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I write about different countries I have been and let you dream about your future trip. If somebody is open to share my text I am more than happy. I also want to find other projects for collaboration. Thank you for all your contacts and networking.

Switzerland:

History of the country

Even if history is in the past, it happened lots of years ago with Willhelm Tell, a shooting star, who kicked asses with an Armbrust (funny weapon) to impress his folks. Stories after stories can be told. The most important story is about some clever guys swearing on the Ruetli Hill to make a Helvetia confederation. Hurrah. The Swiss federation protects the liberty and rights of the people and safeguards the independence and security of the country. How great is this? Swiss is neutral so please do not discuss it. Switzerland has the status of one of the world’s most stable economies. Since 1848 the Swiss confederation has been a federal republic of relatively autonomous cantons. Each canton has its own dialect. Oh my god. And Switzerland has got four different languages, how we communicate in French, German, Italian and Romansh? Please forget about the dialects in every valley or you might get insane. But still we are one country living in peace whenever we do not watch football. Then Swiss can be in the Roestigraben (two different parts).

Traditions of the country

The Swiss are crazy about their traditions and local customs. Swiss are mostly known as wealthy (money honey) and for sure we are because of cultural activities and living tradition. We have the famous wooden Alphorn (instrument number 1) and Schwyzeroergeli (instrument number 2) and the cows with their big bells waking up everybody asleep as they walk in the fields, the cows. Followed by their herdsmen and the yodelling choirs it is a Heidi World in which we live. For sure there is also Carneval or Fasnacht, parties in disguise and masks, in winter and also the street parade or lots of open airs (music festivals) in summer. You cannot imagine how proud Swiss are about Roger Federer and sporting events like Hornussen (hit a kind of stone) and Schwingen (kind of Wrestling or Sumoringen). Please google for these events, it is amazing to see it live. Food, wow, add Cheese and you are more than welcome. Fondue, Raclette or just Cheese, Wine and Walliser Roggenbrot (bread). Everybody will be your friend if you also know how to throw the Swiss flags the way that we do it at festivals. Please check the agenda before you arrive in Switzerland and ask real Swiss about traditions, they will take you directly to the event and you can never escape until you love it.

The weather

Swiss people have lots of different kinds of clothes. Because in one day, you can experience sun, clouds, rain and snow and you never know, because of the Atlantic weather fronts it can be cool and rainy even in summer. But mostly there is a moderately continental climate, with warm summers average highs around 25 degree. And cold and dull winters, in January mostly freezing and cold, perfect for Après Ski. Before 2020 this happening was known as the big drinking parties and music after skiing and snowboarding in the mountains. And it is not forbidden to kiss (your glass).

What we have to explore there as a traveller

No question. Go and see the mountains and touch the snow. Form it into a ball and throw it against anything, depending on your insurance. For sightseeing, you have enough stuff settled down for you, like the Chapel bridge in Lucerne, walk on it but do not smoke there or burn it. It is wood and it has happened that it was on fire before. Please it is already done. Try something new. Go take a train and explore Switzerland, but do not forget, as if you forget to get out you arrive either in France, Germany or Italy. Keep yourself awake, Switzerland is not that big but wow, every second you can see a new landscape in the train. There is endless beauty, not only in Swiss girls or boys. Rhine Falls and green forests and also amazing lakes, do not miss a thing.

Five must visit places in Switzerland

Zuerich is not the capital of Switzerland, because the political capital is Bern, but the city is attractive with its famous Bahnhofstrasse, one shopping street stretching from the main station to the Buerkliplatz. You can admire puplic art and great architecture along the street and find more than chocolate, watches and Swiss Military knives. Zuerich Zoo, the Swiss National Museum, Lindenhof (park), Grossmuenster (church) and the beautiful lake are some more spots to see in Turicum (old name of Zuerich).

Zermatt is definitely a place to visit for nature-lovers and adventurer. The most photographed mountain in the world is the Alpine Peak Matterhorn (4478m) with the highest winter and summer ski region in Europe. The Matterhorn is also printed on the Toblerone chocolate package and the pyramid shaped chocolate is not always easy to eat. But you should try as it is very tasty and gives you power like Ovomaltine, another chocolate brand. Ask for Schneewittchen in Zermatt and you might find seven dwarfs.

