House of Switzerland 2008

"FAMOUS LAST WORDS"

2008-09-10T15:17:00.003+02:00

To the Team!

Yes, it is over!
The "César Ritz" members of the HoS Beijing 2008 team have again spread all over the planet - from Norway, Germany, Switzerland to Malaysia, Hong Kong and China - and I hope that all of you have recovered from the efforts and emotions of 6 Olympic weeks. It is not easy to get back to "normal" life after such an intensive time, and I guess in the first week you almost missed the next medal party.
Despite the fact that I was not an "operating" member of the team (which I really missed as my instinct lead me automatically to the back of the house, where the action is ...) I spend a great time with you. It had been a long way to Beijing for all of you, a difficult and challenging selection process, but I must say that every one of you more than fulfilled not only my and the school's expectations, but, more important, the expectations of the organizing partners who were all highly impressed by you.
There were of course also the difficult moments, the long days, the sweating and the swearing. You have been through a somewhat extreme experience, but you will remember and learn from it for your future, and therefore I believe that every second was worth it. Take good care, wherever you go and whatever you do, and keep in touch. I am proud that I was part of your team! CK

CK (on the right) in Beijing

The author of these lines would like to close the Olympic blog with a quote of his favorite author:

A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.'
Douglas Adams

DO YOU SPEAK SUSHI?

2008-08-26T12:34:00.015+02:00

Beijing, Day 27

While the House of Switzerland is slowly disappearing and the students packing and counting the equipment, the author of these lines had the great idea to go to the Mega Olympic Store to buy a small souvenir for the "César Ritz" team. I thought: "Monday morning, Olympics over, the place will be deserted and everything on 50% sale", but it seems that about 2000 other people had the same great idea. With Nicholas' and Trude's help, risking our lives, I managed to secure 15 mugs, pens and BeiBeis or JingJings (the official mascots) for tonight's final outing as the first team members will leave Beijing tomorrow to go straight back to work.

Not for the tender-hearted: The battle at the Olympic shop

In our taxi on the way back I read the charming Beijing restaurant guide, which is giving the reader a good idea what to expect eating out in this city. Here are some examples...
...this teppanyaki restaurant boasts chefs who speak both English and Japanese, as well as a good range of Sushi. (Asakuma) ...you like things that go bump in the night? (Whale Inside Dark) ...Cantonese delicacies also include shark’s fin soup and abalone, but we’d avoid these dishes for their environmental unfriendliness (the Farm House) The café must have something to do with books, since it is called "Bookworm Café" (could also have something to do with worms???).

The next day: everything gone over night!!!

Honeymoon price for you!!! The directorof the HoS, Manuel Salchli, is selling the house.

With the help of such an efficient guide we choose to reserve a table at "WISH", restaurant, bar and lounge, for the last supper, and after a great meal full of memories most team members still had the energy to go out for a drink (or two). It was good to have them all together for the last time. Looking into their faces and listening to the last weeks' adventures I knew that all of them were already infected with the "Olympic-HoS-Virus" and would have signed without hesitation for Vancouver or London, despite the weeks of hard work they just put behind them. CK

For the last time united:
The "César Ritz Colleges" Team at the Beijing 2008 Olympics

THE LAST DAY OF THE OLYMPICS

2008-08-25T12:34:00.012+02:00

Beijing, Day 26

The adventure reaches its end! One eye laughing, the other one crying, the team of the House of Switzerland looked at this last day with mixed emotions. While the author of this lines and his better half had their first, and also last, meal at the public restaurant of the HoS (excellent! compliments to the chefs who really spoiled us!), the first potential buyers were walking through the hall, securing tables, chef uniforms, TV screens, cutlery and stoves. We managed to keep all students out of their way, otherwise I fear they would have gone straight into slavery.

The first... and last meal at the HoS

Say cheese! Chef Bruno has two new fans in Beijing

What means ogoshi?
Ute is serving bronze medalist Sergei Aschwanden

After an extremely difficult process of scanning passport & visa and submitting photos, fingerprints, DNA samples,... we finally managed to get tickets to the Olympic closing ceremony for Trude and myself!!! Especially after I found out that Jimmy Page, guitar player of Led Zeppelin, would be part of the show I was really looking forward to be finally able to see the famous Bird's Nest from the inside.

The author of these lines with the guardian of the fireworks

In the stadium we found a rather big bag on every seat, and it took a 1 hour training to explain to all 91.484 spectators how to use the various items and tools (different flags, foils, lights, drums,....) which were in our bags. We gave our best, and when Jacques Rogge said that "these games were truly exceptional" I felt that he mentioned that probably also a bit because of our enthusiastic waving, clapping, and drumming (doped by natural mineral water only!).

The official Olympic Closing Ceremony tools!

Feeling blue!

Il Finale Furioso!

After the show we joined the HoS team in their last effort to reduce the kitchen and bar stock to a minimum, and I will for reasons of descretion and privacy give no further details. When we finally came home, the birds were singing, and the sun and Nicholas were rising (Nicholas thought it was time for breakfast, not sure what the sun thought...). What a great day & night! CK

The after party at The HoS (Censored!)

REACHING THE END

2008-08-24T05:34:00.009+02:00

Beijing, Day 25

Back in town. After two weeks in the fresh air of Switzerland, the author of these lines is back...in the fresh air of Beijing. It was great to come home to an apartment full of life, as Mr. and Ms. Fournier were still here, as well as the director of our office in China, Nicolas Luo (agent 008). And I didn't come alone this time either, as my better half and Career Services Manager, Trude Gulbrandsoy, took a week of holidays to join me in the last days of the Olympic adventure. Our first steps took us to the friendly neighborhood, the police station, for registration (like all aliens do), and then we went straight to the HoS to see how the team was doing, and they were all still there, looking ... slimmer (Julian, transformed from Kung Fu panda to almost Bruce Lee shape), paler (yes, even Fides can look like that), tired, but all with a big smile and ready for the final 100 meters.

The "César Ritz" family

Peking Duck no 25 million....

Tony and his wife, both working at the Grand Hyatt Beijing

After lunch at, Nishi Group, Heidi Ni's family's restaurant, and a short nap we went back to the HoS, this time packed with local and international visitors, before we had Mr. and Ms. Fournier's farewell dinner at the "Made in China" in the Grand Hyatt. It was good to see Shuimiao (freshly promoted to Assistant Restaurant Manager), and Tony Han again, newly appointed restaurant manager of the "Made in China", one of Beijing's most popular places.

After a delicious dinner (we had probably the 25 millionth duck eaten during the Olympics, didn't do them any good, these games...) the Fournier family took of to the airport, while we went...back to the HoS where we met Julian and his parents who probably brought him some "Maultaschen" from back home. A good part of the Swiss Olympic team spend their last evening in the House, so the party was on until long after the official closing hours of the HoS Beijing 2008. CK

Julian and his parents at the HoS

Ian, the Blogger, late at night

The Norwegian team is celebrating two golds!!! (the boys celebrate Fides)

LUNCH ON THE RIVER

2008-08-23T10:52:00.009+02:00

C. Konrad, T. Guldbrandsoy, H, and S. Fournier went to lunch at the Nishi Bogong Restaurant. It is owned by current University Center "César Ritz" student, Heidi Ni's parents. It is in a spectacular location on the river near the hotels Kempinski, Kunlun and Westin.

View from the Kunlun Hotel, on the left is the Kempinski, the Bogong restaurant is on the river in the distance

The outdoor terrace is shaped like the bow of a ship and marine decoration is seen throughout the restaurant. The concept is great: all the items on the menu are on display and you get to choose what you will be eating before retiring to a private room. Chinese dining at its best!

S. Fournier, Nicolas Luo, H. Fournier, C. Konrad, T. Guldbrandsoy with Heidi's mother, Mrs Zhan Lan Hao. She is the President of the NISHI GROUP which owns 4 restaurants in Beijing and some real estate, including a fish farm.

