I'd just like to share something with y'all that has been shared around my research group like a cough in a day care center. It's like a train wreck- you just can't look away. But this YouTube video of a strange German TV show just gets funnier the more times you watch it. You can thank me later...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
A weekend of German and cooking.
I must say, I had quite a lovely weekend. It was really relaxed, which was helpful after my two intense weeks of German. On Friday night, my flat-mate Stefanie and I made Chicken Marsala (with real Marsala) and had a nice dinner together.
On Saturday, the weather was nice, so I went for a walk with my friends Paul and Jessica, and their new baby Jake. I had been complaining about not being able to find the forest, so they finally guided me onto the correct path that will take me over the hill and through the woods. It was a really gorgeous day that felt like spring. We stopped to watch some funny chickens at a little farm-ish sort of place and ended up getting into a conversation with an old Swiss German man. Once he figured out that we didn't speak Swiss German, he slowed down so that we could understand him. I was pretty impressed with the amount that I understood. He was really nice- babies just melt hearts across all cultures.
For the afternoon I studied German, trying to file away all of the things that I have learned.
For dinner, I helped my roommate Stefano make lasagna and cannelloni. He made everything, and I helped to put things together. The interesting thing about real Italian lasagna is that the white layer is actually a béchamel sauce- they think it's strange that we put ricotta in lasagna. We all (Stefano, Jasmine, Stefanie and I) had dinner together and then played Trivial Pursuits- in German! They were nice enough to translate for me when I didn't understand the questions, and I ended up winning, despite being disadvantaged by not knowing any German or Swiss soap operas. Having to read the questions in German was an experience- I definitely need to work on my pronunciation skills.
On Sunday we had brunch together, and I introduced them to the wonders of oatmeal pancakes- yummy! My flat-mates are all very nice. I feel very lucky to have found this flat and to be able to hang out and chat with them. Stefanie is leaving soon for 5 or 6 months for her job in Ticino, which is sad. But Max from Germany will be subletting her room, so I'll (hopefully) practice my German!
Sunday was a lazy day, since the weather turned cold and rain-snowy. I went back to ICF church in the evening. I'm still not totally sold on it, but it is nice to go to church and to see people my age that I don't work with. Yay for weekends!
On Saturday, the weather was nice, so I went for a walk with my friends Paul and Jessica, and their new baby Jake. I had been complaining about not being able to find the forest, so they finally guided me onto the correct path that will take me over the hill and through the woods. It was a really gorgeous day that felt like spring. We stopped to watch some funny chickens at a little farm-ish sort of place and ended up getting into a conversation with an old Swiss German man. Once he figured out that we didn't speak Swiss German, he slowed down so that we could understand him. I was pretty impressed with the amount that I understood. He was really nice- babies just melt hearts across all cultures.
For the afternoon I studied German, trying to file away all of the things that I have learned.
For dinner, I helped my roommate Stefano make lasagna and cannelloni. He made everything, and I helped to put things together. The interesting thing about real Italian lasagna is that the white layer is actually a béchamel sauce- they think it's strange that we put ricotta in lasagna. We all (Stefano, Jasmine, Stefanie and I) had dinner together and then played Trivial Pursuits- in German! They were nice enough to translate for me when I didn't understand the questions, and I ended up winning, despite being disadvantaged by not knowing any German or Swiss soap operas. Having to read the questions in German was an experience- I definitely need to work on my pronunciation skills.
On Sunday we had brunch together, and I introduced them to the wonders of oatmeal pancakes- yummy! My flat-mates are all very nice. I feel very lucky to have found this flat and to be able to hang out and chat with them. Stefanie is leaving soon for 5 or 6 months for her job in Ticino, which is sad. But Max from Germany will be subletting her room, so I'll (hopefully) practice my German!
Sunday was a lazy day, since the weather turned cold and rain-snowy. I went back to ICF church in the evening. I'm still not totally sold on it, but it is nice to go to church and to see people my age that I don't work with. Yay for weekends!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Zoo is not just for kids!
On Friday I went to the Zürich Zoo with my German class for our last day. We went with all of the other intensive German levels, so there must have been at least 100 of us, and we definitely crowded all on one tram for the trip to the Zoo.
Once we were there, we were basically on our own. The Zoo was a little quiet since it is winter, but there were still many animals to see. One of the most interesting was the electric eel tank. There was a volt read-out that was monitoring the current inside of the tank as the eels swam around and interacted. I thought it was fascinating. I also got to say hello to Nemo and Dory. (Don't worry- they weren't in the same tank as the electric eels!)
