Toasting Obama in Zurich

I’m a little behind on my travel blogging here… the day after the election I crawled out of bed and hopped on a train to Zurich. It’s always a treat to see my Zurich-based friends, but this particular trip was even more joyful than usual. The election results had us all in a fabulous mood. Heck, even the roasted chestnut sellers were excited.

Zurich itself seemed largely unchanged. The city felt clean and safe and was bustling with shoppers. The usually crazies were out: Alle Tot guy and the Scientologists. It was as if I had never left.

Notice the tent to the left in the top photo? That’s Zurich’s version of Oktoberfest, going on now. Although we are familiar with the tent from past years, this was the first time it registered what beer was being served inside – Feldschlossen. What’s the point of a beer festival with undrinkable beer? But it wasn’t all bad – across the way floated the wine boats, which host Zurich’s regular wine tasting extravaganzas. Those brought back fond memories.

Although I don’t think back on Zurich and remember it for its culinary greatness, we were able to think of plenty of things we wanted to eat this trip. Mostly it involved chocolate and melted cheese. The trip also involved an obligatory dinner at Hiltl, my favorite restaurant in Zurich. Insanely delicious as usual.

It has been a year since we moved away from Zurich. Three years since we left Milan. Over four years since packing up and saying goodbye to New York. One of the cool things about moving so often is getting to go back to our former hometowns and walk around like we own the place. Get off the train or the plane and know exactly where we’re going and how we’re getting there. I definitely enjoyed that feeling on this trip to Zurich. I wonder how long before all this stored city knowledge wears off.

13 thoughts on “Toasting Obama in Zurich”

  1. It was fun meeting you too! My husband was excited that “*the* Jul” commented on our blog. We’ve had fun reading about all of your adventures and have learned a lot about life in Zürich from your blog.

  4. Hmmm… I think so. At the very least you start to learn that 1) all the ridiculous seemingly impossible things will somehow get resolved and 2) there’s no point stressing over them. Plus we’ve pared down our belongings a lot over the past few years, so that has made it easier, too. Good luck. 🙂

  5. We move a lot too. DH’s job does not allow us to stay put for very long. I just wished we were able to live somewhere like Zurich. Very cool.

    P.S. I love that you everyone is celebrating our new president elect–that has not happened in a while.

  7. I love that feeling too. But you do realize how long you’ve been gone when you notice new things cropping up here and there. But no mind, you can still own the place. Throw out chest and be the native that you are!
    P.s. Feel free to send that chocolate my way! =)

  8. Great pictures, thanks so much for sharing, and for leaving a nice comment on my blog:) An American in a “Dirndl” :):), where is “das Mass Bier”?:):)
    love
    Andrea

  10. It’s certainly nice returning to places you haven’t been in a while and feeling like you’re at home — like you know exactly where to go. Very nice. 🙂

  11. I think that feeling is why I like moving and traveling a lot. I experience it when we get to the airport in Sao Paulo among all the tourists. It is nice to know exactly where you are going and what to do. I don’t know, sometimes I think many homes are more fun than just one. 🙂

  12. NWY – I would, but I ate it all. 🙂

    Cestandrea – you should have seen us at Oktoberfest! A whole mess of Americans (and other non-Germans) all decked out in dirndls and lederhosen. Fun stuff. 🙂

    Blondie – my thoughts exactly. 🙂

    Zan & Lori – I think this is one of my favorite by-products of frequent moves. And if I can't afford to have many homes all at once, at least I can have them one at a time. 🙂

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