Today went very much like yesterday. I woke up and also once again immediately started washing and cleaning the lettuce for the salads. I realized today though that the salad I cleaned yesterday was not for the week but for one day. That made me realize how much food the restaurant actually goes through. After finishing with the salad, I began removing the bones from about thirty fish. It seemed like there was always another fish to be pulled out of the bag and de-bone. In the evening I returned to work and started off in the parking lot. I stood there and waited and once again told people the lot was reserved for guests. After about two hours and about twenty "I am going to the restaurant (Which they obviously were not because most were bringing charcoal and barbecue food)." I began working inside. I started off with garnishing dishes and then was promoted to walking people to their cars with an umbrella. I ended the evening washing the remaining glasses and mentally getting ready to take on my other opportunity in a Swiss school tomorrow.
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Today I woke up and head down to to the restaurant. I immediately began washing and cleaning the lettuce for the salads this week. After finishing with the lettuce, I learned how to slice and make crispy bread chips in the oven. By the time lunch ended I had a chance to work on some AP Chemistry homework because I still have a good amount to do. I also called home to my mom because it was her birthday today. Happy Birthday! Later in the afternoon, I began working and made beef skewers. They seemed to take forever to make but it was only about an hour in reality. After I finished the skewers, I went to help barbecue outside. It was nice being in the wind to cool down but unfortunately I ended up standing downwind from the grill so all the smoke blew in my face. When the event was finished I ended washing most of the multiple different types of glasses. It was actually better than it seemed and was not so bad but definitely hot from all the steam in the dishwasher. The night was finally over and I went to bed exhausted awaiting what I would learn tomorrow.
Today I woke up fairly early to get on a train to Adliswil. I arrived at around 7:30 and was greeted by Kevin and my aunt Camilla. We walked a while before splitting from her and heading towards Kevin's school, Primarschule Sonnenberg. Once there we began his usual school day. Today was Tuesday so we began the morning in math. The students were learning about how to calculate L x W x H and estimating objects. After math we stayed put and the same teacher began teaching the German lesson. There was an activity about animals and their estimated sizes so their math and German lessons tied together. It was finally lunch time and Kevin and I walked back to his house for lunch. There was ninety minutes allotted for lunch. Thereafter we returned to school and began with English class with a new teacher. I did fairly well here, as expected, and was actually able to help some of the other students. We continued with this teacher for music as well where the students sang some songs that the teacher chose. This marked the end of the academic day and the beginning of the active one. We then went to gym where we exercised and played a few games. By this time it was 16:10 and the school day was finally over. I returned home with Kevin and then we left for Langnau-Gattikon. It was interesting to see the station finally finished and the place where I had one time lived. We returned back to Adliswil and had a wonderful barbecue dinner. Afterward I returned home to Stäfa for the night.
Editor's Note: There are no pictures of the Schule because pictures were not permitted. Today I woke up fairly early so that we could take Kevin to school. His school is located in Adliswil so we drove to Meilen where a ferry took us across Lake Zürich. After dropping him off, Béda and I went to CC, also known as Cash & Carry. This is the restaurant version of Costco where only restaurant owners can shop. Likewise the prices are also much better than anywhere else due the wholesale prices. The shopping took a while and we ended up filling up 3 flat carts which were about 3' x 7'. It did not take long to return to the restaurant but, the unloading took some time. In the afternoon I got an old bike from the attic and fixed some small things so that it would work again. I plan to take it tomorrow with me to Adliswil when I go to school with Kevin.
Today I woke up at around nine to get ready for church. After getting a Gipfeli (Swiss name for Croissont) for some breakfast Kevin (My cousin) and I walked up to the nearby church. It was about a half mile away and we were both excited but for different reasons. I was excited to see what a typical Swiss service was like and Kevin was excited because it was his second time to church, ever. The service was very similar to mine at home with the omission of the confession and forgiveness, and the communion. After the service we walked back to get some lunch and prepare for the day. We ended up going bowling and relaxing at a nearby park as well. The day ended well with me winning against Beda and Kevin in chess.
Today after waking up, I got on the bus and train to get to Zürich. Once in the city I purchased a tripod, as my other one is at home, to hopefully take some amazing hyper-lapse photography as well as some videos. I ended up staying in the city most of the day. And please don't be mistaken as I spent time walking around the old town, I stood taking videos in the train station for most of the day. When I got back to the apartment, I waited for about 30 minutes until Kevin would arrive. When he arrived I gave him his presents from our family and we decided, even though it was only about seventy degrees fareheit, to go boating. We took the inflatable raft like boat and paddled around the lake for a good hour. When we were finished we went to relax before going to bed for the night.
