Sechslaeuten

Sechslaeuten..

a special holiday only in Zurich, a special festival to kick the winter out and wish for a great summer...

I still don't understand!!!



to bomb this snowman down!!

after living 1 year in Switzerland, I thought maybe I will feel different from last year. But I dind't. Please refer to my post of last year which I was shocked! Here you can check how he will be burn down!

Again, he has arms, legs and body,, his face is even kind of cute! He is "human shaped snowman!" How dare you can bomb him with joy!



Especially when the weather is like this, he look even more sad..

I understand that becuase of long winter, people eager to have sun and summer and want to destroy the snowman, the symbol of winter. The more faster the snowman explode, betther the summer will be. That's why people are excited for the explosion. Since I experienced whole winter this year, I thought I might understand this festival more. But I didn't. Burning snowman is still look brutal for me. Poor snowman..



But the parade was good. These are the parade of "Zunft" which a group of family existing from old ages. When they dress these traditional costume, it looks as they came out from picture.



They look like knights from a castle:)



The weather was really shame especially for these people with instruments in parade. I hope their instrument were ok after long parade in rain.

But music was fun and good.

Last year was too many people and I could hardly see the parade but this year, I was able to observe and enjoy.



Even the statue at Lake Zurich was wearing costume! Who the hell did it! So funny!

I still don't like the highlight of exploding snowman but I like festival.. Let's see how I will feel next year.

Shopping and Broadway

sounds very tempting for girls, isn't it? After tough full schedule on the day before, I had such an idealistic day!



TOPSHOP, it's really a dream for all those fashion freak!!



I was swallowed into this shop..



and gone crazy.

You can get everthing here, bags, accesories, skirfs, shoes, bikinis... EVERYTHING!!



It reminds me of my great shopping experience in Tokyo at "Shibuya 109". This is one of the most popular shopping place for Shibuya girls where the whole 7 stories building is only for girls stuff! I loved it!! But TOPSHOP is even better since none of staff here come over to you and try to sell something. In 109, staff can be quite annoying. They always try to sell you more. In TOPSHOP, the people are helpful only when you ask you something, otherwise they let you shop alone.



and qualities are much better!!



My husband became also crazy at "TOPMAN". His shopping is always quite fast while he simply take off his sweater and try t-shirts on without going changing room!



Who is that?? A TOPMAN model:))

In TOPSHOP, there is also a nice cafe.



Girls can have a break after hard core shopping war..



But maybe cafe is more used for men.. who has to wait for girls shopping in the store:)



My husband also ended up like this:)

In US, I had to wait a lot while he is shopping in Apple store but this time he had to wait for me. Poor my man.. I don't know how much time and money I spent in this store..



Every time after visiting TOPSHOP, we came out with full of bags. This is bags only from 1 day and we've done it 3 times!!



We went to see Broadway, Le Miserables with full of Topshop bags..



It was very nice stage, very touching and impressive. But I still like "Phamtom of the Opera" better. I should have read about stories better in advance.

After enjoying Broadway, we went out for dinner with our new clothes on from TOPSHOP. My husband bought sexy shirts and jacket so I'm telling him not to where it for night out without me! Too dangerous!

London,, super city!!

1st day in London- full tour in one day-

We really did full power from the 1st day in London. Over the Easter, we decided to enjoy holiday in London, where I've never been before. Swiss and Japanese couple hardly do last minutes. We have planned this trip since October.

London is 1 hour behind so we woke up before 7. Quickly had breakfast at the hotel and kicked off to the city.

First check point is "the tower of London".



It was my request, who studied world history. The tower has been standing here more the 1000 years and has seen everything happened in London. It also has uncountable bloody events. They were always due to the conflict of religion or layal hearitage.



It's so amazing that such a huge architecture made in 1000 years before. When I stand in front of the tower, I have to imagine old ages and also people who related to.



Tower bridge is right in front of the London Tower. When the huge ship goes by, it will open the gate. I like goldengate bridge in San Francisco much better but it is a funny bridge.

By the way, our hotel is locating Liverpool station. We walked all the way down to Tower bridge and then conitnued to St. Paul's Cathedral.



Since it was Good Friday, sightseeing was not allowed inside. I have been told to put away Japanese guide. Anyway we went it and been amazed by beautiful painting on the ceiling and on the wall.



The photo from it's entrance. London is really a huge city but this corner remains nice old European city.

Then we continued to Millennium bridge. After old Cathedral, my husband wanted to see modern one.



What I have realized in London is that, city is constructed by both old and modern architecture and they a collaborating so well.





You'll find one of the most modern designed building in the world but in behind, there is a chuch standing their many centuries!



Millennium bridge was a project of 2000 but from here, you can see cathedral and london tower.. What a contrast.

We went even further by foot. We wanted to go British museum but unfortunately it was closed. So we walked down Oxford street torward Oxford Circle.. One of the most important thing I had to do in London was visiting TOPSHOP!!



My husband went a little bit crazy, I went very very crazy. I don't know how many hours I spent here. Kate Moss, bravo!!!

