Do you like the sound of shattering glass? If so, you would like how the recycling system works in Geneva. I made two videos which depict the key stages of glass recycling in Geneva. The first one is the stage in which one empties his or her glass into the appropriate bins, strategically located around town every couple of blocks, so recycling is very convenient. Continue reading
Life in Switzerland
My take on Swiss politics: Campaigns (and campaign ads) are much more fun than their American counterparts.
There are certain things about the U.S. that I truly miss. My friends and family foremost of course, college basketball on the weekends, and affordable peanut butter to name a few. But topping the list of things I don’t miss at all? American politics and the campaign process. I wish the American system was more like the Swiss system. Continue reading
Desperately need a stuffed blowfish? The Geneva flea market has that!
Outdoor markets are a big thing — not just in Geneva, but in all the European cities we have visited. We’ve gotten into the habit of frequenting Geneva’s largest market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, and our favorite booth, which sells awesome fresh Italian food (which I will feature in a future blog!). But this post’s topic is not the food market, which takes place every Sunday, but rather the “Flea Market” which takes place every Saturday. Every Saturday morning, around 100 or so venders display their wares, and as this post will attest, you never know what gems you are likely to find. Continue reading
Chris and I make a delightful mushroom lasagna, and I learn some Italian
Neither of us aspires to be the next Chef Boy-ar-dee, but one thing Chris and I said we’d like to do during our time together here in Geneva is to practice and improve our culinary skills. We’ve had many successes so far, including an exquisite mashed potato casserole, a sumptuous chicken cacciatore, and a finger-lickin’ good coq au vin. We have become experts at our traditional ground beef, sausage, and tomato sauce lasagna, so on this day, Chris found a new lasagna recipe featuring a sauce of mushrooms, ground beef, and melted gruyere cheese. Continue reading
Another hardhitting exposé: There are an awful lot of really small dogs in this town!
Switzerland is well known for its world famous chocolate, cheese, and fine watches. But there is another, less publicized, claim to fame that becomes immediately apparent. Switzerland is the world’s undisputed leader in small dogs per capita. Seems like everyone in this town owns a dog, and everyone of those dogs is really small. Continue reading
How’s my French? Très bien, merci beaucoup!
One of the interesting things about Switzerland is that depending on your proximity to neighboring France, Italy, or Germany, the primary language spoken is French, Italian, or German. I am not aware of many other countries the size of Switzerland in which there is such a distinct variation in languages as you travel relatively short distances around the country. (To put the size of Switzerland in context, at just 16,000 square miles, it is less than 1/5th the size of my home state of Minnesota. If Switzerland was a U.S. state, it would rank 42nd in land area behind West Virginia and ahead of Maryland.)
We live in Geneva, which is in the western “Suisse Romande” region where French is the primary spoken language. Continue reading
Most Everything in Geneva is Really Expensive. Including a Haircut!
I might not yet have mentioned that Geneva is one of the most expensive towns on the planet. Dinner out for two at a reasonably nice place starts at about the equivalent of $100. A decent basketball costs about $50. And what would run you about $100 at a grocery store in the U.S. (or France, for that matter) costs about $200 in Geneva. Want to know what else costs a lot? A haircut costs over $40 in this town, and you can call me cheap, but unless I’m having my bangs highlighted and my eyebrows waxed, I simply refuse to pay over $15 for a trip to the salon! Continue reading
Car? We don’t need no stinking car! Look at all these cool things within 2 blocks of our apartment!
There are many differences between our lifestyle here in Geneva and that which we were accustomed to back in the states, but at the top of the list might be the fact that I never have to drive! Yes, we have rented a car to take our various trips, but whenever we are in town, virtually everything we want or need is within easy walking distance or a short bus or tram ride. Continue reading
Red Letter Day! Chris’ first school day at the International School of Geneva
As a parent, there is something about sending a child off on the first day to a new school that elicits a range of emotions. First and foremost, there is the excitement of the new adventure and personal growth that are sure to occur. And then there is the uncertainty: How fast will he make friends? How will he adjust to a much different environment than he is accustomed to? How will he like his classes and teachers? (At least for me, I find that my emotional frame of mind isn’t much dependent on the age of my kid… I feel basically the same whether we’re talking about the first day of kindergarten, or the first day of college.) We are experiencing these emotions today, as Chris headed off for his first day of his senior year in High School at the International School of Geneva. Continue reading
Another European fashion exposé: Faux leopard skin is in!
In my travels around Geneva as well as other European cities we have visited, one thing becomes immediately clear. People love to wear faux leopard skin. Faux leopard skin coats, faux leopard skin pants, faux leopard skin shorts, shoes, scarves, purses, hats. Even luggage! Seriously, there is faux leopard skin everywhere. So my advice to any faux leopards out there: stay away from Europe because your coat is a very hot commodity. Continue reading
Swiss Sojourner 