THE OLYMPIC BIRDNEST

2008-08-23T06:03:00.012+02:00

At the Olympic Green

"César Ritz" students at the House of Switzerland do work hard, and not only when the Swiss win medals. On their days off (few and far between) they have the chance to catch an Olympic event. Inside the Birdnest with Fides, Hakon and Yves: 200m with the fastest man in the wolrd: Ushain Bolt, high jump, hurdles and more...

The NBC Today Show

TV in the metro

THE HOUSE OF GERMANY AT THE KEMPINSKI

2008-08-23T03:35:00.010+02:00

"César Ritz" graduate Katarina Rust - Sales Manager

The German Olympic Federation (DOSB) chose the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center as the official site for the German House. Compared to the House of Switzerland, the concept is slightly different: it is not open to the public. It is essentially a platform for the official sponsors to promote their products and for the German athletes to meet the media and Olympic officials. Every day the official press conference takes place at 11:00 am. The German TV stations ARD and ZDV both have studios for the sport shows and many live interviews. The famed Waldi und Harri talk show with Harald Schmit here daily.

Obviously this is great exposure for the Kempinski Hotel. "César Ritz" graduate Katharina Rust came to Beijing in 2005 in the Front Office Department. She is now Sales Manager and has been working on the coordination of this venture for the last two years. The public areas, some of the function rooms, the garden and even the Chinese restaurant have been set-up to serve the needs of the German delegation. The hotel was built in 1992 with 526 rooms, 170 apartments/offices and 7 F&B outlets, including the famed Braühaus-Biergarten. Paulaner beer is brewed right there and guess what, the menu includes sausage, sauerkraut and potato salad. There is also a bakery and deli which is very popular with the ex-pat community: welcome to Little Germany!

Pictured below is Lars Wismer Project Manager for the HoG. He is married to "César Ritz" graduate Claudia Winkelmann whose brother Christoph is also an alum.

The TV studio for the Waldi und Harri show

SOFITEL WANDA BEIJING

2008-08-23T02:08:00.009+02:00

The 5-star hotel scene in Beijing has seen 5000 new rooms put on the market for the Olympics, bringing the total amount of rooms of this segment to approximately 20'000. Needless to say that business will be ultra competitive after the Olympics. The properties are expecting a drastic drop in the occupancy rate, especially for the month of September, since the visa restrictionswill be in effect until the end of the month.

Hotel Manager Lionel Houliat (worked several years at Hotel des Bergues in Geneva), Drusilla Gao, H. Fournier, Toumert AL Khalloufi, Nicolas Luo

Drusilla Gao with Cedric Besler F&B Director and Thonon graduate

The Sofitel Wanda Beijing, 417 rooms with 660 staff and 6 F&B outlets opened in August 2007 in the CBD area. "César Ritz" graduate Drusilla Gao joined the pre-opening team in November 2006. She had graduated (WSU) in 2004, completed her last in-training at the Mirador Kempinski overlooking Lake Geneva and then returned to China to work in events at the Kempinski Great Wall. She then joined the Accor group and is now E-commerce Marketing Asst. Manager at the Sofitel.

The entire hotel celebrates the intimate links between two splendid cultures: the visual ambiance of Chinese design with a subtle blend of French and Western contemporary style. Drusilla is keeping up her French, she is even taking advanced lessons.

The Central Business District (CBD) includes the China World Shangri-La and the following new properties: Sofitel, JW Marriott, Park Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton and the Mandarin Oriental which has yet to open (pictured below next to the CCTV tower)

It was a pleasure to catch up with Toumert AL Khalloufi at the Sofitel. Our 2001 graduate and F&B trainee is now Vice-President Academic Affairs at the Delter-Telfort International Business Institute in Beijing. The institution enrolls 15'000 students overall. Tom oversees the tourism faculty with around 1500 students. There are plans of expanding the programme, this is China after all!

HOUSE OF SOUTH AFRICA AT THE WESTIN

2008-08-22T03:54:00.020+02:00

The Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel is a luxury and upscale full-service hotel which is developed and established by China Jin Mao Group and managed by Starwood Hotel and Resorts Group. The General Manager, Daniel Aylmer is a "César Ritz" graduate. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Beijing, a 25-minute journey from Beijing Capital International Airport. The 34-storey hotel forms part of a large mixed-use complex in Liangma He, which comprises office towers and extensive retail shopping. It opened on 21st June, just in time for the Olympics. The hotel welcomed during the first week an important American delegation including the President of the United States, Mr George Bush.

The South African Olympic delegation has also chosen the Westin as their official venue for the Olympics. The House of South Africa occupies the main ballroom and some of the function rooms. Numerous events are taking place there, mainly to promote the second largest event in the world after the Olympic Summer Games: the 2010 FIFA football world cup. The excitement around the hosting of this event has spurred large investments in infrastructure. The nine host cities alone are expected to enjoy about 100'000 job opportunities as a result. It will provide the country of South Africa an excellent opportunity to boost tourism and the sports industry. The organizers have had the opportunity to experience the expertise shown by the Chinese for the games in Beijing and they will no doubt put it in practise for their own event.

Exquisite food in the various F&B outlets

The suites and rooms with the Westin touch and the Heavenly beds

7 STAR HOTEL : PANGU

2008-08-21T04:12:00.013+02:00

Location, location , location... "Connecting China to the world. Exuding new energy. Situated 100 meters from Beijing Olympic Parc, the Pangu Hotel is primed to become the city's most dynamic platform for business, leisure and global exchange".

"César Ritz" Alumni Jason Poon has been working in the opening team as Asst. Front Office Manager since last fall... what an experience. The 234 room hotel is a treasure trove of arts and artifacts with embellish interiors and sumptuous design. On 18th July it opened in time for the Olympics. However, in view of its location, the Chinese authorities decided to restrict its operations for security reasons. The hotels is only occupied by a limited number of official guests and its access is restricted. The property is fully staffed with 730 employees who are undergoing extensive training in order to upgrade the "software" to its published 7-star standard. Kitty Davina is supervising the service in the lounge and is keen to welcome her guests once the hotel will be fully operational after the games.

Nicolas Luo, Jason Poon, H. Fournier, S. Fournier and Kitty Davina

Jason and hii staff uses Segways to commute between buildings

Sumptuous design

Giant TV screen on the facade

PROMOTING SWITZERLAND IN CHINA

2008-08-20T05:15:00.008+02:00

"César Ritz" students Verena Fuhlendorf and Julian Petrow

The “House of Switzerland 2008, China”, the official National Swiss House at the Olympic Games, serves as a hub and a meeting place for the Swiss Olympic team, their fans, and influential decision makers in business, politics, culture and sports. Unlike most national houses hosted by other countries, the House of Switzerland is open to the general public and invites both Chinese and international visitors to experience Swiss sportsmanship and discover leading Swiss companies during the Olympic Games. In conjunction with the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss Olympic Association and other partners use the house for receptions, client events, press conferences, and medal celebrations for winning athletes. The House of Switzerland 2008, China is organized by Presence Switzerland and the Embassy of Switzerland in China in partnership with the Lake Lucerne Region. All catering is by Gamma Catering AG supported by hotel school students. 15 of them are from "César Ritz" Colleges. The restaurant and VIP lounge are extremely busy with both Swiss athletes and fans as well as Chinese visitors keen to try Swiss style food and drinks.

Swiss medal winners Fabian Cancellara and Sergei Aschwanden celebrate at the HoS

Various other promotional events and functions take place at the HoS

COMPULSORY DINNER AT THE HoS

2008-08-19T08:47:00.016+02:00

Back: l.to.r. Matthew, Heidi, Lawrence, Lei

Front: Drusilla, Serena, Jason, Miao, Celia

A large number of "César Ritz" Alumni were present at the House of Switzerland to attend the "César Ritz" Colleges-Matterhorn Region event. It was really impressive to see so many former students taking time off from their extremely busy schedule (hey the Olympics are in town) to join the party, mingle with their colleagues and enjoy a great meal including Walliser Teller, Fendant and Dole! H. Fournier welcomed the group to the "compulsory dinner" like old times in the Bouveret Dining Room! Lawrence and Heidi win the prize for traveling the furthest (they drove in from Shanghai, about 12 hrs).