I will have to admit that I found the cute children and their parents at least as interesting as the animals. There were many children there with their au pairs or daycare classes. The Zoo had several playground areas, which seemed to get a lot of use. There were also some British families, and I enjoyed overhearing their conversations with their children. One little boy was enamored with the Rhinoceros and kept screeching, "The Rhinoceros has a big HORN on his NOSE, daddy!"
I do have to say that sometimes ads here in Switzerland are a little bizarre. The following was an ad in the middle of the Zoo!
My favorite animals were the penguins, of course. Apparently they have a penguin parade around the Zoo in the afternoons when the weather is cool enough. Sadly, I missed it, but the penguins would randomly line up and parade around their little area, which was funny enough.
The last stop in the Zoo was the Masoalahalle, which is basically a huge greenhouse that houses a rain forest-like environment. During winter I always think visiting warm and humid greenhouses feels so nice!
Once we were there, we were basically on our own. The Zoo was a little quiet since it is winter, but there were still many animals to see. One of the most interesting was the electric eel tank. There was a volt read-out that was monitoring the current inside of the tank as the eels swam around and interacted. I thought it was fascinating. I also got to say hello to Nemo and Dory. (Don't worry- they weren't in the same tank as the electric eels!)
I do have to say that sometimes ads here in Switzerland are a little bizarre. The following was an ad in the middle of the Zoo!
My favorite animals were the penguins, of course. Apparently they have a penguin parade around the Zoo in the afternoons when the weather is cool enough. Sadly, I missed it, but the penguins would randomly line up and parade around their little area, which was funny enough.
The last stop in the Zoo was the Masoalahalle, which is basically a huge greenhouse that houses a rain forest-like environment. During winter I always think visiting warm and humid greenhouses feels so nice!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Ich liebe Deutsch lernen!
I love learning German!
I have just finished a two-week, 6-hour-per-day, 6-lesson-per-day intensive German class offered through the University (Uni Zurich and ETH). I have decided that learning any language this intensively is a little like throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks. Since the "spaghetti" is being constantly thrown at all wall, some of it is bound to stick, and you don't run in to the problems of forgetting between classes. It was really quite incredible how much we all learned. When we started, we basically knew no German. By the end of the class, we were able to hold simple conversations. I had a long discussion about Istanbul with someone... Can you imagine?
I've sat with my roommates and listened to them speak German, and I've mostly been able to understand what they are saying (as long as they don't speak too quickly) and even to join into the conversation to practice.
Maybe it's my inner nerd, but I love learning! And learning a new language is like being introduced to a whole new world and a new way of thinking about words and communication. It's so stimulating and exciting, and watching progress being made is quite rewarding. Learning also gives the sense that limitations in communication and understanding are falling away. It has been like a treasure hunt to walk around here and finally start understanding words on the signs and headlines in the newspaper and snippets of conversation on the tram. I could wax eloquent about my love of learning a new language, but I'll spare y'all.
Another amusing part of this whole language thing is that my Spanish comes back, occasionally at incredibly inopportune times. I can't tell you how many times I've come up with a fantastically German-Spanish sentence. When I don't know the word that I want in German, often it comes to me in Spanish. Our brains are so interesting in the way that they work!
I think that German is a fairly difficult language to learn, since the grammar and structure is quite different and can be quite particular. But it's rather like a puzzle, and I'm learning to put it together. I've started capitalizing all of my nouns if I don't watch myself. The pronunciation is also a challenge, but I find it fun. German still sounds aggressive to me, but I think I might be starting to catch the melody underneath.
Aside from the joy of learning, though, I am also taking German learning as my own personal challenge. I've been told not to expect too much of myself and not to expect to learn much, so I'm throwing down the proverbial gauntlet and really trying to challenge myself to learn. My next German class starts on Tuesday, and I will also meet my tandem partner next Tuesday. (A tandem partner is someone that you meet with regularly for a language exchange. I'll help him with English, and he'll help me with German.) I am also trying to make an effort to talk with my roommates and coworkers in German. And I'm decorating the walls of my rooms with German vocabulary. So there!
Watch out German, here I come!
I have just finished a two-week, 6-hour-per-day, 6-lesson-per-day intensive German class offered through the University (Uni Zurich and ETH). I have decided that learning any language this intensively is a little like throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks. Since the "spaghetti" is being constantly thrown at all wall, some of it is bound to stick, and you don't run in to the problems of forgetting between classes. It was really quite incredible how much we all learned. When we started, we basically knew no German. By the end of the class, we were able to hold simple conversations. I had a long discussion about Istanbul with someone... Can you imagine?
