Zürich, Switzerland
where i reconnected with friends over fondue
I left a rainy Bern and arrived in a rainy Zürich. After walking to my hostel and checking in, I went on a short walk around the town. I saw the famous “salt and pepper shaker” towers of Grossmünster (translates to large monastery) and across the river Fraumünster. Then I followed the river to the lake and watched sightseeing boats weave in and out. I had a quiet evening at the hostel.
The next morning I met up with some friends, Julie and Deedee, who were taking a road trip through Switzerland. I lived with them last summer while working at the US Open and had met up with Julie back in May in Spain. We took the free walking tour around town, although it’s not actually free because they expect large tips. We got a nice view of the town from Lindenhof hill and we saw one of the thousands (possibly 20,000 in total) of bunkers located throughout the neutral country.
I had to try Swiss fondue before leaving the country so Julie and Deedee joined me for the popular and pricey dish. Originally served during the winter, you can now find it throughout the year as it has become a tourist staple. We ordered the moitié moitié which is a combination of Gruyère and another cheese. They bring a basket of bread out and the pot of fondue over a burner to keep it hot and melted. You need to stir it regularly and there are varying repercussions if you drop the bread into the cheese ranging from kissing the person to your right or buying a round of drinks. They also advise against drinking water with the dish as they say it will cause indigestion from the coagulation of all that cheese; instead go with white wine. As for my fondue experience, I was glad I tried it but I probably wouldn’t try it again, especially at 30ch a pop. As a side, they do have other things you can have with the melted cheese other than bread, but again, I was looking for the basic dish due to the high cost.
After a pot full of melted cheese I said bye to Julie and Deedee and got on a bus bound for Germany,