The birthdays Steffi, Fides and Yves

It was a very special night for our alumni Steffi Hoffling who was celebrating her birthday. She is the banquet manager at the HoS in Beijing, worked both in Torino and in Athens. Every four years, she gets to celebrate her birthday at the Olympics, not bad! Our student Fides was also celebrating her birthday, she works in kitchen and she got to make her own cake.

Dan Aylmer (right) GM at the Westin listening in to Katharina Rust from the Kempinski

and Julian Darisse from the China World Shangri-La

Sebastian, Crystal and Kitty

Crystal, Hanli Lin, Jie Sun and Mr and Mrs Fournier

Ken and Frieda

Birthday girl Steffi with Eddy Rudolf HoS Project Manager

MATTERHORN REGION - CESAR RITZ COLLEGES ON THE PODIUM

2008-08-19T08:16:00.006+02:00

18 August 2008

No medals at the HoS today but the celebrations continue. With the support from the State of Valais, "César Ritz" Colleges organized an event to promote the Matterhorn Region tourism destination as well as the opportunities for Chinese companies to invest and develop business in Valais. Olivier Roos from the Swiss Embassy in Beijing in his welcoming address, underlined the successful cooperation between Presence Suisse and "Cesar Ritz" with the House of Switzerland projects in Athens, Torino and now Beijing. He is leading a major project by Presence Suisse to promote the image of Switzerland in China which will include the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The CEO of the Development Economic Western Switzerland (DEWS), Jacques Pasche explained how his organization, which was set-up by the governments of the Cantons Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel and Jura, works to attract such companies as Yahoo! and Starbuck to choose the region for their European Headquarters. The DEWS slogan is Downtown Europe.

H. Fournier and Nicolas Luo presented study opportunities abroad at "Cesar Ritz" Colleges to the attendees, a group of journalists, media representatives, educational consultants and "César Ritz" alumni working in Beijing.

The conference was followed by an apéritif and a Swiss dinner prepared and served by the "César Ritz" students working at the HoS.

Nicolas Luo, H. Fournier, Olivier Roos - Swiss Embassy, Jacques Pasche - DEWS

GOLD MEDAL FOR ROGER F. AND STAN W.

2008-08-18T03:36:00.005+02:00

Sunday 17th August - 02:35 am

Roger Federer and Stan Wavrinka win the gold in the double competition. Everyone at the HoS cheers this great result: the medal ceremony is on all the TV screens, the Swiss national anthem is playing. The Swiss Olympic protocol calls for the presence of all medal winners at the House of Switzerland: they will come for sure, but when. The fans line-up, Manuel Salchli from Presence Swiss, Werner Augsburger from Swiss Olympic and Eddy Rudolf meet for the security briefing. The cocktails cool and clean are ready. After waiting more than 2 hrs, here they come. the crowd goes wild. Manuel interviews Stan (in French), Roger (in German). more cheers. Having lost in the single and the Number 1 spot, this Olympic Gold medal is just what the doctor ordered... The press conference starts, we leave and finally get to go to bed. On Sunday afternoon, our students confirm: the true mission of the House of Switzerland is where the athletes celebrate their fantastic achievement with family, coaches, friends. After eating many raclettes, DJeing and more, Roger Federer left the HoS at 07:00 am directly for the airport on his way to New York, what a night!

798 - HOUSE OF SWITZERLAND

2008-08-18T02:56:00.004+02:00

Ute, Nicolas, Zack, Steffi, Matthew and Ian

The HoS Beijing is located in a great district: old factories transformed in art galleries and lofts. There are people walking around everywhere with one building with a long line of visitors queuing to get in: the HoS. Inside more queues for the ice cream and the chocolate making demonstration. The exhibitors are very happy with the turn-out, according to the project manager Eddy Rudolf from Luzern Tourism, there have been 80'000 visitors so far. The concept of promoting Swiss products and the tourism regions is definitely more elaborate than in Athens and Torino. The restaurant area and VIP lounge are also extremely busy and there we feel the Olympic spirit with the Swiss athletes, Olympic officials and media watching Swiss TV broadcast while enjoying a raclette with Fendant or/and a bratwurst with Eichof beer. The "César Ritz" students and the entire staff from Gamma are working very hard especially when the Swiss delegation celebrates their medals. F. Cancellara, K. Thurig, S. Ashwanden... Memories from Athens and Torino come to mind: Mr Gross serving serving the sparkling wine, Chef Marc Patry and Chef Rudi Lutolf bringing out the cake....

THE WESTIN BEIJING CHAOYANG

2008-08-18T02:16:00.006+02:00

Satruday 16 August

At the Westin with Jenny Kim and Zack Fournier

For obvious reasons our first stop in Beijing is at the newly open Westin hotel. 560 rooms, 880 staff including several "Cesar Ritz" alumni : the GM Dan Aylmer (IHCR), Jenny Kim (IHCR)Asst. Director of Sales, Matthew Geng (UCCR) Guest Services Manager, Tony Shi (UCCR) Sales Manager and Zachary Fournier (ICMS) Management Trainee. Having faced the challenge of a hotel opening (21st June) leading up to the Olympics, the whole staff rose to the expectations of a very high profile guest: Georges Bush and family!

Cadillac One

BEIJING - HERE WE ARE!

2008-08-18T01:54:00.005+02:00

Saturday 16th August

What a change from 7 years ago. Terminal 3 at Beijing airport sets the standards of the host of the world's largest event: the Olympics. It is huge, ultra-modern, spotless and incredibly efficient from the electronic satisfaction survey at passport control to the train ride to baggage claim. The Swiss government agency Presence Suisse having organized the pick-up and the apartment rental, we were soon greeted by Nicolas Luo at our Beijing home, the Richemont apartment complex.

You really feel like you have arrived in China after registering at the Household Registration Office. Thanks Nicolas!

The old and the new generation

2008-08-10T18:12:00.005+02:00

Students, alumni, family & friends

What does the future hold for me?

This must be a question that students have as they approach that great moment when you pass from studying to starting your career in the big wide world. Our three "Céar Ritz" Colleges students at the front of the group dressed in their House of Switzerland service uniform, Cathy, Steffi and Jonathan should put this question to the more experienced and now succesful former students surrounding them.

...maybe a fast track hotel career

Jason from Hong Kong, a little taller than the rest in this photo, started his career at the Front Office in the Kempinsky Beijing when he left "César Ritz" Colleges in 2005 and became Asst Front Office Manager in a very short space of time. Headhunted by the Pangu Plaza Seven Star hotel, opposite the Bird's Nest stadium, he is now Front Office Manager. During our 2007 Career Trip to Beijing, we were treated to a tour of both the hotel and apartments in the hotel which is now known as the "dragon building" because of its innovative shape.

...maybe a total change of lifestyle

Coming to "César Ritz" Colleges from Morocco, Tom on the right next to his wife, started his career at the Novotel in Beijing on a management training programme in 2001. After a series of career enhancing moves and also picking up very strong spoken Mandarin, he is now Vice-President of a school in Beijing which teaches hotel management and English. Soon to be a father for the first time, Tom knows exactly what his future will be from October, a beautiful baby and a few sleepless nights for the proud father and mother.

Mr & Mrs Jackson Yang - not discussing their, "new SUV" or "new Mini" dilemma

...maybe use your skills in different areas

The senior alumni in the group is Jackson Yang, formerly General Manager of beautiful hotels in Saipan and Beijing, and now running a property company in Beijing with exclusive villas. Jackson was one of the second intake of students, I won't give the year but it was when we were all a lot younger, and studied in Lax. The only student from Taiwan in the class, he soon noticed that the small village in Valais was populated by more cows than people. How he must miss all that space and fresh air on a busy day in Beijing.

Nicholas - Looking forward to the China vs USA basketball match (obviously taken before the game)

... maybe become a vital part of "César Ritz" Colleges

Many students and alumni across China and Hong Kong know Nicholas as the Director of the "César Ritz" Office in China but he is also an alumni with a wide group of friends and contacts among the "César Ritz" family around the world. Maintaining this network has alway been important for Nicholas both for business and pleasure and if you are in Beijing during the Games you can contact him at luo.guofeng@163.com to catch up on old times or for a tour of the House of Switzerland with him. Nicholas can also give more information about the "César Ritz" Colleges presentation on August 18.

