcohol. When offered a second round American guy said "I only drink 42% or less".

Swiss girl, the hostess, turned out to be resourceful. A minute later she presented us with another bottle of schnapps. 42%. Only time I've seen this guy speechless. And even more so after he had to drink the 42%...male pride. Gets them every time :)

PS. Sorry about the quality of the pic. It's either the telephone or somebody's trouble to focus :)

In between

Guess the diet will start later...

Raclette

Love it, can never have enough. This is what it looked like before (the hoard of people dug in):

Harassment

I have had somebody calling me once every day for about two weeks. Mind you I haven't been home but I've seen the number on my display coming home. So did a search on tel number without any hit. Then sent an email to Swisscom saying I felt harassed. This is their answer: "Dear Ms (me) Thank you for your enquiry. According to the telecommunications law we are not allowed to give any kinds of information about another subscriber. We are happy to send you an Information form by post . Please do not hesitate to contact us at our toll-free number 0800 800 800 should you have any further questions or require additional information. We will be glad to accommodate your wishes and needs. Best regards Swisscom Fixnet Ltd. Contact Center3050 Bern. I then promptly returned the email saying: "What is an information form? Is there any way I can find out who this number belongs to?". PS. "We will be glad to accommodate your wishes and needs." My ass. My only need was to know who has the tel number of the stalker. Guess what? No answer yet...

Hungry

I am starving, but fortunately somebody is cooking in my kitchen. Think it's chicken on the menu. Yum.

Prude2 (square)

Yeah, before you complain, you try to format blogspot! Hence the explanation above. Was having dinner with two guys tonight, one from Germany, one from the US. Me: "It is nice to be able to walk around naked in my own flat" (now living on my own again). German: "I never do, not even on my own. I cover myself, since I may pass a mirror on the way to the bathroom". US guy thinking: why are these Europeans always talking about nakedness? We just don't do it in America. But then I got told this story by that very American guy. He was young(er) and dated this girl. They were travelling with the girls father and "stepmom". They had to stay over somewhere in a motel. Sleeping arrangements as follows: "Stepmom" and girl in the same bed in one room, father of the girl and boyfriend in the same bed in another room. Now, how weird is that? Can you blame him if he developed sleeping problems? Moral of the story? A marriage certificate allows you to officially sleep in the same bed as the one you already are having sex with. At least in America... PS. In Europe we like to try the goods out first, before buying it :)

Duzigfüssler

Whether I like it or not I am learning Swiss German words. Like on Sunday when the ex was here cleaning the balcony, preparing it for winter. He moved some of the plants indoors, like the chili plants still with chilis on it. When I was lifting them up, cleaning the plates underneath I "iiiii-hhhh'd". Creepy-crawly! This is when I like to have a man around the house. He merely said "ah, süss, ein duzigfüssler" and promptly picked it up and squashed it.

Now tell me, what in the world is sweet about this?

PS1. Interestingly enough this insect is called cendipede in English and "a thousand-feet'er" (a thousand foot'er?) in any other language I know. Centi in Italian means a hundred, not a thousand. Where the heck did the name come from in English?

PS2. Wonder if my foot-fetischist would have an orgasm over this insect?

Undo

Was out on Saturday and got insulted. That didn't feel very nice. But gotta admit, everybody says something sometimes they regret. Even I. So did this guy. But he knew how to rescue the situation. Coupla very nice sms's, and when I saw him tonight he presented me with this.

All forgotten!

Carton day

Ze Swiss have a lot of rules. A LOT. But some of them are quite useful really. Like tomorrow is carton day. That means you collect all your carton trash, and place it on the street corner on a certain date. Some person comes and picks it up tomorrow. For free! Meaning you don't have to pay for the bin bag, and can dispose of it for no cost. Excellent. They do the same thing for paper, which mind you have to be put in a neat stash with a string around holding it together. Shame on you if you put it in a paper bag, because then you could hypothetically put normal trash in between the papers. Ze Swiss don't like that, so they tend to leave it on the pavement. I have tried, that's why I know... And since it's Tuesday, and I anyway have to put the carton out. Meaning going through the annoying exercise of getting shoes on, jacket etc. Hey, I might as well go out!!

Exciting plans

Ran into the gentleman in disguise again last Friday. Asked him if he was having any exciting plans for the weekend. "Yes, I'm off to Dubai and Hongkong", he said. Hmmm. That is kinda exciting, and was not the answer I was expecting. Then we got to talk about the non-alcohol policy they have in Dubai, not allowing any alcohol to be brought into the country. "What?", he said, "can't I bring my usual Bayliss?". Second surprise, since when does a guy looking like him drink Bayliss? I just don't know what to believe any more...

Breast bill

Jeez, got the invoice for the mammography etc today. That is enough to give anybody a heart attack, causing another trip to the hospital. CHF 391,50!! Doesn't that strike you as a little on the expensive side? Strangely enough it seems to be different unit prices for the breasts. I wonder if the left or the right one is more expensive? But I don't care, I like my breasts. Especially when I see what's out there: http://www.007b.com/breast_gallery.php

Local and global

Oh yesterday you wonder. It wasn't all that actually. Turned out to be a real local deal. Swiss German and all about people who knew each other. Besides, they had all the help they needed. When I arrived (in time mind you) there were more people behind the bar than in front of it. So I didn't stay long. But I guess it was nice for the locals. A band, drinks to cost-price, and whatever. I didn't have fun, which is why I left fairly early. However, the place was along the Langstrasse route. So took the bus. That's like travelling around the world in 20 minutes. The Langstrasse bus goes from the ghetto where ex-flatmate lives, through the nice area where I live, through every-nationality-you-can-think-of-area to the really Swiss place. Interesting to say the least. Also included a portion of having the bus go on petrol, because it had to drive around an ambulance outside a bar where somebody probably got stabbed. Gee. The excitement of living in Zürich. PS. That was the time I decided to go home instead of going out...

