UEFA 022 – Schipol

This post is the continuation of the previous post UEFA 21 Datuk Adam.


Check it out.......!!!!


Way before that meeting in Paris, with my sister and wife, sometime in early April 1994, I flew to Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. It was only a stop over. So I immediately transit to Zurich. Although I did walkabout in Schipol Terminal building, I couldn’t remember any excitement. By the way, it was very early in the morning, probably 6:00 am.






Aerial view from Amsterdam to Zurich was enchanting. I could see the Rhine River meandering from Switzerland, thru Germany, right into the old town of Amsterdam and finally into the North Sea. The Rhine and The North Sea had witness many human intervention of history. It was almost similar to the human intervention of the automated legal requisition reply system in the road and rail system in my office.

Zurich to Heerbrugg was a familiar sight for me, as things did not change much in Switzerland. I went through Flughafen, Wintherthur, St Margrethen, Roschach, Au and finally Heerbrugg.

Hotel Heerbruggerhof was also still the same.

And I had the same Room No 17, facing the train station. Anne the Hotel owner was also the same nice lady. Her husband was also a familiar man. The only difference you would see and hear later in this series is the writer. I let you imagine first what changes could that had been.

This time around, I had to report to the factory on my own, as that was my second visit.
The training room, however, had changed to the red building. Before reporting to the Training Room, I went through the normal welcoming address by the Administration Officer. This time I was issued with tickets for free lunch at the Leica canteen.

The Training Room was at the ground level of the red building. My trainer was once again, Mr Jungker. He offered me his cunning smile and a hard handshake with a rigid grasp. I handed him the souvenir I got from Schipol airport. He didn’t seem to have aged despite after 8 years.

I have told you before, but I just feel like telling you again, that I was really amazed at their Training Room set-up and facilities.

I had a nice table with a pedestal drawer of tools and an anti-static work surface.

-359 words

-Drafted on 07.04.2007

-Edited on 03.05.2007 at 0018hrs

-At Woodlands Avenue 5

UEFA 012 – Santis

UEFA 012 – Santis

Santis is 2502 meter above sea level. It was a breath-taking view from upthere though it was misty and traces of melting snow can be seen down thevalley. The gustily wind was cold, although it was a sunny afternoon.

After some light snacks and soft drink, we made our way down to Nesslau-Neu St Johann. We had our lunch there, in a decent restaurant.

After making my order, I rushed to the toilet, to remove the long-john I had under my clothing. I had it on, because I was expecting a very cold temperature up on the Santis. Under my jackets, I had 2 layers of T-shirts and a shirt. I also had 2 socks on. Now, I had to remove some of them, because I began to sweat.

I made a stupid impulsive blunder during that lunch. I ordered for a salad dish. It tasted too sour and I put it aside, but ordered another dish which was equally not pleasing to my taste buds. I took only half portion of that second dish.

Both Anke and Manfred had their wallets on the table. Neda, Jomaah and I,of different culture, kept our wallets safely in our pockets.

I called the charming young waitress for the bill and announced to her that I wanted to pay for all. Anke and Manfred turn down my offer, saying that it was a crazy decision, but I insisted, saying that I need to contribute something for the trip.

Apparently, I did not know that, my 2 Jordanian friends had committed to pay Anke SFr 20 each for the trip. I only knew it when I saw them paying Anke the money, at the end of the trip.
I handed to the waitress a SFr100 note. She returned me Sfr30.It was a very, very expensive meal for me.

I learned much later that, putting wallet and purse on the table is a sign of going on Dutch. Which means he/she is paying only her own meal.They are realistic in that sense, because, the meals in Switzerland are expensive, as I experienced.

After lunch we drove to Wattwil. Then into a tunnel to Kaltbrunn, Uznach and stopped for a while at Rapperswil.

328 words

==============will be continued============
~drafted on 07.12.2006

~edited on 28.03.2007

~at Woodlands avenue 5

~20:34 hrs