#bolugoestoswiss: Zurich

Ah Zurich. Z-Town. Future New Home.

After going back twice a month apart, I can say that I am in love with this town. From roaming around the posh Bahnhofstrasse, being amazed by the 3 churches, enjoying the view from Lindenhof park, or just getting lost in translation at Coop & Migros (their supermarkets), the town is plain amazing.

View of Zurich from Lindenhoff

Zurich HB Train Station

Be prepared to be swooned by posh brands

 

The 3 Churches: (l-r) Grossmunster, Fraumunster & St. Peter

The 3 Churches in the gloom

Even Zurich has their locket bridge!

Lindenhof Park

Zurich Yacht Wine Tasting! 

The French guy on the left is Jeremy, Rob's coworker. Expert in wine!

There is such more than this to Zurich. Pictures can't justify!

Tips:
* If you're planning to be there for 1-3 days, get the Zurich 24 or 72 hours pass! It's worth it. It covers intercity trains, cable cars/trams, busses, water taxies AND museum entrances.
* Zurich is very litter-free. You will see recycle bins and trash bins everywhere. Near markets, the bins are segregated into types (i.e: wine bottles, beer bottles, plastic, batteries, etc).
* When you go shopping for groceries, it's smart to bring your own reusable bags. They do supply plastic bags, but they are the thin, cheap ones that rip easily. Also you bag your own groceries.
* Sunday is considered "resting day" and if you're stuck with no food or in need of emergent groceries, Zurich HB's ShopVille is open 7 days a week. I warn you, their Coop/Migros will be jam-packed with people!
* Go grab some to go food, a bottle of some brewskies, and head on to the Lake. Bring some extra bread and feed the swans and ducks. Entertainment for days... yet so peaceful.
* Thirsty? Carry around an empty bottle and refill them with waters from any fountain around town! They are drinkable! Oh and super fresh!

I was in Zurich last year and was really impressed with this amazing town. Who would've thought that I will reside there next year?!

More Switzerland towns coming up!

Tschüss,
Rima

Happy Weekend

Hello! Grüezi! Guten Tag!

I am still fighting the jet lag (9 hr difference!) and I was texting the Pillow regarding his bet.

The bet was made while having beer at this fun beer garden, Frau Gerold Garten, a walking distance from his apartment, by his coworkers. They shook on it. It was witnessed. We all went "WHOAAA". The bet was for him to wear his Lederhosen to work on Friday. And he delivered.

I'm so proud of this man. I probably wouldn't do it. Haha... After he shook on it that's when he realized, "Oh man... I didn't think about the train ride!" because he takes the train to work. If only I was there to witness it. 

Anyways, happy weekend. Even though I work this weekend while Rob is in Munich with his coworkers for Oktoberfest (hence the Lederhosen), I know I'm gonna be with fun coworkers tomorrow. #moneyonmymind

Now that picture makes me want pretzels and beer.

xoxo,

Rima

#boluineurope: Zurich

Ah part 1 of my recent quicky vacation to good ol' Europe. Who would've thought that I would be hitting Europe for the second time in 1 year. I would never imagine that in years.

The benefit of dating a working man that travels is milage points. The Pillow aka #TheTravelingPillow has racked up so many miles within this past year, he gladly let me use his points (aka I forced him too, hehe). We are both proud members of United's MileagePlus and Star Alliance, so we tend to stick with the group (plus a family member of mine is a steward for United Airlines). So while the Pillow was sent again for his 2nd Euro trip for work for another 2 weeks, I decided to tag along for about a week.

Free flight... Can't say no, eh? Well, it's not so free since I paid the differences in taxes, but I would still considered free since I only paid less than $250 for a round trip flight. Woo. PLUS, I only had to pay for accommodation for 2 nights (those were the nights were I was alone without him). Consider that a steal.

Anyways, I woke up every morning to a different city and I think that was pretty rad.

So for my first stop: ZÜRICH, Switzerland!

The weather was nice, the view of the WATER from Lake Zürich was amazing... (the only water view I see in SoCal is from the beach, which is like a 50 minute drive for me). Being surrounded by historical and old buildings was fascinating.

The night prior of my walk-around, I stayed in a living room at an apartment from Airbnb. As I arrived from the airport, getting lost for like 1 hour, getting confused because everything was in Germany, and almost getting on to the wrong train, I was relieved when I finally got to the Zürich HB train station and hopped on to the tram that took me to the apartment. I was seriously sweatin on a cold night. Nevertheless, just seeing the city thru the tram windows was awesome.

So anyways let's get back to awesome Zürich. Good thing about Zürich HB train station, they have lockers to drop off your luggages so you can roam around the city. I find that highly convenient. After locking up my luggage, I head out and admire the beautiful city.

I downloaded the PocketGuide app and used that as my audio guide and map for Zürich. It came in really handy.

Seeing the lake and rivers filled with swans was amazing. Rarely I've seen swans in the States, it really brought that European vibe thru out this day trip. The people were friendly, walking around, doing their own thing. Lots of people were just sitting by the water, either enjoying their lunch, reading, chit-chatting with their partner or just literally admiring the beauty of the city.

Despite being the biggest city in Switzerland, there was just some peacefulness to the place. I believe its due to being surround by clear blue water, just floating around town.

After my full admiration to beautiful Zürich, I had to catch a train and head on over to my next stop, Neuchâtel, another lake town where the Pillow has been residing for the week.

Til then,
Rima

PS: Please visit Gula&Garam for my food blog/recipes. New entry: Foods of Travel