A NEW YEAR to do THE "DAM" THING Part 2

Farah and Tim (From Wales) at an Expat Meetup in Amsterdam

A week or so after New Year's Eve, I planned a trip to Amsterdam.  I'll be honest Amsterdam carries some serious baggage.  Everyone always talks about the Anne Frank House, the Red Light District, and the city's many "coffee"houses.  Like I said some serious baggage.  What I didn't know prior to arriving is that Amsterdam is one of Europe's oldest cities.  It's more than 800 years old and that history was definitely on display during my visit.  Tim, from Wales, told me that my negotiating skills were brilliant and that I should be a MP or a politician.  Why you ask?  When I presented my case for Amsterdam, I "discussed" with my wife three cities: Bangkok, Moscow, and Amsterdem.  We agreed on Amsterdam and so here I am, a candidate for MP/Senate.  The wife wouldn't budge on accommodations, as I wanted to stay at a dirt cheap establishment, she insisted on something a little nicer.  

Not too shabby right?

As you can see below, the Hotel Amrath has some nice views and through Hotels.com (liberal product placement) I pretty much got a steal in this five star establishment that rests a stone's throw from the Central Train Station and the Red Light District (RLD).  Quick sidebar...most times when a hotel has a mini-bar, I make sure that I don't get anywhere near it because they charge an arm, leg, and kidney if you  just bump into one of those mini vodkas.  In Las Vegas their fridges have sensors so they know if you displaced a soda pop or Hershey Bar, in my case a Kit Kat.  But every time you open the fridge you can't help but think, "I wonder who actually pays the ridiculous prices and drinks that rum?"  Well at the Amrath, that wasn't a problem because the minibar was included.  They even had a person that replenished it in the morning, during lunch and late at night.   I'm almost ashamed to admit it,  but I didn't touch a single item in the mini-bar. Nothing.  Like the Bears, blown opportunities.

View from my room - Grand Hotel Amrath

I'll admit this right away.  I'm pretty spoiled.  My mom spoils me.  My wife spoils me.  My mother-in-law spoils. My aunts spoil me.  My great aunts spoil me.  Yep I'm pretty spoiled.  Funny story, well in my mind funny.  A day after our wedding, my wife and I were talking to my Great Aunt at breakfast about how we couldn't wait to get to Hawaii but how I was dreading packing up all my stuff.  My aunt offered to pack my clothes for me.  I looked over at my wife and without hesitation she said, 

"Oh no, he's packing his own stuff, we have to stop spoiling him"  I thought it was the sweetest gesture and one of the nicest gifts anyone could have given US.  haha...

So Zurich has definitely spoiled us with it's timely trams, it's clean streets, and very structured and orderly society.  I literally walked outside of the train station in Amsterdam and almost got crushed by a bike AND a Tram simultaneously.  Dorothy definitely wasn't in Kansas anymore...or Hansel definitely wasn't in Switzerland anymore. So long, farewell Auf Wiedersehen goodbyeeeeeeeeeee!  In general, Amsterdam is not any dirtier than Chicago or New York, but the first thing I thought...well the first thing I thought was thank goodness I didn't get destroyed by that Tram but the second thing that came to mind was how dirty it was.  I guess it's all about perspective because after a few days I was very comfortable with overflowing trash and no recycling taking place.  See spoiled.  I know I can't help it, it's this damn Swiss culture, everything in it's right place and a process for everything, even when to open and close your windows during the day.

After getting settled in, my concierge pointed me in the direction of two restaurants.  Being a tourist, I thought he would point me in the direction of something very Dutch, but he pointed me towards wait for it, wait for it.... Chinatown.  The meal was inexpensive and quite delicious.  So delicious I went back a second time.  It always makes me feel safe when I go into X restaurant and I see X people.  So if I go into a Thai restaurant and they have a high percentage of Thai people, that's usually a good leading indicator that the food is good.  Or a soul food place and I see many people with soul...sorry I just couldn't help it.  But this place was that place.  Good eats.  The restaurant was right across from a really famous Chinese Buddhist Temple, He Hua.  Now that I think about it, I should have snapped a picture but I was too busy stuffing my face with all goodness that my waitress brought to my table.  

