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Post by fumobici on Jun 5, 2011 21:57:34 GMT
I had three days in Zürich last month, we had a family meet-up there and I naturally took a lot of photos. Apologies in advance for anyone on a dial-up connection. It felt like Summer, it was really beautiful, but man those Swiss party late on the weekends. Art piece by Niki de Saing Phalle at the Hauptbahnhof station. Night on the Limmat. Zürich canoe club boathouse Limmat reflections. scrimshaw-globes.com/zurich/IMG_3299.JPG[/img]Morning market on the Rathausbrücke. Limmatquai Morning market on the Rathausbrücke again. Roof ornament Hotel Zum Storchen Old wool drying barn. Canoe club on the Limmat, Zürich Swan, Limmat River Mosaic, Landesmuseum Cannon, Landesmuseum Eave detail, Landesmuseum. Geranium in Platzspitz park. Bronze stag in Platzspitz park. Duck, Platspitz May Sunbathers, Schwimmbad Oberer Letten. Grafitti, Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo Steel sculpture, Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo. Interesting sundial. Grossmünster Door detail, Grossmünster. Duck, Limmat River. Chess players, Lindenhof Park More Lindenhof Park. View from Lindenhof Park. Urania Observatory Wallace Fountain Grossmünster, different day different light. The linden tree in the courtyard was the most incredible Spring green color. Bronze model of the Grossmünster for the blind. Detail, Grossmünster. Nice ironmongery Tweeders at the Zürichzee ferry terminal Very Swiss boathouse on the Zürichzee. Sycamore Zürichzee with Alps Sign in the Bahnhofstrasse, I think this link might explain it: www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/08/elephant-goes-swimming-wi_n_604313.htmlInterior Liebfrauenkirche
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 5, 2011 23:13:52 GMT
Dumbfounded! Thrilled! My gosh, Fumobici, this is really a stunning look at Zurich. Thank you!
Before going any further, I have to say that I really love your pictures, particularly your special talent for capturing texture so beautifully. But the photo of the pine hanging over the water gave me out&out JOY.
I had some idea that Zurich was sedately beautiful, but you've also shown us whimsy, artistry, and just-plain-pretty that I did not suspect. And plastic flamingos are all very fine, but plastic storks atop the roof? Whoo-ee!
Did you try that very green cheese in the market?
What's the story of the wonderful sports paintings within the arches, please?
And finally -- Tweeders? Eh?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 3:56:35 GMT
Another great set of photos of a city that I know relatively well but have never photographed. I must go visit my friends there one of these days. But are you sure you were in Zürich, fumobici? I didn't see a single bank!
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Post by bjd on Jun 6, 2011 7:14:04 GMT
I tend to write off Switzerland as "boring + banking gnomes" but I see that even Zurich can be beautiful and interesting if you look properly. Like Bixa, I really liked the picture of the pine over the water. And, yes, what are "tweeders"?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 11:45:37 GMT
Great pictures! I never knew Zurich had so much wonderful architecture. You take really, really good photos, fumobici. I like the unusual shots the best, the birds in the nest on the roof, the door knocker, the elephant sign, the branches of the tree in front of the blue, blue sky, the statues and wrought iron designs. What a lovely place.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 6, 2011 14:18:24 GMT
Dumbfounded! Thrilled! My gosh, Fumobici, this is really a stunning look at Zurich. Thank you! Before going any further, I have to say that I really love your pictures, particularly your special talent for capturing texture so beautifully. But the photo of the pine hanging over the water gave me out&out JOY. I had some idea that Zurich was sedately beautiful, but you've also shown us whimsy, artistry, and just-plain-pretty that I did not suspect. And plastic flamingos are all very fine, but plastic storks atop the roof? Whoo-ee! Did you try that very green cheese in the market? What's the story of the wonderful sports paintings within the arches, please? And finally -- Tweeders? Eh? Thank you. I didn't buy any of the Dutch Basiron cheese, but I've had a similar Italian basil cheese that isn't nearly so GREEN. The paintings? I've no idea, they are in a city building on Uraniastrasse right near the river. I expected some medieval subject, then noticed bicycles! The guys done up in retro suits I called tweeders because there is a small movement of people here who dress up in similar kit and do group rides on old English bicycles that they call "tweed rides". Zürich is a beautiful place, there's no doubt. It can be quite expensive to visit though unless one is very, very careful. One nice thing for Anglophones is that English is widely (and often beautifully) spoken there as nobody expects anyone besides the locals to know Schweizerdeutsch. Even most Germans can't make much sense of it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 6, 2011 15:08:45 GMT
Thanks, Fumobici. I know you spend time in Italy and maybe other parts of Europe. How would you say Zürich stacks up to other major cities in terms of budgeting for a trip? Also, any tips about being "very, very careful" to avoid spending too much?
