SwissPats

Angelica Cipullo joined the SwissPats to discuss her website, Girlfriend Guide to Zurich. Cipullo co-founded the site to help guide and connect with English speaking expat women in the Zurich area. Check out her site at MyGirlfriendGuide.com. Also, Don and Suzi discuss how the American skipped Thanksgiving and the Australian embraced it, the stiff consequences of being a repeat speeder in Switzerland, the fate of those infamous payment slips and where you can find the world's best barista. And a big shout out to our friend A Shropshire Lad in Switzerland. You can find his page Facebook.com/shropshireladinswitzerland.

Wondering what to do this month in Switzerland? Fear not the SwissPats have you covered. In this inaugural episode Suzi and Don will break down all the top events that are happening this month in Switzerland and because it's December that means - Christmas markets! 

Ever wonder why dogs are so quiet and well-behaved in Switzerland? It’s because of people like this week's guest, Birgit Hilsbos, owner of DogTrainingSwitzerland.com. Suzi and Don also debate the special treatment Basel native Roger Federer allegedly receives on the ATP tour and where Switzerland ranks in life expectancy.

Sergio Lievano, an author, cartoonist and illustrator, joined the SwissPats to discuss his journey that began on his family's Colombian coffee farm and included a 10-year stint as an economist. You know, the traditional path for a best-selling author. Lievano has published seven books - five in Switzerland and two in Colombia - which can found at sergiojlievano.com. Don and Suzi also discuss a Facebook post about the police that earned an 18-year old a hefty fine, why a cheese maker in Emmental is experimenting with Led Zeppelin and A Tribe Called Quest and how electrical cars in Switzerland will sound different by the middle of 2019.

Suzi and Don stopped by Markthalle Im Viadukt in Zurich to sit down with Michael Jones, owner of the British Cheese Centre to talk all things, well, cheese. Don and Suzi also confront some of their biggest fears. For Don, it's talking about a cable car gondola falling 12 meters in Switzerland, and for Suzi, it's from a woman who received an interesting bill from the SBB that she forgot to pay.

Giulia Lori of LoriGio stops by the SwissPats. She explains what a mechanical engineer from Milan learned after living and working in more than five countries that has now led her to start a company aiming to deliver comfortable and affordable shoes for women. Don and Suzi also discuss why a Thurgau bar owner chose jail over paying a fine, where burglars are targeting expensive wine cellars and whether or not it's OK that a Zurich crematorium cashes in on Granny's ashes.

Suzi and Don welcome on Laure Dangla of BabySecrets.ch to talk about her role helping pregnant women with the knowledge, support and information to live a serene pregnancy. The SwissPats also celebrated their birthdays last week and with it the stark reality they are getting O-L-D. They offer an apology to Formula 1 driver and Zug resident Kimi Raikkonen, discuss the rising costs of apartment living and offer information on SBB’s new wi-fi policy for 2019.

New Zealand expat Dale Margison of Legends Pies joins SwissPats to discuss how lust brought him to Switzerland and how he went from an igloo maker to bringing a taste of home to Europe for expats from down under. Suzi and Don also discuss how a Formula 1 driver and Zug resident had trouble doing his job on a city street and how one hotel in Davos makes their not-so-hospitable rules known up front.

Nutritionist Gry Persson joins SwissPats to explain how she helps clients navigate a healthier lifestyle. SwissPats also discuss how a Swiss company found itself in hot water for posting a job ad that asked for an “uncomplicated woman.” Also, a man is on the lamb after failing to pay a 150 Swiss franc fine for failing to put a sticker on his trash.

Nike Ossler is new to Switzerland, but the Swedish expat has made herself at home finding work at a film studio and as a freelance photographer. She is seeking families in Switzerland for Dollar Street, a project that documents families throughout the world with pictures of their toothbrushes to their favorite pair of shoes. The SwissPats also discuss some urban legends — involving Napoleon, a butcher and foot ailments — and just how much con artists are ripping off the Swiss elderly.