+41-77-42 68 369

My new number.

First impressions

Going from Stockholm to Liechtenstein (yes, we had some time to spare so we drove a bit extra just to see the one place in Europe that voted away democracy) it is striking that there is only one thing reminding you of the fact that you have crossed a border: the SMS that informs you of the new operator you have just roamed unto. No border, no nothing. Sweet!

Once in Switzerland we drove around among the valleys and into the alp villages. In one of the most conservative (and most Swiss?) cantons; Appenzell Ausserrhoden (they gave women the vote in 1989) we found a restaurant where we could have our first Swiss meal. The place looked very promising, lots of stuff related to cheese making was displayed and the atmosphere was utterly genuine. We ordered and while the waiter disappeared into the kitchen the owner offered us some delicate bread. Not shortly thereafter we started sensing something was up. Both the owner and the waiter started to look stressed and ran around. We soon found out what was wrong. Within five minutes the waiter came and said that they could not find the Chef(!). After another five minutes the owner came, with the look on his face as if his entire life work had been brought to shame, deeply apologizing about something that had never ever occurred before. Since he was so obviously sad, and since the whole thing seemed so absurd, all we could do was to smile and walk away. Clearly the image of Switzerland as the most reliable place in the world got a severe hit already on the first day. However, since the owner was so sincere in his shame I would gladly go back and try to eat there another time.

On a purely positive note; I have found a place to stay. It went very fast and easy and is a bowling-ball throw (not an accepted expression perhaps, but you understand that it is very close) away from my university.

The address, for those who want to visit or send stuff is:
Varnbüelstrasse 13, 9000 St. Gallen

The phone number to the apartment is +41 (0) 71 222 49 61
(I will try to get a mobile number tomorrow, when school starts)

Ciao!

Take a ride with me

People say that it’s the journey and not the destination that makes traveling so much fun. I very much agree and therefore I am going to St. Gallen by car, instead of flying. Not only will this allow me to spend two days watching scenic parts of Autobahn in Germany. This way I also get to bring my bike and other heavy and cumbersome objects that would have been difficult to get on the plane. Since I don’t have a car of my own or a driver’s license I owe a great debt of gratitude to my mom who has been persuaded to drive me down.

You are of course welcome to join us, albeit only virtually. Turn on some German music or a Swiss language course (that is what we will listen to in the car) and track our progress as we head south. Our intenarary is as follows:
Depart from Stockholm around lunchtime and arrive in Göteborg some six hours later. (Map)
In Göteborg we have to Check in at our ferry by no later than 19:00. This night-ferry will then take us (Map) to Kiel in northern Germany. Arrival is expected to 09:00 on Saturday morning. We then drive (Map) to Glandorf to visit an old friend of the family. It is unclear how long we will stay. May just an hour for tea or maybe we will even spend the night. Who knows?

Afterwards we will head south (Map) and travel as far as possible to St.Gallen. Depending on the time spent in Glandorf we will reach St.Gallen either Sunday lunchtime or late in the night.

And then the adventure begins.

Hospital Flag

Me: Yes, I'm going to Switzerland.
What do you know about that place?
Cousin: I dunno, isn't it the country with the hospital flag?

Today will be the last Sunday until late July that I have dinner with my family and immediate relatives. As I was talking to them, in particular my young cousins, I realized that they (and maybe others) had a limited knowledge of what I am going to do in Switzerland.

So, in order to give you a preview of what my future posts will be about here is a short list.

• By living in a (almost) German speaking area I strongly hope to improve my mastery of Deutsch. Therefore, don't be surprised if I comment on something language related
• I am after all going on a student exchange, so school will enter into the picture, be it an eccentric professor that deserves mentioning or some random thought I have on a topic related to my studies.
• Exchange is always about meeting people, both local and the other exchangers. Add to that that I will probably hang around with the local CEMS Club and AIESEC LC. Expect bits of gossip and lots of pictures.
• Not only does the setting of a medium sized Swiss town offer something pleasing to the eye. It also brings vast possibilities to enjoy the out-doors. I am bringing my bike, uni-hockey/innebandy stick & badminton racket, but will most likely enjoy skiing, football and just plain sight-seeing as well.
• Being the perpetual optimist I fully expect there to be time over to indulge in reading the many books I need to, in order to research my thesis. I don't know how much I'll comment directly on this work, but I'll probably link frequently to stuff that is related

CH in minus 5!