Europe - Days One and Two

Here are the journal entries for the first two days of my trip. I'll upload some photos when I am a little less jet-lagged!

Day One: December 31, 2008

Which day it currently is depends on which time zone one places claim to. Currently, I am flying at approximately 35,000 feet – somewhere over the Atlantic. It is 9:00 p.m. EST and 3 a.m. local time…I suppose I should claim a time somewhere in between. For the sake of the chronological order of my journal, I am going to hold claim to the 31st.

By now it should be more than obvious that I am on a plane…if not, we have bigger problems than my trying to determine which day it is. So, I am one a plane – United Flight 0936 departing from Washington, D.C. en route Zurich, Switzerland. My first international flight. Some observations:

The plane is much larger than I am accustomed…generally I am flying on puddle jumpers. Airlines prefer to call them “shuttles”, but lets be honest.

I’ve actually never been on a plane with a first class cabin…I must admit being a bit green when I walked through it on my way to my seat.

Economy Plus is nice…I don’t think I’d ever pay for it, but I somehow ended up with extra leg room and despite my vertically challenged state, I appreciate the plane gods contribution to my travels.

I’m obsessed with the map on the seatback in front if me that tells me where we are…the person who invented this idea must have been equally inquisitive.

The food, well, not so hot…both literally and figuratively. Cold unidentifiable pasta, brown lettuce (which I think was supposed to be considered a salad), and a horrible roll (honestly didn’t think you could ruin a roll, but hey, this trip is all about learning new things)…yum.

My seat partner is a sweet, approximately 80 year old woman, she actually reminds me of Sophia from the Golden Girls. She only speaks French and well, let’s be honest, my knowledge of that language is severely wanting. I did manage “merci” when she let me up to use the lavatory.

So, those are the observations so far. I realize that this is probably too detailed and quite a bore to everyone else, but what can I say – I’m excited!

P.S. The exchange rate to the Euro…not so lovely. Much better to the Swiss Franc…good thing I was planning on buying lots of Swiss chocolate for everyone!

Day 2: January 1, 2009

Happy New Year! I believe that I chose a good day to attempt my first day abroad…things were rather quiet with, what I can only assume, everyone staying in after their long evening of celebration. I landed in Zurich relatively on time and after a quick freshen up headed directly to customs. I have to say, that flying in during the early morning hours was breathtaking. There is nothing quite like experiencing a sunrise from 35,000 feet. The view of the Alps is without question on of the most lovely sights I have ever laid eyes on. After receiving my first stamp in my passport (hard to express my elation at this!), I encountered my first problem…calling home. Apparently not all payphones accept the Swiss version of a 1-800 number. Where may I ask are you supposed to use a calling card if not at a payphone? Anyway, the first call home ended up being short and sweet – due to my having to use my credit card at who knows what fee (the directions were in German). After checking in with Mom, I headed to the train station so that I could catch a ride downtown.

Once reaching downtown, which was surprisingly easy, I stored my luggage and headed out to explore the city. My first thought was that the weather was surprisingly mild – warmer than that which I experienced while home for the holiday. The tour that I planned was walking heavy, but considering having been on a plane for the previous eight plus hours, the exercise was more than welcome.

My sightseeing began at Hauptbahnhof, the central train station, and continued down Bahnhofstrasse, which is lined with trees and some of the world’s most prosperous banks and luxury shops – the banks were stamped with “private banking” and the stores included Tiffany and Co, Hermes, Cartier, Louis Vutton, and many more.

Some additional sites along the way included:

Pestalozzi Park: this wasn’t the most beautiful sight that I’d ever seen, but the statue in the middle of the park was of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, an educational reformer who influenced school standards in the United States. I felt somewhat obligated to take a photo.

Paradeplatz: This is the hub of Zurich and the central tram interchange. In the 18th Century, it was a cattle market.

Burkliplatz: On the shore of Lake Zurich, this is the point where the Limmat River empties into the lake. This square overlooks Quaibrucke, a bridge across the Limmat that connects the left bank with the right.

Next, I headed towards Altstadt (Old Town)…I’d have to say that this was my favorite park. The combination of beauty and history made this a valuable excursion. Some of the sites included:

Fraumunster: This church has stood on this site since 853, when it was a covenant for noblewomen. Just outside the church I met a woman who saw that I was taking multiple pictures and reading off a list. This seemed to amuse her, but apparently she had time to spare and her amusement proved to be worthwhile for me. She offered to bring me inside the church and went on to describe the works on Chagall, the stained glass artisan, who apparently completed the stain class for this church when he was in his mid to late 80s. Amazing. The scenes are simply astonishing. I cannot ever begin to describe their vitality.

Lindenhof: To get here I had to climb narrow medieval alleyways…I’m not sure which I appreciated more, the journey or the destination as both were incredible. Lindenhof was one the site of a Celtic and later a Roman fort. Additionally, it offered a good view of the medieval old quarter, which rises in layers on the right bank.

Weinplatz: The site of the Corn Exchange until 1620 and presumably the oldest market square in Zurich …it is quite unremarkable…I actually walked through it before I realized that I had passed something.

After reaching the water, I turned around and retraced my steps…shockingly surprised that I had not once gotten lost. Thanks Frommer’s! Back at the train station, I grabbed a sandwich, paid 2 francs to use the water closet, retrieved my luggage, and headed for the train that was to take me to Salzburg, Austria. I cannot even begin to tell you the fear that I had of getting on the wrong train…the amount of times I rechecked the signage and schedules is innumerable. Not that this was incredibly helpful – everything was in German (ok…some English, but not much!). I guess we will find out at 7:30, when I am supposed to be arriving…if I’m not in Salzburg I’ll know that I took the wrong train!

A note about the train ride, and then I’ll conclude for the day. I guess I’ve never really taken a train…not for any significant distance anyway…it isn’t a bad way to travel. Perhaps my opinion is jaded considering the scenery is absolutely indescribable. The tracks cut through the middle of the mountains and are lined with quaint little towns…some of which climb the sides of the cliffs. I am most definitely happy with my decision to take the train as opposed to flying…when else would I get to experience this?