I ate right across from Temple.  Pretty famous in Europe.

Interestingly enough I sat next to a table of three that were speaking English and what sounded like Dutch.  Every once in a while they would say something that I thought was funny and then I would laugh or chuckle.  So I guess if I laugh at their jokes it's ok for one of them to reach over to my table and take my salt, pepper, and spices.  Obviously a conversation ensued and for some reason the British gal thought I was Dutch.  The brash pepper thief was from London and her profession was Germanic languages and whatever that entails.  The other young lady was Dutch and her husband was from Alaska.  He had an interesting story, he is from Native Alaskan descent, one of seven founding native groups in Alaska.  I forget his real name but he said I could call him Art for short. Somehow we started talking about Sarah Palin and all three of them groaned.  Especially Art.  I guess word travels fast in this day and age  He took umbrage to the First Dude claiming he was a Native Alaskan.  They gave me some tips on where to go and where not to go to get a real Dutch experience.  I couldn't help but notice that the Dutch experience is not really Dutch.  There were English Pubs, French Bistros, more Chinese restaurants.  We said our goodbyes and I thought that was the last of them.  I finished my meal and decided to walk down to one of the pubs they recommended.  They were waiting outside for me.  Usually when people are waiting for me outside it means that they've called their friends and probably are going to beat me down for something I've said.  Obviously I was I little leery but when they started recommending other locations to visit I quickly relaxed.  It was good to know that I didn't offend my table neighbors.  The last time some folks were waiting outside for me like that, was in Champaign during graduation weekend, and it involved flying kicks, head-buts, haymakers, and Champaign's finest. Another day another story.  

At the time,  I didn't realize that I was literally 10 feet away from the Red Light District so when I walked down a side street, I wasn't expecting to what I saw.  Pictures weren't allowed and I'm not sure I would want to post them anyway but it's literally storefront after storefront of...how should I put this...um "working" people.  I had never seen anything like it in my life.  People were just walking around as if nothing was going on.    It was quite creepy and then as you make it to a canal there is a bridge and there are these amazingly old/historic buildings that house more...um... "workers" and more interesting...um..."establishments".  I quickly realized that Amsterdam isn't the Netherlands' playground, it's all of Europe's playground.  People come from all over to see the RLD, museums, the Anne Frank House, and the Heineken Museum.  To the Dutch, it's just life, there if they want it but mostly just there.  It reminded me of Las Vegas, New Orleans and Venice all in one.

Before my picture display, I wanted to say this.  The city is amazingly historic and authentic.  The roads and sidewalks all seemed like maintained relics from centuries past.  Not sure relics is the right word, where's that germanic languages lady when I need here? All the canals and bridges were quaint and at night, Amsterdam blossomed.  As the moonlight reflected off the canals and the people bustled about, the City really came alive.  In a very different way, at night, Amsterdam took on a very lively energy similar to that of Las Vegas and New Orleans. Just older and wiser I guess.  Standing on the streets at night, people just seemed to feel more alive.  But like Vegas, two days on pure adrenaline was plenty and that third day I was just ready to come home.  

My shortlist in Amsterdam.

Van Gogh Museum

Anne Frank House

Walked along Museum Park

Drank more Heineken than I thought humanly possible.  Heineken was probably 80% of my spend including flight and hotel.  I think they put drugs in the Heineken over there because I was a fiend for it there and a few days after I returned.  I still have dream about Heineken.

Never took a cab, walked the entire time.

Got my haircut.  It was a salon but my stylist was from Suriname, near Brazil.  First haircut at a Salon.

Got a few massages at my hotel.  Don't recommend walking on cobblestone for 5-7 hours every day.  Between skiing and viewing cities by foot, my calf muscles are going to be legit.  

