Big Family Party

I have been known about this party for 3 years. Every year in December, my husband, who was not yet my "husband" wrote me Email that he goes to Basel for family party. I saw a photo from the party once and amazed how big the family is.

Finally, I could join this party as an official member of the family. It actually went beyond my expectation:))



The party is held at a home of Godzilla's brother, Ernst's place every year. I've never been to their home before. As I invited into the home, I was astonished.

In Switzerland, first of all you greet with everybody face to face, one by one. Giving kisses 3 times on cheek. So in a big party like this, you'll be busy in the beginning for a while. I was astonished that there were more people than I thought and how nicely the home was decorated.



There were lots of buffet station.



Corner of hams and salami.



Corner of cheese.



Corner of fish.



Corner of bread.



and this one surprised me the most. Corner of fruits!! It was a mountain of fruits on the corner of in-house garden. You can simply pick them up as dessert. Between variety of fruits, you find bowl of dry fruits. It is indeed BRILLIANT idea!!



Everybody help yourself and chose whatever you want. Warm dishes are also served such as mushroom sautee, cucamber and,,, fried banana!!



Here is a core member of the family, I mean original brothers and sisters. The party is a gathering of their children and their sprouts. Center is Godzilla. Godzilla and Ernst look like twin!!



A sister of Godzilla, Heidi will have her 70's birthday. Congratulation!!



Since Godzilla is an artist, I found his taste a lot in the room. The patinting beheind the family, as well as this chair. It was a chair belong to Grandfather.



Me myself also expressed Davatz in full power. A shirt designed by Godzilla.



and I became big fan of this sweet boy. Actually, not "became", I was already fond of him since I met him last time in October. Such a sociable, but loving boy who get along very well with all the adults. He showed me how to play "Stubentanzen".



They are all hand made from his neighbor.



Ernst said that there is small surprise arrangement. We all went out to check out his "surprise". My husband is proudly showing his IPhone:) and what we found is...



Letro Tram!!!



Karsten and Tram. His hut matches well with the tram:)

So the tour of Basel city sponcered by tram Basel, as well as Zürich, tram is major transportation system in the city for 100 years. The car are rennovated many times and now electronish but they keep old cars of those age for entertainment. I saw old tram functioning as "restaurant car" in Zürich. But getting on such a classic car is first expirience.


>br> So the tour of Basel city sponcered by tram has started.



Many people look at us. Cute girl with Santa claus hut.



I'm not a resident of Basel but I believer ciry looks different from this letro tram.



Very manual.





Beautiful wooden car. everybody enjoying chatting.



"Mittele Brücke", a famous bridge of Basel. It was great tour. I think this Entertainment spirit is also something common in Davaty family. Godzilla and my husnand are also good in organizing something fun, so as Ernst.



After a tour, all went home again and had coffee and cakes. The room litted up with candle and very romantic.

We talked, saw photo and relaxed.



To tell the truth, I was anxious to join the party when my husband showed me a photo one year ago. I was not confident whether I can jump into the family with my lunguage barrier.
But I really really like the family now. I felt so comfortable like being apart of this atmosphere for a long time. Maybe it's becuase I already met most of them at least once before. But one thing very sure is that the family is very casual, heart warming and all really welcoming me. There are many occation that feel thankful for being part of the family but today, I felt it once again very strongly. I'm very lucky Japanese, becoming one of this fun Swiss family!

Birthday Party

We are invited by a good friend of my husband for her birthday party. She and her boyfriend are also one of our wedding guests who came all over to Japan!

As we arrived, party was already in half of the way. Friends and families were already there. Soup and cheese cakes were good. My husband stays happy when red wine are constantly provided.



Sybille, a birthday girl!! She went school with my husband and knows him for a long long time.



Carrot cake!



Hand made Tiramisu.



She and her boyfriend actually moved to the new apartment in September so it was first time for us to visit her place.



A father of Sybille. He send post card to my husband every weekend. Finally I met "sender"! He is very easy going and get along with my husband very well.



