First Sailing Experience

Living in Switzerland for one and a half year, I have done many things which is hardly possible in Japan. This weekend, again I have reach something totally new..



Overnight sailing in the lake!!



A friend of Odie, who is a doctor was enjoying unique holiday. He had one week off and decided to enjoy "vacation" in the city well he lives by renting a real sailing boat. We were invited to his luxurious vacation.





It was my first sailing experience plus first "sleeping-on-the-boat experience. Everthing came at the same time:)





When I heard from Odie that we will sleep on the boad, I really thought that we sleep outside on the deck. I never even imagined that there is bedroom, couch and even kitchen is inside of the sailing boat!!



So our jourey started in Fierwaldstättersee (a lake in Lucerne).



It was so incredible how well these three men manage the boat..







I was allowed to be in responsible for the handle!!



We cruised, cruised cruised,,,





and in the middle of the lake, we jumped in to the water.. I mean swimming in the lake is of course together with sailing but what we have done is this.



"Human Torpedo". We let ourselved pulled by boat!! It is some sort of wakeboarding ...without a board!! You really have to watch out not lose your bathingsuits.



Odie was especially funny when he was pulled. Water is always under his control but this time, he was almost drawning:) He had to gave up.



We had such a fun but soon after this, Odie and his friends started big argument about the next plan. Well, I used to worried a lot when Odie started too excited but now I understand that his old good friends understand him well. Later, they told me that this type of argument is not new, they used to have it a lot especially when they are on the boat. I thought so.



Anyway, when it comes to park the boat in harbor, they show perfect teamwork. Captain scream what he needs and other two do so achieve their mission bravely and dynamicly. It is indeed AMAZING how promptly and effciently they work. I enjoyed observing it. (only one who is doing nothing during this big action:)

I've just realized "I'm traveling with THREE WATERMEN".



In the evening, Odie was in charge of the dinner.



We had all big hunger. So nice sitting outside and eat, watching the sky color to change.





and the night has come.

We jumped into water again before sleep. Took quick warm shower on the deck and went bed. (Odie slept outside!) I've been never so wild for a long time..



From my bed, I could see outside from the window.





On the next morning, I heard voiced behind the door. It took while to understand the situation that I'm in a boat and behind my bed, 3 men are having breakfast:)

These 3 men woke up like 6am in the morning, already swam and went bakery to get some coirssants.

I was still dying and couldn't move until Odie came to me like three times to wake me up. Yes, my morning is usually bad without taking bath on the night before.



but my body woke up completely when we sailed up again..



Our captain told me that the lake is most beautiful in morning and night. That's right. The water was like glass.
Light fog make the atmosphere mysterious.



I woke up at this point but three watermen were already in full power:)





and we arrived at "today's highlight". Rütli, where the origin of Switzerland.



again, big action upon parking:)



and we went up to the field, a birth place of Switzerland!



a land o Yode.

What an honor being escorted by Swiss men to the origin of Swityerland:)



Coisidentally, a national holiday of August 1 is just a week ahead!



It's a place where usually have to take a boat to visit. We had our own transportation. How special us!



We swam again and head back to Lucern. On the way back, we had some wind and I was able to practice how to sail a little. I have to say, it's not easy.



I was again watching three waterman. I thought that cruising with sailing boat is special but spending whole weekend with 3 men is also unusual:)

We safely arrived back to lucern on sunday late afternoon.

It was approx 18 hours journey. I've seen and experienced a lot of new things in last 18 hours. Short and long trip. Thank you for captain who invited us and all three watermen who showed me what a sailing is!!

Euro 2008 Final

I have never watched so many soccer game in my life before. Euro 2008 happned to taken place in Switzerland in my second year in Zurich. In the beginning, I was not that interested since my home country was not involved. But in the end, I became big fan of German team and even organized ticket for the final ! (public viewing though..)



I knew Germany will play the final! Upon the semi-final, when Germany played against Turkey, I thought I will burn these tickets if Turkey wins. (sorry,, just being a big fan of Germany) I

I'm glad that I didn't have to do so and able to see German team in huge screen.

As you see in the photo, there were so many German fans who believe they will be a Champion.



and here come both team. Captain of Germany, Michael Ballack!! I'm especially a fan of him! He is great captain!



and the game bigins. However,,, it was such a beautiful summer day but the sky got dark all of the sudden. Maybe this was already a sign of tragedy..



German fans are all excited and they were absolutely majority among the spectators. But the atmosphere has changed soon.. The goal of German side was threatened so many times by Fernando Torres, an agressive player of Spain. Lehmann, the German goal keeper barely protected from his attack but finally,,,, Torres managed to squeeze the ball into the goal...