Ironically did not go to the Heineken Museum.  Everyone I saw coming from the Heineken museum was completely annihilated and had more Heineken souvenirs than one needed in a lifetime.  Great marketing I guess!

One of the many canals in Amsterdam

Line to Anne Frank House...everyday

Church near Anne Frank Museum

Front Door Anne Frank House

Statue outside Museum and Church

Ice Rink Near the Van Gogh Museum

Museum Park, near Van Gogh

Van Gogh Museum....yep it rained everyday, all day

Van Gogh Museum

Expat Meetup Tim and the Biopharma consultant

Expat Meetup....L to R From Washington, Atlanta, Netherlands and Springfield, MO ( He spoke with a European Accent, go figure)

Very magical city...Next trip will be Dublin and London....

Next story....Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

While I was writing this blog, my wife sent me an updated holiday schedule and a meeting notice for tonight so we can discuss in detail all the European cities she, I mean, we want to visit. 

Bis Bald!

A NEW YEAR to do THE "DAM" THING Part 1

It's been a while since we've last spoken but rest assured I will try my darndest to bring everyone up to speed on our happenings and misadventures.  It truly has surprised me how much time errands actually take during the day.  One recommendation to the masses.  DO NOT try to rollover an IRA or move a brokerage account while living abroad.  When you tell the very "helpful" Financial Solutions Advisor that you live in Switzerland but you are still a U.S citizen, I think it just sends off all types of red flags.  The red flags usually start within two minutes of the call, when the Financial Solutions Advisor asks "In case we get disconnected, can I get a phone # from you...that's more than 10 digits sir"  Then it's pretty much downhill from there and all the questions going forward are asked with a subtle hint of "Who are you and what are YOU really doing?"  It doesn't help that I'm rolling things over from three and four jobs ago.  Having an Arabic (not Muslim) name calling from Switzerland just makes it that much worse I believe.  Don't judge me.  When you're sitting pretty on year over year returns and there is no penalty, why fix something that's not broken.   Unless of course you're moving to a foreign country and you need to give the Financial Solutions Advisor your phone number.  Unfortunately, I figured out why they ask for your phone number on several occasions.  I was very curiously transferred instead of conferenced on three separate occasions.

But anyways, that's one of the things I've been up to over the past few weeks.  Yes, the rollover is not complete and I'm proud to say that it only involves five financial institutions, me, my in-laws and a great deal of forever stamps.  I also booked some pretty awesome restaurants for Zermatt (will discuss in a later blog, probably tomorrow if my Financial Solutions Advisor processes everything soon), purchased Premiere League Tickets for the Arsenal - Wolverhampton match (thanks for the wedding gift Captain Jones!), and ate at New York Times recommended restaurant here in Zurich.  Lastly, the wife and I just completed the Zermatt trip, which included ski lessons, apresski, and delicious meals.

But before we get to pictures, Zermatt or New Years, there is unfinished business we must address.  That team from up north in Southern Canada.  The Green Bay Packers.  The Packers were slated with the Minnesota Vikings to contend for the NFC North Crown and possibly the NFC crown but got off to a not so stellar start to their season.  Going into the last week of the season, the Packers needed several things to happen including a win over my beloved Chicago Bears to make the playoffs.  And guess what happened, all the teams that needed to lose lost and they eked out a victory over the Bears.  They snagged the last playoff spot and would have to win every game on the road to get to the Super Bowl.  There last two wins were against the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears.  Both teams were the top seeds in their conference.  Now that I think about, they also went to Philadelphia and beat them as well.  So they beat the top three teams in their conference, all on the road.  It's a bit personal for me I guess.  Chi-town is my hometown, ATL is my adopted town via marriage and Philly is where I spent a great deal of time for work when I wasn't in Chicago for nearly four years.  I'm a sports fan so I completely understand how incredible and historic a run like this is for the Packers.  But for some reason, my love for everything that is sports does not outweigh the emptiness of being so close to the Super Bowl that I could taste Texas Ribs all the way over here in Zurich.  It doesn't matter that my Bears were picked to finish near the bottom of the conference. It doesn't matter that our quarterback is hated by half the city for acting as if he doesn't care about anyone or anything.  It didn't even matter that we brought in an offensive co-ordinator that is Mr. Feast or Famine and got fired from his last eight jobs.  It didn't matter that that same Feast or Famine coach brought an offense that is pass happy and not conducive to either the temperament of it's fan or the city's weather.  It definitely doesn't matter that the Bears hold the all-time record against the Packers.  All that matters is that we had an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl and we let our rivals from up north make the playoffs and then beat us at home.  AT HOME!  They basically came over to our house, ate our food, drank our wine, and left dirty dishes.  Four straight games of must win football and the Packers did just that.  I wish them well in representing the NFC and the North Division but I'm proud of my Bears and I know I'm already hungry for next year, my only question...Are my Bears?