Lucerne has long been a destination for tourists with its Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstaettersee) surrounded by the mounts Pilatus and Rigi. The Swiss Museum of Transport is collecting old and new vehicles, planes and trains and much more. If you want to see a big lion do not be scared and discover the Lion Monument. Lucerne is also fantastic for Carneval during winter and its different summer festivals named Blue Balls.

Interlaken is a swiss town in the canton of Bern and has three sweet mountains named Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau. The marketing sells the Jungfraujoch (3466m) and the ice palace since 1912 under the name of Top of Europe. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald can be reached from Interlaken and are amazing places. If there is no Coronavirus you can visit the lakes Brienzersee and Thunersee on ships eating Fondue or drinking wine. 

Montreux is in the french part of Switzerland on the shoreline of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. Sometimes it looks like the sea, but unfortunately it is not. But from the Airport of Geneva you can fly internationally. But first stay in Montreux and discover the Riviera and its important wine-growing region. Freddie Mercury has its own monument at the most beautiful place in Montreux and Deep Purple recorded several songs and videos there. Another museum is the Olympic museum nearby, in the city of Lausanne. Take a boat or walk along the lake and you can also see Castle of Chillon. Please try at least to speak once in french (voulez-vous coucher avec moi does not count).

Best trips

Of course the best trips are with me. No doubt. I am originally from the canton of Wallis, the mountains. And I have travelled more than 60 countries, so my mind is open and I am flexible to other cultures and traditions. I also speak different languages. I am tour guide everywhere I can guide you. Just let me know your wish and I will do my best to fulfil it and make mega hyper good feelings. Apart from that, enjoy unknown places like the Valley of Loetschental or escape from big cities and go to Rapperswil or smaller places. If you can afford more than one visit, you are very lucky and maybe you will get a free Swiss Passport. I’m joking. Make the best out of it and plan which places you want to see, book a Swiss Pass by train, the easiest way to travel and check the schedule because punctuality is important in Switzerland like the sand in the desert. Trips will be best if you enjoy and the best way to start to enjoy is to have money, yes, for sure, and fun in discovering something new.

Chuchichaeschtli. Ade.

Andrea

Japan:

History of the country

To get some information about the history of Japan, you can surely ask the Japanese, as they have the longest life expectancy in the world. They might tell you about the ancient Japan such as the age of reform, or the Medieval Japan (Kamakura period), the early modern Japan (Bakuhan system) and Japan during World War II. They may also tell you about Emperors or political parties and Prime Ministers as they are an important historical topic. One obstacle asking Japanese about their history and legends, or the book of Han (dynasty) would be that 99 percent speak Japanese as their first language, maybe followed by some words in English. But often their English sounds similar to Japanese. My advice is to learn Japanese by buying a book named “Learn Japanese in 394815 days”. Hihi. Drawing this funny sign 笑 means LOL (lots of laughing).

Be serious and severe again (Japan military strength), we come back to reality. Japanese history is divided into a number of periods, referring to the struggles that took place between the different clans for thousands of years. Most known intensive historical events are the US declaration of war on Japan in 1941, when they were attacked at Pearl Harbour and the two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

1945 is the turning point in Japanese history, and has shaped the entire government and international policy since because of the occupation of Japan, the rewriting of their Constitution by a team of foreigners and the removal of their army. Since then, Japan’s economy has increased, to place it second in the world.

Traditions of the country

Japan is sometimes called the land of the rising sun, because from China it appears that the sun rises from the direction of Japan. The Japanese people call their country „Nippon“ or „Nihon,“ which literally translated means „source of the sun.“ Apart from that, the highly refined traditional arts of Japan include such forms as the tea ceremony, calligraphy, and ikebana (flower arranging) and gardening, as well as architecture, painting, and sculpture.

Sports also play a significant role in Japanese culture. Sumo, judo and karate are traditional Japanese sports.