First score from Spain.

From this point, the strong belief of German becoming champion changed to anxious. And Spanish fans, who were minority gained more power. I see less spanish flags than german's one but they captured interest of Swiss people.

Well, my German friend told me that Swiss people always support the team playing against German. Maybe that's true. There were small number of spetactors in Spanish colour but obviously more people are cheering spanish. I believe these people were all Swiss.



I was looking forward to see big German party but sadly they lost. But my German friend sent me a SMS that German are not dissapointed and we are already ready to become World Champion by next World Cup. I like this positive idea. It's true that Spanish team played so well and they deserve it.

It was like a festival whole month in Zurich. I had great fun and also learned a lot about soccer, another side of European culture.

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:)

EURO 2008

Now it's started! EURO 2008!! All the hotels in Switzerland in June are sold out since long time and I was wondering how it gonna be in sich a small country.
It's crazy!



Jumbo soccer players suddenly appared on the main staion!!!



You can see from the people, how big these figures are!!



Zurich is not a normal Zurich now.. Usually it's like a ghost town on sunday but it was full with tourists and even shops are open!!

The city is full of soccer energy!!



Not only the city but also Odie is excited.. He stucked the flag "HOPP SCHWIIZ" (go Swiss!) on the car..



and organized Apello (cocktail) upon the first game of Switzerland.



SCHWIIZ!!!!!!



and my Swiss husband is all satisfied..:)



We toasted for Switzerland.... but they lost. SCHWIIZ!!!!!!



Even though Switzerland lost, we head on to the city to watch another game "Portgual - Turkey" at the outside monitor. Again, it was full of soccer energy. Lots of crazy fans with witsle, flag and towels,, many many more.



I, as a third person point of view, it was more interesting to watch the reaction of those fans than game:)

This day, portgual had beautiful victory scoring 3 goals.





No matter who wins, one thing very clear is that everybody really enjoying and having fun! I got jealous that my country is not playing..

I also want to hang my flag proudly or wrap myself with my flag!!!



Odie bought Swiss flag as well. He said, "Oh, I have to get one as well, I can use it on National Holiday and also Olympic, this is great!" and I told him "well by Olympic, Japanese flag will come next to yours!" and then Odie continues "Hmmmm, that I have to consider. Maybe Japanese flag has to go Toillet". WHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTT!! Japanese flag in toilett! That I definetely can't accept! In such a case, I will cover Swiss flag with my Japanese flag!!

and so on... The battle between 2 countries has already started.. When Japan and Switzerland have to play upon World Cup, it will be a battle in our home as well..

Weekend with family

This weekend was big family weekend. During our stay in Japan, Godzilla and Ursurla were somehow in Iran. Godzilla, as soon as he returned Switzerland, flown Tokyo on the next day and stayed one week there. Then he came back but again, flown Poland!! What Godzilla kind of schedule!

Anyway this weekend, we had family's gathering after a while and was even more special since a sister of Odie was also visiting. She is now living in Madrid.



Sunday afternoon we went by lake. A cozy coffee time after swiming in cold water. As you see from the sky colour, the water is indeed still cold. But Godzilla always try to force me into water! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

But I enjoyed girl's chat chat with Fay and Ursula.


Back in home, I was busy. I was being very active in kitchen because..



Underneath our balcony from our kitchen, Godzilla is preparing flowers on ping pong table!!

Yes, it's a Barbecue Birthday party for Ursula!!



Godzilla prepared such a beautiful flower! He used to give lots of flower arrangements to Ursula all made by himself,,,, with stolen flower from someone's garden... ha ha ha!

But I'm glad that he cancelled his plan of going Hungary on this day and joined the party.

An aunt and cousine of Odie also joined and it became quite a big party.

Odie is Grill Meister. He never let someone to touch his grill.
Everything is under his control:)



and he check around if everybody have enough food on the plate:) Birthday-kid, Ursula dressing very colorful for her party! How nice!



While Odie is being Grill Meister, I am Salad Meister:) I was in charge of preparing salad buffet. (on ping pong table!:)

Avodaco and Tomato salad,,,



and this pasta salad was popular. I remember when I was invited to grill party last year, everybody loved pasta salad. So I just tried to make something similar.



Linzertorte that I baked with Fay. That was great fun with her. Normally Ursula bakes for children but this time she got one for herself!



So the sunday evening went on and wenn we realized, it was already quite late. Sky won't get dark until late so that's why we just went on. It was great fun.



Even a cat from neighbor also tried to join the party!
It was cozy family party in long summer evening..