EM is heating up!

Euro 2008 is heating up in Zurich. Even during 1 hour lunch time, I see those people wearing T-shirts or flag of home countries every where on the street. Today, I even saw many people with board saying "I need ticket".
Yes, city is full of soccer feaver.



As most of you know, one of the most unforgettable game has taken place on last Friday.



My husband booked dinner at Hiltl in Munsterhof where temporarily opened restaurant-bar has built.



it equipped many many screens which shows of course,,,,,, soccer game!!



those who made reservation for course menu are escorted to the best seat and can stay there until second game is finish, which is 22:30.



It was the day "Italy - Romania" and "Netherland - France" the hottest game so far I saw!

Can't believe that Italy has lost twice!



after Italy has lost and all the Italian fans has left with dissapointment, our dinner has started.



Many different type of appetizer.



and many course. Hiltl is a popular vegetarian restaurant in Zurich. I'm quite impress how succesful they are. I mean, this soccer business is indeed huggeeeee!!!



Menu are like foods from their buffet but charging us a lot:)



but it was indeed worth!!



The game "Netherland-France" turned out to be a memorable one!!



Who ever imagined that netherland win scoring 4 points!

Since my home country is not participating, I was always in third-person point of view,, but I was really excited in this game!! After the game, I was fully satisfied. It was something you could not miss.



On the way back home, I saw even a Gross Muenster is decorated for EM.



It was a friday night. No matter who wins or lose, the street was full of people enjoying party:)

Wedding dinner at Castle

So the party moved on to the third stage,, crossing the border:) Two big buses has been organized and all the guests are transported to.... ITALIAN CASTLE!!!



Oh my god, there's even a red carpet all the way to the entrace. I can't believe how well organized it is in the castle. It's not a professional banquet hall but they even arranged perfect cocktails at the garden.



Wedding couple has welcomed us.



You could see how isolated the venue is. It is indeed a PRIVATE party. But very cozy with other guests.

After taking the photo of the entire guests at the garden, we proceed to the inside of castle where formal dinner served. Dinner at the castle!? No such an idea will come up from Japanese...



What made me even more surprised is how professional banquet it is even in a castle! Now I'm start wondering what exactly a "castle" is in Europe. Is it normal to have a banquet here? It's too perfectly organized to be just a castle. I felt like I'm in a real banquet hall which is professional for dinner and partys. I mean, so wonderful the table decoration is!



These small vegetables are the concept of the party. I think it means "herbst" which is fruitful life. My husband think they represent "children" and to have many children after marriage:)



Table for wedding couple. They are sharing table with the couple of best woman and best man.



Good food.



Good service. Comfortable chatting time. How can it be better?

As being a ex-hotelier, I'm very curious how these arrangements have been done....in castle. Are they professional? It's not an easy work to serve 100 guests.



Godzilla giving a speech. And it followed by Ursula, mother of Ariuscha and my husband who is a brother of Ariuscha. Maybe father could give a speech in Japan, but mother have no chance. At the wedding of her children, she sits there and watching the happiness of them with full of emotion, but not saying a word.

In Japan, daughter write a letter to her parents and read it at the banquet. Earlier, when daughter get married, it means she is "GIVEN" to the family of her husband and no longer a member of original familiy. She really has to leave the family where she grown up. That's why she thanks to her parents who raised her up,, and say good bye with tears. In this age, of course daughter is always a member of the original family but still she reads thank you letter to her parents. It is the most emotional time durning the banquet.

Here, by Ariuscha and Lukas wedding, speech was given causing laughter than tears. Maybe Ursula was a little bit emotional but she also done it very professional. I think no Japanese mother can give such a great speech like she does.



After a satisfying dinner, all the guests have been escorted to the upstair. We went up the steep typicle castle stairs and found again, a hall with huge screen. Now the time for performance!

Such a creative SURPRISE video has been showned for both Ariuscha and Lukas. Ariuscha was a real good dancer and the video was organized by her ex-dance mate. That was touching. Lukas video was also great, showing his childhood and teenager days. Everybody had to crack up:)
In Japan there is also a surprise performance planned by wedding guests. I once danced in front of 200 people:)

Wedding cake served by Ariuscha and Lukas. It was another very tasty one. Dessert buffet was also great. I couldn't say no even after huge dinner.

And we dance until morning. Since we are in 2hours away from our home, we had to make up our mind to stay up late. First bus left at 1 am but those who stayed had to dance until morning:) It reminded me of my days in Tokyo that once I miss the last train, I had no choice than staying until first train in the next morning:)

DJ was very good. He played variety of music. The bar at the castle was available all night. This kind of service is not available in Japan.

Overall, I really felt that the wedding couple focused on "enjoyable, fun party for guests". Otherwise, they don't have to chose a venue in such a mountain and moving all the way to Italy for dinner. It was indeed worth. I believe the experience of this whole weekend stay in the memory of each guests as a wonderful wedding.

Congratulations once again Arisucha and Lukas! It's my honor to be a part of the family!