Volunteering in Kingston

As I sit here today resting after a rather busy and stressful week I wanted to share with you my latest volunteering experience. I had been pondering posting this one for a while, but now that I am actually working and in between that going to the hospital to visit one of our family members, time is precious and rather limited. 

My most recent volunteering experience was at a local Kingston charity called Age Concern. Below are some stories I have written from my experience there. These stories have been adapted to protect the privacy of the individuals but will give you an indication of the level of support this charity provides the local community.

Margaret is a rather sprightly 80 year old who is getting her hair done. Once a week clients of Age Concern can visit the hairdresser (and a podiatrist) for a discount rate. When she hears my Aussie accent she asks where I'm from. 'Adelaide, I've been to Adelaide many many years ago, beautiful place Adelaide'. She then starts to tell me how the Orient Express a ship she worked on transported migrants to Australia.'

Edith has lost her keys. She's been stuck at home for 3 days unable to make the doctors appointment or get food. At 86 years old you'd think the local council who own the flat she lives in would help but apparently they can't and so she's called for help. 

Jane calls concerned about her brother. He's recently had an operation and is due to be discharged from hospital in a couple days. There is no family nearby. 'How will he do his shopping, cleaning and how can we make sure he's ok?' she asks. Age Concern have an advice line and also can help with regards to domestic chores such as shopping and cleaning.

Bob calls telling me the driver is late. 'Have they forgotten me?' he asks. Bob is not alone as a lot of calls that come through are to make sure they haven't been forgotten. With little else to keep them occupied the oldies look forward to a day out at the day centre to enjoy some company, participate in various activities and have lunch.  

Jack... well Jack stands out as soon as you walk into the day centre. He's the resident Irish larrikin who loves a good banter. I can image that Jack was a bit of a lad back in the day and even now hunched over with age and leaning on a walking stick his mind is as sprightly as ever keeping the clients and workers there on their toes.

With the aging population charities such as this one will continue to need more and more support from us. The work they provide is invaluable. 

If you want to do something good, please don't ignore those around you. Help a local charity like Age Concern either via donation or your own time. If you see someone in the street or on the train that needs some help offer it, please just don't ignore.  

For more information about Age Concern Kingston you can visit their website at www.ageconcernkingston.org. 

The Good and Bad of Zurich

A recent trip to Switzerland reminded me that when you're travelling you have to be ready for all experiences, both good and bad. It can't always be good. And more importantly, you can't let the bad be the reason to not get out and go exploring

So let's start with the bad in Zurich.

Bad experience 1 : Getting lost in the train station.

On arrival at Zurich central train station, not only did I have to fight the millions of people trying to make their way around and out of the train station, I couldn't work out where the hell to go. The place is bigger than Adelaide mall and all the department stores put together. So after a very frustrating half an hour, I finally found my way out. Sunshine is a beautiful thing!

Bad experience 2 : Being catapulted to one side by a very rude woman. 

I was in her way, however 'excuse me' was obviously not in her vocabulary as she shoved me and proceeded to bear down on further victims that were in her way.

Bad experience 3 : Nearly being run over. 

While taking a pedestrian crossing at which one car had stopped for me, I was about to step through the inner lane when a car driven at full speed by a Gucci, Prada clad woman decked in a VW nearly took me out. She saw me as I made eye contact with her. However, she obviously didn't find it necessary to give way to a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing.

Bad experience 4 : Being talked down to.

Do you know that part of Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts tries to go shopping to buy a decent outfit. I know how she feels. And I wasn't even wearing thigh high black boots and a mini skirt (although after this I did feel like decking myself out in it and going back to see how she'd react). Anyway back to the story.  I was trying to get a massage and the hotel had recommended the shopping centre called Globus. I found the beauty therapy area and a woman approached me to ask if I needed help. When I asked if I could get a massage she looked me up and down and said "We're all booked out today". When I asked if there would be any appointments further in the week "We're completely booked out all week". I then asked for a recommendation on somewhere else and she said "I don't know anywhere else". Needless to say I walked off disgusted and decided to just head back to my hotel for some peace.

So these experiences happened in the first 4 hours of arriving in Zurich and I suppose you're wondering if it got better? Thankfully yes, so let me share the good in Zurich.

Good experience 1 : A birthday surprise from the Renaissance Hotel.

On arriving back to the hotel room following my bad experiences, I found a nice piece of chocolate cake decorated with fresh berries and a neat Happy Birthday written on the plate in chocolate. Alongside that was a card signed by the hotel staff. It didn't last long! A definite way to brighten someones day so thankyou Renaissance.

