It was our intention to stay in Zurich for two days, I wanted to visit some Museaums and art Galleries, so we crossed the Muenster Bridge and came in to Bahnhof-Strasse as we wanted to take out some money from the automatic money machine. The street was full of people and I saw many sitting on benches in the sun, drinking white wine. So I entered in one bar and saw two slim girls behind the counter, speaking Spanish. So I asked them (in Spanish) where were they from and learnt that they were from Santo Domingo (Dominic Republic). I asked what their customers were drinking and was told that it was white wine mixed with sprite or soda water. It was typical Zurich summer drink. Naturally I also ordered the same. The wine tasted dry. In Spain in summer you drink Tinto de Verano, red wine with aereted water (with fizz) with lot of ice and a peal of lemon. Very refreshing. We paid CHF12.00 for the drinks. Naturally I complained that the wine was expensive and was told that Zurich is expensive. And it is a fact I already knew. But no harm in playing a joke. After all Zurich is one of my Top 5 Travel Destinations and I love Zurich.
It was almost five O'clock in the evening and although we each have had a bread roll at noon, we were hungry so we asked the girls if they could recommend a restaurant where we could have some ethnic food. They told us to go to Aussersihl. Now this area, which in the old times was a working class residential district and now transformed into ethnic restaurants. May be we should have taken a trolly, however after 15 minutes walking, we finally reached the area which also consisted of inter-twining streets. In one street there was a Lebanese restaurant with a menu board sitting outside the door, announcing full buffet for CHF25.OO. We entered inside and on a small table were laid out a platter of humus which was dry, a covered metal dish contained grilled meat which had seen better days, rice and tabouli salad. No pitta bread, no olives and no fresh tomatoes. There were no other customers. We walked out.
Walking around we saw a Brazilian Churrascaria (Grill restaurant) But the place was closed and now we were quite hungry. Then we found Emilio's, an Spanish restaurant,
and sat down weary and hungry. It was nice to speak Spanish and it brought better service too. Spanish food, I have found out, you should eat in Spain. Whether it is Paella Valenciana, Fabada Asturians, Pulpo Gallego (Galician Octopus)
marisco (seafood) it never tastes the same in cold climates. However Paella with shrimps and baby clamps was not bad, fried chicken in gravy was also alright but the house wine was nothing to write about.
The day had gone by and we could not decide whether to stay overnight and take a boat cruise the next morning and explore the city further. So we said to ourselves, we will surely come back to Zurick. It is ionly about 50 kms. from Basel. So we went to the garage, picked up the car and headed back to Basel.
As I said earlier, Zurich is one of my Top Five Travel Destinations and switzerland is a beautiful country. Visit it in summer and you will enjoy it immensly.
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