We woke up at the crack of dawn Saturday morning and left our house at 4:30AM! (Thankfully our host mom drove us so we didn't have to try to catch the trams or buses!) Then we hopped onto a bus that would take us to the Köln/Bonn Airport, which was a rather uneventful 30min ride. We checked in, and blew through security without a problem. After a quick 1hr flight, we landed in the pristine and wonderful land of the Swiss! Without a clue where to go, we bought a Zurich pass and hopped on the first bus. We met a really nice lady who showed us what train to take to get to the center of town. Since we had no game plan, we decided to try to find some lunch (even though it was only 10am). McDonalds was literally the only place open, and quickly became our top hang out spot. (A McNug meal was still close to $10 though!) After McDonalds we wandered out to the tram stop having decided we wanted to visit the Botanical Gardens. Apparently we looked pathetic enough that this man, Roger Huber walked up and offered us some assistance. (This moment was the turning point of our trip, and was perhaps the sole reason our trip was such a success!) He quickly told us that the botanical gardens would be a waste of our time and offered to show us around himself since he had time to spare. So we hopped on a tram and followed him to different part of the city by the "100 year old bridge." We went in this really awesome, completely indoor market place, where everything was handmade! Rodger bought us two homemade chocolate bars to split and try! (This was only the beginning of a 200Frank bill he would ring up by the end of our little excursion.) And of course while I'm wandering around looking at fragile things, my backpack manages to bump into a vinegar bottle and smash it on the ground... I was mortified! But Roger wouldn't let me pay for it, and told the shop owner that he would come back later. We were pretty shocked when the owner just smiled and said "ok" and waved us on.. (our first hint that perhaps Roger was someone special.) Then we walked down almost the whole length of the "100yr old bridge" which had a different shop under between each arch support, it was super neat! Then Roger showed us the Freitag store which sells bags, purses, wallets, etc. made from old canvas-like material. They were super cool, but SUPER expensive! Haha Plus the Freitag store was made up of old train cars stacked on top of eachother which was really neat, and it was right next to the tallest "sky scraper" in Zürich. Of course where else would we go next, but to the top of that sky scraper! We walk into Clouds, (the name of the building) and check our coats at the bottom floor. Gorgeous does not even begin to describe this building! Everything was marbled or glass, and the lighting was so unique and everything was so clean and perfect, it was AMAZING. Then we hopped into the mirrored elevator and took it to the (54th?) floor, where we got out and went into the coffee shop there. It HAD to be a private coffee shop, everything was so nice, and new, and did I mention EXPENSIVE? There we took a bunch of pictures, and Roger bought us all a cup of tea (which was DELICIOUS!!!) and three different pieces of cake to try. (Apple, Poppy Seed, and Chocolate, NOMMM) When we finished our tee we started discussing where we would like to eat that night, and Roger decided to make some recommendations, and then decided to go ahead and show us how to there. So we hopped on the tram again back to the main part of town. When we walked through the main train station, Roger had to stop and buy us some macaroons to try, which, might I add, were possibly the BEST little snack things I've EVER had! :D I guess on our way to the restaurants, Roger decided he might as well show us the city, and we basically got a private tour of the whole city! It was so amazing, and Zürich was so beyond beautiful! He led us to a fondue place so we could make reservations (which thank GOD we did not keep,) and showed us another restaurant that wouldn't allow us to make reservations. (We actually ended up eating at the second restaurant that night!) After finding the restaurants, Roger showed us a few more places in the city, like one of the famous churches and then decided to let us part ways so we could go check in at the hostel. We were so lucky to have run into such an amazing person, and our first day in Zürich literally could not have gone any better!
After checking in to our hostel (which was probably around 3-3:30pm) we unloaded our stuff, and then decided to go for a hike. (We could see this huge mountain through our window, and Zach decided he could see a trail leading up it and that we should try to hike to it.) I was sooo tired, but am soo grateful that I went! We found our way through the streets toward the mountain, found a way to cross the multiple lane highway, and the found a trail on the other side. The snow was so fresh and thick by the trail! So of course we had to stop and make snow angels! (well Nicole, Laura, Lauren, and Zach did!) Then Jake had the great idea that I should tackle Lauren into the snow, which I did, which then turned into a massive tackle war, and no one was safe! It was such a blast! We probably only hiked about a mile up the trail, but the sun was starting to go down and we didn't want to get stuck out there in the dark. So after attempting and finally getting a couple successful group pictures (by carefully placing the camera on a fallen tree) we decided to head back. When we got back to the hotel we cleaned up and dried off a bit (my jeans were SOAKED from rolling around in the snow!) and decided to wander back into town for dinner. We decided to go ahead and try Zeughauskeller Restaurant since it was the only place we actually knew of, and Roger had highly recommended it. The place was PACKED, but they hostess told us that we would have a table shortly, so we decided to wait. (Apparently we got really lucky because a family of about 7 came in 5min after us and were told they would have over an hour wait.) Then the most awkward thing happened.....we got seated at a table with an old Swiss man who was trying to finish his food... we couldn't really decide how to sit since someone would have to sit right next to him, so of course I just slid in beside him. Zach sat down next to me and tried to say "hallo" to the elderly gentleman, who just stared at us and then back at his plate and began to literally SCARF his food down. (Zach had to hide his face with an upside down city map to keep from laughing, it was SO AWKWARD, and we had no idea what to even talk about!) Thankfully that only lasted for about 15min, and the man left so we could have the table to ourselves. Dinner that night was undescribable. It was by FAR the BEST meal I've had in Europe, and possibly the best meal I've ever had! And don't even get me started about dessert, which WAS the best dessert I've EVER tasted. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it now!) After dinner (which was quite a hefty bill, but totally worth every penny!) we headed back to the hostel to get ready for bed since the next day we would be up pretty early.
