The day started at about 7.30 for us as we both woke about the same time. Rüdi was not in the house so we began to find food for breakfast, but he arrived back with a bag of rolls. Then it was soon time to finish the packing, pack the laptop, and load the car. We drove into the city and round the Dom twice until we found a carpark building under the station. Then with Rüdi helping got the Eurail pass validated and seats allocated. Murray had carefully made it first class so the trip has been very comfortable. Back at the Bahnhof - then plan of the train was not quite how they hooked up the carriages. We thought we were on the first one behind the driver, but the train had been delayed and in hooking up the two trains, they put our car right in the middle. Thank goodness for Rüdiger, I was able to walk ahead to find the right place and he supported Denise and made sure we both got on the right carriage. Whew!
Changed at Mannheim with less hassle, except the platform showed a train at 12.37, which came and went and then ours arrived right on time and – here I am right up to date having stopped at Karlsruhe and just coming in to Baden-Baden, and the laptop power is about to go down!
Temperature outside is about 26º and very humid, so the air-conditioning is very lovely.
Hotel 2 Goldenes Schwert. (Golden sword – what could be more appropriate!)
Arrived at Zurich at 4 pm and after “advice” from a “helpful” young Swiss man with a rather large tummy, we walked down the strand beside the river to the Goldenes Schwert, a gay friendly hotel up a side alley with a niteclub and an all nite bar. It was a bit further than we had anticipated and when we reached the cobbled sector of town got a bit difficult with my bag train - the two cases joined together. We’re on the fourth floor. Its clean and well appointed and the receptionist, Stefan, is very helpful.
We’ve booked a trip to the Rheinfall tomorrow and will be away from here at 9. Had to change money and then back to the station to get some more, to find the cash machine delivered CHF when we were told we only had Euros on the Cash Card. Then it was walk back some and find some tea. Doner Kebaps and Pita wrap just down the alley from the hotel. Walked down to the Riviera and heard sounds and saw sights. A Classical accordion player, an African gospel group. Finished up at Starbucks, possibly the only smoke free coffee house in Zurich – lovely. Just don’t think that I’m going to do McDonalds and Burger King or Subway too!
On our way in got accosted by an earnest young man giving out leaflets attached to a male voice chorus singing earnest hymn type songs, all trying to save us poor sinners. Please - why on our street corner?
Arrived home to sort ourselves out for the morning. Thought about laundry till we saw the hotel charges – exorbitant – so we’ll probably find a laundromat somewhere.
Just had a ring from Kathrin and we’re off to their place tomorrow night for a BBQ.
Final impressions - noise and bustle, bells and people, laughter and clanging of pots and dishes and coffee cups fill the air in this neck of the woods.
It’s going to be a hot nite.
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