Summer is only just over a month old and already I have had enough. Enough heat, enough salad, enough cold chicken, enough ice cream.

Now for all you summer lovers this may come as a surprise to learn that there are people like me who just literally detest summer. Having been born and raised in a hot, dry, arid and altogether unpleasant climate in the far, dry west of Australia, I have to tell you I have seen and felt enough boiling sunshine, hot sand and salt water to last a life time.

Since my accidental transportation and relocation to Switzerland I have been in my absolute element enjoying the comfort and epicurean delights of bitingly cold winters, chilly springs and crisp, golden autumns. But the summer still sucks.

So from late June through to the end of August I remain in a grumpy mood as I wait for September to herald the start of my nine months of bliss. The big, big, big event on my personal calendar is the start of the ‘chasse’ or hunting season in late September. Not because I like hunting at all, but I do like the end result on my plate and I munch away heartily in the full knowledge that my meal of wild pig and fruits confirms that at last the hot days of summer are just a memory.

Damn. Still two more months of sweating to suffer.

Derek's Vandal Blog
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It is easy to understand that when people think of Switzerland, they think of snow, glaciers, mountains, yodelling, chocolate and watches. A winter wonderland full of little chalets that look like cakes covered in white icing. Children skating on frozen lakes and families gathered around the dinner table eating fondue while the fireplace glows red with its warmth.

But how many think about Switzerland in summer? What do the Swiss do when there is no snow, green grass, sunshine, hot days and long warm twilight evenings?

Well, if you don’t know. I’ll tell you.

They all go to music festivals! Between June and August every year Switzerland is full to the brim of music festivals of all sizes, varieties and musical themes. From small village festivals lasting one or two days, set in the gardens of a small vineyard, to week long mega festivals such as Paleo and the Montreux Jazz Festival.

While concerts are of course performed all year round in Switzerland in concert halls and similar venues, it is the summer festival season that attracts the crowds. One example of the popularity is the Paleo Festival. This year, when the tickets went on sale, they sold out in less than an hour. And that was for 35,000 tickets for each of the 6 days of the festival!

So what is the attraction? It is simple. To enjoy the warm evenings in a sociable atmosphere of good music, good wine, good food and good friends. Could one ask for more?


Derek's Vandal Blog
www.derekhaines.ch
Derek on Twitter
Derek's Author Page