Whatever the future holds; the present is in Beijing and over the next couple of weeks we will be meeting more alumni and familiar faces which will be featured on this blog. So keep checking to see if you recognise anybody and if you are in Beijing, drop in to the House of Switzerland; you could be the next face on the HoS blog.

2008-08-09T18:36:00.008+02:00

Swiss President Mr Couchepin, Swiss Ambassador Mr Martinelli and former IOC President Mr Samaranch

A night to remember

August 9 was the Official Reception of the President of the Switzerland, Mr Pascal Couchepin. This evening was attended by dignitaries from the world of sport, politics and business from Switzerland and China. Memorable among the guest were former President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch who made a speech citing the merits of Switzerland’s Olympic city and the Olympic spirit, and the Swiss Ambassador in China, Mr. Dante Martinelli. FIFA President Mr Sepp Blatter also attended the evening but we did not get to see the first Swiss medalist, Fabian Cancellera to mark a great day of sport in Beijing. The distance from the race location was too far for him to arrive in time to celebrate with the Swiss President in attendance, but the party is just pushed back until tomorrow with the coolandclean kept on ice until then.

Two famous sons from Valais. Clearly happy to be at the House of Switzerland

A busy day at the House of Switzerland

For “César Ritz” Colleges graduate from Malaysia Ian Chinn, this is his first participation at the House of Switzerland and the attendance of many famous faces tonight did not worry him. The Swiss style, low key but effective security was present throughoutthe day but didn't hamper the preparations for the President's Reception. Following the speeches of Mr Couchpin and Mr Samaranch, “César Ritz” students prepared and presented a selection of dishes including favourites from Valais, asparagus served with wine from Sion. Here Ian can be seen serving and talking to the organisor of the House of Switzerland, Mr Olivier Roos from the Swiss Embassy.

Quick, take one while you can Olivier

And the first medal for Switzerland!

2008-08-09T11:45:00.005+02:00

Beijing, Day 18

First day, first medal for Switzerland!

In the men's road cycling course Fabian Cancellara, the only Swiss participant, got a well deserved bronze medal after a rocket-like come back on the last 2 kilometers. That's our boy!

Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss rocket

This means that the party is on at the HoS tonight (I hope Hakon remembers how to make all these little almond-paste figures for the official cake...), a lot of excitement, press, fans, cowbells,...and we will watch out here for the Swiss TV sending life from the HoS! Maybe Manuel manages to walk through the background with a pile of dirty plates? In the meantime...get the Cool & Clean drinks ready! CK

2008-08-08T19:19:00.004+02:00

Culinary Arts and delights, but not what I expected

On my second day in Beijing, today was also another day of food antics. Breakfast was unusual. I sat at the table and without having ordered anything, the meal arrived. Congee (a type of porridge made with rice), spiced pickled vegetables and two large pieces of very tasty steamed dough were placed in front of me and within a few minutes only the empty plates were left. Delicious! Normally this is not my breakfast of choice but I would recommend this to any visitor to China. A traditional breakfast with fast and friendy service at a small Chinese hotel, a great way to experience Beijing.

In the evening I was also expecting the usual excellent service in the local Chinese restaurant. Maybe the chefs have telepathic skills here as well as culinary ones because no sooner do you finish the last syllable of your order, your meal arrives, but not tonight. It took me and fellow customers a while to work out the problem but eventually we wised up. Tonight is a major event for China and everybody wants to share this with their friends and family, and good food. The restaurant was overwhelmed with orders for meals to take out and I have to give the kitchen team a lot of credit. I have never seen so many meals prepared in such a short time, with only a small amount of shouting and tempers frayed. It was just a shame that none of it was for me.

Spectacular and unique

Tonight the streets were deserted in Beijing. The House of Switzerland was buzzing with excitement for the spectacular opening ceremony and finding a taxi was such a challenge that they could make it an Olympic sport. None of this posed any problems for Stephanie who was making sure that the restaurant, bar and VIP areas were running smoothly for the "César Ritz" Colleges team so that the public could enjoy the festivities at the best opening to an Olympic Games I have ever seen. Although to be honest, it is also the only one I have seen, but it was spectacular.

Stephanie taking a few seconds to watch the spectacular ceremony

Jam sessions at the House of Switzerland

Not only is chocolate and ice cream proving to be a success but the band playing traditional Swiss music are a huge hit. As you can see in the photo, their hands-on approach lets visitors to the House of Switzerland join in with the music. The lady in the foreground is using the spoons as a musical instrument although on reflection she may have brought her own spoons today and is just on her way to the ice cream stand.

Live music at the full size reconstruction of the bridge at the HOS, lake included

Olympic Mufti Day at UCCR in Brig

2008-08-08T18:51:00.006+02:00

Beijing, Day 17

Today was the second most important event of the Beijing Olympics, the opening ceremony of the Olympic games (the most important, the official opening of the House of Switzerland, happened already one week ago), and all our thoughts are with our hard working team in the land of the rising sun (I'm still not sure if that's not Japan, actually).
To show our support not only for the HoS team, Eta Sigma Delta, UCCR's honor society, took the opportunity to organize an "Olympic Mufti Day" in favor of their "SOS Kinderdörfer" in Rio Honda, Peru, and Burundi, Africa, and raised almost 500.- CHF!!!. Students and staff purchased tickets to be allowed to dress down in sport (no swimming suits were permitted for reasons I still try to understand...???).

The Olympic Spirit (first from the left)
is alive at UCCR in Brig

No ticket, no mufti!!! Everybody played the game, and today's visitors thought the had come to the wrong school as the classromms were filled with all kind of athletes such as soccer players, sumo wrestlers, tennis players, Kung Fu fighters, long distance runners, and many more.
After watching the impressive show of the Opening Ceremony, and the monumental fireworks, the author of these lines wished deeply that he could have lived these moments with the whole team at the HoS in Beijing, but knowing that I will be back soon helps to dry the tears. CK

Olympic Day in Le Bouveret

2008-08-08T17:15:00.012+02:00

To show moral support to the “César Ritz” students working at the HoS, the Olympic spirit is alive and well at IHCR in Le Bouveret. Cesar’s lounge and the dining room have been decorated with Torino and Athens memorabilia, as well as several Olympic posters. The service students and the kitchen staff in McRitz are wearing the HoS Torino uniforms. A computer with access to this blog and the TV are ready for the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony. On the sports side, a soccer match Staff vs. Students has been organized for this evening: who will grab the gold?

Today is the big day in Beijing and a very special day for the flag-bearer of the Swiss Olympic delegation, Roger Federer who is celebrating his birthday.

Happy Birthday Roger! (pictured here in Athens with “César Ritz” student Steffi Zhu)

Well, we are also celebrating a birthday here in Switzerland! Today is a special day for our Marketing Lecturer, Mrs Jacqueline Moore.

Happy Birthday Mrs Moore (pictured here carrying the Valais flag...)

Mrs. Moore with Mr. Gross (great memories from Athens and Torino) Mr. Midgley and Mr. Fournier wearing the Torino uniforms, Lionel Jacquier warming up for the Staff vs. Students soccer match.

2008-08-07T17:56:00.006+02:00

My first day at the House of Switzerland

As memorable as my first day at school, or first trip to China? Maybe it was.

I will certainly remember falling asleep in the police station during the registration process after the long flight, the alarm on the appartment with its ear-splitting noise, the Chinese restaurant which would only allow me to have one dish - eels in chilli sauce, delicious but I must go back for a bowl of rice sometime.

Travelling so far from home is always interesting and my first impressions of the House of Switzerland were of the polite and helpful security at the entrance, something which we teach at "César Ritz" Colleges as being perfectly normal, to greet your customers correctly, but which is sometimes difficult to find - see the eels in chilli sauce story above. After this there was more good impressions with friendly faces at the stands and busy and happy participants and visitors all around. Tomorrow will be another great experience with the opening ceremony in the bird's nest stadium and no doubt a firework display not to be missed. I can say the same thing about the House of Switzerland so if you are in Beijing, take the time to experience Swiss hospitality at the HoS, maybe you'll meet some of the people participating and mentioned below.