I've sat with my roommates and listened to them speak German, and I've mostly been able to understand what they are saying (as long as they don't speak too quickly) and even to join into the conversation to practice.
Maybe it's my inner nerd, but I love learning! And learning a new language is like being introduced to a whole new world and a new way of thinking about words and communication. It's so stimulating and exciting, and watching progress being made is quite rewarding. Learning also gives the sense that limitations in communication and understanding are falling away. It has been like a treasure hunt to walk around here and finally start understanding words on the signs and headlines in the newspaper and snippets of conversation on the tram. I could wax eloquent about my love of learning a new language, but I'll spare y'all.
Another amusing part of this whole language thing is that my Spanish comes back, occasionally at incredibly inopportune times. I can't tell you how many times I've come up with a fantastically German-Spanish sentence. When I don't know the word that I want in German, often it comes to me in Spanish. Our brains are so interesting in the way that they work!
I think that German is a fairly difficult language to learn, since the grammar and structure is quite different and can be quite particular. But it's rather like a puzzle, and I'm learning to put it together. I've started capitalizing all of my nouns if I don't watch myself. The pronunciation is also a challenge, but I find it fun. German still sounds aggressive to me, but I think I might be starting to catch the melody underneath.
Aside from the joy of learning, though, I am also taking German learning as my own personal challenge. I've been told not to expect too much of myself and not to expect to learn much, so I'm throwing down the proverbial gauntlet and really trying to challenge myself to learn. My next German class starts on Tuesday, and I will also meet my tandem partner next Tuesday. (A tandem partner is someone that you meet with regularly for a language exchange. I'll help him with English, and he'll help me with German.) I am also trying to make an effort to talk with my roommates and coworkers in German. And I'm decorating the walls of my rooms with German vocabulary. So there!
Watch out German, here I come!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
On a Swiss PhD Defense.
On Friday I went to my first PhD Defense at ETH. One of the people in our larger group (Michi 2 of 3) defended his thesis. (We have 3 Michis in our group. Michi 2 and Michi 3 are advised by Michi 1. Michi is short for Michael. It's fantastic and often confusing. Hence the numbers...) While the process was very similar to that of the US, there were definitely some differences.
In the US, a PhD student turns in his or her thesis 2 weeks before the defense. At the defense, he or she gives a 45-minute talk that is open to the public, with questions from the public after. The student (or the family) brings snacks for the attenders of the talk. After all of the public questions have been asked, the audience is excused, and the committee holds a closed question session with the PhD student, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. After that, the student is excused while the committee deliberates and votes; once the decision has been made, the student is brought back into the room and receives the final results, which are almost always positive. Then it's time for champagne with the group and a little celebration. Most often, the bar follows after, with a big party with friends and family.
Here, everything is a little different. The PhD student still turns in his or her thesis two weeks before the defense. In this case, the committee actually has to write a letter of summary of the thesis, which means that they really have to digest the thesis. At the defense, the talk is only 20 minutes, and then the committee members ask their questions. At the defense I went to, the questions lasted 40 minutes or so, and it appeared that the professors had come prepared with questions even about specific parts of the written thesis. One professor even had an overhead slide with some data to ask the student about. After all of the questions (which were asked in order of "importance" of the professors), then the public could answer questions. I actually found the questions to be quite interesting, although I might have freaked out to be on the receiving end of the questions. They were fair, but definitely not soft-ball questions.
Finally, the students and public were excused while the committee deliberated and voted. At this point, we PhD students went into high gear, as we were in charge of the Apero (happy hour) and related activities that happen after the exam, so we set up drinks and food and snacks during the deliberation time. Once the victorious verdict had been announced, the PhD students and advisor took over the proceedings. The tradition is to have a "second exam" that must be successfully passed to "really" get your PhD. Basically, the PhD students come up with funny games that the newly minted PhD has to play. In this case, these games involved a race on little kiddie cars between Michi 2 and Michi 1, his advisor. They had to grab items on one side of the room, ride the cars over to the other side and sort the items into either home or work-related piles. It was pretty funny to watch these two men in suits ride around on these super small car scooters. Michi 2 successfully passed this "test," and then he had to narrate a story based on pictures that we had put together with figures from his research and random words, sort of like a cross between pictionary and mad libs, which of course was hilarious. Having successfully passed these two "tests", Michi 2 was officially a PhD. The PhD students then presented a hat that we had made for Michi 2 that has a base like a graduation hat, but then is decorated with little things that are symbolic of Michi and his interests and his research. The hat was pretty ridiculous-looking. Then Michi 1 made a speach about Michi 2 and gave him a present from the group, and Michi 2 made a speach to thank his advisor and family and friends. Then the Apero began in earnest and lasted for an hour or so, but then everyone just went home.