Today started off as a really relaxing day. After waking up I walked down to the storage, got the boat which I got ready yesterday and brought it down to the lake. After floating through the water for about two hours I made my way back to the shore. When I got back there was some extra Ahi Tuna and I was asked to make some sort of tuna dish. I decided to make a seared Ahi Tuna Lettuce Wrap with cucumber, rice noodles and a wasabi sesame sauce. It turned out pretty well and it tasted amazing. Afterwards I got dressed nicer and took some pictures of the endless amounts of food tonight. There was a wedding and therefore lots of food. The night was busy and I will see Kevin my cousin for the first time this trip tomorrow!
Today was another beautiful day like yesterday. After I got to work, I set up the terrace and the outside tables for lunch. At this time I was finished and went to go find a blow up boat from storage.It must have taken me forever because until about 15:00 I was looking for the boat and all its components. I couldn't get it blown up until about 17:00 when I found a pump at a bike store across the street. The boat was finally finished at 18:00 and I had to go to work. For the first 2 hours I stood in the parking lot directing people away from the limited parking spaces when they were not going to the restaurant. Then I went inside and had a multitude of jobs that bounced back and forth for the next 3 hours. I was washing glasses, bussing tables, serving drinks, making drinks, and helping out in the kitchen as well. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day and went to bed quickly.
Today I woke up and after looking outside decided that this was the most beautiful day I have seen here thus far. There was not a cloud in the sky and sun reflected beautifully off the water. When I got to the restaurant I set up the outside seating for the first time and also set the tables in the terrace. Lunch service was very busy and after I was able to shoot some pictures with the menu off the balcony. In the afternoon I was able to go in for a swim in the lake before getting dressed nicer to yell at people. Literally. I stood at the entrance of the parking area and told the people that were not going to the restaurant that their cars would be towed. After returning to the restaurant and bussing a few tables, I shot some amazing frames of the sunset over Lake Zürich before getting ready for bed.
Today I woke up at the apartment and once again had a refreshing walk down to the restaurant. Once there I began working and learned one of the most important lessons in cooking. DO NOT look away while using the mandoline. I really hope that fingertips grow back because if not.......
Ok, I am just kidding with you. I did not cut myself with the mandoline. Sorry mom, I couldn't resist. I love you. Anyway, after properly learning how to use the mandoline, I made homemade potato chips. They came out pretty well and I also was able to make a carrot cake. The afternoon was pretty dull as the weather was not so good but in the evening the clouds cleared a small bit and there was lots to do. I cut up plenty of vegetables which will probably only last for one day seeing how fast this restaurant goes through food and at the end of the night, I ended up washing down the kitchen. Considering today was the summer solstice and longest day in the year, the light did not appear to stay for long at all. Good news is the weather is looking good for tomorrow so I am keeping my fingers crossed so I can get some good pictures. Today I woke up and had a nice walk down to the restaurant. It was actually sunny out for a change and the blue skies were a nice sight. Once at the restaurant I got changed and helped serve a seminar and even though we were closed, I was also able to serve two additional tables which walked up. Later, I took the train into the city to get an accessory for my camera which happened to fall off in my travels. After I got back, I also shot some beautiful frames of the lake and restaurant before playing a few games of table tennis and badminton. The reflection off the lake was perfect and I hope that it continues like this for the next few days as well.
Today I woke up a little late because I was up late last night for the banquet. I got dressed and downstairs to assist with brunch. After brunch was over and everything was finished at the restaurant, Beda decided that we should go visit his old neighbor and family friend, Vreni Messerli. We drove to Wetzikon and were able to see how she was doing. Her husband who had passed away some time ago also had a large model train set with which I used to play with. It took some time but I managed to get it to work (Kind of… Okay, Not Really…). The set hadn’t been used or maintained in years and I decided that I would go back and help her restore it at a later date as well. We wished her goodbye and went to go get dinner at a local restaurant. We went to a local place in Stäfa and ate Cordon Bleu which was really good and then drove back to the apartment to get some rest for tomorrow
Today I woke up and immediately got up and ready to work in the kitchen. After I got to the kitchen, I prepared the tomato salad (For Brunch Tomorrow Morning) and prepped all the kitchen stations. After each station was full I also prepared some other items for later in the evening. At around 15:oo I was able to get over to the Migros and get some flowers for my Godmother who I would be seeing later today. At about 17:30 we met up and had dinner at the Villa Sunneschy and her entire family was there as well. We spoke and ate for a while before they needed to leave and after dinner I began serving for a birthday party. Later when I had a break I shoot some pictures of the lake at night because it looked beautiful and decided it was probably time to go to bed.