Concentrating on the team rota, or is it a mirror to admire the summer hairdo ?

A memorable year of highs and lows

Aided by his new streamlined summer haircut and his new laptop, Hanlin is ready to put the scheduling together for the team at the HOS. His detailed schedules help each person in the team to identify their own role and also gives an overview for the whole of the team something he learned in class but practiced during his management training in the USA and now in Beijing at the HoS.

This is Hanlin’s second participation at the House of Switzerland after the Winter Games in Turin two years ago and even though he is part of the team working long days and sleeping very short nights, he puts this all in perspective and is enjoying every minute. When he is tired and stressed at the HoS, he just compares this to his role over the last few months where he has been part of the clean up team in Sichuan following the earthquakes earlier this year.

Siamese twins, joined at the shoulder

Last minute problems – size matters

While Beijing and the world will be watching the opening day celebrations, our own two Beijing giants will have to visit the tailors to have their shirts made to measure. Luckily for Manuel and Julian that they have already learned how to haggle for a better price at the Silk Market and are even looking forward to the challenge of having the shirts made, just for them. They have already mastered the art of bargaining for the best price in the last week and this is one experience of shopping in Beijing markets that has impressed (or depressed if you not good at it) many of our students in their recent visits to Beijing for the Career Fairs.

The only shirts available for Manuel and Julian were XL size and these were still too small so rapid action needs to be taken. The only alternative was that they may be working in the restaurant dressed in skin-tight shirts like a latin ballroom dancer. They also had problems finding the right size shoes. Maybe a pair of flippers would be suitable, handy for picking up bread rolls that fall on the floor but that would make the ballroom dancing a little difficult.

One world. One dream. Ice cream?

One of the most popular stands

Such a hot day in Beijing and even with air-con you need to have constant refreshment. Beijingers know this and they also know a good thing when they see it; complimentary Swiss ice cream. Here they are lining up patiently, a new pastime in China, to choose their favourite flavour. Although the Beijing lady at the front does look a little doubtful about eating it without a spoon, Chopsticks may be the solution but probably not an easy one. In this heat anybody who doesn’t eat it very quickly, would soon be able to drink it directly from the cup.

Swiss Athletes at the HoS

2008-08-07T10:39:00.005+02:00

Day-1: the Swiss athletes are dropping by the House of Switzerland, anxious to get the show on the road on 08.08.08.

Sophie Lamon from Sion (Fencing) was interviewed yesterday on the Swiss News. She won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics and is ready to go as far as possible in this year's competition. There are three other athletes representing the State of Valais: Magali di Marco Messmer (triathlon) from Troistorrents, Gregory Sarrasin (wrestling) from Martigny (he was selected by his federation yesterday to replace another athlete) and Jeanine Cicognini (badminton) from Brig.

Jeanine Cigognini left Brig four years ago to train in Denmark. She is now a professional badminton player living in Saarbrücken Germany.

With these athletes and the "César Ritz" students working at the HoS, the State of Valais is well represented in Beijing. Looking back at Torino and Athenes, the medal celebrations were great events at the HoS and hopefully there will be several more in Beijing.

THE MASSES ARRIVE...

2008-08-03T19:02:00.022+02:00

Beijing, Day 11

The author of these lines’ last day in Beijing before taking a break (no worries, I’ll be back!!!). The “Beijing Belly” showed mercy, and I left at noon with a lightly rumbling belly in direction House of Switzerland to witness the first real general public opening. When I arrived, the Art Zone was already rather busy (it is Saturday…), and also in the HOS the visitors showed a lot of interest, especially in the work of our “Maître Chocolatier” and his colleagues with the “Mövenpick” ice cream samples. I suggested to the team of "Bucherer" watches to give away a few of those to enhance the public interest, but they did not think that it was that great of an idea (I am sure it would have worked!).

"La Suisse Miniature"
Now we understand why you funktion like clockworks...

Jonathan, Steffi and Cathy!
But who is the sreaming guy in the back?

"Whereever I lay my hat, that's my home..."
The gentleman in the center - background seems to feel rather comfortable at the HoS.

Most of the F&B team had worked until 3am to 5am to finish of with the aftermath of the Swiss National Day, and were back between 7am and 9am to continue. I must say that everybody looked quite fit, and now we see that the month-long training in Brig (at the Chaos Bar in the new dorms until 5am, and cleanly shaven and groomed at Mr. Cockers class at 8am) finally shows its fruits. Once I am back in Switzerland I will try and convince our school director, Mr. Gutzwiller, to open the bar even longer in order to get you guys even fitter!!!

You're sure that's Swiss chocolate, mom?
Our young guest seems not to trust the "Maîte Chocolatier.

Where are the masses?
Ian is checking the situation.

Here are the masses.
The VIP zone at lunch time.

The public restaurant was getting busy at around 13h00, while the VIP area hosted already quite a large number of guests. Everybody seemed very pleased with our international Swiss F&B ambassadors, and the comments very only positive.After packing my belongings I went back to do a “Good-Bye” tour through the HoS, raced to the airport, my flight in Frankfurt was cancelled, my luggage was lost once I got to Zurich, but…after 2 weeks in Beijing nothing could disturb me. As an old Beijinger I almost took a taxi to Brig, but in the last second I remembered that the tariffs here are a bit different. My thoughts are with you, the Beijing HoS 2008 team (it is already after midnight there, I hope you are in bed!!!). Have a good time, and I am sure you will have a great success and a lot of fun in the land of the rising sun (still not sure if that was Japan?). CK

All along the watchtower...
The author, just before he went back...

...to find that in Brig the electric wiring resembles
strangely the one in Beijing (see day 7).

SWISS NATIONAL DAY

2008-08-02T04:41:00.016+02:00

Beijing, Day 10

Why don't you smile?

Midori Matsuo (right) and her "Triumph Inspiration Award" winning creation

(which doesn't smile either).

With yesterday’s Triumph event the security measures have also been put into full action, and quite a lot of people (including myself) who used to walk in and out freely are all in a sudden confronted with middle-sized army of SwissSecuritas co-workers. But on the way to the HoS I greeted already the guardian in front of my apartment block, the policeman in the lobby of my apartment block, the army guy at the entrance to the compound, the soldier at the access to the Art Zone 798, so a few more or less do not really matter. You really feel as if nothing could happen to you in Beijing these days.

High security level at the HoS. No badge, no access to the events.

The staff canteen.

Vitamins, minerals, carbs and proteins for high performances are served here.

Today the author of these lines assisted in the preparations of the second big event, the Swiss National Day party. It is also the official opening day of the House of Switzerland Beijing 2008, but as the evening was exclusively reserved for the Swiss Community of Beijing, the opening of the VIP lounge and public restaurant will only start tomorrow. The team is facing a long day, most started at 08h30 and the end will be ???. However, everybody is up and going, and with every day there is a bit more of a routine which will make things easier and faster and better...

The VIP restaurant.

The HoS bar.

The lounge.

Unfortunately, at the end of the afternoon, my symptoms of the famous “Beijing Belly” (I will give no details here…) became more and more heavy, and I left in the hope to return at least for the Swiss National Day party. However, the pure thought of raclette (or any other food) made my stomach twist and turn in anger, and I therefore stayed in the safety of my apartment (they came and fixed the air-con at 18h00, so at least the sauna effect was gone after a while).

Open the gates!

Swiss and Chinese officials wonder what's behind these doors...

The Swiss Machine!

One of the attractions at the HoS.

How sweet!

The Maître Chocolatier, probably THE attraction at the HoS.

Happy National Day!

Verena in full Swiss gear...

A TRIUMPH IN BEIJING

2008-07-31T20:01:00.015+02:00

Beijing, Day 9

What a Triumph!

