Riding with my brother through the streets and green landscapes of Werdenberg, Grabs, Buchs and Lichtenstein with 120 kilometers per hour might not be a very clever thing to do, especially when there’s a police jeep coming your way. But given that we were lucky and the cops were more busy eating donuts than watching out for speeders and considering the incredible rush of adrenalin pumping through your veins, the unique mountain and hillside scenery, the curvy roads and the beautiful weather, it was one hell of a ride that is to be repeated soon. By the way: My brother says that it’s fun riding the motorbike with me because I adapt easily to the movements of the bike and the curves. His words were: “You’re not stiff as a tree!” But I’m telling you: I have to work on relaxing these rear end muscles for sure if I want to enjoy the longer bike trips ahead of us .

Guns n’ Roses: Sweet Child of mine (Appetite for Destruction)

While visiting Rega’s headquarters in Zurich-Kloten Airport today, I wondered how this privately owned company – Swiss Air-Rescue -, founded in 1952, has developed from a small group of pioneers to a professionally run organization, employing 280 staff members, doctors excluded, generating a revenue of 88 million Swiss Francs from 2.2 million patrons while claiming to be a non-profit foundation under the supervision of the Swiss Federal Government and while being a corporate member of the Swiss Red Cross.

The name “Rega” is made up of the initials “Re” from the German word “Rettungsflugwacht” and “Ga” from its French name “Garde Aérienne”. Rega’s principles are basically the same as those of the Red Cross that is to “come to the aid of people who find themselves in serious difficulties and are in need of assistance – without any discrimination as to their person, financial circumstances, race, religion, class or political opinions. Rega assists wherever the life or health of other people can be preserved or protected by means of its intervention.”

It turnes out that Rega has an impressive fleet of jets and helicopters, dispersed in ten bases throughout Switzerland at each of which either an Agusta A 109 K2 or a Eurocopter EC 145 rescue helicopter is stationed. Rega claims that the helicopter bases are distributed throughout the country in such a way that, with the exception of canton Valais, any location can be reached within just 15 minutes flying time.

While most of us know the Rega from their helicopter rescue missions, their cow missions have only recently made it to the newspapers’ front pages: The “Contadino” section at the headquarters employs one senior staff member, the – as I named him – Master of Cow Disaster – who works all day long on assisting mountain farmers and coordinating transports of injured or dead livestock. A cow weights approximately 800 kilograms, so one cow per helicopter is all that can be carried at once. Rega gave us one important advice on spectator behavior during cow transport missions: Don’t stand underneath the cow, if it’s still alive, it’s scared, and if it’s scared, you never know what will come flying from the sky. So you better get the shit ouf of there!

There’s an extraordinary ambiance in this fascinating city: Coming from the West, one is enchanted by Budapest’s exotic touch and Eastern European easiness, comparable to the Mediterranean spirit of outgoing looseness. At the same time, Budapest stands out from other Eastern European cities by its incredibly rich, outstandingly various and enormously noble architecture in neo-classical and secession style, representing the elegance of times long gone. Standing at the northeastern border of Europe, Budapest unites the clashes of the Nordic-practical and the Southern-relaxed manners. This supposably explains the ambivalent nature of Budapest’s inhabitants who are ironic and cool but also melancholic and romantic altogether. The Hungarian language, a one of a kind jaw crusher and unique in Central Europe, has finno-ugrian roots and as such contributes to Budapest’s originality. The Danube flows through the center of the Hungarian capital, dividing it into two parts, connected by many beautiful bridges: Buda with its green hills and paradisiac atmosphere and Pest with its lively business temper, building density, churches, government buildings, theaters and bars. The topography is varied and there’s an infinite well of culture and history to discover on every corner of the town. The 2,5 km long Margaret Island with its recreational and sports areas, gardens and open air baths stands amidst the Danube between Buda and Pest as the green, breathing heart of the city. I fell in love with Budapest, this indescribable, mostly underestimated pearl of Europe where East and West come together to celebrate life’s greatness.

There are lots of original and funny slogans to be found in Zug if you open your eyes and look closely while strolling through the streets. My favorite one: “Happiness without reservation” (“Glück ohne Voranmeldung”) – don’t hold back, show your happiness if you’re happy! Remember that “Good honey is not be greased around one’s mouth” (“Guten Honig streicht man nicht ums Maul”) which is open to interpretation but in my opinion simply means to avoid fakery and pretense and to really mean the things one says to others. It might also mean to consume the good things in life – don’t save them for later because you never know how long they’ll be around and don’t waste them because they’re rare and special.

“P. S. Get off your horses” (“P. S. Steigen Sie von Ihren Pferden”).

The homes of the upper 10’000 can be quite enchanting, especially on a bright, hot summer evening with an indescribable view in an exclusive neighborhood. On our mission to take pictures of dream villas, modern buildings and classic homes, we found ourselves bedazzled by the extravagance and luxury one can buy with money. Interestingly, we’ve all agreed on the fact that we’d rather not switch places with the rich and famous because they didn’t seem too happy at all and because the best things in life don’t cost a thing.

Owl City: On the Wing (Maybe I’m Dreaming)

With a gentle breeze sweeping the warm air, radiant with the purple rays of the setting sun, with the voices and smiling faces of people driving leisurely in their convertibles and on their motorbikes through the streets, chatting over dinner and drinks in restaurants and bars, on benches and in parks, the town of Zug welcomes the first summer day with high temperatures and blue skies and shows off its world famous sunset over the idyllic lake of Zug. Our long suffering is finally over and we’re looking forward to a hot, sunny weekend filled with endless possibilities of enjoyment. Life’s great!

Owl City: The Technicolor Phase (Maybe I’m Dreaming)

After several years with heavy rain and sheeps’ cold in June, the town of Zug decided to brave the elements and prepare a firework display for its Lake Night Festival which can stand the highest tides and take it on with even the heaviest rain. So June 19, 2010 with its 10 degrees cold and soakingly wet atmoshpere due to infinite rainfall during days was no suprise for Zug but a further confirmation of the previous years’ trend. Tonight, Zug rejoices and celebrates itself with rainproof, spectacular fireworks which enlighten the otherwise gray, dark and cold June days of Zug’s population. The sparks of hope are falling on us like shooting stars and we wish for summer fo finally come.

Supertramp_It’s_Raining_Again

A new day has come: Seeing the world through the eyes of my nephews has definitively changed my perspective of life. Nothing is self-evident, ordinary or out of the question, every little thing seems interesting, worthy of noticing and explaining and most importantly: Everything is possible! It’s not us teaching children how to see the world, it’s the absolute opposite: They teach us! Let yourself be taught and rediscover how to internalize the unspoiled view of a child again. Your gain will be true happiness and a fantastic serendipity. Hail to the new generation, our future!

The simplest things in life are the most enjoyable. This holds true for food, too. And who said you can’t be creative with simple things? Common ingredients are at the core of every exquisite dish. It’s the combination that counts! Take arugula, an apple, parmesan and goat cheese as well as coarse rye bread for example. Each ingredient in itself is plain and ordinary, but as ensemble with a honey-balsamic-vinaigrette (and the parmesan grated to small heaps and baked in the oven till you have crackers) as in Donna Hay‘s salad, completed by a good Italian red wine (I recommend one of my favorite wines at the moment: the biological “Domino” from Jasci Donatello (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo)) which has a fine plum and berries note and can be purchased in any Coop) and some candles, they become a savory sensual meal that glorifies your day. Try it out, it’s worth each and every one of the 15 minutes preparation time you’ll have to invest. Buon appetito and remember: It’s the small things in life which make the huge difference!