RANDOM CRAP FOUND IN GENEVA AND SURROUNDING AREAS CAPTURED ON MY CAMERA PHONE: SPECIAL FOOD EDITION
So usually this uh...featured blog is used to illustrate random and fun things I've found in Geneva and surrounding areas. Things that are spotted at times when I'm not acting like a tourist, things are completely different culturally or amazingly similar (as my one Brazillian friend put it 'thats the globalization for you').
This blog is special, because the random crap I'm about to show you is all food related. Now, Geneva doesn't have all that different food. You have your produce, you're overpriced meat, snacks that come in different packaging but are generally the same, and of course, your chocolate and your fondue. Nothing too special or culture-shocking. But sometimes, all it takes is the little differences to make something wonderful and blog worthy.
Quite possibly the strangest thing you will come upon in Geneva and surrounding areas, is the toothpaste-like mustard and mayonaise holders. Actually, toothpaste tubes are used to hold a lot of sauces and condiments here. At first its quite disconcerting to see. I mean, it looks rather industrial almost, and I was in fear of contamination. But, then you become in desperate need for a tuna sandwich or mustard on your hot dog and well...you get used to it, I guess.
Now I know that this doesn't look at all appealing...but I was speaking of hot dogs. And street meat, while costing about 5 francs (thats like, 5 dollars at home, the dollar and franc are practically on par) and while looking strange, taste quite great. Anyways, how they do street meat is interesting: Take a baguette, drill a hole in it, squirt ketchup in the bottom, put over sized hot dog inside - eat.
I suppose Easter is a big deal around here. No not because christ has died, christ has risen, christ will come again. Because of the sheer amount of Chocolate the Swiss get to make. Now see, before I left for Canada for my triumphant return home (for ten days) Steph and I went to Manor so I could pick up some presents (cough cough - chocolate presents). And on our way out we decided to get chocolate soup (remember, the melted chocolate bar that Europeans try to pass off as hot chocolate). Well while waiting in line at the chocolate counter (yes, that exists in a department store) I turn around to see Steph staring at a giant chocolate bunny - BIGGER THAN HER. She was in awe. I mean, she had spent quite a bit of time ping-ponging back and forth between little chocolate ducks with egg hats and chocolate roosters "oooh look at this, ooh lets get this! I want to eat that!", but nothing quite grabbed her attention and held her still like this GIANT EASTER BUNNY. I had to call to her about three times before she was shook out of her daze (note: none of this has been an exaggeration, NONE) That girl found a home here, she certainly loves her chocolate as much as they do!
Speaking of snacks, let us take a moment to appreciate the best snack in North America: Oreo cookies. Oh yes, how I love those chocolate cookies that are brought together in perfect harmony with unknown white stuff. I love them oh so dear. Just not enough to spend 14.55 CHF on them. YA HEARD ME. 14.55 for a package of DOUBLE STUFF. I know those things are good, but seriously?!?! 14.55? Now mind you, this was found in the "American Store" - a store that sells American foods and treats at ridiculous prices (like cans of rootbeer for 3CHF or chef boyardi for like a million francs). The prices are probably due to them shipping the food regular styles and not like, bulk styles. But for serious...its ROBBERY I TELLS YOU! Who knows how much these things are now with inflation. Sheesh!
Now not all food in Geneva and surrounding areas is remarkably overpriced. Why, for just under or around 10CHF you can get a whole plate of food! Delicious meatballs with jam and fries and dessert and refillable drinks! All you have to do is take a half hour train to the nearest Ikea!
Now here's a tip for you all when you're traveling to French euro countries. If you want a diet coke, don't order a diet coke - order a coca-light. Yes thats right. Now I don't know if its a lost in translation thing, but they just don't say diet coke or whatever the French translation is on the bottles we get at home. No they call it coca-cola light, and pepsi-light. However, if you are ordering or purchasing or even just talking about said soft drink, you don't call it coca-cola light, just call it coca-light. They know what you're talking about when you say it. When you say diet coke they just stare at you blankly. Kind of like how you would stare at me if I said 'coca-light'. Kind of like that, yeah.
Chocolate. Cheese. Hazelnut. Marzipan. These are what make up Swiss desserts / snacks. Such as this pretty awesome marzipan elephant that Jean picked up at a little shop in February.Marzipan.
Elephant.
I think that says it all really.
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