The House of Switzerland team had their first crucial test today, and they passed it with bravura. We hosted the Grand Final of the Triumph Inspiration Award 2008, which is an international competition for students from design schools to create a two-piece lingerie set if I understood well. The jury for his event featured some famous experts, amongst them designers Viktor & Rolf (still less famous than CK, and that’s me!), top model Helena Christensen and other well-known people from that industry. Hakon had the difficult duty to run the back-stage food supply with his “access-all-areas-batch”, and I guess he has rather sweet dreams tonight (in case he manages to sleep).

Aren't we lucky that it is rather warm here in Beijing?

The organized chaos, part 4:

It is a tough job in the back office!

Don't worry, Mr. Höfling, Fides will not breath in an micro-organisms,

thanks to the Chinese health regulations.

Yes, great, and where the h… are the photos???

Well, the author of these lines spent his day in the kitchen to make sure everything went well (just joking, Chef Mark, the Gamma chefs with the “César Ritz” / IMI team were in full control of the situation, I was probably more standing in their way…). It was quite challenging to be back in this kind of Olympic F&B situation and brought back a lot of good memories of the previous games (I get almost every day mails from the Torino team; they are definitely thinking about us here in Beijing and wish us the best of luck).

So, there are no photos as the pastry kitchen has a bad view on the cat walk, but if you go to the following link you will get an idea what we had to deal with: www.triumph-inspiration-award.com/

Beijing's next top models, dressed in honor of the National Day in the Swiss colors.

Steph and the flower boys:

A tough choice to choose the right decoration.

In the evening I went back to move from one apartment to another one (the third, and hopefully last place I stay here). It was quite an adventure since they had already turned the electricity off in my old apartment, so I packed in the light of a pocket lamp (and the impatient Chinese maintenance guy waiting in front of the door since he wanted the lamp back which was his only one). So here I sit now, after I found the fuse box in the darkness of my new apartment, in a 28° Celsius hot place at 01h00 AM and hope to access a free network later as the one here does not work yet (tomorrow, I was told). CK

Verena decided to quit drinking after the Olympics,

but until then...

New water-saving measures for the dish washing area have been put in place!

And, by the way, Julian greets his dentist (isn't there a cavity in the B14 top left?)

Stocktaking at the end of a big day:

Emily takes well care of our business!

BEIJING, LOST & FOUND

2008-07-30T17:53:00.014+02:00

Beijing, Day 8

Beijing is wonderful, and almost every day the author of these lines stands, surprised and amazed, and wonders why at home things do not function the same, harmonious way as here. Lately I came across the brochure of the “Lost and Found Center of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau”, which was established November 1956. I quote: “Since its foundation it has been following the principle of serving the people wholeheartedly and by receiving people to report losses warmly, safekeeping found property carefully, and saving no efforts to search for owners thoroughly…”. That’s what I call service! At home we don’t even know where to go, if we call that office we get probably an answering machine, and nobody would return something lost anyway. Therefore I decided to loose my backpack today, simply since I believe that we both deserve to experience these great services.

Are you sure about loosing your backpack on purpose?
Jonathan seems surprised about my intentions.

Too many cooks spoil the broth?
Not at the House of Switzerland!

Today the first team members started at 06h30! You can feel the excitement of the opening coming closer, and I guess everybody is looking forward to it after the days of preparation and planning. In the afternoon I left the House of Switzerland to meet Dominic Desouza who works as Assistant Director of Rooms at the Westin Financial Street. It was great to catch up after many years, and I must admit that I was a bit jealous to hear that Dominic had worked during the last years in a few of my favorite places on our planet, such as San Francisco and Bora Bora.

Break time!
The girls from Triumph get some fresh air, while the local boys admire the view.

Dominic and his hotel.
(I'll sell that photo to Michele for the next issue of "Connection".
After two weeks at the local markets I learned how to get a good price).

The “piazza”was very much in the focus of the male population of the HoS. Everybody was there except me, as I spent most of the day visiting our alumni, which I think was quite “heroic” considering the fact that the Triumph team was practicing for tomorrow’s fashion show (Trude, you can be proud of me!). So I even missed the “Finale Grandioso” of the show, as I went to visit Roger Leung in his newly opened property, the Comfort Suites in the Chao Yang District, which will host some of the VIP visitors of the Olympics during the next weeks. I had a very enjoyable and interesting evening, discussing all aspects of our industry with Roger who has many years of experience, and still remembers how to prepare “Crêpes Suzette" as if he would have left the "César Ritz" Dining Room yesterday. CK

Stop screaming, Matthew! Only 25 days left!
(The dumpling team, from the left: Ian, Cathy, Matthew)

Push and twist rapidly!
(Special effects with a cheap camera)...

So I even missed the “Finale Grandioso” of the Triumph show, as I went to visit Roger Leung in his newly opened property, the Comfort Suites in the Chao Yang District, which will host some of the VIP visitors of the Olympics during the next weeks. I had a very enjoyable and interesting evening, discussing all aspects of our industry with Roger who has many years of experience, and still remembers how to prepare “Crêpes Suzette" as if he would have left the "César Ritz" Dining Room yesterday. CK

Roger Leung, GM of Comfort Suites by Choice Hotels,
and the author of these lines.

A RAINY DAY IN BEIJING !!!

2008-07-29T20:17:00.016+02:00

Beijing, Day 7

YES! You won’t believe it! Today, at 10h34 local time, the first raindrops fell and washed away the heat, the smog, the dust, …(and probably a lot of other things as well). And all that thanks to the author of these lines' rain dance, which worked even without the neighbors???

We're swimming in the rain...(after the dance).

With all that fresh air the HoS team worked on full speed, getting ready for the approaching events (Triumph fashion show and Swiss National Day) as well as tonight’s food tasting. Hanlin and the stewarding team were facing a mixture of water shortages and floods, resulting in piles of dirty pots, trays, plates, but also in a rather furious Marco.

Busy chefs at the HoS.

A happy face. Hanlin is back at the HoS!

Since my plumbing skills are rather limited (the skills of the local professionals as well, it seems…). I took the opportunity of clean air and blue sky to visit the Olympic Park with the “Bird’s Nest”, the National Aquatic Centre, and finally Pangu Plaza where Kitty and Jason just survived yesterday’s hotel opening, after months of preparations. What a challenge in Beijing’s 7 (seven) star hotel.

Kitty, the author, and Jason high above Beijing.

I'm proud to meet my alumni!

A perfect view on a perfectly clear day, taken from Kitty's Happiness Lounge.

The Aquatic Centre in front of the Bird's Nest.

Back at the house the catwalk was fully lit for the rehearsal of Triumph’s light & sound team, and there he was: Shuimiao, my brave trainee of Bouveret’s Cesar Lounge, who is about to finish his management training with the Grand Hyatt in Beijing. Just in time for the food presentation and tasting. The chefs under Mark’s expert guidance did a great job, and largely deserved the compliments from the organizers.

Wanna be my bodyguards?

Shuimiao feels like in Brig, with big rocks on every side.

What is he doing? Chefs Mark (left) and Arni (other side).

Some tasty sample of things to come.

Where are the "Brätchügeli"?

The boss questions Chefs Mark and Hakon.

The evening finished with an excellent meal at “South Beauty” (thanks, Miao!), and finally a nightcap at “Touch”, everybody’s favorite late night lounge. CK

Speeding in Beijing? Parking on the walkway?

Passing a red traffic light?

No problem here in Beijing! The handcuffs come with a big smile:-)

THUNDERBOLT & LIGHTNING!

2008-07-28T19:11:00.014+02:00

Beijing, Day 7

Thanks to Ute our medical supplies have been re-stocked, and the mosquitoes will flee the HoS.

The author of these lines realized that after one week in Beijing he started to adapt a new morning ritual: the first look, eyes half open, goes full of hope direction window, but every day there are less buildings around me.

I already thought about gathering the neighbors of the 763 other apartments in the compound, and perform a classical rain dance. Instructions can be found on Wikipedia:

Work in two lines, about 4 feet apart, all women in one line, all men in the other.

The main step is alike for both men and women, though a little more vigorously done by the men: Step left foot, step right a little higher, progressing a few inches forward.

