Triesenberg, Liechtenstein: 25 January 2016 There is an 11-hour time zone difference between Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, and Canberra, the capital of Australia. So while I was discovering the secrets of this land of the Walser in southern Liechtenstein, Australians were already starting up their barbies for cut lunch and snag while drinking stubbies of beer… Continue reading Viennese, Down Under
Category: Travel
Last of the Knights Templar
Triesenberg, Liechtenstein: 25 January 2016 My private student in Winterthur had cancelled his lesson for today, leaving me only my regular lunch-time Cambridge BEC Vantage group in Vaduz. With the wife away in Zürich, with time on my hands and little desire to waste the clear skies and temperate weather, I decide to explore more… Continue reading Last of the Knights Templar
Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
In the two years just passed and in the two years that follow, multitudes of people around the globe commemorate the events of World War 1 (1914 – 1918) that involved 70 million soldiers – 9 million of them killed in action, 7 million civilian casualities, and a conflict that lasted 4 years, 3 months and… Continue reading Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
Where I am
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name And they’re always glad you came You wanna be where you can see our troubles are… Continue reading Where I am
Sick daze
Landschlacht, 22 January 2016 Being married to a German doctor has its advantages and its disadvantages. Because Europeans and their higher educational standards are very demanding and extensive, one can visit a physician in Germany and Switzerland in complete confidence that they probably know what they are talking about should you ever have occasion to need… Continue reading Sick daze
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