November 30, 2015

This morning I had promised the kids they could sleep in – but for the love of humanity, at 11, I had to do a bit of rousing or we would never get going.  The housekeepers are already done by then, so I told them not to worry about us today. 

My big plan was to see Wasser Kirche today because I absolutely love the statue of Richard the Great (Richard the Lionhearted) which has been there since a super long time ago (1200s?  1300s? 1400s)?  Unfortunately when we got there, we saw that it was closed today.    Of course.  No matter, we shall go by quickly tomorrow morning – seeing it is that important to me.  We walked about Niederdorf one more time (well, we may walk there again tomorrow, who knows) and went to a café where Maggie presented me with an early birthday gift she found in the Christmas markets they had by the train station – a Turkish candle older .  

My gosh – what is there to do on such short days other than walk and eat?  My poor boy – that is all we have done here, other than a couple ice skating excursions.  Maggie is picking up on things – wanting to learn phrases so she can ask for things on her own. Ethan has also been saying “Danke” which is promising.  We went to Zeughauskeller, where William Tell’s crossbow is/was stored.  They had incredible Weinerschnitzel there, breaded veal, with lemon and delicious Pomme Frites.  Ethan just wanted his Marroni – so I gave him some money and he snuck some in.  This is where I’d be meeting Justin in a few hours, but I look at it as more recon (though I was here frequently for beer when I lived here).  Back in our part of town, we headed in to get all the chocolate for home at Migros.  If anything, the cheese, bread and especially the chocolate (for Girl, anyway) has made a huge impact.  Those food items will be my “carrot”.  As we were in line, I notice my 2 credit cards and driver’s license were missing from my wallet.  God dammit, it hurts to be in me, sometimes.  I didn’t have time to search, really, as I was meeting Justin, so I left some cash and the tram tickets for the kids and off I went.

I went back to Zeugkellerhaus and asked if my credit cards had been, per chance, found.  No.  Of course not.  Still, this is Switzerland, so I wasn’t as worried as had it happened in the U.S. where already a small fortune of items would have been, no doubt, purchased.  I saw Justin and time stood still.  It was absolutely as if it were 1986-7.  We had a terrific time talking about current time, the difference between CH and the US, kids, school, life.  It was terrific.  He treated me to dinner (which was a salad and mineral water as I’d just eaten their schnitzel) and then we walked over to the James Joyce Bar, a ritzy place in the banking section (where he is employed).  He recently moved back from the US and shall be a great source when I have questions.  This is something I have to at least try.  It may not work out as I think, but living here has been a dream for far too long.  

I headed back, where the kids had packed their items.  Sitting there on the bed, I looked down and…found the credit cards/license tucked between the two mattresses.  I don’t know why Universe plays these little tricks on me.  We managed to mostly pack everything. . Chances are we will have to reshuffle to redistribute the weight, or I’ll just pay a fortune again (chocolate instead of beer for friends, this time).  IT has been a dream.  Far too quick, but as wonderful as always.  Zürich – I’ll shall return.

Pictures:  Kids at the cafe;  Sammi Chlaus driving the tram; The balloon that stopped BahnhofStr; Justin & me; Ethan ponders this morning - our last in Zurich *until we return*.