Do not work in a circle; but in each of the three figures, progress along two sides of the quadrangle of the pueblo (I guess in a case of emergency or for the Olympics a 23 floor high riser can count exceptionally for a pueblo).

(a) Men and women all facing right, to one singing of the song

(b) Continue the step in same rhythm for 8 double steps, but without music

(c) Then the women start the song again, while the men yelp in time (2 yelps to the measure)

(d) All continue the song to the end.

That sounds quite easy! I will ask Emily and Cathy to translate that into Chinese, and if tomorrow Beijing will be flooded you know why. Please watch CNN for breaking news!

The orginaized chaos, 4:
No, this is not some weird art stuff in our neighborhood.
That's real!

The Team Quarters:
Hakon, reading. Verena, thinking. Laundry, drying!

After a brief visit to the HoS which is still full of feverish activities in order to get ready for the first major event on Thursday, the author took Fides and Hakon, who were off today, for a walk through the Hutongs, the small traditional alleys of Beijing. We dived into the these narrow streets like into another, quite past world, visited the Lama temple to make sure that the HoS gets also full support from that side, before a phone call from Mr. Gutzwiller brought me back into reality (Cosmos? Chaos? We have that here, too). We ended up by pure coincidence in the Houhai Lake area, and had a cup of tea before heading back home.

That's why China will win at least 86 gold medals:
At every street corner is a public fitness palace,
here tested by Fides and Hakon.

Hidden beauty in the Hutongs.

In the evening Stephanie and the author went for dinner with Katharina Rutz, who works already for over 3 years for the Kempinski Lufthansa Centre in Beijing. After publishing a book titled “Ein Jahr in Peking” (“One year in Beijing”, at Herder) in springtime, Katharina is now coordinating with the German House at the Olympics which is situated in her hotel. The evening went by fast, exchanging news from the last years, and reminiscing about the good old times in Switzerland. CK

Long time not seen: Steph and Katharina.

Checking on the competition:
Welcome to he German house, but only if you are an athlete, VIP, sponsor, or from the press!

Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News! Breaking News!

My rain dance works even without the neighbors: it is 2am Beijing time,

and the sky outside is filled with thunder and lightning, and ... rain...???

ANOTHER FOGGY DAY IN BEIJING

2008-07-27T18:16:00.011+02:00

Beijing, Day 6

Incredible!
The first fans decided to sleep in the entrance to make
sure they do not miss the opening of the HoS!

Sunday. Lazy Day? Of course not! After starting the day with a cold shower I met Roger Leung , a “César Ritz” graduate from 1988 who is about to open the "Beijing Comfort Suites" as GM for Crestwood Hotels International (regards to Mr. Kisseleff !!!). On the way to visit his hotel the car broke down (what a shame for me as ex-Bavarian, it is a BMW!), and due to the traffic restrictions the emergency car of his garage was not allowed to drive today as they have an even number plate, and today is an odd day. That’s a bit odd!

"Another brick in the wall?"
Cathy (in pink with peace sign) was leading the team on that sightseeing tour.

The Fog, part 2:
The "Birds Nest" has at the moment probably ideal breeding temperatures, but ...
how would mama bird find back to baby bird in these conditions?

Back at the house the kitchen was busy doing mise en place for the upcoming events, the "big boys" (Manuel & Julian) cleared the artwork from the fridges (see photo!), while all the newly arrived team members were busy discovering the heat of Beijing. The author of these lines took a walk through the neighborhood to place the HoS leaflets at the surrounding art galleries (“You like chocolate? I give you a good price!”). We have some really interesting and surprising things going on there, and everybody who will visit us here should take some time and visit these local art treasures.

Art in the Back Office, or:
We at the HoS have the coldest San Pellegrino in town.

Unacceptable!
Frank was late for the second time this morning, so he got punished.
Don't mess with Filippa...

Unfortunately the pollution is still quite high, and you do not really feel like walking in the 38° Celsius fog too long. Therefore we stayed close to the team’s accommodation, and had a Japanese “all-you-can-eat” buffet dinner including sushi, sashimi, …(yes, the boys loved it!). For 20.- SFR per person we had our most expensive meal so far! While the youth gathered for one or two or many more drinks, the author went home to update the world. CK

PS: For German speakers: Luca from GammaCatering has a blog under: www.gianlucatribo.ch/blog/

or, if you access from here in China:
www.awebproxy.info/index.php?q=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5naWFubHVjYXRyaWJvLmNoL2Jsb2cv
For more info, pics, etc. you can also go to www.houseofswitzerland.org

Our friendly neighbors at the art zone, part 3.

A HOT DAY IN BEIJING

2008-07-26T19:25:00.007+02:00

Beijing, Day 5

While the mixed “César Ritz" – IMI”team visited the Great Wall, the author of these lines started the morning in his apartment with a cold shower. The hotel room I stayed in until yesterday featured a tropical rain-forest shower, while our apartment comes with an exclusive Siberian waterfall shower. At least I was quickly awake and ready to face my registration which took 1,5 hours at the residence agency, and another 1,5 hours at the police station. But now I’m a real Beijinger!

For tough meat and vegetables we have a beauty salon in our area

(kidneys and other parts are also on the menu).

After the registration marathon I was picked up by the team in their rented bus, and

we went to visit the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City which was quite a challenge in the current climate. We left several liters of sweat behind us before the bus took us to the famous silk market. In that local version of Manor you get a Rolex for 15,50 SFR (“my best price for you”), the latest iPhone for 80.- SFR (“including international warranty”) and ties made in Italy (“Guzzi, very beautiful, pure silk”) if you are a tough negotiator.

M&Ms !!! (Manuel and Mao, starting from the right)

Clockwise from the top: The Imperial Lion, Julian, Manuel, Cathy, the Author, Hakon, Fides

(the time it took to pose for this picture amounts to app. 4,5 dl of perspiration)

In the evening we found the newly arrived members of the “César Ritz” team which will then be complete with the arrival of Hanlin tomorrow. Following a shower (the Siberian version was not that bad tonight) ,we went all for a typical local dinner (I quote: “the chicken brain tastes like “Leberwurst”, but it is a bit smeary”), and after a long and hot day everybody was glad to make it back to the apartments for a well deserved rest , and I look forward to that one, too, as we approach the 02h00 am. CK

Welcome to Beijing, Sebastian, Ute, Verena, Steffi and Ian!

We were all waiting for you, espicially the guys in the dish washing area!

A SUNNY DAY IN BEIJING?

2008-07-25T19:41:00.009+02:00

Beijing, Day 4

Today the author of these lines spent most of his day moving from the hotel to a temporary apartment, meaning that there is one more move coming up, meaning that all the nicely ironed and folded clothes will undergo another packing and unpacking procedure (Trude, where are you???).

Benjamin, my flatmate from PresenceSuisse, just before our

fatal error.

My new location is quite close to the HoS, actually it looks that close on a map that Benjamin and myself thought it would be in walking distance. It actually was, but after 25 minutes in the local climate I looked like it was raining, and not 35° Celsius and “sunny”.

If you blow the picture up to the size of your screen you might

discover above the cranes a small, light dot. That is the sun.

Edwin Rudolf from Luzern Tourism, Olivier Roos from the Swiss Embassy,

and the author after the fatal error.

Tomorrow all team members who arrived with the first batch will be off, while the rest of the team is actually in the air at this moment, fresh and ready to join the workforce here which suffered already some minor injuries. But thanks to the modern communication devices, and our flexible team members back home we will get various creams, Antibrumm mosquito repellent, Fenistil in case Antibrumm does not work, Compeed anti blister treatments,…

Our motto, found somewhere in the streets of Beijing ?

(I hope the part which I cannot read contains no obscenities)

The House of Switzerland hosted the first bigger event which was held for all employees of the Swiss embassy and their families. Kitchen and service got a lot of compliments, and I must say: They deserve them as everything is well done!

The Swiss embassy enjoys the party.

