Friday, 13 January 2012

2012


Nový Rok, Nový Začiatok...

alebo Ďalší Rok, Ďalší Začiatok ?

Slová sú strašne relatívne...

Preto Priatelia v tomto Roku skúsme
viac cítiť než myslieť,
viac veriť než pochybovať
viac snívať než spať...


New Year, New Beginning ...

or is it Another Year, Another Beginning ?

Words are very relative...

And therefore dear Friends in the 2012 let's try to
feel more than think
believe more than doubt
and dream more than sleep...




Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Pokoj V Duši



Udalosti, stretnutia, myšlienky
posledných pár dní a týždňov
zasa na chvíľu rozvírili hladinu v mojej Duši.

Nieže By v Nej vládol vždy úplný Pokoj
Nehybnosť, Bezvetrie... to nie

Vietor len bezočivo sfúkol Nános opatrne a pracne nakopeného Lístia
žltého, červeného, sivého
a odhalil holú, nepohodlnú ale tým úprimnejšiu Skalu

Mám toľko otázok.
K Sebe
K Životu
K Láske

Počúvam Janku Kirschnerovú a potichučky dumám nad
Pokojom v Duši


Events, Rendezvous and Thoughts of
the past few Days and Weeks
have disturbed the apparent
Stillness and Apathy
that reigned in the Soul.

Like a Stone that falls into the
Silence of an evening Lake,
or like a Snowflake
that has the power of Avalanche
in Herself

The Wind ruthlessly swept away
meticulously accumulated Blankets of Leaves
red, yellow and grey
and uncovered the bare, vulnerable but honest Soul

I have so many Questions.
To Myself.
To Life.
To Love.

I am listening to Janka Kirschner's " Pokoj v Duši "
pondering quietly about the Contentment of my Soul




Saturday, 18 June 2011

I' m Only Happy When It Rains...




...I'm only Happy when it's complicated
...and though I know you can't appreciate it
...I'm only happy when it Rains....

Do you remember this song?
I used to love it, and YES I still do

I would not say Only though, but I have to admit
Rain has great Allure for me...
It clears the air, cools the temperature, it lets the pressure off...

Rain/Tears/Rain/Tears....where does one stop and the other begins...

And of course, there is no Rainbow without the Rain, is there?


Na začiatku 90tych rokov Shirley zo skupiny Garbage spievala, že je
... Šťastná IBA keď prší...
....keď sú Veci komlikovanejšie ako komplikované...atď

Nie Každý s tým síce súhlasil/súhlasí ale Ja Áno...
Nepovedala by som síce IBA, ale musím priznať
že Dážd má pre mňa svoje Čaro...
Prevonia vzduch, skrotí horúčavy, uvolní nahromadenú energiu...

Dážď a Slzy... Slzy a Dážď
Kde sa jedno končí a druhé začína ?

A samozrejme tak ako bez práce vraj nie sú koláče
tak aj Bez dažďa definitívne NIETO Dúhy...


Sunday, 8 May 2011

Můj pes...


... má Duši, 4 Nohy Ocas a Uši,
chlupaté Tělo,
krásné chytré ale tvrdohlavé Čelo...
...Jí jenom Maso a Kosti,
Kouše debilní Hosti,
jinak se chová vhodně
a Já ho MILUJI hodně...

Verili by ste, že je to už ROK
čo k nám "bocian "priniesol nášho Hippinka...
Kliknite na linku a spievajte s Nami...
Nohavica Nášho Hippinka
perfektne vystihol, Však ?

J. Nohavica Můj Pes


My dog...

There is a song by a Czech "Bard"
called Jarek Nohavica...
It was written about our Hippie...
Definitely
It is however, so meticulously appropriate
And above all funny
in Czech
that I don't even dare to try ;-) translating it

I am a bit sad, though, that You,
the English Speakers
cannot fully enjoy it with Us...

There is one sentence in English,
the very last sentence of the Song, though

...My Dog is a Dog Number ONE , Yeah...

Which pretty much sums it up All for You ;-)

P.S. By the way, if you are asking what Is the Occasion,
it has been a YEAR since Hippie came to live with Us.



Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Nostalgia





Je to len včera, e-mail od tatika a celý vagón spomienok...
Je to len včera, moja bábika Katka a šibalský úsmev na perách...
Je to len včera, na dvore u Mariskanéni, Človeče nezlob se,
Simona a Ja...
Je to len včera, v Nagymaminom náruči...
Je to len včera, pásiky, plast a ružová predstavujú Vrchol Módy...

Nedávno som čítala jednu veľmi nostalgickú knihu,
The Sea ( More ) - J. Banville,
ktorá je vlastne takou malou štúdiou na tému spomienok.
Autor v nej píše ( niečo v zmysle ), že
" Minulosť vo mne bije ako druhé Srdce "

...a ja nemôžem nesúhlasiť...


It was only Yesterday...
...e-mail from my dad and a whole wagon of memories
...my favourite doll Katka and a cheeky smile on my lips
...mellow summer eve in Hungary, Simona and me,
playing Ludo till I win
...so tired and happy in my Grandma's arms...
...being the fashonista of those blissful days

I have recently read a very compelling book,
kind of a study into Nostalgia, Memories and Past,
The Sea by J.Banville

... " The Past beats inside me like a second heart "...

My Past certainly does...

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Ty Capel, Wales




Je to síce už chvíľa odkedy sme tam strávili čarovných zopár dní,
ale ten pocit čo sme tam mali v duši stále pretrváva...

Pri online rezervácii Ty Capel-u, musím sa priznať,
som mala kúsok obavy,
je to predsa len jedna veľmi stará kaplnka - škola,
maximálne izolovaná v Snowdonia Národnom Parku,
najbližšou usadlosťou je už takmer sto rokov opustená,
černicami a malinami porastená,
a iba duchom čias minulých obývaná
banícka osada Rhiwddolion...

Zistila som však zasa raz, že je to práve to
Ticho, Tma a Totálna Izolácia od moderných Hommo Sapiens
čo mojej Duši dáva možnosť sa na/od - dýchnuť...

Všimnite si napríklad obraz deduška s ( možno ) vnučkou...
Tá deduškovi doniesla tabačik a teraz s láskou pozoruje
ako si deduško bafká...
Nie som síce zástancom fajčenia, to nie,
Ale som priateľom Slobody prejavu, konania a snívania...

P.S. Ty Capel sme si zarezervovali cez http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/
Pozrite sa aj vy, dovolenkovať v historických budovách je predsa tak romantické...


It has been a couple of days ( weeks really ) since
we had a holiday there,
but the ' caressing ' feeling inside still remains...

I was a bit worried, I have to admit,
when I booked us this place online...
It is afterall a very old chapel - school,
totally isolated in the heart of Snowdonia National Park,
the nearest settlement being
totally overgrown with bushes of wildberries
almost a century ago forsaken mining hamlet of
Rhiwddolion...

I have discovered ( once again ) however,
that it is The Utter Solitude from modern day Homo Sapiens
that provides my soul with the essential nourriture...

Have a closer look at the painting for instance...
Grandpa enjoying a pipe
after his granddaughter brought him more tabacco...
Where in todays world, with its rules and regulations,
is smoking shamelessly being enjoyed like this...

I am not an advocate of smoking, that is not my point,
I am a Defender of Freedom ( of action/believes/dreaming ) however...

P.S. We have booked Ty Capel through http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/
an organisation that brings historical buildings back to life.
Have an inspirational look yourselves,
it is so romantic after all to holiday in a place from the past,
where men were Gentle-men and women their Princesses...



Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Back Home



Už som doma...
Chválabohu iba trocha šoknutá, ale ináč v poriadku

Súčasnú situáciu v Japonsku pre mňa dnes vystihuje
aj táto fotografia...

Hoci je v meste tma, temnota, čierňava
na horizonte je slnko...

...aj súmrak je časom krásy, nádeje, nového dňa


Back Home...
Thanks to God only a bit shell-shocked,
but otherwise alright

This picture very much reminds me of the situation out there now...

City engulfed by night, darkness and gloom
but the Sun on the horizont
still manages to convey the sensation of
beauty, tomorrow and hope...





Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Happy Birthday Hippie Hugs




Verte,či nie ale je to už ROK odkedy sa narodil náš Hippinko...
Dnes oslavujeme jeho prvé narodeninky...
Náš maličký, milučký, ušatučký, zvedavý
a vždy hladný Hippie
vyrástol...
Už je z neho dlhočizný, stále rovnako ušatý a hladný a zvedavý
kdekoľvek sa objaví úsmev vyvolávajúci
vernosti a láske nás učiaci
priateľ Navždy...

P.S. Jeho ( znova ) Narodenie budeme ale oslavovať
Aj 25. Februára....
Mal totiž "maličký " úraz...
Spadol z približne výšky 3tieho poschodia
ale priamo do rúk jeho
Anjelika Strážneho... Ďakujeme...

Tak Všetko len to Najlepšie Hippinko Náš.......


Believe it or not, it has been a YEAR since our Hippie was born...
We are celebrating his First Birthday today !
Our cute, little, long eared, always hungry
a bit foolish and not always obedient
Hippie has grown ... or extended his body
horizontally especially ;-)
He is still the same old daft little puppy,
careless of any dangers and following strangers happily
who is teaching us
the meaning of Love everyday
and who has become
our Friend for Life...

P.S. We have celebrated his Re- Birth
on the 25th of February too...
He had a " bit " of an accident...
He slipped and fell from an equivalent of 3rd floor
straight into the arms of his very own
Guardian Angel...
It was a miracle... and we will never
stop feeling grateful for it...

Well, Happiest Of Birthdays to You, Hippie Hugs...






Monday, 14 February 2011

Láska a jej Podoby




Láska má veľmi veľa tvárí...
niektoré sú pestrofarebne gýčovité,
maľované vodovými farbami,
meniace svoju tvár či tvar
v závislosti od tlakovej níže...

...iné sú navonok nenápadné
ale nekonečné vo svojej tichej oddanosti,
prežijú aj dekádu bez slnka a vody,
sú tu vždy a navždy
raz horúce od slnka
inokedy chladné na dotyk...

...niektoré sú mierumilovné,
iné zas rebelantské
niektoré sídlia v srdci,
iné zas v hlave
a gurmánom aj v žalúdku...

...všetkým Vám mojim spriazneným dušičkám
nezáležiac na tom či už Lásku máte,
alebo o Nej ešte len snívate
alebo či Ju viac rozdávate
než dostávate
či Ju konštantne máte
alebo si iba horko-ťažko na Ňu spomínate

...jednoducho všetkým Vám ktorí v Lásku Veríte

Prajem lásky-plného Valentína...

...or various Shades of Love

Love has many different faces...

Some glitter in the raindrops
with a kaleidoscope of colours
changing hues and melting into each other
and disappearing with the first cloud...

Some are plain, but constant
indissolvable even by the greatest tempests
here for Now and Forever...

Love is
... both Peace and Anarchy
... a Hippie and a freak Believer
...in your Heart AND your Head
( and for those Gourmet among us in our stomachs too )

To All of You
my Soulmates
my Optimists of Love
Have a Love- ly Valentine's Day !

....a little bonus ... feeling good was good enough for me.....
la la la laaa la la...
( feeling good IS good enough for me )





Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Supergirl

...dnes mi moja veľmi blízka duša pripomenula,
že aj ja som sa kedysi takto cítievala...

Čo sa stalo, kde sa to podelo,
ako to ( sa ) mám ZASA nájsť...

Možno stačí len...
...otvoriť okno dokorán,
...zhlboka dýchať
...pomaličky spojiť horné a dolné mihalnice
...a VERIŤ

Ďakujem za najkrajší darček mojej Supergirl

( kliknite si aj vy )


Just today, a very close soul of mine
reminded me
that I also used to feel that way...

What happened to me...
how...
and why...

Where can I find it ( me ) AGAIN ?

is it enough to
....throw the windows wide open
....take a deep breath
....close my eyes
.... and believe I can ?

Thank You for this super present, my Supergirl

( Little click on the link above transforms you directly to Supergirl-dom )






Friday, 31 December 2010

Happy New Year ! Šťastný Nový Rok !

...priatelia, rodičia, bratia, sestry...všetci nášmu srdcu blízki...
Aj keď s Vami dnes fyzicky byť nemôžeme,
budeme tam a Vy tu
v Myšlienkach, Pocitoch a Spomienkach...

a budeme si pritom potichučky hm-hmmkať
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
a želať si aby sme boli Vtáci a mohli len tak
za Vami priletieť...

