On New Year’s Day, we said our good-byes and began the drive back to Zurich. The snow-covered trees provided an extremely serene and pleasant view until we arrived to our hotel.
So much of Zurich has changed since we left 4 years ago, and yet so much has stayed the same. I used to work near the airport, and the entire area has since been built up with a huge convention center, two Hyatt hotels, shopping and many restaurants.
We had 2 full days to catch up with friends before we headed back to Chicago, so we wanted to take full advantage.
We started at Tibits in Seefeld to meet up with our friend Anne-Catherine. She helped us with our original relocation to Zurich back in 2013 and we have remained very close.
We wandered around the Seefeld area for a bit, taking in the beauty of the opera house and the lake. Seefeld is known as the “golden” side of the lake, as in the warmer months, the sunshine covers this side a little bit longer. We lived on the silver side of the lake because the rent was cheaper.
If was then off to meet my dear friend Giusi who I still work with, just now on the other side of the Atlanta. We met for coffee and desserts at Felix Cafe. Clearly Switzerland is known for its chocolate, and getting a hot chocolate is no exception.
Giusi was kind enough to bring a bag full of bread crumbs so we could feed all the birds and swans still hanging out in the lake. Matilda was still too little for activities like this when we lived here, so it was really fun (and also a little scary) to watch her experience Zurich in a new way.
And yes, we definitely got bird poop on us.
Our last day, we met up back downtown, but this time in Niederdorf. We stayed in contact with one of Matilda’s classmates from her day care, aka kita. She has known Chloe since they were 6 months old, and since we still have her enrolled in a German school, was able to communicate naturally with her friend. It was extremely precious listening to two young girls, having watched them grow up, speaking in German.
We also walked past a home that has grown famous in Zurich for its Christmas decorations. I was glad we had the opportunity to see for ourselves!
And last but certainly not least, my darling Laura’s. Yes, as in plural. Two of my closest friends, Laura and Laura, one from Ohio, one from Spain. I am so glad we have stayed as close as when we were living in the same country. These two women are extremely special and important to me.
Spanish Laura and family had just moved into a new home in Bulach, so she hosted us for dinner. Ohio Laura had just landed back from the USA for her own holiday trip, that morning! I was so appreciative they were able to carve out time for us.
And that’s a wrap on our fabulous 2-week Christmas trip to Europe. We woke the next morning and made our way back through Zurich airport, once again as though we never left.
We did have an interesting experience flying back, though. We were once again on SAS, connecting in Copenhagen. Our flight out of Zurich was extremely delayed, so much so that we landed when our Chicago flight was scheduled to depart. We prepped ourselves for another night in Europe.
And then….the Chicago flight was delayed, and we ran through the airport like that scene in Home Alone to make our flight. And you know what? Not only did we make, but so did our luggage. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a great holiday vacation!
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