Hockey, Swiss Style

Being ice hockey fans for years, we decided it was about time we went to a local game. There is a Swiss professional league like the NHL, but since this is a small country, the travel is much less extensive. We went to see the Zurich Lions play the Kloten Flyers (and yes, the team names are in English). It was an away game for Zurich, but Kloten is where Zurich airport is - obviously not very far away. We made the right decision to take public transportation. Parking was definitely limited.

The arena was surprisingly small and was closer in size to the arena at Northeastern University than one used in the NHL. Concrete walls in the lobby area were definitely not on par with "The Rock" in Newark.

even the Zamboni was smaller

wooden floor!

very big steps - I felt like a kid trying to climb stairs

These stairs are really steep and have no hand rails. They are also very big steps. I felt like a toddler trying to climb stairs. Definitely wouldn't pass an American safety inspection. Our seats were in the front row because that's all that was available when we decided to go. There was no netting above the glass where we were so that was a little nerve-wracking. Also, there was no rail in front of us. We could just step off - and drop down four feet or so! No jumping up after a goal. It would have been too easy to fall off.

you know him - see the drop off right in front of his feet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon arrival, all seats had a piece of white cardboard with advertisements. We learned the intent was for them to be folded like an accordion (see under Tom). When you smack that on your hand or a chair, it makes a very loud sound. There were moments when I wished I'd brought ear plugs. The crowd cheered (and used their noisemakers) nearly the whole game. They only quieted down for a bit when Zurich scored the fourth consecutive goal after the home team had scored the first two. One section of fans had someone with a bull horn leading cheers. They didn't even stop when music came over the loudspeaker. Never lost a beat. It was much louder than the Rock during normal play. 

The uniforms are covered with advertising. Notice the golden arches on the calves!  Each team's high scorer wore a yellow helmet and jersey. No one could say they lost track of him!

team gathered together before game started

Zurich Insurance, Tom's employer, is a league sponsor

both high scorers on the ice

high scorers against each other was common

final score - we win!

handshake after the game - this only happens at the end of a playoff series in the NHL

Before the game and during the intermissions, there were refreshments available for sale in the lobby. They had the normal choices and more alcohol options.  We opted for glühwein since it was colder inside than we expected and we were chilly. I didn't feel comfortable taking a picture of the group standing around a small round table. Their glasses stood on the table: beer, prosecco (champagne), beer, prosecco, beer, prosecco! Champagne at a hockey game? That's a first for us. 

Another sight I couldn't photograph was how a large number of fans wore their team jerseys. They were tied around their waists hanging in the back like a skirt since they're so long! I have no idea why they wear them like that, but I thought it looked very funny.  

The whole experience was a lot of fun and we'll probably go again. Maybe to a Zurich home game when more of the cheering will be for them. The only negative was the smoke. No one can smoke inside, but as soon as we left the building, lots of cigarettes were lit. Since we were among the many walking to the train station, it was impossible to avoid.  


(side note - there is one Swiss player on the NJ Devils - he's new to the Devils this year)

Top o' the mornin' .....

Once again, business called summoning Tom to a big meeting. This time, the spouses were also invited. Lucky me! I was headed to Dublin, a place I'd never been before and was very willing to go. The company trips are always first class. I had one day to explore on my own before the planned activities began. I've met two Irish women in Switzerland who gave me some suggestions of sites to visit. My choices were spots that I would not see on the company excursions. I'll do my best to remember accurately since this trip was in November.  (And by the way, I didn't hear anyone say top o' the mornin')

First stop, Kilmainham Gaol. A guided tour of the jail provided some Irish history most of which I cannot repeat now, but found interesting. The jail was unique in its time for having prisoners in separate rather than communal cells playing an important role in controlling the spread of disease. During the famine years, people actually committed minor crimes with the goal of being imprisoned. In the jail, they were guaranteed food. Although meager, it was better than nothing. We saw where prisoners were executed:  hangings above the front door or once indoors and firing squad at the end of an interior courtyard. The tour was a bit gruesome, but well done.

front entrance of Kilmainham Gaol

cells had much less light than this middle area

The spiral staircase was for the prisoners - slow going and impossible to sneak up on anyone. The guards used the straight stairs. 

indoor hanging room

lower level

cross is where executions took place

Across the way is Kilmainham Hospital, now a modern art museum. I only saw it from the outside and walked through the grounds.

