Off to Zurich

On the road again. This time to Zurich. Swiss Air is my favorite airlines, they give you chocolate when you board, nothing beats that.

TIme for the first snowball of the season but by the time we got to town there was no more snow.

We arrived around 5:00 and it was already dark. We sorted out the train from airport to downtown and was it smooth and efficient. I was a little worried when the ticket only lasted a hour but little did I know the trains ran all the time. So once we found the right train going the right direction we were all good.

Our hotel was a couple blocks from the train station, The Walhalla. They said it was upgraded room and the latest in electronic state of the art. Well it was a classic small Swiss room, spartan, IKEA furniture and an incredible electronic, interactive, stereo, set up. Kirk was going to have a field day. It even had virtual reality headset. Way over my head. It was all in German. 

We set out for the Christmas market and were really impressed.  

Found a great chocolatier. I asked the young lady what was the best dark chocolate with nuts and I thought she pointed at the guy that was right outside the door and I said, dark, chocolate, tall, handsome and a little nuts, I will take him. I ended up with dark chocolate with hazelnuts, delicious.

There was a singing Christmas Tree that was wonderful. Over 8 tiers but of singers stacked on top of each other in the shape of a Christmas tree with a star at the top. They were singing carols in English, a little strange but rather nice.

The decorations all over town were astonishing, twinkle lights everywhere, magical.

We arrived back at the hotel covered in cheese and mustard but boy was the brats and fondue delicious. The fondue was interestingly prepared, a french baguette with the center hollowed out and filled with melted raclette cheese, every time you bit into it , you got a jet of cheese out the other side , very glamorous on your scarf, pants and it even hit my shoes. The gloves were goners. Then there was the mustard on the brats, we did not have a chance.

We had a struggle nights sleep due to single pillows and only one comforter. We were both viaing for the covers. Hopefully tonight will be better.

We went off to Old Town and it was beautiful, with the river running through the middle of town and the old buildings gracing the squares. Every tower had a clock on it surprise surprise, we are in Switzerland. Also every church tower had a clock on it, don't be late for church.

The Krausthaus was overwhelming. The most diverse collection of art I have seen in a museum. I simply loved, Monet, Dega, Kandinsky, Renior, and one Salvador Dali. Introduced to the Dada art, very different.

We managed to get to the Chagal Church to see the stain glass windows but come to find out that it was closed and only way to get in was to go to a concert. So we got in line for the concert. The strange thing that happened next was weird. As we were asking the ticket seller for a ticket a scalper came up and asked if we wanted cheaper tickets, this was strange but we said yes and got out of line. Not sure if it is legal in Switzerland. Then Kirk did not have the correct change so he got back in line to get change, really weird. The scalper was one of the choir members that was singing that night.

The Chagal church windows were beautiful and concert was a full orchestra and choir, beautiful music. It was very cold by the time we left but well worth it. My toes were numb.

Enjoyed the lights as we walked back through the Christmas Markets to the Walhalla.

As we caught the train to our next stop it started to snow, everything was covered in white and the snow was perfect for a snowball fight. Unfortunately when we had to change trains we were late and had to run, not even time for a snowball and by the time we got off the bus the snow was gone. Interesting also is that the fountians here run all year. Curious!!!!

One thing that is very interesting about Europe, anytime you feel homesick not only do you just listen to the news from the USA, that will immediately make you not want to return and keep up the Canada accent but the radio. If you listen to the radio you would not believe you are anywhere but USA, it is all American songs , that is until the DJ comes on and you have no idea what they are saying.

The small town of Brugg which was our next stop was a quaint small village decorated for Christmas. Train station, shops and hotel all within walking distance. I loved the coffee cup I got for breakfast, one bubble off, I felt at home.

  Auf Wiedersehen!