Today I woke up and decided to unpack my things. My school trip was very exhausting so I was still tired and decided to simply work on some homework. I completed a portion of my AP US History although there is still much to be done and when I looked outside the weather would bounce back and forth between sun and rain all day. Sometime in the middle of the day I walked outside and it was raining but there were no clouds overhead. There was just sun and the rain looked like it was blown by the wind from somewhere else. Later I decided to go back to sleep and rest up to begin work tomorrow as I was exhausted.
Today was our last day on the school trip. I awoke very early to go hiking for the last time with my friends in the Swiss Alps then, we got on the bus and proceeded to the airport. Once we arrived, a few others were also going to be in Zürich for the day so I guided them on the trains to Zürich Hauptbahnhof and said goodbye to everyone else. Once there we walked around Bahnhofstrasse and down to Lake Zürich. After eating at the Manor Restaurant I guided them back to their correct train where they would be continuing to Paris. After they departed, I returned to the apartment to rest because I was so exhausted from the day and busy trip.
Today was our first morning at Hotel Badus in Andermatt. We ate breakfast quickly and then went for a hike because our hotel is in the Swiss Alps. After getting back, we got on the bus for the drive to Lucerne. When we arrived we had a short walking guided tour and then were allowed to roam freely for two hours. This is when I stopped by the Migros (For some groceries of course) and saw the Kapellbrücke (A walking footbridge from the 1200s). After the free time we all gathered on a boat for a ride to the base of the Pilatus, a mountain in Switzerland. Once we arrived there we took a cog railway to the top where there was a view of maximum 5 feet in front of oneself. There was so much dense fog it was difficult to see the entire group of people I was with. After taking the Gondola back and returning to the hotel, I walked to the nearby Coop (A grocery store) with about 25 of my friends to help them choose the “best” Swiss chocolate. When they all saw the chocolate aisle it was pretty crazy. They ended up spending about 600 Swiss Francs on Chocolate alone! Later we returned and I once again went for a quick hike up the mountain where there were beautiful cows and scenery, before going back to the hotel for the night.
Today was our last day at Hotel Leonard in Munich. After my usual breakfast we began our first bus ride out of three today. We traveled to Innsbruck, Austria and arrived in about three hours. When we arrived we were immediately given free time to explore for the next two hours. While there I visited the Goldenes Dachl or Golden Roof in the town square, one of the largest Swarovski stores in the world, and interestingly enough a Austrian McDonalds. After returning to the bus we began our second bus ride to Vaduz, Lichtenstein. When were arrived in Lichtenstein we had about twenty minutes to get our passport stampted and then get back on the bus to get to Lucerne. After beginning our final bus ride for the day we saw plenty of beautiful sights on the way. The trip took about three hours, and then we got to our hotel, Hotel Badus for the evening. There we had dinner and we will see the city of Lucerne tomorrow.
Today was the first morning at Hotel Leonard in Munich. We departed the hotel and began a tour around the city. There we saw some people surfing on a small river, a variety of buildings and ended in the Marienplatz where the famous Glockenspiel plays. The Glockenspiel is a collection of church bells that play in the town square while figurines “dance” up above. After eating lunch at a local Bavarian eatery we hopped on the bus for a two hour ride to Neuschwanstein Castle. Once there we were allowed time to explore before walking to the top. Once we arrived at the top, we took part in a guided tour where at NO TIME may ANYONE take pictures whatsoever. That part was not disclosed and almost killed me (Not Really). Then after the tour I took plenty of pictures which consisted of the view and the castle itself. Afterwards we walked back down the hill and got back on the bus to get dinner. We ate dinner at a local Bavarian restaurant and returned to our hotel preparing for our three bus rides tomorrow.
Today was our second morning at the Hotel Golf in Prague. Breakfast was similar to yesterdays and after quickly preparing our bags, everyone was back on the bus for a four hour ride to Dachau. When we arrived we had a quick short tour and then were allowed to explore the site for ourselves. It was a very sombering and moving experience to be so close to something which caused so much distress and destruction to so many lives. After the experience, we took another short one hour ride into Munich. Once there, we went to the Allianz Center to see where the FC Bayern Munich football (soccer) team plays. Afterwards we traveled to dinner and checked into the Hotel Leonardo for the night.
