Landschlacht, The Ides of January 2016 “Ignorance is bliss.” A commonly-used phrase which has its positive and its negative sides. In the minus column, ignorance has led people to do violence against one´s fellow man or to commit acts of sheer stupidity. In the plus column, not knowing sometimes can be a blessing. For example,… Continue reading Unforgettable
Author: canadaslim
The artistic criminal
Zürich, 30 December 2015: We have all seen them. Scribblings, scratchings, stencils, murals up, down, over and under in public places. Simple messages to elaborate street-long paintings. This is nothing new under the sun. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans knew them. Today, spray paint and markers and what has been wrought from them are part and parcel of… Continue reading The artistic criminal
The Haa Bay and Needle Park
Zürich, 30 December 2015 You have arrived at “the Haa Bay” as the locals call it: Zürich´s Main Station or Hauptbahnhof. You should be impressed. There are 3,000 trains, carrying around 350,000 passengers, arriving and departing daily on 30 tracks. The station is one of Switzerland´s oldest. The first station on this site was opened in 1847 by… Continue reading The Haa Bay and Needle Park
Remembering Marilyn / Plastered with Paris
Vaduz, Liechtenstein: 3 January 2016 Ute (my wife) and I visit the Liechtenstein National Museum to see a special exhibit on the life and times of American movie star, model and singer Marilyn Monroe, entitled “The stength behind the legend”. “Famous for playing “dumb blonde” characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of… Continue reading Remembering Marilyn / Plastered with Paris
Walkin´in the rain
Amriswil, 7 January 2016 “Your body is drip-dry. You are not made of sugar and you won’t melt in the rain. Most of us had concerned mothers who wouldn’t let us step outside without being swathed in all manner of rain gear and thought we would surely die if we got wet. You won’t. Trust… Continue reading Walkin´in the rain
Of men and merit
Landschlacht, 9 January 2016 It is 0430 in the morning and in an hour´s time I shall dash off to the station, grab a train to St. Gallen and once again assist the world´s largest coffeehouse increase its profit margin. The past few days I have had travels and discussions and thoughts about what is… Continue reading Of men and merit
The Epiphany of Canada Slim
(or The Ruins of Anwil and the Holy Fountain) (or Moos and I love ewes) Landschlacht, 6 January 2016: Ahhh, Switzerland! A land divided in every way, including by language and religion. Today, a case in point: Epiphany or Orthodox Xmas or Little Xmas. Some Cantons are on holiday, others not. The Catholic cantons sleep… Continue reading The Epiphany of Canada Slim
Thus one journeys to the stars
Landschlacht, 6 January 2016 It is a strange little place I live in. Though it sits beside the Lake of Constance, nestled quietly between the hospital-church complex that is Münsterlingen and apple-obsessed Altnau, Landschlacht itself (population: 850) seems to remain unappealing to both residents and visitors alike. This peaceful holiday spot, this bedroom community near Konstanz-Kreuzlingen, has… Continue reading Thus one journeys to the stars
Canada Slim and the Push for Reformation
Zürich, 30 December 2015 Last night (29 December), supper at a Mexican restaurant, followed by the film Carol at an arthouse cinema. Ute (my wife) introduced me to a spot that advertises itself as “the most exciting street to shop in Zürich“, Im Viadukt Markthalle. The railway company had a substantial influence on the city’s urban… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Push for Reformation
Me at the U of Z
Zürich, 29 December 2015 Both the big name guidebooks, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, suggest a visit to the University of Zürich. “See the Archaeological Collection”, they say. “Visit the Graphics Collection”, they suggest. “Check out the Law Library”, they advise. Yet a university is so daunting a place to check out as a tourist, especially… Continue reading Me at the U of Z