From: "Gary Britt" 

Sounds cool Mike.  Good luck.  I've heard Switzerland is one of the nicer
places in Europe.

Gary

"Mike N."  wrote in message
news:cp3if1tu7963vo80lf2q0jgdaikon1j0rq{at}4ax.com...
> To continue on with the Euro-American exchange program that Adam began, I
> took on an assignment for a client who has a vendor in Zurich,
Switzerland.
> It will require a stay of 8 months to 1 year here.   It involves working
> with computers but I can't get more specific than that without going
beyond
> the confidentiality agreement.  It is the first time I have lived in
Europe
> and it a fantastic opportunity - 6 months ago, I would never have guessed
> I'd be here now.
>
> You know you have arrived in a strange land when you see a Hasidic Jew in
> full regalia careening down the sidewalk towards you on his razor
> (scooter).  My apartment is located 3 blocks from a Hasidic temple.  On
> Saturday they appear from everywhere on their way to and from the temple;
> with the men in big square hats.   Often they will wear their 'floods' -
> flood capable pants that look like they're rolled up about 6 inches off
the
> ground; but I can't really tell: it might just be a way to keep their suit
> slacks from getting dirty on their way to or from the temple if they
> normally hang 1/2" from the ground.
>
> The general feeling here is unique even for Europe.  Zurich has a
> population of about 330,000 and about 25% of those are foreigners.   So
> far, the city feels very un-crowded, even in the central train station.
> Very uncrowded compared to Paris or London.   But then it seems like many
> people are on vacation until September 1.   Maybe things will change then.
> Also the city feels very safe.  The crime rate is relatively low - there
is
> a 100% literacy rate in Switzerland.     Theft / burglary is the biggest
> problem.
>
>    I am busily trying to learn the German language - 'high German' or
> formal German via the Rosetta Stone computer software.   Even after I get
a
> smattering of German, I still won't understand most of Swiss German.  Most
> Swiss people speak English; almost all speak 'high german'; they naturally
> gravitate to Swiss German when speaking among themselves.
>
>   Things operate on a different schedule around here.  Businesses are open
> primarily during traditional working hours.  This includes grocery stores!
> So it's good if your normal work schedule starts later or earlier than a
> grocery store so you can shop for groceries before or after work.  The
> sidewalks roll up at 6:30 or 7:00 for all other shopping.  Only
restaurants
> are open later.
>
> Geo / Jeff: You know the 24 hour life of the ISP?   To get internet
> installed here via the cable TV -
>
>   Live phone answering 8:30 AM to 6:00PM only.
>   Tech support - first 10 minutes free, then $2 / minute.
>    Tech support available only 8:00 AM ot 11:00 PM.
>
>   Hopefully their service is monitored 24 hr/day!
>

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