"FAMOUS LAST WORDS"

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?

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

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!)