March 16, 2009
"First Day in the Office"
When you have a fully automatic espresso maker, made by NesCafe and fed by espresso bullets sitting on the end of your desk row, you can't possibly resist being highly caffienated throughout the day. That was my state on my first day in the office, which helped me process the volume of new information and stimulus entering my newly Swiss imprinted brain.
The first one was waiting on my desk the moment I sat down, the second came at 9:30am during our coffee break in the lobby cafe, with a croissant chaser, the third after lunch, and so on, you get the picture...please don't hate me espresso-loving friends and family. This is Switzerland afterall, I have to adopt their customs for survival! Good thing I started my day with some hearty oatmeal.
The office was great, I met Urs partner Patrick Lafferma and the rest of the team, and I survived the Swiss-German introductions one by one without incident. Then it was time to work and time to learn about my job. By the end of the day I was filled with espresso as well as a wealth of information our the three software platforms our team oversees: Mocca, Mumps, and Modea. No, the first one isn't named after the coffee drink, but it could be!
Lunch was in the employee restaurant, where there is a huge Swiss-style salad bar full of interesting choices, two set noveau Swiss entree offerings, and a buffet with traditional Swiss lunch foods, which I chose, following suite with my coherts. Saucy, meaty, and delicious. I learned that if you choose from the buffet or salad bar they charge you according to the weight, using a scale next to the cashier. For the entrees you pay a fixed price. Tomorrow I'll take a little less, it's not like an American buffet, but I was hungry today and the amount was just right. The price? About 12 Francs. Go to www.xe.com for currency conversions.
The cafeteria, which wraps around the entry lobby to the Swisscom office building, has a very modern high tech feel.
Even a game room is available near the cafeteria if you need a break to clear your mind!
After leaving the office I have a short 2-3 minute walk to the bus stop, followed by a 5-10 minute ride home. Along the way you can see the Crocus coming into full bloom as spring works its way through the quickly disappearing snow. Still, they say it can snow on and off throughout April.
Dinner I basically skipped, nibbling on some hazelnut yogurt after arriving back at my flat from downtown Bern, where I had walked right after getting home. It was a beautiful evening and I watched the sun set over the city and the river Aare, lighting up the backdrop of the Alps with rosy light on the snow. Nice evening to you too, wherever you may be.
