This horrible crisis....

This week the experts of the Wall Street Journal declared that the american recession will end by autumn this year. The entire world was affected by this crisis which might be one of the worst after 1929 and whose underlying cause can be found in "global imbalances".

One says the most affected were the middle and lower layers of society. Some emergent countries are said to be left out of it or have suffered few scratches, like Brazil and India. Now this is to be said in some years. But how did it affect the élite?(what we call in portuguese the cream of the society).

Well, want it or not they were affected, of course not as bad as it was for the "rest". Their fortunes were shaken by loosing some millions of francs, like in the case of some famous singers who got to loose even 120 million francs. Not a bit, right? Poor ones!

And what about the articles they and just they shop? Several companies whose products are destined to the rich were affected. Companies like Rolex, Dior, Dolce, Gucci, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, and numerous others had a decrease in their fabrication and selling.

Other much affected sector was travel industry. Even the most luxurious ones had a decrease in their bookings. Switzerland, which does not live only on chocolates, swiss army knives and watches, is an example. This March hotels occupancy dropped 14% compared to the same month a year earlier. Some of them were even obligated to make sales (shhhh). It was the swiss Cesar Ritz that started the tradition of implanting very luxurious hotels in all big european capitals.

Inaugurated in 1865, one of the best and famous five-star hotels in the Interlaken called Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau had to put some of their rooms on "sale". Also known as a wellness hotel you can enjoy one of its cheapest rooms, now, for the mount of 250 sfr/person per night (instead of the average more than 1000 sfr!). For this price, it is included the nice spa area and if the weather permit, you can go swimming at the open-air saltwater Jacuzzi, or enjoy the steam room, the Finnish sauna, and bio saunas with active light therapy. You will observe at your arrival fine gifts and that though the hotel is more than 140 years old their hotel rooms are quite modern and well equipped.

Interlaken region.


As Hungarians say: az nem semmi.

So see you around in the corridors of the hotel or at the pool in the spa.
;)

When visiting around the St. Gallen canton...

...You can choose different lodge ideas: it can be a 5 star hotel with fantastic view to the Bodensee, It can be a small bed-and-breakfast in St. Gallen, close to city center, it can be a nice cozy chalet in the snowy alpine Swiss mountains, or why not, a room in the Null Stern Hotel (literally means Zero Star in German) founded by the brothers Frank and Patrik Riklin in Sevelen, 67 Km from St. Gallen for a little bit more than 20 euros a night.


The cheap fare in the Zero Stern Hotel (AP).

Why exactly this hotel? For a whole bunch of reasons: it is not expensive, unfortunately the cheapest fare has no breakfast included and the fact of having hot water for your shower wil depend on a wheel of fortune and your bed is a military-style bunk. For some extra few money, the more luxurious fare you get to sleep on a plush, antique Biedermeier bed instead of a military bunk-one. In both cases, the view is to the four white walls, the guest receives earplugs in case you can't sleep because of the fans and slippers (because of the icy floor), and also heating is made by ways of hot bags. The only view of the outside world is in monitors at the "lobby" which show live camera images. Did you find out what this hotel is?
No? Don't worry, I think besides Switzerland not many other countries have this amount of nuclear shelters spreaded all over the country, maybe more than 20 000.

How can it be possible? Though all over its history, Switzerland's main goals were to stay independent and out of fights, they were cautious and always believed something bad could happen to them (why not?). As so, its first important bunker was built in 1886. As 2nd WW came and then the Cold War, more and more were constructed since it became obligatory for every new building or house built. The ones who did not have its own, could pay a tax and have a place at a communal bunker, like the one close to Lucerne city.In the south way to Italy, close to the Lucerne, one of the biggest nuclear shelters in the world deserves proper attention. Alread utilizing the fact that the Sonnenberg Tunnel was being built in the 70s, this bunker was built to hold 20 000 people when governors decided Lucern had not enough of them. It possesses a "good enough hospital", food, 2 lights indicating if outside was day or night, and even a prison (it doens't matter the world outside became dust, there can always be social problems inside). It can stand 70 Hiroshima bombs with its one and the half meter thick 2 doors weighting 350 tonnes each. Unfortunately, due to poor maintenance over the past years, it cannot be "used" for so many people in case of nuclear war anymore. Its doors, that don't close well anymore, will be repared and it was declared it has good capacity just for 2000 people. (Can you imagine 20 000 desparate people in there?, how many psycologists would be necessary?)