This looks like a zombie fountain in the garden! What do you think, Karen?

My personal walking tour took me past St. Patrick's Cathedral which I found much less appealing than the cathedral by the same name in NYC. We didn't get to look inside when Tom and I came back together because it was being used for a graduation.

Another large church in Dublin is Christ Church. This one is protestant and you have to pay to go inside!

lots of pretty floor tiles showing off the Celtic patterns!





Trinity College is Dublin's most famous educational institution, but I admit, I had never heard of it before planning this trip! We didn't see it with snow, but the postcard offers a nice view of the inner campus. 

Trinity College is also home to the Book of Kells, an ornately decorated manuscript dating from 800AD.  Of course, no one is allowed to take pictures. The postcards below show pages that we were able to view.

 

Trinity College Library

Anybody heard of Newgrange? I hadn't, but it predates Stonehenge!  It is thought to date from 3000 BC and to have been a burial tomb. Although the mound itself looks large, we had to duck to enter. The walkway is narrow with a low ceiling and the inner chamber is very small. The slight opening above the door is designed so that on the winter solstice, sunlight will illumine the inner chamber. We saw this re-enacted with electric light.

                                                         

The tour guide's dress should give you a clue that it was plenty cold (windy also). Opening for light is visible above his head.

Celtic designs carved in the stones

I've been to plenty of castles, but the second part of this excursion included another one. I didn't mind. They're all a little different. This one had ruins of an old chapel. It is also currently occupied although we didn't tour the rooms that the residents use. 

Malahaide Castle

just like my dining room!

did you know the harp is a symbol of Ireland?

One of Zurich's evening events was at the Guinness Storehouse (plant or factory are probably better words). The local Irish women told me to be sure to have Guinness in Dublin because it doesn't travel well. Supposedly tastes better there than anywhere else. Well, that is no big compliment. I drank a couple of sips. Nope. Don't like it.

that's a very big barrel!

 

These look like bottle caps, but they're actually benches. My foot is in the picture to give you an idea of scale - not to show off my shoe. 

Did you know fencing is one of the few sports that has been part of every summer Olympic games? I'm not sure what that has to do with Dublin, but a chance to give it a try was one of the choices. I decided to go for it. I'd never tried it and thought this would be my only chance. First, the instructor was surprised at our dress. "This is how you come?" We were not told to wear "sporting" clothes or sneakers. I thought they were going to give us the necessaries since we were told nothing. Wrong. I was glad I was at least casually dressed. I also spent the day in bare feet. Wearing just socks was too slippery and my shoes were not appropriate. I also discovered that fencing is hard! So many things to remember. It's also very hot inside the helmet! I can now say I did it and I have photos to prove it, but I haven't found a new love. 

protective garments include a plastic "bra"

that's me in there

phew - helmet off!

Part of the annual Leadership Team meeting is a black tie dinner-dance. Tom and I had a photo shoot to show you that we actually clean up pretty well. Sadly, we are not as good at taking "selfies" as the 20-somethings. All of the pictures are blurry so I'll leave it to your imagination. 

For me, part of touring any city is people watching and street performers. 

5 performers - only the dog is artificial

first time I've seen a sand sculpture off the beach

   


Is this the youngest street performer you've ever seen? I wanted to ask him where his parents were!

Ireland is well known for the potato famine. We toured a replica of the Jeanie Johnston ship. It was originally a ship bringing imports from the US and Canada. When the famine arrived, it had another source of income: transporting Irish folk to North America. Its claim to fame is having never lost one of its passengers! Conditions were certainly not comfortable, but they took precautions and always traveled with a medic on board. 

harp bridge and Jeanie Johnston ship

Here are a few other random sights from Dublin:

self-explanatory

famine statue

light post with shamrocks

Solidarity on sign reminds me of Billy Elliot!

We thoroughly enjoyed Dublin and recommend it as a travel destination. The people are very friendly and with concentration, they can be understood. Cabbies were the most challenging. If you go to Dublin, you might be lucky and see a leprechaun! We saw two!

Molly Malone and friend