Maybes

I have a problem with friends (or perhaps they are only acquaintances?) who cannot commit. When you ask to meet up or make an appointment, they say "maybe, I'll let you know". And then they never do. You never know if they will show up or not. Which causes you to not know if you can make other plans. I hate this. I my perfect world it would be better with a firm yes or no. Then I would know. And could plan thereafter. But I have decided to not let this bother me. I will plainly take a maybe as a no. If then they change their mind, fine. If I'm available I am, otherwise not.

Aliens

Something is definitely wrong with the world when teenagers have invaded my place. Go to your own clubs you idiots. Don't discover what fun is just yet. Go someplace where you won't bother me.

I can certainly live without red hair, piercings in lips, a very strange fashion with hanging pants showing your underwear (always boxers for some reason) and unruly behaviour.

But must admit it was kinda funny to watch these teens (they must have reached the age of where you're allowed to drink, otherwise they wouldn't have been served). Or as one waiter eloquently put it: "if you're old enough to have sex, you're old enough to drink". Hmmm.

And a thought kept on coming back to me. Was I like this in their age? Scary big time!!!

Party pro

When you have plans to go out on a Friday it's perhaps not the smartest idea to go out on Thursday. But being a party pro, that's not a problem. Rush home, eat something, hop into bed and sleep for an hour. Now I'm waiting for my cheek to unshrivel since I feel asleep on a wrinkly pillow... Soon dress and then hit the road Jack!

Stats

Was looking at my stats and got scared. Only 92 blog items in October. I am ashamed. This is just not good enough. What was I thinking? Didn't I have any thoughts to share in October? So I'm trying to make amends. By blogging 10 items now in November. And it's only the 1st...

A quickie

Yes, I did take a small trip into town tonight. Wasn't meaning to, since tomorrow is bar day but what the heck. You only live once, right? Or twice? Chances are with my life style, there will be many more lives...;)

Scary monster

See! The speedy gonzalez big hairy monster at the bus stop!

Martinimarkt

Not entirely sure what this means, but heck, I'm for it!

PS. Does it include martini-drinks?

Vegas

Sms yesterday from the fetischist guy. Something "how are you? I'm in Vegas, it's 29° here". Me: "hell enjoy, we're freezing our asses off here". Him: "don't care about your ass, but take care of your feet".

Hmmmm.

PS. My feet as they looked in Rarotonga.

Trouble to let go

I have a cousin who has two teenage daughters. Time to let them go and do their own thing is my opinion, not his. When I say, "let them discover, find out, meet the wrong boys, do what they need to do in order to develop and grow" he says "Never! They need guidance and parents who care". I don't think anybody is in the wrong here, but I love arguing :)... PS. I do hope that he has not developed into this overprotecting parent because he knows me :)

Jersey

Jersey is one of these Channel islands where you do not pay tax on income less than 20K £ (or at least it used to be 10 years ago, perhaps the amount has now increased). Anything on top of that income you pay something like 10% in taxes.

Mind you, you're not allowed just like that to move there. You have to be born there, marry somebody who was born there, or have gazillions of money. Never of which is on my agenda. But it is nevertheless a nice place to visit with long white beaches (yes, it is an island) and a fairly nice climate.

Diamond anniversary

This is indeed very weird, since I am so the not marrying type, but I know this couple who next week have their 60th wedding anniversary! How is that possible? The same guy for 60 friggin years? I am so impressed. Phoned them this evening, since they sent me a birthday card and I wanted to thank them. "Did you get the invitation?" was the first thing she asked. No I didn't. So apparently it's in the mail, but unfortunately it is already next week, so cannot make it. The cards got held-up at the printing shop, and she got a bunch of flowers as an excuse, but it doesn't really help for someone like me who has to travel. They live in Jersey. Wonderful little island. And I mean Jersey the channel island, not the NY Jersey. Great place. I've been visiting twice. They are the old-fashioned couple who serves you tea in bed in the morning, and places a warm water flask in your bed. And still you can talk "man business" with the wife, which I remember we did lying in sunchairs out in their cute garden. I am lucky to know such people.

Go straight to jail

NOT! Got a letter from the authorities today that I do not appear in the "strafregister", meaning I haven't been to jail during my stay in Switzerland. Well, I knew that, and now I have it on paper too. So all papers ready to be sent to the authorities, kindly asking them to give me an extended permit. You would've kinda thought that this was the agreement between Switzerland and EU already, but alas not. Or perhaps Switzerland just choose to ignore ze rules. Who knows? As long as they can take money off you. As the national saying goes "money doesn't smell"...

Behind the bar

Me? BEHIND a bar? This is indeed a weird thought. Remember the Oktoberfest guys? One of them is throwing a bit of a party tomorrow. From what I understand he's renting a local place, and inviting only friends and friends of friends, expecting 30-60 people. And I was invited. Today I asked if everything was cool for tomorrow. Shouldn't have. All of a sudden I seem to have offered to help behind the bar! How did that happen? Ah well, he phrased it like help mixing drinks and be nice to people. I can do that :)

Don't judge a dog

...by its fur. Not sure this saying exists in English (until now!), but you understand what it means. Like yesterday when the train decided it was no longer good to go. Stuck outside Zürich, I wanted to get back to the city. And like in any type of "emergency" you speak to people. So I got to talk to this shaved head guy, with a ring in his ear. So totally not the type I would speak to in any other circumstance. Turned out he was half American, half Swiss and a really nice guy. Whaddayaknow? He even knew Zürich enough to walk me to another station so that I could get back. A gentleman in disguise...