The whole process is much more elaborate over here. I really like the second "exam," and I think it's great that the person who defends doesn't have to organize their own Apero. I also thought the public questioning was very interesting. Overall, I liked how things went over here. Of course, at these defenses I always think, "One day, that will be me!" (At least, hopefully...)
In the US, a PhD student turns in his or her thesis 2 weeks before the defense. At the defense, he or she gives a 45-minute talk that is open to the public, with questions from the public after. The student (or the family) brings snacks for the attenders of the talk. After all of the public questions have been asked, the audience is excused, and the committee holds a closed question session with the PhD student, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. After that, the student is excused while the committee deliberates and votes; once the decision has been made, the student is brought back into the room and receives the final results, which are almost always positive. Then it's time for champagne with the group and a little celebration. Most often, the bar follows after, with a big party with friends and family.
Here, everything is a little different. The PhD student still turns in his or her thesis two weeks before the defense. In this case, the committee actually has to write a letter of summary of the thesis, which means that they really have to digest the thesis. At the defense, the talk is only 20 minutes, and then the committee members ask their questions. At the defense I went to, the questions lasted 40 minutes or so, and it appeared that the professors had come prepared with questions even about specific parts of the written thesis. One professor even had an overhead slide with some data to ask the student about. After all of the questions (which were asked in order of "importance" of the professors), then the public could answer questions. I actually found the questions to be quite interesting, although I might have freaked out to be on the receiving end of the questions. They were fair, but definitely not soft-ball questions.
Finally, the students and public were excused while the committee deliberated and voted. At this point, we PhD students went into high gear, as we were in charge of the Apero (happy hour) and related activities that happen after the exam, so we set up drinks and food and snacks during the deliberation time. Once the victorious verdict had been announced, the PhD students and advisor took over the proceedings. The tradition is to have a "second exam" that must be successfully passed to "really" get your PhD. Basically, the PhD students come up with funny games that the newly minted PhD has to play. In this case, these games involved a race on little kiddie cars between Michi 2 and Michi 1, his advisor. They had to grab items on one side of the room, ride the cars over to the other side and sort the items into either home or work-related piles. It was pretty funny to watch these two men in suits ride around on these super small car scooters. Michi 2 successfully passed this "test," and then he had to narrate a story based on pictures that we had put together with figures from his research and random words, sort of like a cross between pictionary and mad libs, which of course was hilarious. Having successfully passed these two "tests", Michi 2 was officially a PhD. The PhD students then presented a hat that we had made for Michi 2 that has a base like a graduation hat, but then is decorated with little things that are symbolic of Michi and his interests and his research. The hat was pretty ridiculous-looking. Then Michi 1 made a speach about Michi 2 and gave him a present from the group, and Michi 2 made a speach to thank his advisor and family and friends. Then the Apero began in earnest and lasted for an hour or so, but then everyone just went home.
The whole process is much more elaborate over here. I really like the second "exam," and I think it's great that the person who defends doesn't have to organize their own Apero. I also thought the public questioning was very interesting. Overall, I liked how things went over here. Of course, at these defenses I always think, "One day, that will be me!" (At least, hopefully...)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Getting a work permit is a lot of work.
I finally have a work permit here in Switzerland!
This means that I won't be kicked out of the country at the end of my temporary visa, and it means that I am legit living here. I can finally get bills actually sent to myself. Wait, why is that a good thing?
Getting a work visa was definitely an extensive process that started back in October. I had to fill out a plethora of forms and get various signatures for my application for a long-term (longer than 3 months) work visa. All of this paperwork was then submitted to the Swiss government.
My visa application was finally approved in early January, which meant that I could then fill out several more forms, get some mug shots, procure a money order for the visa processing fee, and then FedEx my passport along with all of these accouterments to the Swiss Embassy in Chicago. The Swiss Embassy then gave me a 3-month work visa in my passport and FedEx-ed it back to me.