And what happened to the other bunkers? Some of the private ones became wine cellars, ski lacers/boot keeper, and why not, other old things keeper. Besides, you have to agree that it wouldn't be so comfortable, though handy. Though it is not obligatory to build them (is this really true?), some people still do it meanwhile constructing their houses, adding 4% extra costs to it. "Why not?", they say.


A photographer called Leo Fabrizio walked all over Switzerland making pictures about as many bunkers as he could, like seen above.

I think we don't have a private one. I have to ask our landlord!!! But during our nice walks, I saw one close to our house!! Of course KRisz wanted to enter, but no way I go in there. I will take a pic next time and you can tell me what you all think!

Anyway I am in peace because I know in the next siren check, there are people specially trained for this occasion that will hopely help me find my home sweet home shelter!

So see you around in what will be, let's hope, just a siren test!


Sources: BBC, The Sun, Wikipedia, Swiss Info.

VIDEO: http://www.vacationideas.me/europe/null-stern-hotel-zero-star-hotel-sevelen-switzerland/

Sureness...

Yesterday, in our little cinema session we watched the film: "He is just not that into you".
Lots of Hollywood stars in it as an attractive. The film is not bad, just maybe, too long. But the story itself, that is interesting.

It tells some parallel stories about different people with different lifestyles, but with the same "doubts" about love and marriage. At least, in my view, that is what the film was all about. Questions everybody asks themselves the entire time. Is he/she the one? Is it right? How do I know our wedding is good and it will last forever? Are these the signs? Is he going to call back?

The main characters I identified were the married one and who was sure her wedding was perfect with the perfect guy; the girl who had a boyfriend for seven years, but never received a proposal; and the one who was always meeting new guys and looking for the one, but they never called back, and also a bit neurotic with this matter.

The film was well organized, by its end we realize that things are not not necessary that what we think they are.

Weeeelll, if you are interested in watching the film so don't go ahead, because there is going to be some spoiler.

As the want-to-get-married girl realizes her boyfriend is never going to propose because he doesn't believe in marriage, she breaks up with him. Then, after seeing how is the marriages of her 3 married sisters goes with men who are not able to do anything even when the father-in-law is sick. She comes to see that it is not that important.

The always-looking-for-the-one girl realizes she likes a man who is kind of her friend. Of course he doesn't realize that. Also, he is that type of man who is on command and doesn't stay with one girl. After he starts to miss her and sees his routine affected by the lack of her, sy needs to point out what is happening to him. THis is the nicest story, I think.

And the most troublesome story is the married couple. The woman is the "head" and she decides everything. She decided after high-school that or they get married or they break up , of course the guy is what we call in portuguese "carpet". He agrees with everything all the time, until the day he sees he is not just into that anymore. His wife is another neurotic, her father died of cancer and she can stand anything from the husband, but not smoking. And this is how story goes. They are sure they are a good couple, but things are not always what it seems.

Watch eating popcorn, you will remember "Love actually". Actually, it is not as good as it, but you will enjoy it! or not.

routine?noooooo

Isn't our mind supposed to have some turn on/off mechanism in case of overflow of electricity (if possible), information, or just to avoid any damage, just like a fuse?

In the second case, I know there are mechanisms that transform things we do on an everyday basis to what we call routine. But is it really thaaaaat good? Of course yes though sometimes, I myself think, not all thaaaaat good.

This happens for example when we learn driving, a new road pathway, or even biking. On the beginning, at least for me, when I parked the car and left it, my legs were trembling because I was nervous! Yes! I had to do so many things at the same time: change the gear, pay attention to the speed (not to get caught by a speed meter), check for cars on the other lane when I wanted to change it, and besides all this, I needed to pay attention to the boards so I don't get lost.

SO, this mechanism was "invented" or developed by our brain to avoid an overcharge (short-circuit?) or maybe it is just another one of my many crazy ideas. Have you ever noticed that after passing many times on the same road or after driving a lot, all these little steps you have to accomplish will be done instinctively. I am not saying that you don't pay attention to them anymore, you do, just they become easier and natural for you to do. Going to the job, doing your job (if it is not something that is different everyday), coming back from the job, preparing your meal, watching the news (always with the bad news). Here, I have to say, it is the bad part. Our everyday becomes routine and we catch ourselves saying: "How fast the day, the week, the month or even the year passed so fast, I barely noticed". If you don't pay attention things will be always the same.