After big shopping, we walked down Regency Street and had nice tea at Fortnum Mason, one of the best tea in England.

I bought lots of souvenir as well.





We had just small bite here but all the food looked very good. Next time I want ot real lunch here.

So,,, our tour even continue further!!

We walked down...



We walked by Trafaiger Square..



St. James Park...



and reach Big Ben!! One of the most well known symbol in England. Lucily the sky has cleared up and I could take great photo with red bus.



Of course we checked out Westminister Abbey in neighbor. Unfortunately couldn't get it though.

So our 1 st day went on. From here, we took cab back to our hotel in Liverpool. Took a bath and prepared for a dinner.

Yes we did all the major "tourist things". Thouse who are confident with toughness, could be our route is a good schedule for London tour.

Wedding of two men

Yesterday was a wedding of good friend of mine who I got to know in German school in here Zürich. It was "intensive course" which takes full afternoon. He was the only "man" in our class. I learned that he has "boy friend" in simple conversation.. In German "Freund" is boyfriend and "Freundin" is girlfriend. We were talking about partners and he put strength "mein Freund" (my boyfriend). It was very natural the way he said.

Actually, there were lots of people like him in my previous job. So I didn't surprised. But I DO surprised when he told me that he is planning to marry. I didn't know there 's such a law exist.

I was so curious how it will be.

They kindly invited me and Zeno. We once had brunch all together at there place, which was again AMAZING!! Their brunch set was perfect like that of 5 star hotel. There home was also like a model room, all perfectly coordinated.



Many guests were already there, where the ceremony will be taken place.

In Switzerland, you invite lots of friends and family even for a legal marriage ceremony. (just to sign on the contract)



and here comes the TWO. My friend looks a little bit nurvous!?

They wear COOL COOL:)

As they arrived, they greeted around every guests.



and then we went into the official room. When I got married, I didn't know how the procedure is like so I got really nurvous been surronded by all the friends of Zeno in the room! Being observed by everybody, the ceremony starts.



My friend is American and his partner is German. Ceremony has proceeded both in German and in English.

It was so interesting how the sentences been read. The word "marriage" was not used but "having contract" has been used. Zeno thought it's more romantic:)



A partner of my friend strongly said "ja ich möchte!" (yes I would like to) but my friend was being shy!? He said "ah.. Yeah". That was cute, everybody had to laugh. Then they singed on the contract.



after having 14 years relationship, finally they are officially "together".



after the ceremony, we moved on to standing party. It was nicely organized at the restaurant nearby. Besides the difference of the words being used, otherwise nothing different from normal wedding. We congratulated these two and then enjoyed chatting with other guests. Zeno and I gave a flower as a gift. I remember that they had huge flower in their living room. My friend, he told me how he likes our present. In such a point, I feel that he had girl's way of thinking. I was very happy to be appreciated.

They can get married but I believe there are some other difficulities that they have to face. My friend told be that not all of his family are happy about his desicion. But I really think that the most important is that the couple are happy and satisfied. It was unique wedding buy basically nothing special. To celebrate two lovers becoming married is just like other wedding.
It was really my pleasure to be that place and able to celebrate! *The couple has approved of this writing.

Sunday with friends

Last weekend we had lots of visitors. My friend who is my ex-colleague visited me on Saturday and on the next day, Zeno's friend who is living in Japan visited Zurich. He, Alessio, is a swiss man but speaks very fluent Japanese and enjoying Tokyo's life style for a long time. Another good friend Alex, who is going Copenhagen and Switzerland back and forth due to his business also visited Zurich. These 2 friends incuding Zeno had great fun old days. They once visited us for dinner in summer.



We went popular cafe on the top of the hill.

Since it was a beautiful day, the terrace with full of sunshine was packed. I'm a typical Japanese who hates direct sun heat so I preferred staying inside.



Inside was also nice. The ceiling is high and fresh carrot juice was great.



One of my main pupose this day is to ask Alessio about his new Japanese girl friend! I was so happy to learn that he takes his girlfriend with him for his visit. She will arrive Switzerland next week so we are planning to have dinner altogether. he seems to be very much in love with her! He showed me his camera full of her photo! She is indeed a pretty Japanese girl. I look forward to seeing her..



One shot with happy Alessio! Zeno said that Alessio looks very different now. More relaxed and satisfied.



So now, this sweet face Alex is looking for a steady girlfriend! Zeno is married, even Alessio is now setteling down, it's time for Alex to find Ms. Right:) It's HIS request to put ad of him on my blog:)



Another shot from different angle! He is half German, half Swedish. Very gentleman. Anyone interested? Please contact me:) Only those serious girls please!



It was such a beautiful day. Some walk was nice...



We found some spring on the ground.



But too long walk is pain for me. Going up to the hill, down to the city, continue along the lake grab sausage at the stand (no seat!) and walk further along the river.. That is way too much! I like walking and I do quite good as Japanese girl but sometime Zeno doesn't care if it's too much for me or not. I got sick on Sunday evening.. This is one disadvantage of mix culture marraige. I try not to say NO without trying but it could collapse cozy Sunday night.