You may recall when we first moved into our temporary apartment in Zurich, I had an incident with a certain opera singer that liked to play his music very loudly.  After our incident that day, we shared several bottles of wine and he invited the wife and me to a concert of his in Seville, Spain.  When Vittor said he was an opera singer, because of his age, he looked pretty young, I thought he was an up and comer.  If they have backup singers in opera, I thought he played that role.  I ran into Vittor at the grocery store today....well sort of...

Unlike the first time I met him, he's wearing clothes in this picture.

Just in case you forgot who I am referring to.....

Post Fight Picture...

Thought that was pretty funny today.  Reminds me that I need to email my sparring partner.  I'm happy our confrontation didn't hurt the pipes.  I guess it's only fair that the wife and I go to his concert and check out what all the hype is about.

Chronologically speaking, I think we left off at New Year's Eve.  The wife got an invitation from one of her co-workers to join her and her friends in their annual celebration.  I might have been engaged in a television show or in deep thoughts but I had no recollection of the wife telling me that we'd be going to dinner with 12 other people.  Yes 12.  11 Germans and 1 Swiss young lady.  What I did recollect was hearing about a Tent being set up on Lake Zurich.  I was looking forward to that.  Dinner turned out quite nice.  I always feel awful going out with non-english speakers and pretty much forcing them to speak english to my wife and me.  Not sure why,  I just feel ignorant about not knowing their language.  They were nice about it and very cordial and the non-german speaking barrier was rarely a problem.  Good Food and Drink are pretty much an international language or an elixir that make everything "ALL GOOD".  I'm still trying to understand how the Swiss are on average skinny because during dinner there was platter after platter after platter after bottle of wine after bottle of wine followed by the main dishes.  It was insane.  I'm not a foodie per se but I've been know to eat and drink my fair share but at one point I literally had to back away from the table.  I immediately scooted back to the table because one of the young ladies sitting across me, couldn't have weighed more than 45 kilos, was still eating and drinking.  No way am I going to be outdone at the dinner table.  No way, that's just un-american.  

After dinner we headed over to Burkliplatz on Gemuse Brucke and it was quite the scene. (CHECK THIS OUT...IF YOU SCROLL TO THE LEFT, WE WERE IN THE WHITE TENT).  We had to wade through nearly 200,000 people to get to our tent and the entire city of Zurich, it seemed, were on the Brucke (the Bridge)  It was folks of all ages.  Folks with their babies, 9 and 10 year old walking the streets alone, couples both young and wise.  It was quite the site.  It's not uncommon in Zurich to see a 9 year old walking down the street alone with a book bag.   For a reserved and isolated society the Swiss sure know how to throw a party.  For some reason, I completely forgot that New Years meant fireworks.  I'm not sure if it was me being in a foreign land or the vino, but the fireworks just slipped my mind.  At one point, one of the Germans came up to me and said "I love New Year's Eve, the Swiss always are afraid because they think that the Germans are finally attacking!"  

I was pretty much speechless at that point and said "hmmm...ok, I'm going to go get a drink..."

