Tic Toc

Swiss clocks are well known for their accuracy. Rumour is, Swiss society is too.
Last few days, I have experienced this is not a rumour. Yesterday during lunch I called SwissCom to arrange internet in my new apartment. This morning at 6.40 the mailman knocked on my door to deliver my new modem. Goodmorning, sometimes you can be too accurate...

A happy marriage

For you who didn't hear the news yet: last week I signed the contract for my new apartment! For now no news yet about the new place, but as soon as I move in I'll promise / warn you I will flood you with information and pictures that will make you jealous. For now, I want to tell you a different story: After signing the contract, I suddenly share a bank-account. This is not because the apartment comes with a wife. No, suddenly I share an account with my landlord...
Apparently, there's a whole banking industry that accommodates the safe storage of deposits.

And the great thing about these accounts: they are just like in a traditional marriage! I'm providing the money and the significant other is deciding when I can touch the money.

I've been thinking for a description of this system in one word, but for the moment only the word "Swiss" comes to mind...

Unidentified Edible Objects

Ok, so you don't need to tell me that I'm lazy. Truth is, pre-cut vegetables are just very convenient when trying to prepare a quick meal. And besides, a single guy like would never have the chance of mixing this many kinds of vegetables without letting half of it rot away in the fridge. The Dutch Albert Heijn understands my needs, sporting a huge range of internationally themed pre-cut vegetables. My Swiss Coop is also trying, though here the choice is limited to a Chinese and an Oriental mix. Visual inspection showed that the Chinese mix was mainly cabbage, so the choice for the Oriental mix was from now on quickly made.

Hmmm, the last few weeks I have been enjoying several good stir-fried dishes! Only one thing kept bothering me. The Oriental mix also seemed not completely cabbage free. To be more precise, the mix contained a dark somewhat rubbery cabbage variety that was unknown to me.


Needless to say, I picked it out and threw it away.

But these kind of things bother me. Being from a cabbage-culture, I couldn't believe I didn't know this type. So, when I bought my Oriental vegetables today I decided to check what I was dealing with. Well, not cabage apparently...

Last few weeks I have consistently been throwing away the most exquisite ingredient of my Oriental vegetable mix: Judas Ear mushrooms.



So from now on I'm enjoying stir-fried dishes with extra bounce. Now that I know I can't throw it away anymore....

Bon appetit!

Je m'appelle Daan

Today I had my first French class! No English allowed, so one and a half hour of stammering and stuttering. Luckily we are all in the same situation, so only little embaressment.Today was mainly devoted to getting to know each other. We're 12 people, and we're a pretty international bunch, ranging from Iranian, Indian to German and Danish. Hopefully it will not only be educative, but also enjoyable. Tomorrow lesson 2!

No adventures today

Wow, all hell broke loose:



I'll be sitting next to the central heating for the rest of the day.

Efficiency at last

Today, while taking a random tour on the campus, I realized that for the last month I've been taking a gigantic detour to bike to the lab.

Apparently these crazy Swiss have dug a tunnel under the campus, which allows me to save at least 5 minutes each way! It's a bit of a scary place that I have to pass, but I think I will find the courage to do so.


Hmmm, now I'll have to think what to do with the extra 10 minutes a day....

Random Supermarket Question

Saturday I was in my supermarket. As I was thirsty, I was standing in front of the beer-isle, thinking what brand of beer I was going to try this time. Suddenly I was approached by a woman.

Woman: Excuse-moi, je peux vous demander une question?

Daan: Uh, uh, oui, uh, uh, pas de problem.

Woman: Oh, we can also talk in English. Can I ask you a question about beer?


She spotted the connaisseur right on!

Daan: Yes, that should be no problem.

Woman: I am having very important guests tonight, and they drink beer. I never drink beer, so I don't know anything about beer. But now I need the best beer I can get. Price is absolutely no issue.

Daan: Do they have certain preferences for a type of beer, or do they just prefer normal beer.

Woman: What is a normal beer? I never drink beer.

This woman was clearly from a different league...

Daan: If people ask for a 'normal beer', they usually expect a pilsner. A very normal, average beer would be the Kronenbourg 1664. I do advise you to serve bottles, rather than cans.

Woman: And this is impressive enough?

Daan: Well, if you want to really impress your visitors, you can always take the Belgian beers that are on the other side of the isle. That's heavy stuff though! But your visitors will sure be impressed.
Woman: Thank you very much, I'll go for that.

I hope her visitors were happy. I went home where I enjoyed myself a nice German Paulaner Hefe Weiße. Cheers!