This morning I had a yummy breakfast of cereal, coffee, and water and then I left to catch a train into Zurich. Once there I made my way to the Starbucks and walked to the lower sitting area and found a few girls there with wee babes so I jumped over and introduced myself asking if this was the aupair group. I tiny Blonde with a decidedly New Zealand accent (no, I did not ask her any LOTR questions. ;-P) said yes and the four of us started chatting as more and more and MORE came. Apparently a few are leaving to go back home and many came from all around to say goodbye. There were a few new girls and a few more I wasn't able to speak with. The girls come from all over (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA, Great Britain) and all have such amusing personalities. It was so nice to be able to actually talk to somebody, lol, its been awhile, and I have been invited to go snow tubbing in the Alps on Saturday, however I may not be able to because apparently first I need a half price ticket (with that I only have to pay 70 CHF, otherwise I'd have ot pay 150CHF) and I need ski clothes, which I do not have (I am now regretting the fact that I did not bring my water-resistant pants. :-P) We shall see. If not, lol, of course there will be so much more to do, I was just so flattered they asked me right away. They all keep in touch through Facebook as all are in different aupair agencies. It was a lovely two hours and I am so looking forward to next week.Afterwards the lady who organizes the aupair group through her church invited me to lunch and so the two of us meandered down Bahnhofstrasse to the Restaurant above the Migros. I spent WAY too much on lunch, but now I know how to work the system so next time will be better. One thing I do not like is the fact that their glasses are so small. I spent 2.50 for a Rocks glass of tea. While we ate (the food was awesome and it was just a simple cafeteria meal) she told me about herself and how she was an aupair in Zurich and when she went home to Canada she met her future husband at a Swiss/German function, which she said was amusing because she had always said she would never marry a Swiss. They have now lived here for about ten years and she has two children about my age.
We said goodbye and she gave me directions to various places, but this afternoon I wanted to get lost. So having made myself familiar with Bahnhofstrasse from the Haubtbahnhof to the Lake I felt confident in attempting the other streets. Aunt Saundra would have been so proud! Lol, I did not turn the map!!! The cobblestone streets were so adorable, and throughly confusing. There were stores everywhere and cute little apartments with window boxes full of flowers, the church bells ringing and people sitting outside sipping kaffee. I walked past several churches which will be explored soon, walked along the Limmat river, walked over the Munster Bruke (bridge?) and walked down many curvy streets until I found a cute little bench with pigeons, shady trees, and a lovely fountain. The place was Stadlehofen Platz and after a bit of a rest I went in the other direction until I found myself walking along Limmatquai towards the Landesmuseum. I went inside this beautiful Schloss (it was once a castle) and paid 10CHF for a ticket and spent two hours roaming the house absolutely infatuated with everything! I shall look up the history of the Schloss soon and I was able to buy some postcards for my scrapbook on the way out.
Then t'was on to the HaubtBahnhof to catch the train back to Uster and write this account of my glorious day. Now I must leave y'all and run to pick up the kiddos from daycare. Toodles! 
Edit: I am back now and will study some more, but today I received a birthday present from the family and it was a fan!!! I am so excited to go to sleep tonight! Lol, I have a horrid habit of falling asleep to a gentle humming noise usually provided by an old box fan, however I wasn't able to bring one, of course, and have such difficulties falling asleep when it is quiet, lol. ;-)