Today was our first morning at Hotel Golf in Prague or as we learned is known as Praha. After another similar european style breakfast we quickly hopped on the bus and traveled to the Castle Prague for the start of a three hour walking tour. We learned about The Castle itself, St. Vitus Cathedral, as well as medieval time period homes. After a traditional Czech meal of Goulash for lunch, we arrived at the Prague astronomical clock. There we had some free time to explore and walk around Prague. We met up later for a tour of the underground as well. After that time we met up for a dinner crusie along the Vltava river. There we were able to see some more sights and views and later we returned back to the hotel to play some soccer and get some rest before our five hour ride to Dachau tomorrow.
Today was our second morning at Tryp Hotel in Berlin City East. Breakfast was the same traditional style as yesterday and I tried some new foods. After departing Berlin we rode on our first bus ride for about three hours until we arrived in the city of Dresden. There we were greeted by a local guide and a bus tour of the city. Afterwards we had a short walking tour which showed the main parts of Dresden as well as the Frauenkirche, a symbol of the Saxon capitol [Dresden] which was and still is one of the most important baroque buildings in Germany. After a local lunch we returned to the bus for another three hour bus ride to Prague in the Czech Republic. When we arrived we went on another short walking tour before arriving at our dinner location for the evening. Later we checked into Hotel Golf where we will be staying for the next two nights.
Editor's Note: Due to internet issues at the Tryp Hotel in Berlin City East, photos could not be uploaded from that location. That issue has been resolved and now both Berlin Days 1 & 2 have pictures. Today was the first morning at Tryp hotel in Berlin City East. For breakfast there were lots of traditional German meats and breads, which is what I expect to see for the next week. After breakfast we took a bus tour around Berlin, including one of the largest pieces of the Berlin Wall that still stands, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Jewish memorial. After being let go for lunch and free time, a few of my friends and I walked around central Berlin. We also traveled by using public transportation and by doing so, we were able to see the Berliner Fernsehtrum (Berlin TV Tower), Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Train Station), Checkpoint Charlie (Which might I add has too much American stolen valor if you ask me), as well as the Topography of Terror Holocaust museum. After eating dinner we walked around for a guided tour before returning to the hotel for the night. Tomorrow we leave for Dresden and Prague.
Today I had the pleasure of waking up at 4:45 in the morning to get to Zürich Airport for my 7:20 flight to Berlin [Yay -_-]. I arrived at 8:45 and walked around the terminal in Berlin for a while. At around 11:30 I met up with my classmates from Orange Lutheran High School in California for our EF Tour to Berlin, Prague, and The Alps. We met our tour guide Ysanne and she spoke us through a small sight seeing tour on our way to the hotel where we would be staying at for the next two days, Tryp in Berlin City East. After a small break and orientation at the hotel we made our way by U-bahn and S-bahn into the city center. There we had dinner and walked around the New Synagogue in Germany. We also visited the Jüdischer Friedhof Berlin-Mitte a Jewish cemetery from the World War II era. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for the evening.
Today I woke up and alike yesterday I was able to help with a seminar and banquets. I also learned how to determine the table number and bring food from the kitchen to those tables. After lunch I traveled into Zürich to find some CARAN d'ACHE pens only available in Switzerland as well as do some shopping. Later in the day I returned to the apartment to pack my things for my school trip where for the next 10 days I will be traveling around Europe with EF Tours through Orange Lutheran High School. Now I need to get some sleep because tomorrow I need to wake up at 4:45 to get to my flight.
Today was the most relaxed day I have had on this trip so far. I got to sleep in until 10:00 and then went for a fifteen minute walk around Stäfa. When I got to work I learned how to serve for a banquet as well as reset rooms for different seminars and events. The weather was perfect and even though the business was not open for normal lunch and dinner service, there was still plenty to do. Later after lunch was the first opportunity I had to shoot some nice pictures of the Villa Sunneschy from outside in the sun. After work I was able to relax and rest because as Monday is the only day off for the restaurant, there will be plenty to do tomorrow.
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Alexander KitanoAlexander Kitano is a talented photographer with a passion for photography. Here are some of his journals he has made throughout his carear. Archives
August 2016
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