Last week's Wednesday of Resilience seems to have met my goal. I wondered at first if it really worked. I felt too task focused and wanted to give my more creative, enthusiastic side a little recharge.
Proof: I'm writing this blog having just returned to the office from a late lunch. That makes it the middle of a working day here. A Monday, no less.
An odd Monday for sure. Shortly, nearly everyone in Zurich will gather for a costume parade down the main street (Bahnofstrasse). More than 25 "Zunfts" or traditional trade unions/clubs will stroll for more than three hours dressed in the clothes of the day nearly 100 years earlier. ALL MEN MARCHING. Women's role for this event is to sit along the street with baskets of flowers. When a favorite man walks by, a woman runs to him with a flower and adds three kisses on the cheek (left-right-left Swiss style). The one women's Zunft that exists is not allowed to march. You can get annoyed by the sexism, but what do we expect in a country where women only gained the right to vote in 1971? I'm satisfied for now to do my part in moving us into the modern world as President of the Professional Women's Group of Zurich.
And anyway, the tradition is more about the ringing of the 6 p.m. bells to designate the end of work - and increasing daylight in the Spring. Here's good explanation: The Tradition of Sechseleuten
Equally odd: the parade ends with the burning of the "Booeg" or snowman at 6:00 p.m. (Like the Ground Hogs Day and July 4th in the USA combined.) The tradition goes that the length of time it takes for the snowman to explode atop a burning bonfire designates the length of the remaining winter. It snowed here last week. I'm hoping for a quick burn. Via the miracle of modern technology, you can get the idea via You-Tube! Sechseleuten 2006
A band just marched down the small street of our office representing the meat cutter's Zunft which normally meets in the same building as the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce luncheon events. Guys wearing red butcher's vests and carrying silver axes with red flowers tied on them. I'll show you photos tomorrow.
For now: It's time to participate in the community more fully. With all of its people and traditions. Some that I understand. Some I will learn. Some I will simply enjoy in baffled, but happy wonderment.
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