Californian Sun

You really can't be sad when you live here.  It's January and I'm just back from eating lunch sitting outside in the sun.  It's not too hot, not too cold.  Just right. 

Flying in Style

I've been flying across the atlantic ocean at least twice a year now for 6 years.  On this current trip to Zurich I flew in business class for the first time on the way over here.  Considering how often I fly it was surprisingly exciting to be sitting up the front of the plane treated to a pair of socks, an eye mask and with sirloin steak on the menu.  It was a red eye flight though and I slept (soundly) through most of it.  

I was looking forward to trying the full 5 course meal on the way home but it looks like I haven't been upgraded on this leg so I'll be in the narrow seats on the way home.  Oh well.  It was nice while it lasted.  I have really enjoyed the trip to Switzerland but I must admit that I'm ready to go home to sleep in my own bed and cook in my own ktichen.

Winter in Zurich - A cacophony of accents

I've come to Zurich for a couple of weeks with work.  It's really cold here at this time of year. The city is covered with snow and little kids bring sleds out to play.  The city is German speaking but everyone I work with speaks English.  It's a fabulous mix of accents that I just adore listening to - French, Spanish, Portugese, German, Russian and Welsh.  The rolls of the Rs, the guttural German back-of-the-throat Ks and slipperly lisps of the THs sound so exotic, they make every point made so much more convincing.  I could sit and listen all day...