...dear friends, parents, brothers, sisters...all in our Hearts
Although we physically cannot Be with You today,
we Will be There and You will be Here
in Thoughts, Feelings, Memories...

and we will quietly hum this tune
and wish that we could be birds
and fly Over the Rainbow to You...



P.S. A ak ste si ešte náhodou neklikli na riadok nad týmto, Urobte to čím skôr...
P.S.And if You haven't clicked the underlined link above yet, do so Now...

Monday, 27 December 2010

Christmas Cake or ...



...alebo čo má obyčajná Vianočka spoločné s harmonickým životom...

Možno to už viete a možno ešte nie
ale aj chrumkavá,voňavá a maslom natretá Vianočka
má vplyv na naše šťastie a vyrovnanosť...

Traduje sa, že podomácky vyrobená Vianočka
mala chrániť rodinu pred zlými vplyvmi a
zároveň aj utužiť vzťahy medzi jej členmi.
Pečie sa s 9 tich ( ideálne )rovnakých prameňov
z ktorých každý má svoj špecifický význam.

Prvé štyri sú Slnko, Voda, Zem a Vzduch.
To je to " gro " na ktorom vysí naša existencia.

Na nich ukladáme Rozum, Vôľu a Cit.
Naše ľudské špecifiká.

A poslednými dvoma prameňmi,
ktoré trónia na samom vrchu
spojíme ( aj napriek občasným problémom )
Poznanie a Lásku...

Pramene by teoreticky mali byť približne rovnaké,
mali by na sebe držať a neodlepovať sa
a hlavne konečný výsledok
by mal mať príchuť
šťastia a lásky a vyrovnanosti...

Upečte si aj vy Harmonický Život ;-)


...or How to have a Harmonious Life

Traditionally, our Christmas tables
would not be complete without this specific kind of cake
"Vianočka" ( loosely translated as a Christmas cake ).
The name of this cake itself has Christmas
embeded deep in its both spelling AND meaning.

These days, many ( actually most of ) people simply go
to the supermarket and put one such specimen of
Vianočka into their already overflowing Christmas shopping baskets...

They have forgotten ( otherwise they would not miss out )
the ancestral meaning that lies beneath making it ourselves.

There are 9 ( ideally same sized ) parts that are
braided intricately into each other
forming a three tiered creation.

The base is woven from 4 braids that represent
the elements, our lives inherently depend on.
The Sun, the Water, the Earth and the Air.

The next level represents the Human Nature
and its specifics
the Mind, the Will and the Feeling.

Everything is topped by
the reign of the Knowledge and Love,
plaited together
in a simple yet strong tress.

The trick is to make all tresses about the same size
and stick them All together in such fashion
that nothing would tear them apart.
This tradionally holds
the Promise of Harmonious Life.

So let's get Baking ;-)







Monday, 20 December 2010

The Bare ( or Bear ) Necessities

...alebo čo je najdôležitejšie ?

V posledných dňoch sa čoraz viac nad tým zamýšľam.
Všetci naookolo sa tvária že
čím viacej a väčších darčekov nakúpia
čím krajšie a blikajúcejšie vyzdobia svoje domčeky
a čím viacej kariet a pozdravov pošlú

tým budú ľúbenejší, spokojnejší, šťastnejší...?

Halóóó......! Zobuďme sa !

Idú predsa Vianoce !

Oficiálne sa prestávam stresovať a
začínam viac usmievať
( ak s tým máte problémy pozrite si priložené videjko )
objímať a pusinkovať,
vnímať a cítiť ( namiesto drieť a chrbát si necítiť )
a prežívať veci, udalosti a aktivity
AKO DIEŤA
( a nie ako vyčerpaný, neveriaci v zázraky, cynický dospelák )

Hm...čo na to VY???

P.S. Čo keby sme Všetci na Vianoce zobrali
malú/väčšiu/najväčšiu krabičku,
a naplnili ju troškou všetkého mňam - mňamového vianočného
čo budeme na Sviatky do seba tískať
A odniesli to do mesta a darovali prvému premrznutému bezdomovcovi...

Bude nás to Všetkých ešte dlho predlho pri srdiečku hriať...

A o tom sú Vianoce.