The next morning we got up around 7am and headed down for breakfast, which was EXCELLENT. The jelly was soooo good! (and I'm kind of a jelly freak!) And even better, they had sandwich stuff out with the breakfast food, so we could even sneak a lunch! We left the hostel by about 8 and headed up the Utliberg Mountain. (Another place Roger had recommended) It was about a 20min train ride to the top, and the scenery was unbelievable. Everything was so pristine and white and natural. The view from the top of that mountain is my definition of true natural beauty! We then rented sleds, and not just any sleds, I'm talking the tiny, legitimate wooden sleds with metal skis on the bottom! Zach and Jake got their own, but Lauren and I shared, and Laura and Nicole shared a sled. It was a BLAST!!! There was about a 3.1km snow trail that you could sled down the mountain and then catch a train back up to the top. Sledding with no steering took a little while to get used to, but Lauren and I figured it out pretty quick, (by manipulating where you drag your feet.) It was soo much fun! We decided to go again, however our second run was slightly less exhilerating due to the fact that Lauren and I literally almost KILLED a lady and her kid. (but seriously though, who stops with their kid and the bottom of the steepest hill that is now covered in ice, and takes up the whole trail? That's just asking to get hit!) So of course we picked up the most speed we'd ever had, came around the corner, saw the lady standing behind her sled with the kid on it, dropped our feet, which did nothing since we were on ice now, and just SLAMMED into the back of her. She fell on us, the sled went flying, and it was all around a disaster. They didn't speak english, and just kept yelling at us and the kids were screaming, and of course we got stuck trying to help pull the sleds to a safer spot. (where they SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.) and finally we got to keep going. We decided to call it quits after that run... haha then we hiked up to the top of the mountain to take more pics, and literally had the most spectacular view I've ever seen! Pure white snow everywhere! And the trees were frozen solid white, they almost looked fake in their perfection! And the sun was shining so bright, that was the most perfect, beautiful day! Around lunch time (the mountain was starting to get really crowded) we decided to head back down into town. We found the right tram that would take us over to the lake so we could get our free "mini cruise" on Lake Zürich, which was exactly what we needed after such an intense morning. We found two tables inside the cabin (thank GOD because it was SO cold outside) and ordered real Swiss hot chocolate (which was delicious!) and relaxed while enjoying the beautiful landscape around the smooth, clear lake. The cruise lasted about an hour (maybe?) after which we decided it was time for a break and headed back to the hostel. We had reservations at the fondue place for 7pm, but the hostel was also hosting a fondue special that night, and claimed theirs was just as good and at a better price...which we fell for... Perhaps I just don't like fondue, but that was possibly the most DISGUSTING flavor I've ever put in my mouth. The stench of the cheese was enough to make my stomach churn... so I had to go back and order a different meal, meatballs and mashed potatoes to eat instead. Zach had decided that he wanted to finish the entire fondue bowl (which would have been impossible to do so without dying!) and ended getting sick from eating so much of that horrid cheese. I think Lauren and Jake were the only ones that actually felt good after dinner haha. Since it was our last night in Zürich, Zach really wanted to go to the casino we had heard about. So after a little group debate (and I literally mean awkward moment) it was decided that only Lauren and I would go with him. Of course the stupid trams stop running early, so taking a taxi home would be a garuntee, but we went anyways. The casino was super nice, and even gave Zach a free suit jacket to wear (but they were okay with me rockin' a T-shirt? haha) We got our 5 free points to spend on the slots (which we all lost) and then Zach and I got 20 franks in chips. We played black jack for maybe thirty min, during which I had been up 20, and then managed to lose it all (typical) and Zach ended up winning around 60 franks (or euros.. I can't remeber). So we really didn't stay long, and found a taxi literally 5feet from the door, and took it back to the hostel.
We still had to wake up early the next morning because breakfast ended at 9:30, and we had to check out by 10am. After checked out we headed to town to walk around, there really wasn't anything left that we wanted to do, since all the super fun things had already been done, but we voyaged out anyways. (Our flight didn't leave until 7pm, so we didn't have to head to the airport until like 5pm) We decided to try to go see the medical history museum, and after wandering and hiking up the steepest street in the city for about 45min, we finally found it....and of course....it was closed. Cool. All that hiking for nothing. So we hopped on the tram (like heck were we walking back down!) and headed back down to main part of town. By that time everyone was pretty hungry and tired (and grouchy haha) so we decided to go to a chinese restaurant that sounded really good..but of course Laura and I only had credit cards and they only took cash.. so then the group had another debate about where to eat, and blah blah blah, so 30 min later we just decided to split up, and Laura, Nicole and I picked my favorite place...Mickey D's! :D I don't think I've ever consumed so much McDonalds at one time (and hopefully never will again!) Then Jake and I went into a food coma and passed out in McDonalds (since that's were we met up) for about an hour. After that we decided to go shopping and look for Pandora charms and Swatches. Both were a success (but of course, I lost my stupid Pandora bracelet the first day I got back and put my new Swiss charm on...hate my life.) And by the time we had visited about nine different Swatch stores (only a slight exaggeration there) it was time to head to the train station. We got back to the airport no problem, and flew back to Germany without a hitch.
Switzerland is by far one of my most favorite countries I've ever visited. The sheer beauty and certain elegance it holds was unbelievable, not to mention all of the people were very friendly. I would HIGHLY recommend it to everyone! (and honestly it wasn't all that expensive, and the parts that were, were TOTALLY worth it!) I can't wait to go back during Spring Break with my family!
The "100yr old Bridge"
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