Good experience 2 : Having Happy Birthday sung to me by H's work team and enjoying a glass of my favourite champagne.

I was lucky to be invited along to a dinner in which I not only got to experience a really nice meal with nice wine, but got a surprise at the end of the evening with a glass of Moet while listening to the team sing me Happy Birthday. Thankyou for a wonderful evening!

Cooking our meat on the table BBQ

Good experience 3 : Trying some traditional Swiss food.

You definately have to try Fondue in Switzerland. It's not for the faint hearted or those with cholesterol problems and if you have a sensitive nose then you probably won't like the smell, however it's fun to try.

Good experience 4 : Exploring the old town in Zurich.

Just a 5 minute walk from the craziness of the main train station and shopping strip, you can find yourself lost in the maze of windy cobblestone roads in the old town. Much quieter and some lovely old buildings to admire.

Good experience 5 : The unique cafes and shopping.
I think I only saw one or two Starbucks in Zurich which was a pleasant surprise. There are some great little cafes and unique stores selling goods you only find in Zurich. The best coffee I found was in a cafe called Hiltl set up in a flower store.

Hiltl in Zurich

Overall Switzerland is a lovely country. It's clean, portrays a healthy lifestyle (never saw an overweight person) and the people are friendly (most of the time). One downside is its very expensive but all in all, I can't wait to go back and explore more if I get the opportunity.

A Kookaburra in Zug

Zug is a quaint little town in Switzerland that sits on the edge of a lake and snow capped mountains.  It’s not far from Zurich and quite easy to reach via train direct from the airport train station. 

We’re here this week because my husband has work commitments. I’m the lucky one though; not only do I get to spend the evenings with my husband, but I also get the days to do the tourist thing and go exploring.

So let me tell you a bit about my first day in Zug.

After the 6:00 am alarm, for the benefit of my husband, I find myself curling up and going back to sleep for another hour. Unfortunately that’s as long as I can sleep in, as I’m excited to get outside in the emerging sunshine and go exploring.

The Hotel Lowen : Where we stayed

Our hotel is located in the Landsgemeindeplatz within the old town of Zug. It’s only when I pull open the curtains, I realise how nice a spot we are in. Our room up on the 3rd floor has a little balcony from where I can see a cobblestone square surrounded by little cafes and restaurants. On the other side I can see Lake Zug with views of the mountains in the distance. It’s beautiful.

Someone lost their cheese!

A few steps from the entrance of our hotel and past the rather large piece of cheese sticking out a pastry shop window (yes a little bit odd), I find a bird aviary. At first I’m captivated by a really large white owl who just sits there blinking his rather big eyes at me every now and then, probably wandering what the hell I’m looking at. It’s then that I see my favourite ... the Aussie Kookaburra. 

Two in fact. Both looking a little well fed and most obviously used to sitting in the spot they’re in. It’s almost cruel to see them cooped up here unable to have the freedom they’re brothers and sisters have back home, but for me it’s a rather nice sight to see something from home all the way over here in a small little town called Zug.

Next it’s the cobblestone paths and shuttered windows that call me to explore the old part of town. Starting along the Fischmarkt I wander along taking in the most beautiful old buildings such as The Clock Tower (Zytturm) and The Town Hall (Rathaus) and just getting lost.

 

 

 

 

It’s during my exploration of the old town that I have another Aussie experience. Out of the corner of my eye I see what I think is Aboriginal art. Not completely sure, I wander into the art gallery and sure enough it is! I get chatting to the exhibitor who proceeds to tell me that she and her daughter travel to Australia regularly and visit the artists some of who include paintings by Dorothy Napangardi and Betty Mbitjana. Beautiful paintings.

Lake Zug

Lake Zug

Then following a walk along Lake Zug, I head to the Zug Bahnhof and catch the Number 11 bus to Schonegg. From there I take the funicular up Mount Zugerberg.  Unfortunately the hiking brochure isn’t in English, so I just pick a path and walk.  2 hours of utter bliss. Endless green fields, hills scattered with daisies, woods, wildflowers, views over the valleys and lakes, a random hiker here and there, outdoor bbqs scattered along the way and ultimately just pure pure peace and tranquillity.  Writing this now I wish I was back there.

View of Zug from Mount Zugerberg

Animals carved in wood along the trail

One of the views on the walk

The hills are alive....

On the way back, I get off just after the Casino Theatre stop as it’s the closest one to the hotel. Wandering back through the old town roads, I find a nice quiet spot along the lake and enjoy a well deserved sandwich and cappuccino.

I thoroughly recommend Zug as a place to visit if you’re ever in Switzerland.