...or what is the most important ?

In the last few days I couldn't help wondering
why did all the people around
seem to be thinking that
by purchasing MORE presents
decorating their houses with everMORE lights
sending MORE cards than anyone else

they'll be/feel/become happier, more content, lovable...?

Hellooooooo...! Wake up !

Christmas is coming !

I am officially letting go
of all the stresses and worries
( for the time being at least ;-)
And starting to Smile, Kiss and Hug MORE
to feel ( rather than being numb ) MORE
to see things and events and activities
like a child again
( and leaving the cynical, complaining and hopeless adult far behind )

I believe in Miracles !
How about You ? ;-)

P.S. How about we ALL during Christmas
took a small box ( paper/plastic...whatever)
and filled it with a little bit of
all things yummie on
our Christmas tables
and went for a lovely wintery walk with it
AND gave it to the first chilled to the bone homeless Person...

We will feel much warmer in our hearts - guaranteed ;-).

And That Is What Christmas Is About ...





Friday, 3 December 2010

Tretí December or the Third of December





Už je tu zas December...
A dnes akurát tretí...

Je to deň špeciálny, narodeninový...

Mamka, prajeme Ti Všetko len to najlepšie !
xxx


December is here again, believe it or not...
And today is the Third...

Very special , Birth - day Day...

We wish You all the Bestest Best Mum !
xxx



Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Canada - Part 4





...alebo je čas vrátiť sa do reality všedných dní...

Našli sme si tu kúsok svojho súkromneho raja
( znovu ) našli pokoj v duši
( znovu ) objavili čaro
farieb jesene
trblietania slnka na vode
praskotu ohníka v kozube
piesne lesa
a radosti zo stretnutia (staro)nových priateľov...


...or it is time to return to the reality of everyday life...

We have fallen upon our very own piece of heaven
by coming to where
our souls felt at home
trees had leaves of every shade of yellow
water twinkled (in broad daylight ) with millions of tiny stars
forest hummed the oldest of melodies
and where old and new friends are...








Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Hummingbird and Algonquin Moon




...ešte nám zostáva zopár chvíľ v tejto čarovnej krajine...

Veľa sme túrovali a člnkovali = kajakovali ,
len tak sedeli a oddychovali,
čumeli do " blba " a mlčali...
Jednoducho existovali
a zbierali energiu na návrat do civilizácie...

P.S. Hummingbird a Algonquin Moon sú nádherné miesta
kde sme boli ubytovaní. Ak smerujete do Algonquin Parku,
viac nehľadajte. Vrelo odporúčame...


...there were still a few moments to spare...

We spent them hiking and kayaking ( our new hobby )
and just sitting and reposing and lazying
basically just breathing
thus being...
We were accumulating the energy needed to go back
to civilisation...

P.S. By the way, Hummingbird and Algonquin Moon are
both wonderful places where we stayed at while in Canada.
If ever your journey takes you near Algonquin Park,
do not look further and give them a go.
You will be amazed..


Canada - Part 3


...alebo Netopierie jazero a padajúce šťastie...
Na tretí deň sme konečne vyrazili do ozajstnej prírody
Pršalo ale nám to vôbec nevadilo...
Práve naopak :-)
Cítili sme sa v tej divočine ( a aj sme boli ) úplne sami...
Chvíľu sme sa aj báli, kedže ozbrojení sme boli
jedine maličkým swiss nožíkom a
les bol plný potencionálnych medveďov ( to fakt )
a mývalov a vlkov a ...
mobil prestal fungovať 15km za hranicou
Národného parku
tzn.dávno predtým než sme zaparkovali
a na vlastných nohách vstúpili do ticha...

Stačilo ale krátko a
a cítili sme sa "doma" ...


...or the Bat Lake and the raining Happiness

On the third day we finally set out
for the real " Canada"

The rain drops kept falling but we did not mind at all
It only added to the real wilderness atmosphere...;-)
We have finally reached
our very own misanthropist's heaven
( Heathcliff would approve ;-) )

We were on our own...
Afraid at first, as we were armed with a little swiss knife only ,
and the surrounding woods were full of wildlife
( bears and such for a fact )
...soon we rediscovered
the magic of the solitude
and felt right at " home "















Friday, 29 October 2010

1000 awesome things



Stále inšpirovaní Kanadou : - )
odporúčame Vám pozrieť si túto stránku
plnú nápadov a spomienok a starých dobrých aktivít
ktoré Vám zaručene pomôžu si uvedomiť,
že napriek prekážkam a neúspechom
všetko zlé je na niečo dobré...
Usmejte sa s nami...

