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Published: June 25th 2010
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And Then There Were Three....
With my cousin, Daniel and his girlfriend, Claire, I set off for Zurich again... Of course, the start to our day was not the best... albeit a highlight! We threw our stuff together and rushed out the door to catch the morning train, and just as we were getting our last bits together, we realized that we were not going to be able to make the train... so we had a back-up plan, the other train station was only about 10 minutes to walk, so we would have enough time to pick up some of the most delicious croissants known to man, and then walk to the next station for the next possible train. The only complication, our brilliant idea to take a short cut through a street that *should* lead directly to our destination. As the street dead-ended to a field, we continued with our bad decisions, and found a path (aka tire-track) through the field. Initially we thought out idea was a time saver, but soon the path was all but submerged in rain puddles and Dan and I were using our best (and slowest) footwork to avoid a banana-peel splat into the
mud... Claire opted for a different tactic, having chosen to wear flip-flops, and was barefoot, practicing her foot control slightly behind us. This game continued for what seemed like a long time - and in the end, it was. We all emerged from the field; with odd green stain marks splattered on all of our pants and mud caking our shoes/feet. We ran up to a local to check our time and realized the train was pulling up momentarily and we were far from the station... so we did the only thing that made sense, found our 'real' road, and made our way back to the house for a quick rinse, and then back to the original train station to catch the train an hour later.... slightly greener...
Once in Zurich, our directional ability changed, thanks to Dan's incredible sense of direction and we navigated our way through the city with ease. We were lured into camping and outdoor shops, and along river paths and into gardens. We wandered the old town, passing churches and following the lake as we wound through the cobble stone streets. In the afternoon, we jumped in a local market to pick up a
picnic lunch and then found an open park to people watch while we savoured our treats, and even managed to have a huge outdoor screed of the World Cup in the background, so we were informed of any goals by the cheers.
We spent more time wandering the streets, and pausing at the windows framing FIFA screens in action, and found our boat departure to get to another corner of Zurich. Being the longest day of the year, we had made the perfect plans... to eat at a blind restaurant, in the pitch-black! The boat cruised to another point where we paused in the 'china-garden' by the water, enjoying the harbour and live band playing by the park... piano and all!
Soon after we found ourselves hands-on-shoulder of the person in front, hesitantly scuffling our way into the dark restaurant. We had to pause and wait as the darkness increased, and then we were led into a pitch-black room. Immediately our senses went into overdrive. It was difficult not to giggle or comment about how vulnerable and accosting the sounds and feelings were. We were seated at a table with others, and all of the voices around carried
over to our table and we too found ourselves speaking louder to hear familiar voices. A few seconds after sitting I was poked in the eye by my lovely cousin, who was trying to reach over and tap my head. We all did some experimental 'seeing' with our hands, and felt where our plates and glasses were, while trying to orient ourselves in the imagined room....
We had an incredible dinner that really was such an experience, it is impossible to describe. I have to admit that my senses were heightened, but it could have been because the pasta dish had penne, mozzarella, and artichoke heart, and it was always a surprise to find out what found it's way onto your fork. I think that is the longest I have spent really savouring a meal, and slowly anticipating and enjoying the taste. It was also incredible disappointing when you were tuned into what could be sliding into your mouth on the next fork-full, and then to suck and empty fork. I have to admit, eating required patience and skill, and in the end, I opted to scoot my finger over the plate to locate what turned out to be
my two remaining penne’s.
Dessert was even more incredible. We ordered the "mystery dessert plate" with five house desserts and we all decided to share. I have no idea how Claire managed to be so skilled, but her ninja senses had her discovering and naming dessert after dessert while Dan and I fumbled and sloppily stabbed at the plate, trying to keep up. In the end, we managed to locate pineapple; orange sorbet, crème brulee, brownie, and one that was possibly vanilla pudding... still not 100% sure on that one... I would have loved to see the plate in the end!
Our dinner was so spectacular that time escaped us, and we soon found ourselves jogging back to the train, pausing for night photographs of the city, and trying to make up for all the time we were lost in the Blinekuh.
The next day we were off with a bit of a slow start given our late return the night before. Nonetheless, we were out the door and into the streets as the morning began to warm up. We followed the river and I showed Dan and Claire the dam, the bike paths, the river, and
love it!
(check out the size comparison to the bicycle!) eventually the hiking trails... oh, and did I mention... we were on bikes! Well, all I can say is that I opted to press on after Dan's hesitant suggestion to turn back... and so we all carried our bikes as we made our way up the slopes, so steep that forest stairs had been added... and after some serious hiking (I call it boot-camp biking when you have to carry your bike up as you go!) We were back on the clear cut bike trails running through the hills and along-side wineries... until again, I would lead us onto the 'wanderweg's' and we would be fighting to stay on our bikes (sometimes, in my case, my toppling over the bike entirely) and working our core stabilizers and arm muscles!
Eventually we did manage to find our first few stops, and we enjoyed the town of Egliseau and another picnic lunch. We continued on, enjoying the churches and towns we passed, and always getting closer and closer to Reinau. By late afternoon, Dan had taken over the directional aspect of cycling, and we were in better spirits, but then the signs led us off again, and when we finally stopped
to ask, and knew it was within half-an-hour to get there, we all opted to head back to Niederglatt so that we could cook a nice extravagant dinner and have time for Dan and Claire to pack up and rest a bit before the anticipated departure the next day. We paused for a refreshing beer and some delicious cookies to contemplate on our enjoyable ride, and then managed to find the signage for the national bike route, which made a nice, smooth, direct ride home... and we topped off the evening with some wine and an incredible meal before diving into our beds, anticipating the send-off to come...
More soon...
Trish xx
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Jay
Great Post!
I was just there a few weeks ago. Beautiful city, I had a blast.