So funny that she has special collection of "chairs":)) Who has chair collection, I believe not so many. She explained all the background of those chairs and some are even from street:)



Sybille ordered hand made stuffed animal to a woman, who she knows from my husband... White and Black sheeps!! I'm very seinsitive about white, balck sheeps due to this Swiss politic. So I put black sheep in the middle and made peaceful Sheep land.

After enjoying talking, we were escorted to upstair. It looks like bedroom,,,, but in fact a KARAOKE room!!



She's just got this Karaoke player as a present. Two microphone in front of TV. Surprisingly on Tatami mat!! I've never imagined experiencing KARAOKE on tatami at home in Europe.



Once my husband hold a microphone, he never stop singing....



The time went fast and it was already 12am when we realized. Since Sybille knows my husband for a long time, it was very cozy party. Even when he drunk and gone crazy, they stay cool. I like it.

But I have to agree that all friends of him are very nice!!

Sushi Party!!

Since I live in Zurich, I have been asked often "can you make Sushi?". My answer was always NO. Sushi look simple but actually it requires a lot of skill and in Japan, you only eat sushi outside, not at home. That was my explanation. This is in fact true, in Japan, no mother make real Sushi at home, we normally deliver from Sushi shop.

But one time, one of my friend said "really? but I saw one Japanese student brought sushi to party".

That must be "Norimaki" not "real sushi",,, that's what I thought. So I was still refraining from making sushi but finally I couldn't say no anymore. My husband really wanted to hold sushi party for his good friend.
I was at the edge and couldn't make furhter excuse. So finally I tried last weekend!!



Not so bad, isnt't it?? Inside is just like California roll, avocado, crub, sesami and so on.



Spicy tuna roll.



Tuna salad roll. Yeah, none of them are "real sushi" but still tasty.



We also bought the most fresht fish we could get in Switzerland and organized "self sushi". You pick up whatever you like and roll up with rice by yourself. Salmon were especially good.



Salad is also seafood.

Some people who know real sushi might complain that these are "fusion sushi" but the most important is that we had fun!



I'm glad our guests like raw fish and they enjoyed. All the rolls and fish are finished!! My husband,,, full of his mouth:))



So anybody who wants to try "home made sushi" in Switzerland, let me know! Hmm,, I might have to buy dishes which match better to Sushi and fish.. Then it looks even more delicious.

Dampferball

Dampferball,, I knew it as "Dance party on a boat". It takes place once in a year in November and the family of my husband always participate it. This year was my first Dampferball experience.



Dance with the music of live band and enjoy dining.



Very European!!



It was 3 course menu.



My mother-in-law is "the best dresser" on the day:)



Godzilla is also in good mood, even though he just came back from Shanghai on the day before.



We danced a lot!!

But what very special about this party is this boat.



It's a 106 years old steam engine boat.





It's old but beautiful.



Speed measure.



It's so funny that people are dancing and enjoying while the engine is running in full power just underneath. It's scrolling very fast but totally elegant atmosphere is on it's above. This miss match of the tempo is funny.



Since I moved to Zurich, I have learned that people here really know how to enjoy life. Anything could be a possibility of party and fun time and so does this boat. On the night of cold November, I have experienced another interesting European party. Please also see my Video:

Peets Coffee and Tea at the Airport

After we left the super satisfying hotel, Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, we arrived at the airport. Since we left the hotel at 6am, we haven't had breakfast yet.

Even we missed breakfast at Hyatt louge, I was satisfied to get this breakfast at the airport.



"Peets Coffee & Tea" the best coffee you can get in San Francisco. (in casual atmosphere). I never look for Starbucks in San Francisco. Only Peet's Coffee is acceptable for me and so does my father. We had lots of coffee at Peet's coffee during our stay. Since my parents always took me to big lunch, I had hardly space for sweets for coffee break with them. But I was curious for this ginger cockie and finally able to get one before I leave.

"Last Peet's Coffee" at the airport was perfect conclusion for our trip and also this small breakfast was perfect after a big dinner last night.