A few things always seem to surprise me while I'm here in Europe. 

1. Although privacy is important, in a discussion nothing really is off limits.
2. In every country I visit, WWII takes on a significant importance to that country's culture. 

When I visited the Netherlands, the country is all about tolerance and acceptance of pretty much everything.  In my limited research, I think it might stem from the German occupation during the war.  It was slated as a more peaceful occupation and the War Museum in Amsterdam described it as putting it's people in a difficult situation: some converted to Nazism, some just refused to do anything and some rebelled.  The aftermath led to a more tolerant culture.  Whereas in Switzerland, it helped reinforce the idea of privacy and stability.  If it disrupts privacy and Swiss stability, the Swiss government wants no part of it.  And lastly from my observation and conversations with colleagues from Germany, they have a more subdued country pride that they rarely show unless it's during the World Cup or Olympics.  There seems to be some resentment towards Germany because of the war even though most of those belief systems are long gone.  Oh and the Germany is especially sensitive to inflation.  Between WWI and WWII, Germany experienced hyper inflation due to the government printing currency and that experience has shaped the country. I guess it's similar to how the American Revolution, Civil War and the Great Crash has molded the U.S.  Just interesting observations from my brief time here in Europe.

Back to New Year's Eve. 

I thought the Top Gun Coat was hilarious.  

Fireworks over Lake Zurich

Somehow we all ended up with Bottles of Champaign and he was trying to "POP" his.

All in all, bringing in the New Year in Zurich with our German crew was pretty awesome.  

Amsterdam is up next....no worries it'll be a quick recap.

A little teaser.  

LONG TIME NO READ, STRANGERS Part Drei (3)

Winter Wonderland - Uetliberg, Schweiz

Okay, where was I.........ah yes, Christmas time and Santa bringing us many gifts.  I'm not sure if I went into a great detail about Christmas, but it was pretty cool, at least from where I was sitting in the Christmas post-elfing circle.  Between ALL of my family members, I believe I received, literally, least 90 movies.  I guess when you put "english movies" on your wish list and you've been a good boy, Santa rewards you with many gifts.  As the temporary Hausmann, I also received a hand-mixer, which at first I thought was a gag gift.  But my wife informed me that it was actually so we could make mashed potatoes.  So not only did I get socks, pajamas, movies, shoes, and a belt....I also got a hand-mixer and mashed potatoes on xmas.  Then to top it off, they flew in a potato specialist from Idaho. Thanks KC! ALL for me.

SIDE STORY ALERT!!!!  SIDE STORY ALERT!!!!  SIDE STORY ALERT!!!!

Every day and every hour leading up to Christmas day, I kept asking/bugging my wife about mashed potatoes.  And her response was, "I'm not mashing potatoes by hand, it will take far too long and I don't think they would be any good that way"  In typical me fashion I responded, "Mashed potatoes have been around for centuries, if people back in the day can do it we can do it too!  I'm sure my mom and your mom would....."   I was pretty much stopped with a long stare at that point and didn't finish my sentence.  But what I was thinking was I'm sure our parents have made mashed potatoes by hand once or twice and if there loving son asked them nicely, with his beautiful smile, to conjure up some mashed potatoes, they would oblige such a request.

HUSBAND ALERT!!!!! HUSBAND ALERT!!!!! HUSBAND ALERT!!!!! HUSBAND ALERT!!!!! 

Never compare your wife to your own mother or her mother unless it is without a doubt an absolute compliment.  Please note that some things may sound like a compliment and actually be meant as a compliment but are not received as a compliment.  It is wise to steer clear of any comparisons unless you are advanced in mother - daughter or mother-in law daughter comparisons.  In thirty one years, I have yet to meet such a man but I'm sure he's out there somewhere.

Back to our original program.

