Travel Diary: Birthday Week Day 7 - Sunday in Zurich


HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit get a warm welcome in Zurich from old friends.

I've nearly forgotten that Sundays in Switzerland are 'park' days. Unlike a very pseudo-religious country like my beloved Felepens, all malls (if there is such a thing here), department stores, and shops (except for small grocers) close every Sunday here and so everyone heads to the open spaces. Personally, I think this is a good thing.

His Royal Orangeness Karl Willem, PA/PR Gromit, and The Nashman went babe-watching today.

HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit wanted to cheer up The Nashman who was feeling slightly depressed for having celebrated his 21st birthday. Soon, The Nashman will have to apply for senior citizen discounts.

However, last night we watched an amazing and inspiring event. A German boxer, Henry Maske, came back after 10 years of retirement, at the jurassic age of 43 to beat the one person who defeated him during his last fight, Virgil Hill (himself carbon dated to the same epoch). Two old, well trained, and extremely fit pensioners slugging it out.

Man, if old geezers like them can still be athletic, there is hope for other old timers like me.

Itaga nyo sa bato! Hindi pa ako laos!



A forty-three old man this fit? This man was running Mc-frigging-Donald's franchises in Bavaria before deciding it was time for a rematch which he won. 20-somethings like me no longer have an excuse to be so lazy.

HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit visit Zurich's Kunsthaus, currently having a big Rodin exhibit. HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit stand in front of his opus "The Gates of Hell". (Incidentally, last year at the very same time, we were standing in front of the other cast in Paris. Lightning strikes twice.)

HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit and one of the many drinking fountains.

The gnomes of Zurich feeling very reflective.

HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit and the river Limmat.

I was looking for the store that used to sell full grown cannabis sativa plants in a pot that you could bring home for your garden. (Swiss law limits one shrub of full grown marijuana per household and even if you don't intend to do anything with it, like me, sativa plants are really pretty to look at.) Instead, I found Philippine banana chips.

Lake Zurich was decorated with orange buoys to commemorate HRO Karl Willem's visit.

HRO Karl Willem and PA/PR Gromit take a moment of quiet reflection.

You could take water from the lake and bottle it....it's still clean even after I dipped my toes in it....

While doing the groceries, it dawned on me why most lesbians are vegetarians - No man, no matter how well endowed, can ever match up to a zucchini...or an aubergine.

PA/PR Gromit playing around in the kitchen...

Swiss cow leather is so comfy......