Re-enjoying this thread, it struck me that one thing that makes your picture threads so great is the way you find unexpected angles from which to photograph. It can be very subtle, but it's always there. Great!
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Post by auntieannie on Jun 6, 2011 18:47:18 GMT
ah, memememememeeee, bixa... ask me how to be very very careful moneywise in Switzerland...one of the things you can do is visit a "Migros" supermarket for your snacking needs and also for the chocolates to bring back home. Another one is to find restaurants that are either on the second floor or a bit off the beaten track. If you visit them at lunchtime weekdays, you might well have a "special of the day" offer on top. Hum.... are these ok suggestions? obviously, the second one is applicable in many places, but it is only in Switzerland that they'll serve you "emince de veau a la Zurichoise" with rosti or rice and a salad on the side (emince does NOT translate as mince but as chopped pieces of - in this case, veal. A la Zurichoise indicates a creamy mushroomy, winey sauce ... see: www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/581080-veal-zurich-style-eminc-de-veau-la-zurichoise-z-ri-geschnetzlets)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 19:23:51 GMT
In terms of what you will pay in Zürich (except when shopping at Migros or Coop, which I always do instantly), you will pay about double what one pays in Paris, particularly for restaurant meals.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 6, 2011 19:59:39 GMT
Migros and Coop are the answer for food in central Zürich, no doubt. There is a large Coop right near the Hauptbahnhof and there was a Mini-Migros nearby, just a block from my hotel on the Limmatquai. An average dinner downtown begins around 35-45 CHF, though I found a Thai take-out place near the Hauptbahnhof that actually made a decent lunch for 7-8 CHF. The Mini-Migros has small meals pre-made for 5-10 CHF or if you have a kitchen you can make your own food for even less. A 72 hour transit pass is probably worth getting, it includes the trams, buses, inclined railways, funiculars and lake ferries- which are a must do if the weather is good. There are no great deals on rooms in Zuri like I can find even in Rome or Florence, you'll pay at least 100 CHF per night downtown. Well maybe you could find a dive for slightly less in Langstrasse.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 20:18:18 GMT
My Swiss friends never let me pay for anything since they consider me to be an impoverished Parisian. When they come to Paris, they bring kilos of sausages and chocolate since we are starving here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 20:53:12 GMT
That sounds like a good deal, K.
fumobici, I'd still like to see it, even though it may be expensive, even just the once.
Is must be a very difficult language to learn then I assume? Or is it just that it's not widely spoken?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 21:18:16 GMT
German is readily spoken and understood, but the Swiss and the Alsatians have more affinities in their everyday language.
A few years ago, travelling through Asia, I could recognize Schweizerdeutsch immediately whenever I heard it, because it was 'softer' and more melodious than German. I can still pretty much guess it when I hear it among the tourists in Paris.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 22:09:53 GMT
I'm not sure if I've ever heard Swiss being spoken before, but certainly, German is a very harsh sounding language methinks.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 6, 2011 22:18:41 GMT
Thanks, Annie -- not just interesting insights about affordably enjoying Zürich, but good tips about finding better food for less while traveling. The emince sounds immensely good!
Ouch on those prices, Fumobici! I had to convert: 100 CHG = almost 120 USD. So the Thai lunch would be @ $8.50 -- $10, making the Mini-Migros an attractive fall-back. Great info about the transit pass.
It's good to know penny-pinching options, as that way one can plan a trip with some splash-outs and some frugality to make up for the luxuries.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 7, 2011 0:15:35 GMT
I found plenty of free entertainment. Bands were playing rock and roll in one of plazas in the old town late into the evening and this guy was playing classical accordion (J. S. Bach perhaps?) down near the river. He is very good.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 7, 2011 3:37:26 GMT
The Lindenhof is a park overlooking the river which is said to be the oldest known part of present day Zürich, dating back to Roman times. I didn't see anything Roman there but it is a nice place. There were people there playing chess on oversized boards built in (see above), I saw a poker game at card tables pushed together (Texas Hold 'Em), Families with children, dudes playing frisbee, lots of portable grills with people cooking up sausages and hambugers (yes, I swear) and of course people hanging out on the wall enjoying the view. In other words, just a lot of ordinary people doing ordinary park things not at all unlike what you'd see in a typical American park on a nice warm evening.
People sit on the wall and admire the view, it's a long way down I doubt if people would be allowed to sit there in a lot of places where safety nazis have the run of things. I like the church bells calling the faithful to service in these. I didn't notice anyone heeding them though. See if you can see the birds flying in this one.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 7, 2011 4:00:22 GMT
I watched the birdies! Yep, saw 'em at the beginning and that swoop at the end, too.
