Zurich

There's a back story. Maggie and I were roommates at BC our sophomore year where we quickly learned that while good friends, we can never ever ever ever ever again live together! That year we were supposed to go to Paris over Spring Break, but Mags got super sick (like hospital stay sick) the day before we were supposed to go. Jump ahead seven or so years to 2010 where Mags tells me that she will be in Zurich working for a number of months. "Come to Europe!" she says, "We can go anywhere you want on the weekend." The word "Europe" generally translates in my little mind to "Tuscany" or "Paris." Given the history, I thought it was time to finally take our sojourn to my favorite city on Earth, Paris! Besides, I thought, there will be know glorified hostels and budget meals this time around. God Bless being a working adult ;)

The plan is for me to fly to Zurich, meet Maggie, and train with her to Paris to spend the weekend.

March 2. Arrive EWR. Security a BREEZE. The airport is EMPTY. Glorious. Even more glorious? There's a legit wine bar in EWR's Terminal C now. Like lots by the glass, flights, and non-disgusting sounding food options. I order a glass of bubbly and begin reading "My Life in France" by Julia Child (appropriate choice, eh?)

Aside...... but Rachel, you say, you gave up weekday drinking for Lent! Bubbly counts, no? Yes, it counts. Yes, that's what I gave up. But I'm on vacation. And I'm a bad Catholic anyways. I figure I'll be visiting no fewer than five churches in Paris (and there are two famous ones in Zurich), so God will maybe look this over.

I next order a nice glass of Burgundy. I almost forget I'm in an airport. I glide to gate 10 minutes after scheduled boarding time to find no line and also no buildup at the entrance to the plane. The Swiss are efficient, I think to myself. Watch the Blind Side, pop an Ambien, arrive in Zurich. Follow Mags' instructions to downtown and walk around. Manage to get slightly lost in a city that (1) isn't' small and (2) has a river running through the center of it as a guide post. Woops! Find my way around and explore. At about 2:30pm, I can barely keep my eyes open. Head back to hotel for 5 hour nap. Wake up just in time for Maggie to arrive from work. Head to fondue place (invented by the Swiss - a lovely people). Fondue is GOOD. MMMMM cheese. Better yet... MMMM Gruyere cheese melted with wine.


Arrive back at the hotel and crash. Afraid when I awake at 2:30am. Feel wide awake, but magically fall back to sleep and wake up when Maggie's alarm clock goes off. Day two in Zurich next!