Spotless And Sound Living In Switzerland

The first thing that a visitor arriving in Switzerland will notice is that the air seems lighter and sweeter in this nation. For those used to the heavy smog and random pieces of litter that are scattered all over the sidewalk, beholding the obviously clean and all-too-sparkly Switzerland will apparently be a shock. Of all the citizens in the world, the Swiss are among the extraordinary ones who are absolutely concerned about their environment. In fact, cleanliness and orderliness is inherent to their culture and is a part of their habits. From children to adults, each is knowledgeable of their little yet important function in conserving and preserving their ecosystem and they do it by recycling their waste materials.

Transportation is also a touchy subject, as the Swiss will readily forgo the use of costly cars and just decide to use public vehicles or walk. When visiting Switzerland, you'll see first hand just how serious they are about keeping their country spotless, and even if tourism is a important factor in their economy, their laws are strict so don't forget to carry your trash with you until you find a garbage can. So if you're a slob, better be careful where you fling that candy wrapping, you may never know who's looking over your shoulder ready to scold you for dirtying their nation.

Swiss History And Conventions Converged Into A Simple Piece Of Bread

I was privileged enough to get a glance of Switzerland's rich history through its variety of bread, with each Swiss region boasting a unique local pastry. According to a local baker in a beautiful Swiss village, breads, particularly the Zopf, play a foremost role in several Swiss occasions, from religious holidays to a solemn funeral rite. The Zopf is a special bread loaf habitually served during Sunday breakfasts, and is used during funeral rites because of its opulent history.

It is said that a long time ago, widows used to snip a wisp of their braided hair to be buried with their dead husbands. As time went on, this belief was altered because widows started using a bread loaf with a similar braided shape, which is the Zopf, instead of pieces of hair.

The secret to keeping the Zopf's braided contour is in the manner the bread is molded and kneaded. The bread dough should be undeniably compact enough so that it doesn't break off when braided or twisted. A slice of Zopf is just right for a breakfast meal, especially with jam and butter to provide a sweet savor. The yummy Zopf is also part of the Sunday breakfast folkway in Switzerland, with the most important family member, such as the father or the mother, getting the first slice.

Another Arty Swiss Brand

If being a supermodel means dating Hollywood’s top hunks, starring in some flicks, doing campaign jobs for the most stylish brands, and flashing shining smiles that make the slick covers of international posh magazines, then Swiss lass Julie Ordon has every right to be called a supermodel. Relatively short with a 5’7" height, she is not a petite name in the glowing fashion biz; in fact, she has become a Swiss brand, bringing to the country glorious fame along with Swiss chocolates, knives, and watches.

Only in her early twenties, Julie has landed on the covers of Cosmo, Elle, and Glamor magazines, demonstrating the glint of her blue eyes and the luster of her brown hair. Her striking elegance has also made her an instant star after acting in a few movies that include "Novela" (2002) and "Point and Shoot" (2004). Julie’s first huge acting role, however, was in "Inquiétudes" ("A Sight for Sore Eyes," 2003) where she was the main cast under the direction of the brilliant Gilles Bourdos.

But Julie’s credential as a supermodel is not perfect if she has not appeared in several advertisements for Victoria’s Secret, DeBeers, and L'Oreal-- making her a priced possession of the most prominent modeling firms in the world such as Madison Models, Traffic, Ricardo Gay, Storm, and Karin.

Now, I’m sure that the next period you think of Switzerland, you will temporarily set aside the syrupy Swiss chocolates or the all-around Swiss knife because a supermodel like Julie is not worth a second-class attention.