|
 Why Switzerland offers something for today’s hoops player
By Jeremiah Boswell
It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day when I arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, to begin the season with my new team. With all my worldly possessions (two suitcases), I went with my coach to my new apartment. Much to my surprise, the apartment was not only really nice, but had a stocked refrigerator, too. It was all I needed to get excited about the upcoming season.
Without fail, every team in the world (and I mean that) manages to schedule a practice two hours after I arrive. So, in typical fashion, the alertness attained from being in a new place faded when it was time to hit the gym.
For our team, preseason meant early morning jogs to the track, followed by footwork drills, sprints and a great variety of push-ups, sit-ups and other muscle numbing exercises. The practices on the court, which began in the evening, consisted of high intensity drills and run the gamut from 1-on-1, to defensive shell. As the days turned into weeks, and fatigue turned into exhaustion, our coach decided we should spend some time together off the court.
A boat ride on Lake Geneva was just what the doctor ordered. We began in the city of Nyon and headed south to Geneva, spending quality time laughing and hanging out together. The team’s board members had arranged the outing, which gave us a chance to mingle with them. Along the way, we were in awe of the presence of the Swiss Alps and the powerful Mont Blanc, as we headed toward the signature fountain in downtown Geneva.
In a blink, preseason was over, and the real deal began. As expected, I learned a few things about Switzerland during our first road trip. Similar to the boat ride, the bus trip offered some amazing views of the lake, Alps and vineyards. We were leaving Geneva, the French-speaking portion of the country, and heading for Fribourg, the German-speaking region. The following week, we would play in Vacallo, the Italian-speaking region, so I brushed up on my non-existent French, German and Italian.
The game was a typical tough road game against a team that was expected to win the league. We battled hard and fought through the first game jitters to find ourselves down by two after the first quarter.
Even though the gyms in Switzerland are not enormous arenas, the fans fill the seats and create a raucous environment. Play calls are commonly engulfed by the sound of beating drums, foghorns or chants. I later learned that the cash bar, available at every game, might have aided their “spirits.”
We were never able to gain the momentum and went on to lose the game. But the day’s lessons were not over. Immediately after the game, the teams lined up and presented a “Player of the Game” award for both teams. These awards ranged from a bottle of champagne to random hair products.
 Another big surprise was the Swiss McDonald’s experience. Remember, international McDonald’s are not the same as in America. With the 20 Swiss Francs I received from my team, I planned to eat simply (and healthier) when I got home. So I saved some money. I shouldn’t have.
There is no “dollar menu” in Switzerland. In fact, there is nothing that would even qualify for a “$3, $4 or $5 dollar menu.” A standard value meal – burger, drink and fries – cost about $13. The Big Mac alone costs $6.
And yet, the burger choices were entertainingly unique. Since we were near Germany, they offered a McRosti, a burger featuring a thick layer of potatoes, which clearly “Germanized” the meal. Not to be outdone, the Swiss presented an equally distinctive option, and my personal favorite, the McFondue burger.
Always up for the temptation of trying new things, I went for the McFlurry. But this was no ordinary McFlurry. It was made with the European Magnum ice cream and chocolate brand. Delicious!
My total was $17 (not to mention thousands of calories). But it was a one-time monetary and dietary splurge that is all a part of the journey of Switzerland.
To be continued! OC
|
