So, this trip wasn't supposed to happen this way. I had a nice vacation planned with a friend to Norway and Russia. Then, as happens, a work trip to Switzerland fell into place...with an awkward six days until I had to be in Norway to start my vacation. Then, work in Germany conveniently popped up in the middle. Upside: saving a lot of jetlag. Downside: more than three weeks away from home! Focusing on the positive, I moved straight ahead! Let's start out this first post with Switzerland.
Raced from work to Dulles, and got there with just enough time to pop into the United Club for a quick glass of "wine" and mini cheesecake. Polaris Lounges are finally starting to pop up beyond Chicago in Houston, Newark, San Francisco...so we might get one at Dulles by 2028. United has a captive market in DC, and they know it. Quite consistently United's most awful airport experience. Right, on to the flight!
United flight 974
Washington, DC, Dulles (IAD) to Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)
Depart 17:30, Arrive: 7:25 next day, Flight Time: 7:55
Boeing 767-300, Registration N665UA, Manufactured 1998, Seat 4D
Miles Flown Year-to-Date: 9,014
Lifetime Miles Flown: 2,701,602
Not really anything to say about the trip there, but I do have to give a nod to United. This dish, known as the "spicy chicken" is absolutely delicious, and pretty unique for an inflight meal. ...despite the fact the crew tried to tell me there "probably wouldn't be enough for you" - um, since United prioritizes meals by status, I highly doubt this. A side note, a walk through the galley later and at least two different crew members were eating it. Plus ça change...
So, the rest of the meal service. One positive change is that pre-departure sparkling plonk now comes in real glassware:
The warm nuts were mixed, as always, with split cashews. Unfortunately, poorly cooked and "mushy" tasting. The chianti was quite tasty...for the one glass I got. Unfortunately, they only loaded one bottle apparently.
So, let's talk starter. Two prawns (aka cockroaches of the sea) as the ONLY starter option just doesn't cut it. For starters, lots of people don't eat shellfish (I don't on planes after getting food poisoning TWICE on American) and secondly seriously? That's like 50 cents worth of food. The cost-cutting of Polaris is extremely evident. The salad, on the other hand, was respectful. Much better greens than normal out of Washington (at least half the times I get a lot of brown pieces and an unreasonable amount of romaine) and the mozzarella was a nice touch. Why the bread was in the salad, instead of on its plate, shall forever remain a mystery!
You saw the main course up front, which was delicious, but once again United put together a cheese plate worthy of a prison cafeteria. I mean, I still ate it, because I've never met cheese that I don't like, but this is just sad. Maybe market research shows Americans like bland and boring cheese. If so, this fit the bill.
...and of course, the best part, the ice cream sundae, today with caramel. Has anyone seen the butterscotch in a while? That was always one of my fave parts!
Landed right on time, and had two hours to kill before my train (work, you're welcome that I saved you 50 francs by waiting and buying a supersaver fare) so I ended up where I always seem to end up: reacquainting myself with one of the most fabulous fast food items in Switzerland, the five cheese toastie:
Given it was a work trip, I spent most of it cooped up indoors doing work. Of course, during coffee breaks, I walked out the door and had this view. Miserable I tell you. Actually the worst part was the big windows in the conference room which pretty much had the same view. How were we supposed to focus on work! (Spoiler: tons of work actually did get done)
One of the trip's highlights was a traditional Swiss fondue at a colleague's house prepared by her partner. These are always my favourite moments of travel...spending time with the people that live there, and taking time to enjoy traditions as locals enjoy them as opposed to how a restaurant might serve it up to you in a quasi-realistic atmosphere. Very fortunate to have such amazing and hospitable clients!
After finishing up with work, I had about 24 hours in Zurich on a Friday night / Saturday morning to see the city. Most times when I come through Zurich, it's in transit to/from somewhere, so I was really looking forward to having a full 24 hours to actually see just a little bit. Despite the -10C temperatures, wind, and snow....anyways....
I loved this ad for Swiss milk and their strong cows....
After a fun and freezing night of grabbing several craft beers outdoors in the freezing temperatures, I got up and had about four hours to see the city. I decided a long walk was the best way to do it, so I headed out from my hotel, towards the old town of Zurich, which I'd never seen before. Beautiful view across the Limmat:
Murals by Giacometti on the side of a building in the old town:
Another gorgeous view across the Limmat. Even on a cloudy day the city looks magical:
I got a new phone right before the trip (iPhone XS) and love how even when zoomed in, I got super clear views:
The pictures above were taken from Lindenhof, a park on the top of a small hill in the old town. From there, down the winding alleys towards the river. One thing that struck me on a Saturday morning was the fact that Chinese tourists outnumbers locals by a factor of at least 10:1. I'm really happy more people are traveling these days, but also really concerned with the impact mass tourism is having. Especially on the major cities in Europe.
Looking across the river at the Grossmünster church. Trying to get all artsy with the seagull in the pic:
So many birds. Everywhere.
Again, trying to be artsy:
Group of Chinese tourists on the water, getting absolutely swarmed by a flock of seagulls. It was like a cross between a bad 80s band and a Hitchcock novel. I was getting a little nervous at this point, so I ran. I ran so far away...
With that, it was time to head to the airport and fly off to Berlin for the next stage of the trip. Stay tuned for my second flight on the A220, and first few days in Berlin.