Náš " awesome things "príspevok...?
Č.1001 : Nájsť v obchode nenormálne krásny koláčik,
a zistiť že ani nie je tak drahý a
že aj chutí perfektne...
P.S. Uhádnete, kto si vybral ktorý ?

Still under Canadian spell ;-)
we recommend you all have a look at 1000 awesome things
It is almost guaranteed to make you smile
and to realize that
awesome can be found
in the simplest actions, objects and thoughts
and that maybe some of the most amazing experiences
are just happening...
Our very own contribution for today is :
No.1001 : Finding the perfectly looking cupcake
in the store window
AND realizing that it is affordable
and tastes just as good as it looked...;-)
P.S. Can you guess, who chose which one ?


Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Canada- Part 2




...alebo skoré ranné vstávanie a studená ( namiesto horúcej Bikram ) jóga
Prvých pár dní v Toronte sme sa " vďaka " jet lag-u
zobúdzali naozaj skoro... ešte pred slnkom
Tak sme to využili na ranné plávanie a jacuzzi - ovanie a jógu
na 27.!!! poschodí hotela...

P.S. Výhľad bol naozaj fantastický. V pozadí s Toronto tower
P.S2. A s ďalekohľadom by sme dovideli až na Niagarské...možno ;-)))


...or early morning waking up and cold ( on instead of hot Bikram ) yoga
For the first few days in Toronto, we kept waking up really early,
thanks to jet lag
even before the sun rose...
Feeling full of energy, we decided to use the extra hours
in the swimming pool and jacuzzi on the 27.!!! floor of the hotel
and by doing some early bird yoga postures...

P.S. The view was fantastic ! Toronto tower at our level.
P.S2. We could perhaps see as far as the Niagara falls...
with the right equipment of course ;-)))








Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Canada - Part 1




Práve sme sa vrátili z našej druhej svadobnej cesty
( to len my tak voláme,
lebo ja som od malička chcela ísť na svadobnú cestu do Kanady )

Bolo tak dobre...
Dávno sme sa necítili takto spokojne a šťastne...
(jediné negatívum je že Hippinko musel zostať domka)
Ale to nie je vina Kanady

Celé dobrodružstvo začalo na Niagarských vodopádoch...
Neuveríte ale Jožko ich po prvýkrát zbadal
cez okno mužských záchodov...
Hneď po mňa pribehol a
potom sme už len spolu stáli na špičkách
a pozerali na ten zázrak prírody
cez špinavé záchodové okno
a smiali sa nad absurdnosťou tejto situácie...

P.S. Pre Jožka mal tento výlet ešte aj iný rozmer...
Po asi 17 rokoch zasa stretol svojho bratranca Paľa ( a jeho Petru tiež )
To bolo radosti...
P.S2. jedli sme v ten deň v tzv.Swiss chalet - McDonald severu,
ktorý síce nemá so Švajčiarskom nič spoločné, ale chutiť to nám chutilo.


We have just returned from our second honeymoon in Canada
( we called it honeymoon,
because I have always wanted to go to Canada for mine )

It was amazing....
We didn't feel this good and happy for a VERY long time
( the only drawback being that we had to leave Hippie behind @ home )
But I guess, we can't blame that on Canada ;-)

The whole adventure started at Niagara Falls...
Believe it or not, Jozko first saw them ( yes, the Falls )
through the window of a male toilet...!
He immediately ran to get me
and there we were,
inside the toilets,
standing on our tiptoes to get a better view,
looking through a grubby grey window,
watching this amazing creation of Nature
and laughing at the absurdity of the situation...

P.S. This trip had another important dimension for Jozko too.
After approximately 17 years he got to see
his long time no see cousin Palo
( and we got to meet his Petra too ;-)
P.S2.We ate at the Swiss chalet restaurant that day.
It is kind of a MacDonald of the North
and despite having nothing in common with Switzerland
the food was lovely and there were smiles everywhere...