We were in Barcelona for a long weekend in April (ages ago now). We were at the Gaudi park when we passed by a couple and I overheard the man say to his lady-friend, 'they're American.' For some reason, I felt outraged that someone would "peg" us as Americans. We live in Europe now dammit. We were even dressed like we lived in Europe (not frequently the case). So, how could this guy pick us out of the crowd as Americans? I blamed Joe's height. Honestly.
Then, I got to thinking about this Travel & Leisure January 2009 edition ;) article I read a while back. It's about tourist traps, places that attract throngs of people (even us Americans) and our attitudes about them. I've felt the exact same way the author has, that popularity or the presence of throngs of tourists somehow detracts from the authenticity of the place. Of course, greatness attracts a crowd. Now sometimes, simply a crowd attracts a crowd and all there is to see is a person in white face, trapped in an invisible box...but I digress. The article wraps up by pointing out a staggering fact; 'considering that only 28% of Americans have passports, you sort of have to hand it to anyone who leaves home in the first place, no matter how often they show up in your photos...'
We're part of that lucky 28% that takes full advantage of our American passport & the doors it has opened for us. So, here's to you stranger man from the Gaudi park, we'll be seeing a lot more tourists like you in the upcoming month, so just get ready for this American couple (who sometimes look a bit Euro) to be part of the throngs right along with you.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Lil of This, Lil of That
Easter came & went, blurrr. What happened to that relaxed feeling? That 'ah' we have a few days off together in a row kind of feeling? Psha. Easter really was wonderful, Joe took a few days off, we did some laying by the lake in the sun, pedaling on a lil pedal boat, eating delicious, lakeside meals with fabulously funny friends, stocking up on firewood (sure it was April), enjoying time with friends in an amazing parental pad in Locarno, visiting some Roman ruins in Avenches and watched some pretty decent beach volleyball along Lake Murten. Yeah Switzerland, this spring rules, keep it up, will you?
Switzerland has the habit of making a fairly well-adjusted (debatable, I know), fairly financially stable girl feel like Cinderella (pre-fairy godmother). We joined a couple, one American, one Swiss at an insanely nice, expensive lakeside restaurant on Lake Zurich one night over Easter weekend. We spent most of dinner watching gorgeous, fabulously rich people pull up to the lakeside restaurant in their glistening, beautiful mahogany boats. We, on the other hand, changed on the train ride to the town (we were in swimsuits from the pedal boating) in the dirty train bathroom. From the train station, we walked the rest of the way to the restaurant. I got a blister.
Ann & Peter just topped off our visitor season in style. It was really really fun to have them here, despite the fact that the weather was just so-so and there isn't a ton of stuff to do in Zurich, we still found a way. Fridays way was mostly of the liquid form as it was Joe's last day of EY celebration! Ann & Pete really got on with Joe's Swiss co-workers and were completely mingling the entire night. I guess they are like kryptonite to the Swiss' usual stodgy, keep to myself attitude.
So, since Joe had a last day at EY, clearly that naturally leads to a first day at UBS. Heyoh, he's halfway through the week and all seems to be going smoothly. He'll have to hop on here & share some typical Swiss tidbits. As for me, I'm suddenly working more than full-time. A family I was helping out with about once per month now needs me twice per week! (only temporarily) Luckily, the twins are super relaxed -- they still take naps, know what that means? Twice a week, Liz takes naps too! Only real snafu thus far happened tonight. The girls were helping me unload the dishwasher and one got in the way of the other -- let's just say someone got stabbed in the back of the head with a fork (don't even think of bringing it up MK, Don't.)
Switzerland has the habit of making a fairly well-adjusted (debatable, I know), fairly financially stable girl feel like Cinderella (pre-fairy godmother). We joined a couple, one American, one Swiss at an insanely nice, expensive lakeside restaurant on Lake Zurich one night over Easter weekend. We spent most of dinner watching gorgeous, fabulously rich people pull up to the lakeside restaurant in their glistening, beautiful mahogany boats. We, on the other hand, changed on the train ride to the town (we were in swimsuits from the pedal boating) in the dirty train bathroom. From the train station, we walked the rest of the way to the restaurant. I got a blister.
Ann & Peter just topped off our visitor season in style. It was really really fun to have them here, despite the fact that the weather was just so-so and there isn't a ton of stuff to do in Zurich, we still found a way. Fridays way was mostly of the liquid form as it was Joe's last day of EY celebration! Ann & Pete really got on with Joe's Swiss co-workers and were completely mingling the entire night. I guess they are like kryptonite to the Swiss' usual stodgy, keep to myself attitude.
So, since Joe had a last day at EY, clearly that naturally leads to a first day at UBS. Heyoh, he's halfway through the week and all seems to be going smoothly. He'll have to hop on here & share some typical Swiss tidbits. As for me, I'm suddenly working more than full-time. A family I was helping out with about once per month now needs me twice per week! (only temporarily) Luckily, the twins are super relaxed -- they still take naps, know what that means? Twice a week, Liz takes naps too! Only real snafu thus far happened tonight. The girls were helping me unload the dishwasher and one got in the way of the other -- let's just say someone got stabbed in the back of the head with a fork (don't even think of bringing it up MK, Don't.)
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