Once in Switzerland, I was required to register within two weeks of my arrival at my neighborhood Kreisbüro (a Kreis is a neighboorhood in Zürich, sort of...) to let Switzerland know that I was living there and that I had obtained an address. I had to pay a rather large fee to register, which started the process to get my long-term B-class working permit. I also had to set up a second appointment to get fingerprinted and screened at the Immigration Bureau.
My immigration appointment happened on the same day as my big move, which meant my day was extra crazy. However, I was duly fingerprinted and photographed and questioned for my permit. (Apparently this whole fingerprinting thing was a relatively new institution that was started a week or so before I arrived in Switzerland...)
Also, since my move between flats also entailed a move to a different Kreis (from 3 to 12), I had to re-register at my new Kreisbüro the day after my move and pay another fee so that Switzerland still knows my location.
I also had to change my address with the Post (and pay another fee) so that I could get my work permit in the mail, since all of my immigration paperwork was registered to my first address.
Finally, yesterday I got a notice in my mailbox that there was something waiting for me at the Post. I trundled over to the Post, took a number, waited in line, then showed my slip and my passport, and finally had a B-class Swiss work permit in my hot little hands.
Good heavens!
And that's not even the end of it, since the bank still doesn't know where I live. They would only take my first registration papers, since you have to prove residency to get a bank account. So I still have to go back with my new registration to finish getting my account set up. And I also have to go back to the main train station to register my GA with my work permit so that I am the official holder of my GA.
And then I might be done. At least until my permit expires next January...
This means that I won't be kicked out of the country at the end of my temporary visa, and it means that I am legit living here. I can finally get bills actually sent to myself. Wait, why is that a good thing?
Getting a work visa was definitely an extensive process that started back in October. I had to fill out a plethora of forms and get various signatures for my application for a long-term (longer than 3 months) work visa. All of this paperwork was then submitted to the Swiss government.
My visa application was finally approved in early January, which meant that I could then fill out several more forms, get some mug shots, procure a money order for the visa processing fee, and then FedEx my passport along with all of these accouterments to the Swiss Embassy in Chicago. The Swiss Embassy then gave me a 3-month work visa in my passport and FedEx-ed it back to me.
Once in Switzerland, I was required to register within two weeks of my arrival at my neighborhood Kreisbüro (a Kreis is a neighboorhood in Zürich, sort of...) to let Switzerland know that I was living there and that I had obtained an address. I had to pay a rather large fee to register, which started the process to get my long-term B-class working permit. I also had to set up a second appointment to get fingerprinted and screened at the Immigration Bureau.
My immigration appointment happened on the same day as my big move, which meant my day was extra crazy. However, I was duly fingerprinted and photographed and questioned for my permit. (Apparently this whole fingerprinting thing was a relatively new institution that was started a week or so before I arrived in Switzerland...)
Also, since my move between flats also entailed a move to a different Kreis (from 3 to 12), I had to re-register at my new Kreisbüro the day after my move and pay another fee so that Switzerland still knows my location.
I also had to change my address with the Post (and pay another fee) so that I could get my work permit in the mail, since all of my immigration paperwork was registered to my first address.
Finally, yesterday I got a notice in my mailbox that there was something waiting for me at the Post. I trundled over to the Post, took a number, waited in line, then showed my slip and my passport, and finally had a B-class Swiss work permit in my hot little hands.
Good heavens!
And that's not even the end of it, since the bank still doesn't know where I live. They would only take my first registration papers, since you have to prove residency to get a bank account. So I still have to go back with my new registration to finish getting my account set up. And I also have to go back to the main train station to register my GA with my work permit so that I am the official holder of my GA.
And then I might be done. At least until my permit expires next January...
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Weekend of Adventures in Strasbourg.
One of the many things I am thankful for about my location in Zürich is the fact that I am only two hours by train from my dear friend Aurore, who is in Strasbourg. It is a huge blessing to have an old friend so close even when I am living in a new place and starting a new life. New friends are great, but old friends are comfortable and great!
On Friday I caught a 5 pm train, so I was in Strasbourg by 7 pm. Aurore met me at the platform, and we spent the evening attempting to cook Chicken Marsala. Of course, the small-ish grocery store near her flat was out of fresh mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and Marsala wine! We ended up making some sort of variation with chicken and wine and frozen mushrooms, but between grocery shopping and cooking and being ridiculous, we didn't end up eating dinner until 10.30 pm!