Everything was delicious and the mashed potatoes were absolutely special, made with love.  My parents are coming in May and I just want them to know that bringing 3-4 sweet potato pies is quite feasible, especially since the in-laws brought some treats via carry-on.  NO PRESSURE.  I probably just broke another "rule" but I love me some sweet potato pie.  The rewards far outweigh the risks.

Speaking of movies, we received quite a few classics from the 20 Century Fox Catalogue including but not limited to M.A.S.H, Home Alone, Sound of Music, and Avatar.  So during the holidays we watched several of the movies, but Home Alone and The Sound of Music stand out to me.  I'm not much of musical type but the in-laws and my wife I think grew up on that stuff.  I don't know what was better/funnier, watching the movies or watching my father-in-law watch the movies.  My wife told me a  story that when she was younger, her dad took her to see Home Alone while he was battling a cold.  Well I guess she never went to see a movie with him again because he laughed the entire movie really loudly.  This Christmas was very similar, without the cold.  If we tried to have a side conversation about something else, he would tell us to watch the movie because we were always going to "miss the best part"  That movie must have had 25 "best" parts.  Or he would laugh out loud while elbowing whomever  was next to him and say "did you see that...he stepped on the nail"  It was pretty classic.  With The Sound of Music it was basically sing along time for him and quiet time for the rest of us.  If we dared sing, he would say "come on guys this is a great song and I want to hear it"
It was absolutely classic.  I will say this, I'm still not a musical fan but the So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye song was pretty darn clever.  I can't get it out of my head...the sun has gone to bed and so must I!  Moments like those will always be remembered and make Christmas time fun.

Over the next couple days after xmas, we took a trip up to Uetliberg and a day trip to Luzern.  You may recall that Uetliberg is one of the first trips I took on my own.  It's a typical Swiss destination.  In the non-winter seasons, folks hike the mountain trails and take in the views that overlook Zurich.  In the winter season, folks bring there children to go tobogganing and sledding down the many hills that sit atop the mountain.  While it's only a few several hundred feet higher than Zurich, there was quite a bit more snow in Uetliberg.  Coupled with the lack of wind, it made for a very picturesque trip as the snow settled perfectly on the trees and it's branches.

Killer Hats - Uetliberg

We also took a little day trip to Luzern and in spite of the bitter cold we managed to take some pretty cool pictures with the help of our trusty choreographer KC.  As you can see, Luzern is smaller than Zurich but has some pretty sights as well.  It also has quite a few amazing Catholic churches.  It's pretty crazy when you stumble upon one of these churches.  At first glance, you think, "ok it's a church, nothing too impressive" and then you go inside and you think, "WOW, this was built xxx years ago"  Some of the churches had minimal light fixtures but were very bright.  Never underestimate architecture and design. The trip to Luzern was a nice little get away for us and a wonderful adventure to wind down the family visit.

The worse part of the week was having to say goodbye to my wife's family.  Shortly after that, we went through family withdrawal.  Along with vino, food, and unlimited hugs withdrawal!

Welcome to Luzern - Coldest day of the year at negative 12

Must be popular in Idaho because KC made us take this one! (Not sure what Bogner is doing back there)

Umm, excuse me ma'am but you're in our Xmas photo shot

We're holding up that tree

Mother and Daughter

Captain and his Boo

Haha

KC's head tilted left - Water Feature, Stadelhoferplatz

KC's head tilted right

Next up New Year's Eve and Amsterdam.

Almost forgot, we're going to Zermatt to ski in a week.  Can't wait to experience and write about my second go around, with my helmet of course.

Bis Bald

LONG TIME NO READ, STRANGERS Part 2.

By gosh you have a huge head, nope it's a Fathead but thanks!

