It was finally our time for a day out in picturesque Zurich, situated in the Center of Europe. As we walked out of the huge train station with its variety of eateries and bars, equipped with what to look for and where to go... Incidentally it is worth mentioning here that where ever you go in Switzerland, there is a very well equipped and trained tourist information desk, staffed with people fluent in English and french and stuffed with a variety of maps and catalogs... I have not seen the hop in hop off bus anywhere here but the free bus rides and ready to help passers more then compensated, in fact there were several times when we were confused trying to make out the way, when smiling and friendly passers by stopped and offered guidance .As you walk by the side of lake Zurich, you discover small cobbled lanes crisscrossing , lined with garments and curio shops. Some of the streets are lined with open air restaurants, yet there is enough and more space for the pedestrian to walk. As you continue, you reach what is touted as the biggest clock tower in Europe, overlooking a bridge and across the bridge towered a church with two towers , cradled amongst roman architecture, classic and time immemorial in grey. We walked further to see the huge Opera house with his grey angular dome towering high with sculpted goblins and angels etched in its walls.Zurich seemed a city of sheer green shimmering waterways and broad delightful bridges full of colourfully and tastefully dressed people busy going about their business. While local designers vied for the buyers time and attention on this side , walk across by the side of the lake to the other side and you find classic shops manned by suited young men and woman trying to woo the rich and the beautiful. This road was paved and broader, while the blue and white graphitti adorned trams passed by, huge pavements, shaded in places by trees, gave way to huge automatic doors and equally huge windows displaying names of high street fashion to the likes of D&G & YSL. The Guccis & Tag Huers competed with the Channels & Pradas of the world. While people like us, took satisfaction at gaping wide eyed at the windows, well dressed women were ushered in and out with packets full of goodies that must have cost the earth, at least by my standards.... Zurich seemed a paradise for water sports, every sort of boat from a Kayak, to a raft, to a speed boat and a yatch, to a row boat , a sail boat and a inflatable slide bearing boat bobbed on the waters of Lake Zurich, it is massive and shimmered in a delicious dark green colour, a reflection from the hills which cuddled it. We had taken a 4 hour boat ride on the lake Zurich, crossing 6 beautiful towns and hamlets snuggling to the lake... as the boat moved so did the scenery , there were hillocks which were almost crowded by Helvetian styled houses and from afar it almost looked like it was built one on top of the other, creating a very pretty picture, and there were parts where the vegetation was thick and it did not seem habited, sun bathers, smeared with Sunscreen lay under colourful umbrellas in some places.... And in others, the lake seemed to be shallow enough for children to have a hay day splashing up the water.... It was a perfect day for a sun hungry country today with the sun out in a clear blue sky and a light breeze tingling your senses into forgetting the hurt the sun can cause your skin.... An old couple shared space on a lounge chair, despite a host of empty chairs nearby, as I stared unconsciously lost in thought , I realised that the couple sitting across us were also pretty old, their skin was shrivelled, wrinkled and freckled, yet they seemed engrossed in each other, the lady had ensured that her make up from mascara to eyeshadow was in place and she was prim and proper... My thoughts flew to my mom at home and how little she took care of herself.......
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:58:58 +0000
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