A FOGGY DAY IN BEIJING

2008-07-24T18:29:00.018+02:00

Beijing, Day 3

(One week to go before the House of Switzerland Beijing 2008 officially opens its doors)

Incredible!

The first guest (he preferred to stay anonymous) is already waiting in the doorway…

The author of the lines’ day started with a visit of the Westin Beijing Chaoyang to meet Dan Aylmer, the hotel's general manager, César Ritz alumnus and one of my first (and best) students when I started to work in Le Bouveret, many years ago (I will not give any precise numbers as we both look much younger than our age). And, what a surprise, I also met the Rooms Division Management Trainee, Zachary Fournier, who is a real Valaisan and looks very familiar to someone I know back home…

From left to right: Zachary Fournier, the author of these lines, Daniel Aylmer

(no, the GM does not have long green hair, there is an ornamental plant in the background!)

Back at the HoS everybody was busy, Stephanie with the planning of future events, Hakon and Fides in the kitchen, Emily and Cathy doing mise en place for the restaurant, Manuel and Julian melting in the steam bath (also called dishwashing area).

The organized chaos, 3:

Steph and Filippa, the event manager for GammaCatering, have full control.

Happy chefs cook good food: Fides and Hakon.

Were the napkins really donated by the Red Cross?

Julian is practicing the Swiss National Anthem, hoping to get promoted to the main stage on the 1st of August.

In the afternoon I finally met my room mate from the HoS Torino 2006 in Sestriere (and director of the House of Switzerland in Beijing), Manuel Salchli from PresenceSuisse who arrived yesterday. It is fantastic to have him around again, and over a coffee we exchanged with Hakon a lot of great memories from the good old days in the Italian alps.

Good to see you !!!

Mr. Manuel Salchli, followed by his bodyguards.

At the end of the evening Tom and Tach Alkhalloufi ,who were my students and later my trainees in the F&B department at the Institut Hôtelier “César Ritz”, came to visit us at the HoS . After a visit of the facilities we spontaneously decided to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant (there is quite a large choice here in Beijing), before the author of these lines went back to the hotel to continue working on our Olympic blog. CK

From left to right: Chen, Tom's wife, Tom, the author, and Tach

(the bottle of Fendant is hidden under the table).

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

2008-07-23T18:22:00.012+02:00

Beijing, Day 2

“I sold my soul to Rock n’ Roll” was the leitmotiv of my younger days, today it was: “I gave my blood for the House of Switzerland”. After a short night of sleep we met at the “Physical Examination Hall” for the official health test. It seems that very few people want to start the early morning with such a procedure, and therefore we did not have to wait and it took us hardly 15 minutes, an X-ray, some deep breaths and a bit of blood until we were all heading back for the HoS to start the first prep work.

After the health check, from left to right: Hakon (relieved), Manuel (bleeding, but happy), Fides and Julian (decided to smoke a last cigarette after a successful X-ray of their lungs).

While the morning at the HoS passed for the team very quickly with cleaning, planning, organizing,…, the author of these lines decided to take a tour through the Dashanzi 798 Art District. Everything here is buzzing with activities, and dozens of new cafés, galleries, and restaurants are competing with the HoS to be ready by the end of the month.

Healthy and tasty: The staff lunch prepared by the chefs from GammaCatering (with a little help from Fides and Hakon)

Our Friendly Neighbors at the Art Zone, part 1.

The mysteries of mobile phone prepaid tariffs in Beijing !

In order to save money we all changed over to brand-new, Chinese mobile phone numbers, but ...you have also to know which helpline to call to avoid that incoming calls cost less then a weekly salary per minute, which pre-dial number to chose for Beijing to reduce the cost for outgoing calls by 50%, how to ask for a 50 RMB recharge at the kiosk, etc.

Emily and Cathy were extremely patient, and spend quite some time to explain, reprogram, reinstall, and switch SIM cards, call the operator,… and by the end of the afternoon the contact with he rest of he planet was reestablished for all of us. CK.

No Close-Ups, please! Emily and Cathy, between dish washing area and emergency Sim-Card rescuing.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

2008-07-22T18:44:00.008+02:00

Beijing, Day 1

Today, at 06h45, Air China flight number 966 from Frankfurt landed safely in the Olympic city, on board the second batch of the “César Ritz” team.

Manuel, Julian, Fides and Hakon, with the author as background

Thanks to the new, drastic traffic restrictions the transfer to the apartments went very smoothly, and Fides Höfling, Hakon Gjerde, Manuel Topell and Julian Petrow, as well as the author of these lines, were admiring the luxury accommodation for the GammaCatering staff. Especially those who were already working at the Olympics in Athens 2004, or Torino 2006, like Stephanie Höfling or Hakon, appreciate the fact that the apartments or hardly ten minutes walking distance from the House of Switzerland.

The Organized Chaos, 1:
The House of Switzerland Beijing 2008, almost ready...

After some shopping (especially for drinks as the temperatures vary at the moment between 25° Celsius at night and 42° Celsius during the day), we all met at the HoS to have a look at the future “battlefield”. It is hard to believe that the piles of cables, containers, and other material will be installed and ready in a few days. After a drink in the temporary headquarters (the internet coffee bar next door), and instructions for the health test tomorrow morning at 06h45 (yes, we are all looking forward to that one!), we leave now to organize Chinese SIM cards under the expert guidance of Emily Sit and Stephanie who are already in Beijing since a week and know the place almost by heart. CK.

The Organized Chaos, 2:
Stephanies office at the internet café

BUSY ALUMNI IN BEIJING

2008-07-21T13:26:00.007+02:00

The "César Ritz" students working at the House of Switzerland will be extremely busy during the Olympics... so will many alumni. Dan Aylmer is one them.
The 550-room Westin Beijing Chaoyang opened on 21st June in the fast developing area of Beijing's Liangmahe area.The hotel forms part of an office and luxury shopping complex. All rooms within the hotel feature the signature Heavenly Bed, rainforest shower, Internet access and refreshment center. "We are very excited to open in the booming area of Chaoyang District, adding more options in Beijing in terms of accommodation, dining and entertainment scene. Bringing a new breath of life and renewal to the city," said Daniel R. Aylmer, the hotel's general manager.The hotel offers eight food and beverage outlets, while the meeting facilities include eleven function rooms and the latest in technology support system. Also working there as Rooms Division Management Trainee, Zachary Fournier has experienced the challenges of an hotel opening since last January when he took up the position having graduated at ICMS, Sydney.

House of Switzerland in Beijing taken over!

2008-07-16T11:33:00.011+02:00

The largest Swiss House of Switzerland in the history of the Olympic Games, has been inaugurated on July 1st by the Swiss Ambassador, Dante Martinelli, in a wonderful ceremony.

Chen Yongli, director of Beijing 798 Art Zone Administration and Development Office, is handing over the key of 798 Art Center (706 Factory Hall) to Dante Martinelli, Ambassador of Switzerland in China, symbolizing the start of construction of the “House of Switzerland 2008, China”

Almost 30 days left until the first major event takes place inside the walls of the “Fabric 706” better known now as the House of Switzerland in Beijing, China. More than 500 guests will be welcomed by the State Minister Max Pfister and Rudolf Freimann, President of the administration of Lucern and Central Switzerland Tourism, to celebrate the Swiss National Day on August 1st.

With its 4,000 square meters, the “Fabric 706” was renovated last month to allow the House of Switzerland and Uniplan AG to install the technical equipment, the 12 exhibition booths, the press studio and the three restaurants, which will be located at the popular artistic area “Art Zone 798”.

The façade of the House of Switzerland -- Beijing’s Dashanzi 798 Art Zone, 798 Art Center (706 Factory Hall)

The House of Switzerland Beijing 2008 Olympics

2008-07-15T14:30:00.001+02:00

After the success of Athens 2004 and Torino 2006, “César Ritz” Colleges, Switzerland is, once again, the partner of choice for Presence Suisse to participate in the House of Switzerland at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Other official partners of the House of Switzerland (HoS) for the 2008 Summer Olympics include Swiss Olympic, SRG-SSR the Swiss national TV which will run a studio at the HoS and live-feed from Swiss TV programs.