コンサート

またまたスイスｘ日本国交150周年のイベントとして「東儀秀樹×古澤巌×coba」コンサートが市内で開催されたので鑑賞してきました。それにしても東京にいる間は時間がなくて舞台やコンサートってほとんど行った記憶はないけどスイスに来ていろいろな催しイベントに参加しているので本当にありがたい。でも学生だからでこその時間帯や学割のイベントがあったりするので学生生活万歳です。今回のコンサートは一般無料。日本での公演だと最低でも5000円以上はするはずなので本当に得しました。ジュネーブ日本領事館万歳です☆



でも無料とはいえ、お金を払ってもいいぐらいの見ごたえでした。これは生で観ないとわからない迫力なのですが、3人のチームワークが見事で圧巻でした。というのもバイオリン・雅楽・アコーディオンという一見ちぐはぐなコラボレーションですが、日本民謡・歌謡曲、ロック、クラシック、ラテンなどさまざまなジャンルの音楽がつぎつぎと！全く飽きないコンサートで感無量でした （＾＾）

予想通り、客席は日本人が半数以上でしたが、多分日本人の同僚や伴侶に連れられてきたスイス人もかなりいてものすごく見入っていたのが印象的でした。終いには音楽に乗って踊りだすスイス人の老夫婦も！最後は全員でスタンディング･オベーションの大盛況だったようです。

ちなみに３人のコラボレーションはこんな感じです↓

McDonalds en France

As much as I hate American consumerism, I have this weird "hobby" of checking out franchise stores in every country I visit. I guess I like how some things on the menu stay the same yet some items are totally different, reflecting the food culture of the country.

I haven't been to a McDonald's in French for about 7 years, but I was pleasantly surprised with the macarons.

Yes yes they aren't Pierre Hermé or Aoki Sadaharu quality, but still not bad for 1 Euro.

And I was most amused by this:

Electronic McDonalds is just the thing  need in France, especially with the abysmal hospitality of the servers!

Rénversé

The French spoken in Geneva is quite close to France French, given it's proximity to the border and many many French expats. However, there are a few words that still retain its Swiss-Romand (Swiss French)-ness.

One of this is the rénversé or simply, cafe au lait. In French, it literally means "upside down". I must forewarn you that this word does not exist at all in standard French. I asked R and he had no idea what this word was, being the snotty Parisian he is. The word stems from the fact that the Swiss put coffee in hot milk, whereas in a standard cafe au lait you add milk to the coffee; hence the process is reversed. This word must be the hardest word to say for me. Every time I say it I get a confused look from the barista and it takes me a few tries until they get it. Nevertheless, it's my favorite style of coffee in Switzerland so far.

I always wondered Europeans like their coffee in small sizes - of course me being the American who was used to Starbucks coffee. I see why now. A small cup of coffee will keep me buzzed for hours. I also noticed Europeans don't usually have coffeemakers in this house. They usually brew their own coffee in a cafetiere (as do my roommates) or they have a Nespresso machine. And they do take the time in the morning to make it, no matter how early. I'm still amazed by the coffee culture here and I have more to learn!

Pizza Night

A typical American student's weekend night involves beer and take-out pizza.
Well, considering a pizza here costs $25~, why not make our own? Thank you Adrian for hosting and cooking for us!

スイスは外食文化がないせいか、レストランは質が悪い上にかなりの高値段なので学生の身としてはかなり痛いところ。クラスメートたちとは仲がいいのでもっぱら誰かのうちに集まってディナーをみんなで作ったり、持ち寄り、ウチ飲みが多いです。本日はドイツ人のアドリアン君の手作りビザ。トッピングはマルシェでわざわざ買ってきたので手が込んでておいしい♪　ご馳走様でした！

This basil oil sauce goes so well with the pizza!

Discussions over beer and pizza..I'm in heaven

Polish chocolate that tastes like marshmellow chocolates, so good!

Groupie! (クラスメートは国際豊かです☆ 時計回りにあたしから：アメリカ(日本）人、ドイツ人、ハンガリー人、ポーランド人、フィリピン人、スイス系ブラジル人、モンゴル人、イラン人）

ポットラック

欧米では何かと多い持ち寄りパーティー
ちなみにアメリカではなぜかPotluckと呼ばれ、フランス語圏では更によくわからないBouffe Canadienne　（カナダ風バイキング）と呼ばれています　；＾＾

これが簡単なようでなかなか難しい。学生の持ち寄りパーティーなのであまり手の込んだ手料理はドン引きされるし、かといってスーパーで買ったパンとチーズも持っていくのはあまりにも無神経だし・・・更には参加者の好みや食文化もいろいいろ違うのでかなり悩みます。

一番無難なのはパン料理。今回は日本風の卵サンドイッチを作りました。ベジタリアンの人達用にはにんじんのマリネのサンドイッチ。

日本風にパンの耳を切って見栄えよくしてみました☆　が、余った耳ももったいなかったので油でサクっと揚げてにんにくとパセリを和えてガーリックフライもどき。これがビールのおつまみに良く合う　（＊＾＾＊）何事も工夫なり。

UN Run

One of the best things about living in Geneva is that all the NGOs and global headquarters are right at your doorstep. I have professors that are also working at WTO, ILO, WHO etc and firms such as Rolex is a 10min away walk from my flat.