Word on the mean streets of Zurich is that even though my last post was short and sweet, it was also a tear jerker.  My wife called me crying to say thanks for posting that very special installation.  For the record, my intentions are not to incite the masses into tears so I apologize for getting all "emo" on my loyal followers.  Yes, the posts have been somewhat sporadic or nonexistent in the past several weeks.  I'd like to blame the in-laws and KC from Idaho, the fireworks show on New Years Eve in Zurich, Amsterdam and the Red Light District (RLD), but truthfully I made a non-executive decision to be completely Swiss and go on holiday.  In Switzerland and most of Europe, when you go on vacation/holiday, you CAN'T do any work.  It reflects poorly on you as a family man/woman.  So that's what I did. Pretty much went to "chill, eat, drink and aimlessly do nothing productive" mode for the better part of a three weeks.  I'm not going to lie though, it's been hard to restart the engine after taking a long pit-stop.

But here goes nothing....wait...before nothing...I have to warn you, this might be long and this might have a crazy amount of pics....so NOW here goes nothing...

It all started a couple days before xmas.  The first set of in-laws arrived, slightly delayed but nothing too crazy, especially given all the nonsense that was going on in merry ol' England and France.  It was an absolute mess in those two countries during the holiday and we were just grateful that none of our family had to travel through that nonsense.  I'm not passing judgement, but european cities have been getting snow for centuries.  Investment in a few high powered plows would be wise, no?  Oh well, they arrived, I gave them the tour of our magnificent apartment (yes, I'm particular about our apartment, since I'm the Hausmann that keeps it all together) and then they were off for their first transatlantic jet-lagged nap. I figured I'd let them nap before I started taking all the crazy pictures....but after the nap the wife and I showed the in-laws a little bit of Zurich.

Jones' in front of their Hotel

Romance in Zurich

Mother and Daughter...random side street.

That night officially started the drink-n-eat-a-thon!  We decided to take the family to Almalfi, an Italian restaurant that we can see out our rear window.  Basically in "waddling home" distance to our apartment.  Just like our previous visit, the owner came out to greet us and welcome our wonderful guest.  It's amazing, they kept offering us dessert liqueurs and complimentary vino.  It's rude to turn down a gift but we had to put it to stop, so we asked for the bill nearly four times before they stopped bringing the gifts.  Little did we know that this was just the pace car for the coming days.

Bright and early the next day, my brother-in-law and his girlfriend, KC, arrived.  These two are pretty much high on life all the time.  It's sickening to see them singing Sponge Bob Square Pants and talking about their imaginary friends, George PapaGeorgia and Abe Froman, Sausage King of Chicago.  But they're happy and always excited for an adventure.

At Hauptbahnhof in front of the Swarovsky Xmas Tree.

Later that night, we took the family to one of our favorite restaurants, Terrasse.  Food was so good I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Family

Hello Ladies!

Oh you have a boyfriend...

Outside of Terrasse, they have a few sculptures

The Kids

The Jones Family

As you can see (or read) food and drink were a huge theme this week.  I think the word family is Latin and means "to eat and drink as if there was no tomorrow and wake-up surprised the next day and do it all over again"  Just my thoughts on the matter.

The next day was a bit nasty out, but like the troopers they are, the family was up for some sight-seeing.

Braving the weather.

KC and GJ in his government issued scully, so trendy. The guy to left wanted to be in the PIC so badly

Grossmunster in the background.

Next, off to the xmas eve dinner at Eden au Lac.  Eyes wide open this time...

Look at that beautiful young lady with that striking young man.

Family

After Chrsistmas Eve comes Christmas which means that Santa was coming with all the great gifts and possibly some coal for those bad children.

Yummy

Stocking stuffer time

Santa loves chocolate and Santa loves you

Now all the ladies have the same hat.

Someone got Tiffany from Santa and it wasn't me!

Tight fit on the Couch at Casa Williams

Nice Hat

And yes Santa brought Snow with him too!

There were many gifts exchanged this year: Necklaces, earrings, we received roughly 90 movies in english of course, a hand mixer for the mashed potatoes that I was craving for xmas dinner, cigars that were not cubans

.....but the best gift of all was the gift of family.  

The ladies whipped up a great meal!

Next post(s)  Post Xmas and Day Trips, New Years Eve, and Amsterdam....

Bis Bald!