So day 4 and 5 together I think because I was too tired to
blog yesterday morning.
The course on Wednesday started with a tour of the
production line upstairs which was absolutely incredible. I have never seen
anything like it. Each one of the products is made by hand. Hand blown glass by
professional glass blowers, the most intricate glass work and precision
measuring. It was just amazing. We all left saying we would never again
question the price of such intricate and delicate products!
The rest of the day proceeded as normal. Lots more
analytical talk. Im not sure how much of it was sinking in by then but I tried
my best. More strange lunches from the school canteen and I progress the third
type of odd looking tart for an afternoon snack. I think I managed some fruit
too, just to make sure I wouldn’t get scurvy.
Wednesday was the night they we’re taking us out for a real
taste of Switzerland and apparently this means only one thing (and its not
chocolate) – Cheese Fondue! So we were taken off on the train into Zurich city,
and a tram up a very steep hill (mountain) In the snow to a tiny little
restaurant that serve only cheese fondue.
And I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I think I
would have preferred it with a little more vegetables and a little less… cheese
but it was pretty good. Especially once you included the beer, the wine and the
Kisch which is a Swiss drink. They
ordered shots of it for you to dunk your bread in before you put it in the
cheese. Needless to say at a similar %vol to schnapps, my attempt at this made
me pull that face I pull and everyone else roar with laughter (they had had had
lot of kisch by then!). But, with the snow falling outside and a little fire
under the pot on the table it was very nice.
From there we wondered into town where the 2 guys from the
office in Switzerland treated us to a few of their favourite bars before we
went back to the hotel and a I sat up till they kicked us out chatting about
the various differences between the UK, Germany and The Netherlands with the
others from the course. Needless to say when I went to bed my head was spinning
and when I woke up my stomach was spinning.
But power through we must, and (probably due to my nearer
proximity to my student days) I looked a lot brighter than a few other people
round the table on Thursday. Late nights aside, everyone was feeling pretty
drained on Thursday, four days is a long time and it was a very heavy course so
we took it easy, covering just a couple of last simple things and reviewing what
we had covered. We finished at 3 so the others could get evening flights and I
transferred to a very nice hotel much closer the airport for my super early
flight.
During this week I had learnt that in western continental
Europe they have a tradition of celebrating St Nicholas day which is when
Sinterklass brings presents to children.
Apparently only the really rich kids actually get 2 Christmases, for the rest
of people they just get some sweets and special lessons in school. What they do
have is these special sweet-bread men they make. So once I was in my hotel I
walked into the local town and found the local supermarket where I could buy
some swiss chocolate and a Sinterklass man.
 |
| Sinterklass! |
Beyond that I was far to tired to do anything, so I ate
dinner in the hotel, listening to some incredibly American business men talking
hunting and shooting and gun laws! And this morning it was up at 5am, another
dull airport, another dull flight and back home again. And I am very glad to be
back.
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