Japan is a huge country of contrast. You can find Coseplay and Manga’s (comic), play games all night in the Arcades and on the other hand find shrines and temples. Still you can find Japanese girls wearing their Kimono, their national dress. It is a T-shaped, wrapped-front garment and is worn left over right (unless the wearer is deceased). After I bought myself a Kimono, somebody told me I wore it wrong. By mistake (and after drinking too many sakes (alcoholic drink)) it was right over left therefore I was supposed to be dead. My tourist tour of Geisha finished soon after, as I was feeling cold because of the low temperature in Osaka, it was getting dark and I was going out to some bars in touristic behaviour. If you want to show up your singing ability, go to Karaoke bars and if not, still go. It is a funny experience to drink, dance and sing with the Japanese.

Ohhh…What is a Gaywhat? Geisha are Japanese women who entertain through performing the ancient traditions of art, dance and singing, and are distinctively characterized by their wearing of kimono and oshiroi makeup. Maybe for me it was better for me not to wear any Japanese dress. 笑 ahhhh (say it Japanese way, please), do you remember? LOL. Therefore I went to a famous Wellness place, the Onsen. If you go to Japan, please go to a Onsen (bath, hot spring) where men and women are separated without Tattoos on your body, because it is not allowed to visit the majority of these places if you are tattooed.

Something more special in my opinion and one of the interesting Japanese culture facts is that crooked teeth are considered attractive. This belief is so deep seated that girls usually go to the dentist to have their teeth un-straightened. This might have been the reason why I was not lucky to have a Japanese boyfriend, Hihi (repeat the sign please), even if I dated one due to the Couchsurfing App, which is more and more known by Japanese Youngsters to get in touch to foreigners.

The weather

Japan has a temperate climate with all four seasons, the far south is sub-tropical while the far north is cool continental. Adding to the large regional climate variations are the mountains, which cover most of the country, the huge Asian continent to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Despite being an island nation, surrounded by water, Japan sees huge differences in temperature from summer to winter, which is more characteristic of a continental climate. If you go to see the monkeys in the snowy mountains you will discover why they love to swim in the thermal Onsen bath outside.

Japan is affected by many typhoons and rainfall is high throughout the country. Most of Japan receives a pronounced rainy period in June and July.

Japan is made up of volcanic islands and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire; Japan is home to ten per cent of the world’s active volcanoes. The country is highly fertile and mountainous, receiving many earthquakes which sometimes lead to tsunamis.

What we have to explore there as a traveller

Japan is the 10^th largest country by population and has more than 6,800 islands. The five main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, known for its nature and outdoor activities, Honshu the largest island with Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Shikoku, known for its temples, Kyushu (mountains and volcanoes) and Okinawa. Please take a scenic railway, it is really beautiful to see the landscape, which is so variable. You can find snowy mountains (Fuji) and lakes, gardens or big cities and say Hello Kitty. The Rail pass for tourists is a real great offer to travel the country. But you have to watch out, as not all trains are included in this Pass. Mostly they stopped me trying to cheat. Hihi. It is not allowed and very unusual for me to do something like that. Eating outside or drinking on the streets might be not allowed at some places, also throwing garbage on the floor or not standing in the correct line, or passing another Japanese to go into the train before they do especially when busy (some trains have reserved seats). I never got fined and I hope Karma will not find me.

Transportation is very punctual, even 0.36 seconds late will not be tolerated by a Japanese railway boss. Sadly, a lot of Japanese were working lots of hours and sleeping in Mc Donald’s or other places, because they could not go home before their boss and so it was mostly late night before they finished work. And I discovered some Guest houses and Hostels, where you sleep in a box and offered free Pyjamas to wear at night, because of this reason. 

Let us speak about the cherry blossom, which is an attraction for both tourists and the Japanese. Their food is delicious with even the convenience stores having tasty food. I have never eaten better from a convenience store than in Japan. Prices were not always in my budget and therefore I did eat also food from their stores, I must admit. But you should try Ichiran Ramen, or Sushi and avoid the killing fish, which if wrongly butchered and cooked, will kill you right away. I will not mention its name, because I do not want you order it because of me. Hihi. LOL. Or 笑.

