Something to Declare

Post No. 2 (part 2) : Downtown Zürich

September 3, 2023 (later)

Awoke still somewhat jet-lagged. But figured out how to use the Nespresso machine and the toaster. When it’s toasted, Zopf, the local challah/brioche, is damned fine with strawberry jam.

Needed to go online to find out how to get to the Zürich CBD. We’d seen references to “CBD” in some of the travel literature, and assumed that this referred to places to score weed products. Learned that it was actually referring to the “Central Business District.” Oops, again.

We’d been directed to look for the No. 4 tram to the Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof). Managed to get on the tram, and get off at the stop referring to the acronym for Hauptbahnhof (HBF).

Big place; Lots of walking until we get tot main terminal with its avant-garde sculpture of the Blue Angel (the celestial savior of travelers) hanging from the ceiling:

She was placed there in 1997 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Swiss rail system. Visited the Tourist Info office to help orient ourselves and get a recommendation for a place to have lunch along the Limmat River. As we walked, we passed the Rathausbrücke, which our hero and famed travel guru Rick Steves called “the town’s first bridge, and possibly the ugliest bridge in Switzerland.” We didn’t think it was that bad, really.

Found out that a lot of places in Zürich are closed on Sunday. We did find a place open:

A word of warning: Eating in Zürich can be expensive, even pricier than Manhattan. They even charge for tap water. Down near the Zürichersee, there was live music, a display of Triumph Spitfires, and a snazzy vintage Jaguar.

(Enjoy the photos, Marty!). The lake itself was also lovely:

As is our travel tradition, we sought any signs of Judaism: We were able to find the Synagoge Zürich Löwenstraße:

It’s the oldest and largest shul in Zürich, built in 1884 in the Moorish style. It also houses the cultural organization, die Israelitische Cultusgemeinde Zürich (ICZ), which had been founded in 1862.

We were very pleased to successfully use the city’s tram system to return to Naphthastraße No. 10, in time to enjoy Happy Hour, prepare din-din,

Tomorrow we pick up the rental car and drive to Lucerne. Stay tuned.