I was lucky enough to participate in a city wide run event in preparation  for the Couese d'Escalade race in Dec (kind of like the geneva version of Bay to Breakers) at the UN Europe HQ. It's quite rare that the public get access inside the organization so it was quite a treat! 

Marche

Farmers' Market has caused a revolution amongst developed countries in the last few years but it has been a constant scene in Europe. In Geneva there's multiple going on every day somewhere and in different neighborhoods. The weekends ones are the most lively of course. I went to one in my neighborhood to take a look at some of the fresh locally made produce.

Throwback Saturday: SF Marathon

I just wanted to backtrack a little now that I've settled in my new life in Europe.
I spent 4 months in San Francsico, which is the longest time I've been in my mother country since I left for Japan in 2007.

Out of sheer luck, I was able to run the SF Marathon since two of my friends could no longer run in it anymore. Only, I was told of this the week before. Never have I speed prepared for a race in such short time but it an be done people!

My last race was in Cambodia so compared to that, the SF race was extremely organized and well put together. The expo was at Fort Mason with lots of information, samples to try, and sports gear merchandise that every runner will drool over!

Expo time!

Good thing they had it at Fort Mason, so many people it was crazy

True 'Dat

FYI: "Fillooh" is who I'm running for ;)

writing down my splits!

Heading towards the starting line

Stretch time...just like the good ol Lowell XC days

The last time I ran this race was 2010 so I thought I had it down but wow, the hills were toughter than I though. Much tougher. In fact, I thought I wouldn't make it on last few miles. I did my best to stick to the pacers most of the time and they were a big help. A big salute to them. I didn't PR but I still did sub 1:45.  Considering I only had a week to train, a +2:30min time is not too bad!

Finish line = pure pain

My young'in track athletes congratulating me at the finish line

In addition to bagels, bananas, waters etc, you also get a free Bailey's coffee which is heaven on a cold day in SF after running!

My best advice to others who are running the race (and a note to myself should I ever decide to run it again):

• Cruise and let yourself go on the downhills and work hard on the hills.
• Hill workout and stamina training is a must!!!
• It's cold so don't drink too much liquid. I had to stop for the port-o-potty once
• Don't get boxed in on the Golden Gate bridge.
• The start off is flat and in a straight line so be careful not to speed up too much
• Keep in mind the drudging rolling hills at the end of the race (for the first half at least)
• When you're tired, just enjoy the gorgeous view of SF :)

Some views along the course

Some views along the course

Finishing the race never felt better.. and to my surprise our high school cross country coach was at the finish line, escorting finishers. That was a bit of a treat after training under him all throughout my high school career. I hope he wasn't too disappointed I didn't run my optimal time :P

 

Brunch and then formal dinner followed.. tired but accomplished day.

Beer before and after the race is a must!

Happy Brunch Time

Mmm...carbs

We ended the day with a celebratory bling bling dinner at Kokkaris. Great day and I love my HS buddies!

Huge chunk of lamb!

Can't believe we were a bunch of poor broke students eating off one plate of Panda Express 15 years ago!

Dinner

I've said this a few times before, but one of the things I'm grateful about Geneva is groceries in general are cheaper than Tokyo. This may be shocking to some people but yes it's I have suffered through costly supermarkets in Tokyo. It's great that I'm able to enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits here, I'm trying to not relive the freshman 15 my first year of bachelors!

Japan Festival

Coincidentally, this year happens to be the 150 year anniversary since Switzerland and Japan established diplomatic relationships and special events have been going on all year long. It so also so happened to be that there was a Japan festival in my neighborhood so I decided to take go take a look. Besides the exorbitant prices (seriously... $17 for a bowl of curry?) it was a good ambiance of Japanese expats, Swiss/Japanese young families, anime fans, and local Swiss enjoying their weekend.

奇遇にも今年はスイスと日本が国交を結んで150周年。一年をかけていろいろな催しやイベントが行われているので若干日本がホームシックなあたしにはありがたい。

たまたま近所で「日本祭り」が行われていたのでちょっくら友達と行って来ました♪　焼き鳥、カレーライス、うどん、コロッケ、から揚げ、などなどオーソドックスな文化祭的（笑）屋台が並びます。 ただし。。。やはりスイスだけあって高い。焼き餃子3個で約500円、カレーライス1500円・・・ありえない。ただし、日本のパン屋さんは欲に負けてあんぱん、かぼちゃパン、メロンパンを購入。1つ330円と今までで一番高級な菓子パン 笑。冷凍庫に入れて大切に保管しています　笑。

他にもステージで日本舞踊のお披露目や子供たち向けの書道教室など日本文化がさまざまな形で紹介されてました。お祭りに来ている方はやはり日本人の駐在員が主でしたが、スイス・日本人カップル、ローカルスイス人、アニメ・日本好きの外人などさまざま。

お祭りのフィナーレはもちろん日本文化誇る盆踊り。炭坑節はもはや盆踊りに華を添えますね～

The yakitori (chickens on skewers) were not bad!

On the other hand the ikayaki (squid on skewers

So expensive but couldn't resist Japanese bread...!

The event ended with dancing the Tanko-bushi (traditional Japanese summer dancing) which opened a flood of memories.