On Saturday we took an lovely hike in the Vosges, which is only 30 minutes from Strasbourg. The day was beautiful- sunny and almost 60 F! The weather was so nice that we had what I believe is my first pleasant outdoor picnic in February. Also, having not really seen the sun since arriving in Zürich, I was really happy to get a good dose of vitamin D!
First we hiked to the Chateau de Haut-Andlau, which is an old ruined castle in the middle of the forest. It was so cool to just sort of stumble upon a castle that was available for exploring (well, if one ignored all of the construction fences and signs about danger and mort and things; one usually does ignore these things...). Because of the restoration work we couldn't go around the whole ruins. There is something really bizarre about seeing a stone castle that was built in 1280 AD outfitted with solar panels, I can tell you that.
After the Haut-Andlau, we walked for a while to an overlook. I was amused by the French method of marking trails, which is by shapes and colors that are sometimes painted on rocks. The woods that we were in were really beautiful, which a lot of deep green moss.
After the lookout, we finished our hike at the Chateau de Spesbourg, which is another ruins in the Vosges. We could climb a little more around this one, as it wasn't being restored.
That evening, Aurore and I went to a dinner party with three of her friends. It is not very often that I go to a dinner party where I actually have no hope of pronouncing anyone's name correctly. Between Aurore, Quentin, Katerina and Pierre-Xavier, I was sunk! Me and French pronunciation are definitely still getting to know each other. But everyone was really nice, and it was fun to just see what a dinner party with French people looks like. That might sound weird, but I love seeing what life looks like in different places!
On Sunday, Aurore and I made oatmeal pancakes for brunch. We've decided to take turns teaching each other about cooking. Last time I visited, I learned how to make crepes and mousse, and this time I got to choose the dishes- chicken marsala and oatmeal pancakes! Not together, of course...
We spent the afternoon at the Orangerie in Strasbourg, which is basically a huge public park. Since the weather was again amazing, I think most of the rest of Strasbourg was out there with us. I've never seen playgrounds so crowded! The people watching was amazing. Strasbourg is definitely a more diverse city than Zürich, so there was always something unique to see. I really enjoyed the park. I just couldn't believe that it is February- and early February at that!
We ended up spending so much time at the park that I almost missed my train, and Aurore had to drive me frantically to the station. Thankfully I made my train and had an uneventful trip back. It was a lovely weekend!
On Friday I caught a 5 pm train, so I was in Strasbourg by 7 pm. Aurore met me at the platform, and we spent the evening attempting to cook Chicken Marsala. Of course, the small-ish grocery store near her flat was out of fresh mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and Marsala wine! We ended up making some sort of variation with chicken and wine and frozen mushrooms, but between grocery shopping and cooking and being ridiculous, we didn't end up eating dinner until 10.30 pm!
On Saturday we took an lovely hike in the Vosges, which is only 30 minutes from Strasbourg. The day was beautiful- sunny and almost 60 F! The weather was so nice that we had what I believe is my first pleasant outdoor picnic in February. Also, having not really seen the sun since arriving in Zürich, I was really happy to get a good dose of vitamin D!
First we hiked to the Chateau de Haut-Andlau, which is an old ruined castle in the middle of the forest. It was so cool to just sort of stumble upon a castle that was available for exploring (well, if one ignored all of the construction fences and signs about danger and mort and things; one usually does ignore these things...). Because of the restoration work we couldn't go around the whole ruins. There is something really bizarre about seeing a stone castle that was built in 1280 AD outfitted with solar panels, I can tell you that.
After the Haut-Andlau, we walked for a while to an overlook. I was amused by the French method of marking trails, which is by shapes and colors that are sometimes painted on rocks. The woods that we were in were really beautiful, which a lot of deep green moss.
On Sunday, Aurore and I made oatmeal pancakes for brunch. We've decided to take turns teaching each other about cooking. Last time I visited, I learned how to make crepes and mousse, and this time I got to choose the dishes- chicken marsala and oatmeal pancakes! Not together, of course...
We spent the afternoon at the Orangerie in Strasbourg, which is basically a huge public park. Since the weather was again amazing, I think most of the rest of Strasbourg was out there with us. I've never seen playgrounds so crowded! The people watching was amazing. Strasbourg is definitely a more diverse city than Zürich, so there was always something unique to see. I really enjoyed the park. I just couldn't believe that it is February- and early February at that!
We ended up spending so much time at the park that I almost missed my train, and Aurore had to drive me frantically to the station. Thankfully I made my train and had an uneventful trip back. It was a lovely weekend!
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