Ode to the Swiss Transportation Network

SBB*, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… I love thine extensive, inter-connecting network of trams, buses, trains, boats, funiculars, and donkey carts (ok, maybe there aren’t any donkey carts) which whisk me away to any corner of Switzerland with the greatest of ease. I love how very very clean and pleasant-smelling … Read more

Colorful Fribourg

This weekend we hopped on a train for a day-trip to Fribourg, a charming town which straddles the Röstigraben. The Swiss city Fribourg (which is primarily francophone today) is known as Freiburg in German, but don’t confuse it with the German city of Freiburg (also a fun place to hang out) or the two other … Read more

Seefeld doesn’t suck

I’m getting a little better about going out and enjoying this “beautiful” weather we’re having. If I just pretend it’s summer I can usually stand to leave the house without bitching and moaning to everyone I see about how much I love snow and WHERE DID WINTER GO? I have to admit it is fun … Read more

Weekend in Ticino Part 2: Bellinzona

Bellinzona is one of those places you go and think, why didn’t anyone ever tell me about this place before? Despite its beauty, charm, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Bellinzona is rarely mentioned amongst the highlights of Switzerland (perhaps this country just has too many highlights?). This Italian-speaking town is nestled into a valley … Read more

Weekend in Ticino Part 1: Locarno

This weekend we escaped the balmy heat wave of Zurich and went somewhere cooler and less sunny. You know, somewhere with palm trees and a Mediterranean climate. Ticino. Ticino is one of the southern cantons of Switzerland, bordering Italy. It boasts an interesting mix of characteristics from both Swiss and Italian culture, usually (but not … Read more

Carnival, Italo-Swiss style

After last year’s lackluster parade in Zurich, I was beginning to think the Swiss just didn’t know how to do carnival. I mean, a correct carnival celebration does involve a certain amount of coming out of oneself, public silliness, and, (gasp!) messiness. Oh yes, I’ve heard about how in Basel there is ‘craziness’ in the … Read more

No Jacket Required

Now I understand what made Herr Liechtenstein take off his shirt – the $#%&ing; weather. Today we have crystal clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s. Flowers are in bloom everywhere you look. All the windows in my apartment are open, and the heat is off. This would be a perfect day… if it … Read more

Cooking with the giggling citrus

On Wednesday night Scott and I went with Matt and Jill to a course at Laughing Lemon, an English-language cooking school and caterer in Zurich. The course was entitled What’s In Season, and covered just that – fruits and vegetables that are at their tastiest right now.

We were welcomed with a glass of wine and some chit chat with our hosts, Jack (the chef) and Silvia (the wine guru). The small group of students consisted of a variety of nationalities, even including a couple of that most elusive species, the Swiss.

Read moreCooking with the giggling citrus