in Zürich

A few days back I experienced the first snow of the season. And I came to know, snowfall happened a tad earlier this year than normal... nevertheless, I enjoyed the white-cotton snowfall immensely. Well, its not that I did not encounter a anything like that earlier... I came across this when I came here early this year, but there is a special place for the season's first in everybody's heart.. so is this :). I still remember the first rainfall in Hyderabad after a sweltering heat several years back, when I went there for a short assignment... the summer temperature had touched 48 degrees and I was dancing like a peacock in the balcony of our hotel in the rain...... such is the charm of a first experience. The plants have almost completed their formality of shedding their leaves but the real cold is still to set in... and I already have a few maple leaves in my possession, by public demand :) (considering they are not found back home). Its an indication of a cold winter in the wings..... not that I dont like cold winter, its just that being in India, its hard to have a real cold winter ;)! The next few days (and months) is going to be really exciting, looking at the celebration we have next month. Switzerland is getting all decked up for the coming celebrations... I hope to have a real good time with the close ones, enjoying their warmth in the 'not used to' cold :).

Here... take a look at the serene road after the first snow in the dawn....... isnt it great?

And there is a good news for enthusiasts who would like to venture outside Switzerland without a visa... its looks that its going to be a reality with Switzerland coming into Schenghen countries... however, I feel this is bad news for those from UK who can make it without any visa here :(, they need to have a visa in future! You see, it always works this way, whats good for one person may not necessarily be good for the other..... so my friends in UK, who wants to make a trip here have to make it reeeeeeal fast ;-)!!

I am waiting......... ..... ..

in Zürich

Its been quite some time in Zürich and till now, I loved being a part of this city. Its almost winter and the greeeeen trees are already starting to get brown and shedding their leaves in anticipation of a cold winter :). Along with the greens and lakes (comeon, we know that), this country (lemme say, this city) also has one of the best nightlifes I have seen in a long time.... thanks to the english speaking community I have bothered to join, Swiss ppl are also invited... albeit they have to speak english. Needless to say, I get to meet a lot of people from different cultures and backgrounds.. I meet people from those parts of the world I have never heard names of!! Okay, okay, I am bad in geography, so what.......!! But the best thing about being a part of this family is - it is headed by an Indian in Zürich.

Yes, you read it right, an Indian. He's been here for more than four years now, has been out of India for the last 10 yrs... he is the soul responsible for making the weekly meets come true with his presence and enthusiasm... he provides an umbrella under which people get to meet new people. He is the ultimate party freak I have ever seen and probably would ever see. We have managed to hit a note in a very short time and are like good friends now.

Being in Switzerland helps as I am in a wonderful place, and at the centre of a no of gorgeous places... and I am looking forward to going out outside this country. The good news is that Switzerland is coming within the Schengen countries from November onwards... but I dont believe it till it actually happens!! I have hearing about this for the last n months. When this happens, the residents of Swiss (now I am a resident of Swiss too ;)) would not need to apply for any additional visa for trips across Europe. However, in the short term, I would like to visit Jüngfrau....... for starters, Jüngfrau is the topmost point in Europe, where transport do reach... I dont have good feedback about the location, but its a matter of esteem... u have to be at the top.... man.

Life is going on fast and strong, with so much happening and so much being thought of. Will miss Durga Puja this season back home, but would like to see Zürich's only Durga Puja now that I am here. Atleast, its not like America's where Puja happen during the weekends!!!!!! But at the same time, its unfortunate that this time Puja is on the weekdays :(... so have to go there directly from office... anything for Ma :).

My textual travelogue comes to an end. Hope to come up with nice photographs and tidbits from the trips. At the same time, I hope Ma Durga while visiting her parents with her children on the earth (the five super busy days), ends the misery of all her disciples throughout, end the terrorrism that is plaguing the whole world now!

My friends in Kolkata, enjoy the wonderful five days... and friends outside, enjoy Navratri, Laxmi Puja, Saraswati Puja...... party, nightouts, etc. etc.

Huh! who works in Switzerland!!

Its been a few days that I have come to Zürich, Switzerland to work for my company. Barring the first few days, I am thoroughly enjoying my stay here. Zürich has a predominant German culture due to its proximity with Germany. Since I have come here, I have been to two places where I felt taste of two varied cultures: French and Italian... coz they are close to these two countries. Its amazing to see the kind of cultural exposure Switzerland has... with FOUR national languages - blah blah... yaaaa, i know you are already aware of these :).

The people here are told to be the most chilled out... compared to even those in other European countries... that this is the best place to work, because they hardly demand anything over the top... that this is the best place to tour (as u all know) due to its naturally beautiful countryside. So, it was a dream come true for me when I was asked to come here for an assignment :).

Till now, there have been days when I had to work under extreme timelines (not that they baffle me... for those who know me ;)), there have been time when there have been very less work (how do u expect I found the time to come up with this blog??), but I have enjoyed working with the locals and few Indians, who are here for reasons similar to mine. True to belief, the locals (who r not locals really, most have migrated from Germany) are nice, jovial and ofcourse, very professional.

However, there is one thing I would like to change here: they definitely do not score points as conservator of energy. Starting from shops, to the restaurants, offices... all of these tend to have their lights on even when they are closed for the day. I am sure Switzerland has huge source of energy, but wasting them in this way puts me in disarray. I cannot imagine anything like this back home, where there is anyway so much energy wastage.

There are so many more things to write, but they will all come in the coming times (depending on my mood i.e.)... but in the end, I would like to stress that people call it a nice place for a reason understandable... the lakes, the mountains, the wonderful facilities, the people willing to help, etc. etc. etc.

Sometimes I would like to give them back all the good things they have offered me, till then ieanjoy........... :)