Zurich Recap

Written August 25, 2006

So... I left off in Munich. Next stop was Zurich (or more specifically,> Stäfa), my former home of 5 years, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There we thoroughly enjoyed all of the things that had been missing on our trip: fine food, fine wine, fine parties, fine sleep. And more fine sleep. After being warmly welcomed into the home of our old neighbor and family friends, Bruno and Ruth, all we could do was stare off of their balcony at what must have been one of the best views in Stäfa, overlooking the Zeurisee (lake Zurich) and Luzern-- or what Bruno called "the sink" of the area (behind the "cold coast"), as they apparently take all the rain away from the "gold coast", when we were staying. I cant help to wonder whether the US referrs to Seattle as "the sink" as well. Regarless, we still experienced rain, and still went swimming in it... and then sprinted back to our unsheltered clothes in time enough that they were not completely soaked yet.

Of course, a trip to Switzerland is not a trip to Switzerland if you havn't seen the Alps. After seeing those babies I was almost convinced that I was> not living anywhere else in the world ever again. Only problem is that one I am not a farmer, and two I am not a billionaire. So, unless I learn how to speak flawless swiss german and somehow manage to get a job up there, I dont see that happenning anywhere in the near future.

We were also fortunate enough to arrive just in time for the Zurich street parade, a once a year event drawing millions of partiers from around Europe in their most outrageous clothing to dance for hours in the street, fore and behind semi trucks towing trailers full of more dancing people, including a trailer for the local strip club. It would be a lye to say that people weren't excited about that one... One of Bruno's coleagues from Florida invited us to come along to their annual street parade party, hosted in their 4 or 5 star hotel, and catered by their personal waiter, who flawlessly made a point to keep our champaign glasses full and to keep food on our plates at all times. Of course, parties lasted until all hours of the night, even including one at the train station (which, of course, I went to as well). The night I spent with my old childhood friend, Daniella, and her friends. I even met a swiss guy who was attending UW in the fall! Imagine the odds of that, will ya? And so, I went about my duty as a husky and informed him of cheers, rules, etc. Can't leave a guy hanging around Seattle with an umbrella and looking like a foreigner... Once again, I must continue later. Need to go eat lunch at the student caffeteria here in Karlsruh, Germany! Bet you've never heard of it, have you? Thats what I thought. Me neither before we came here. Maybe Ill continue this later today, maybe when we get to Romania (tomorrow or the next day) where internet (and the cost of living) is DIRT cheap. Yay for being poor and stinky!