You weren't kidding that it's a long way down from the wall. Were you sitting on it, or standing behind it to take the video?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 11:07:18 GMT
I never expected to hear Church bells. We have them sounding every morning back in the village in India, (at 5am), but it's surprising that they are allowed in Zurich. Not many attending church though? I wonder if the people get annoyed at the sound of the bells, they are quite loud.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 7, 2011 15:53:47 GMT
Fumobici, lovely lovely photo essay, really shows the beauty of Zurich as most people assume the city has more modern elements to it.
Deyana when we stayed in Lauterbrunnen, our hotel was across from the church. If my memory is correct the bells went each hour and every 15 minutes. 4 on the hour, 1 at 15 after, 2 at 30 after, 3 at 45 after. It would start at 6:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 p.m. We actually loved it even though the proximity was so close.
Cheers, Mich
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Post by thill25 on Jun 11, 2011 18:16:54 GMT
Beautiful!!! Now I know why my brother-in-law calls it one of his favorite cities.
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Post by hwinpp on Jun 12, 2011 3:36:04 GMT
I like Zurich and the last time I came back from Europe I made a point of flying back from Zurich (after also having to visit Strassburg).
Very nice photos, F.
What's the 'Lindenbaum' in English? Don't they have a name for it?
For Germans it's the symbol of the end of spring, lots of songs dedicated to it and one of my favourite places for an afternoon beer was called 'Zur Linde' ;D
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Post by fumobici on Jun 12, 2011 4:11:21 GMT
We just call them Linden trees ;D
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Post by nycgirl on Aug 16, 2011 6:00:51 GMT
Just stumbled upon this thread. Amazing photos! I especially love the architectural details, the gorgeous Sycamore tree, and the crowd shot of the sunbathers. Thank you for the lovely tour.
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Post by sojoh on Aug 24, 2011 11:16:12 GMT
fumobici, Thank you for all of the wonderful photos of Zurich. I used to live there so seeing them brought back some great memories!
Do you remember where the Wallace fountain is in Zurich? The picture of the one in your report jumped out at me because I didn't realize that there are any outside of Paris.
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Post by tod2 on Aug 24, 2011 12:19:34 GMT
Maybe I should get a flight to Zurich next year instead of the usual Frankfurt or Munich - it looks wonderful!
Sojoh - I spent one of my holidays in Paris flitting from one Wallace Fountain to the next trying to find the originals. The four caryatids represent kindness, simplicity, charity and sobriety. Each one is different from her sisters, by the way she bends her knees and by where her tunic is tucked into her blouse in the original fountains, but today the ladies all look the same in the copies. A Wallace fountain was salvaged after being torn down after many years in St George's, Grenada. The elegant lines of this piece of Labourg's work are very appealing and, many cities then and now proudly display its charm with duplicates cast by Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne.
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Post by sojoh on Aug 24, 2011 12:34:59 GMT
tod2 - If you go to Zurich next year then you have to be sure to include the French part of Switzerland as well! But Munich is also a fun city - we used to live in a town about an hour away from Munich and were always happy when we had the opportunity to go into the city. Thanks for the info on the Wallace fountains. One of my first blog posts was about them because they are of such interest to me. outandaboutinparis.blogspot.com/2011/04/wallace-fountains-iconic-symbols-of.html I didn't know, however, that there was one in Granada. There's a company in Paris that does a tour based on the Wallace fountains, but it sounds as if you had a good time discovering them on your own which is even better!
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Post by fumobici on Aug 24, 2011 15:41:16 GMT
fumobici, Thank you for all of the wonderful photos of Zurich. I used to live there so seeing them brought back some great memories! Do you remember where the Wallace fountain is in Zurich? The picture of the one in your report jumped out at me because I didn't realize that there are any outside of Paris. Yes, it's in a little square at the corner of Bahnhofstrasse and Usteristrasse with a statue of Johann Heinrich Pestallozzi in its center.
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Post by sojoh on Aug 24, 2011 20:39:30 GMT
Thanks, fumobici. I'll have to take a look at it the next time that I'm in Zurich!
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Post by tod2 on Aug 31, 2011 7:10:54 GMT
Fumobici - and any other takers, my mind is made up and we are going to book our flights to Zurich. After a couple of days there we want to take the day train to Venice. In my research so far I see the train time-table mentions Venezia S Lucia. What does this mean in terms of where we have to get off? I want to cut as much cost in the way of taxi's to our hotel so need a little prod in the right direction. Thank you so much, Tod
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