That is WHY I think we shouldn't do always the same things. On your way to your job, seat on a different side or car of the train, or bus. Leave one station earlier, walk more. Talk more with colleagues or make new ones (I know some bosses won't be happy about it), it is always good. The more people you know, to more networks/horizons/possibilities will be opened/confected to.

THis way, the day will stop passing fast because of routine, but because of new and exciting happenings like a brand new exciting experiment (in my field at least).


See you all around!


(pic from ehow)

High points around here...

I know it is not correct to affirm it, but sometimes it looks like Geneva is inside a bay. Surrounded by the Jura and the Saleve mountain chains, and a kind of visual trick, it also looks like the Mont Blanc is also veeeeery close right after the Saleve mountain. Is it nicely visible in the map I prepared with a picture from the Wikipedia? At the bottom end of the Lake Leman is Geneve!



With a Celtic rooted name, which means forest (i.e. forest mountain), the Jura chain separates the Rhine and the Rone rivers and is present in both France/Switzerland territory. In Switzerland, the range covers the western border with France in the cantons of Basel, Solothurn, Jura, Bern, Neuchâtel, and Vaud. It is one of the three distinct geographical points and produces delicious wines, cheese and has a watch making industry. Formed by tectonic movements, close to its highest peak (Le Crêt de la Neige at 1,720 m) it is possible to ski and hike, according to the weather and season.

At the "opposite" side, the Saleve mountain has an amazing view for the Geneva city and its surroundings from the telepheric and a restaurant at the top. It was also formed over the last 100 million years and has different stratification. It is reachable with bus number 8 direction Veyrier-Douane.

As a visual effect, we can also see the Mont Blanc!!!THat is it! La Dame Blanche as French call her sometimes. Its highest peak is 4810m above sea level and you can choose to go around there to ski e.g. in Chamonix. It is a visual effect because it seems so close, though it is located about 120Km from here. So nice! Under it you can pass through one of the longest tunnels of Europe, a very important road in transportation affair. It also has some climbing routes, but I believe you have to be in good shape to do that.

Meet you in some of these routes? Don't think so.
These are some of the views from our windows!

Frontal view of Saleve, with the neighbor's antenna.


Tchau all!

Landsgemeinde for the naked hikers

Have I already mentioned here that this fantastic country called Switzerland is divided into 26 "states", called cantons? Some of them with different politics, economy and, (why not?) language, among them.

One of the little cantons known as Appenzell Innerrhodes, found in east region and the second smallest of the country, is famous by their Milka-chocolate-green-moutains, cheese and strong mountain dogs. This canton also possess a peculiarity in its politics: the Landsgemeinde.


Difficult even to read, isn't it? First assembled in 1378, the Appenzell Landsgemeinde's constitution changed a bit, like during the 17th and 18th centuries the democratic rights were restricted and restored then. Today's constitution is from 1872, of course with revisions done in the last decades. Every year on the last Sunday of April, active citizens voters from Appenzell Innerrhodes gather together on the "Landsgemeinde" square in Appenzell to decide the authorities and vote to solve problems concerning cantonal matters.



In this years voting was voted a problem that has been worrying many citizens there, the increasement in the nude hikers. Yes, that is it my dear reader! Sun or snow, nude hikers have been everywhere around their mountains, and their number increased in the past years. The reason? I don't know, maybe the blog readers of nude hikers increased, there are more people who want to feel freer, maybe an entire body suntan. The reason to walk without clothes in the cold mountains?? Ok, not totally nude, they carry a backpack, after all they need water and healthy food. And what is the problem with these hikers? Ah, well, you know, parents concerned with their children meeting them on the way, some say this is against the law, and some just say this is not fair. (personally I wouldn't do that at all and never, even if it is very warm!!!)


Well, the result of the Landsgemeinde? They voted no! So from now on, who is caught wandering naked in the woods will be fined 200 swiss francs (ouch!).

So, keep your clothes and hats on, though, summer is coming!

C u around (hopefully, dressed!)

(source: times, swissinfo, wikipedia and appenzell canton site)