Five must visit places in Japan

Japan has various fantastic places to discover. I was in Japan for 12 days during which I discovered and stayed overnight in Tokyo, Kamakura, Fujiyoshida (Mount Fuji), Nagano, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara and Himeji. I booked a Rail Pass in advance for Tourists and could use it for 7 days. The price is around 280 Euro, dependent on the date of purchase.

Tokyo: I arrived in Tokyo around 3 am and after a bus trip I directly walked to my Hostel, rather than the Fish Market. The streets were safe and almost empty. I expected Tokyo to be different, but I cannot say that it is nicer than Osaka. This is a big tourist guide debate if you ask them which place is nicer or better or more Japanese. Tokyo is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Japan, and houses the seat of the Emperor and the national government. Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo. Set your alarm super early – locals suggest arriving at 5 am to capture the best buying/selling action. During your day you can rent a Go Kart and do a tour in funny dresses like a bunny or Hello Kitty costume. There is also a Samurai Museum or you can go to Shibuya Scramble Crossing, it is outside the popular Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station. This exit was named after the most famous dog in Japan, Hachiko. Maybe later you can go out and eat a dog? Generally speaking, Japanese people do not enjoy eating dogs, but it is not illegal to eat the meat of a dog. Enjoy horse meat sashimi, which is another dish in Japan.

Mount Fuji: I pronounced it totally wrong when I asked for directions at the train station. But I arrived at the foot of Mount Fuji, which is the tallest mountain in Japan, at 3,775 m (12,380 feet). It is a volcano that has been dormant since its last eruption in 1707, but is still generally classified as active by geologists.Mount Fuji is a type of volcano called a stratovolcano which are the largest volcanoes on Earth, as they form from the accumulation of cooled lava and ash. The mountain is the major feature of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (1936), and it is at the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 2013. The village of Fujiyoshida is small and you can walk to a hill opposite Mount Fuji to take pictures. Nearby is a lake and different places with shrines and temples.

Nagano: In Nagano it was freezing cold in February 2020 but it was beautiful to touch and see the snow for me, because I came from Oman, a hot country. Located near the base of the Joshinestu Kogen National Park, the Jigokudani Yaen Koen (otherwise known as the Snow Monkey Park) is home to a very special troop of monkeys. The park is inhabited by Japanese Macaques. Near Nagano you will find a number of ski slopes here that are perfect if you fancy going skiing or snowboarding. There are some idyllic day trips on offer here that let you see a less visited side of Japan.

Kyoto: The contemporary phrase sekai no Kyōto (“the world’s Kyōto”) reflects the reception of Japanese culture abroad and Kyōto’s own attempt to keep up with the times. Nevertheless, Kyōto is the centre of traditional Japanese culture and of Buddhism, as well as of fine textiles and other Japanese products. In Kyoto you can buy Kyoto dolls and chopsticks, washi (traditional Japanese paper) incense, ceramics, green tea and other Japanese teas.Moreover, there is one way to see a geisha in Kyoto. There is a public theatre called Gion Corner located around the middle of Hanami Lane in Gion. Every night this little theatre brings traditional Japanese performing arts on stage.

Kamakura: Kamakura was the place, I wanted to stay longer. To enjoy the coastal side and the peaceful walk through the Komachi Street, stopping to sit and drink tea and enjoy art and design of the shops. There is also a temple with big bamboo and beautiful flowers, such as a big budda statue. In Kamakura there are Hostels, where you can sleep on the floor like they traditionally did. The Japanese have traditionally eaten and slept on the floor for a very long time and they want to protect their culture and customs. Another reason why they sleep and eat on the floor is that the soft tatami mats don’t allow for heavy furniture because it would leave marks on the floors.

Biggest advice: Japan definitely is a country to go to more than once, save some money and try all the food, by eating more than 3 times a day, because Japan is a heaven for food. If you have a dog do take a stroller with you.