Today, we took the kids to the zoo. It's located in the hills of Zurich, and you get some great views. It's also located across the street from FIFA headquarters, so John gave it a little salute of recognition as we passed. We ate lunch at this restaurant:
Unlike zoos at home, this restaurant is a private restaurant operated on zoo grounds. We had some great food – once we figured out how to order. The menus were only in German. I was able to translate the entire children's menu, but neither John nor I could make out anything on the adult menu. We asked if there was an English menu, but the waiter said, "No. Only German. What do you want?" Well, we don't even have enough experience to guess at what might be on the menu, so I did the only thing I know how to do when lost at a restaurant. I asked, "What is your specialty?" He mentioned a veal dish, it sounded good, so we ordered 2. I ordered the kids, using the German words on the menu, chicken nuggets (Brendan), pasta/spaghetti (Abbie), and a hotdog (C.J.).
Here's C.J. eating his hotdog:
Fortunately, he liked it.
After lunch, we took the kids to an amazing playground in the zoo.
We rushed home from the zoo so that John could make a conference call. Guess it isn't all vacation this week. What a surprise! Our internet was down, so I was a bit lost. I probably should have finished some of the boxes, but alas… I just kept trying to reboot the router, even after I figured out that cable was out (probably from the ongoing street construction).
After the conference call, John took the kids and Lucky on a bike ride around the lake. I had a headache, so I stayed back to rest. He said they went quite a distance and they all had a blast. Since we had a big lunch, I did a simple dinner of strawberries and macaroni and cheese (via air shipment) for the kids, and I made a platter for John and I of bread, cheese, salami, and pears. My platter-queen friend, Janette, would be so proud! Of course, John said it didn't measure up to her farewell platter for us. You just can't please 'em.
The best news of the day? The school bus schedule arrived for the kids! I'll have to walk them 2 city blocks to meet their school bus, and then I get to wave goodbye to them until they return… at some point. The schedule didn't seem to indicate when they would be returned to me. I know that C.J. could find his way home, but I like the idea of meeting them the first few days. They seem excited about the bus idea. I hope they make some friends on the ride! Most of the kids seemed to get picked up at their apartment/house, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that will happen for us in our permanent house. Regardless, two city blocks is much easier than the carpool loops at Lydiksen and Hart back at home.
In other important decisions, I need to decide whether Abbie and Brendan will get a hot lunch at school. It's an all or nothing decision for them. I purchase it by the term. I've heard the food is great, but it is typical Swiss where you take your big meal at lunch, so the hot lunch would be more like dinner. C.J., as a middle school student, can buy a booklet of lunch tickets and choose the days he wants to buy. I think I'll see what they say at New Student Orientation. Right now Abbie says that she wants to bring lunch from home, and Brendan just isn't sure. He is lured by the idea of soup with lunch each day, but I don't think he's sure about the hot food itself.
Are gas prices getting you down? Here's a new mode of transportation we spotted on the way home from the zoo today!
7 comments:
Love the camels--that's pretty funny. Wow, hotdogs sure are different in Switzerland--I suppose that was something Schnitzel. Glad he like it!
I look for it each afternoon or evening. Love seeing the smiling faces. I am learning Switzerland and feeling like I am a part of the move.Dad tells me when you have dione it too.
Love ya...Mom
Cool playground and zoo.
Fun post! I look forward to reading more of the "Cassidy Family Exploits" over the next 3 years...wow 3 years...it seems so fare away, but I know when I see you it will feel like a blink of an eye.
Was that really a hot dog CJ was eating? Looked more like chicken...I remember when we travelled Asia in college, they had picture menus at many restaurants and we just had to point and smile!!
I love living vicariously through you. It sounds like such wonderful fun. Keep enjoying it for me.
I'm thoroughly enjoying your posts and the pictures. Love the details about lunch and busses (strangely enough for me.) I think the kids are lucky to have such a unique experience early in their lives and to have such a thoughtful mommy.
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