The Festive Season in Europe: Day 2

Today we spent the day in Zurich. Our Viking tour has officially started. Breakfast is served in the hotel. I’m reminded of my mom as there is an assortment of eggs, cold cuts, cheese, pickles!, and pretzels. It’s early: 7:30 am and we are meeting our tour at 8:20. The Viking rep hands out listening devices which we keep until the end of the trip.

The tour starts with a boat cruise on Lake Zürich. It’s a sunny but chilly day. We are hopeful to see the mountains, but much like the Rockies, conditions have to be ideal. So far the misty fog lingers up high. The boat cruise is approximately 1 hour. We sit at a table with a couple from Georgia.

After the cruise, we start a walking tour of the medieval section of Zürich with our guide. She’s from Taiwan, but married a Swiss and speaks several languages. Her English is excellent.

The first thing on the tour, Rudy discovers the toilets. He’s always called it the Pissoir. He’s delighted to be validated. Toilets here are pay if you wish. You need Swiss franc coins.

The view from the bridge crossing the Rhine is beautiful.

Yes. I have a cold sore. In spite of meds and salves it’s still visible. But luckily not a crater.

Churches are abundant and this one was commissioned by Charlemagne.

The flag of Zürich is blue and white signifying the water and the snow capped mountains.

There is mostly no traffic in the old town (Aldstatt) and Christmas decor is everywhere.

The old town was originally settled by Romans as a walled city strategically located overlooking the area. This is a replica of a tombstone of a small child dating back to 300 ad.

To reach the top of the walled area we must climb a steep area by cobbled street and stairs. In olden times the road would be used by horses etc so many of the homes had built in shoe scrapers at their door. Only residents can drive in this area.

We make our way back down. The pole with steps is for cats!! they can climb out the apartment window and roam the streets 💗

The clock tower has a small window which is the fire watchers residence. His job was to observe the city and be on the lookout for fires (the biggest threat to medieval buildings)

A typical chocolatier. The method of melting chocolate was created by Rudolf Lindt and they added extra ingredients to stretch the product because cocoa was expensive.

A few more interesting tidbits from the tour: Zürich university is where Albert Einstein studied. There are over 20 Nobel prize winners from the university. You take your undergrad degree in German, but if you pursue a Masters or Doctorate it’s in English.

Charlemagne built a church for his two daughters.

There’s a women’s only swimming area on the Rhine. It includes a change house with washrooms, a sun deck and access to the water. Tops are optional so interested people can observe from the other bank of the river.

Zürich has 26 Kantons (districts). Each has its own government so laws vary in each one. Voting is held often to decide on various issues. If you can get 100K signatures in favour of something, it will be voted on.

The transit system is on the honour basis. There are machines everywhere to purchase tickets. Machines will allow you to choose a language. Then you purchase a ticket. From time to time a transit agent will ask to see your ticket.

There are no homeless. They are taken to a shelter or hospital for treatment.

There are thousands of secret bunkers in the country in case of nuclear war. In the event of an invasion, there are explosives buried around the perimeter of the country that will implode as needed making entry by land impossible.

Crime is virtually non-existent.

After the walking tour, we return to the hotel to freshen up (Rudy needs a nap). Later in the afternoon we take the tram to the main train station where there is a Christmas market and the main shopping street. Bahnhof Strasse is jam packed with shoppers taking advantage of the Sunday sales (normally Sunday is sacred; you can’t even make any noise!). Smoking is available anywhere outdoors and there are ashtrays everywhere. And tons of dogs! If you have a dog you can buy an annual transit pass for them. 💗

Everyone is respectful and helpful. And they all speak English.