Shops are closed on Sunday, so if you want to shop on the weekends, it's going to be on Saturday. Saturday morning I made a quick trip to the grocery store and then Zurich Daddy Geek, Little Geek Girl, and I went to shop for kindergarten supplies, and electronics (since we sold/donated/gave away most of our incompatible electronics).
Our first stop was a shoe store that happened to be by the bus stop. We picked up a pair of "Hausschuhe" for LGG, slippers that they change into when they get to school. Also a PE bag to store her clothes for Friday gymnastics. Since we were in the neighborhood, we strolled past an apartment that had just been listed, but decided it was too close to a busy street, so we will not pursue it. We took the bus and tram to another neighborhood where we could do another walk-by of a potential apartment. This one is also on a busy street, but not as busy as the other one, so we will visit it tonight.
By this time LGG was very hungry (she had only had a banana for breakfast), so we stopped by the bakery and purchased her a roll shaped like a turtle. That satisfied LGG's hunger as we took the tram to downtown where we stopped for sausages at the Sternen Grill. Cold outside and chaotic, but good brats. Also, LGG had a Swiss hot dog -- a long roll with a hole poked in it, filled with ketchup and the hot dog.
We then took the tram to Bahnhofstrasse which is the main shopping street of Zürich. A query on an email list had suggested the department store Manor as a source for painting smocks, but they were out. We did go upstairs to check out the restaurant/cafeteria, and next time we need to eat and it's cold outside, we're going there. We then went to Coop City where we found a painting smock. We still need a small snack bag/backpack, but LGG and I will try to pick one up during the week. Then it was time to go to Media Markt. However, ZDG and LGG had another plan.
We stopped at Sprüngli for some treats. This being our second visit, we knew to hover like vultures and take the first available seat. We secured a table, LGG started drawing, and we waited for our hot chocolates, coffee, and pastries. LGG and I each had a hot chocolate, while ZDG had a cappuccino. Normally LGG loves whipped cream, but this was the thick unsweetened stuff, so I had to make the sacrifice and eat some of hers. The hot chocolate was thick and rich and very good. I had a mocha eclair and ZDG shared a slice of chocolate cake with LGG. Sufficiently fortified, we hopped on the tram for SihlCity.
SihlCity is an American-style mall. It has a babysitting place that we thought might be fun for LGG to go because she is currently lacking in other playmates. As we expected, she was very reluctant to go, and ZDG and LGG had a little chat for a few minutes to see what the problem was. In the end, LGG was worried about not being able to speak German with the other kids, but intrigued by the toys and games, so she agreed to go, but only if ZDG stayed nearby for a while. After a few minutes, ZDG and I left to shop. We came back after an hour and were greeted by LGG shouting from the back of the room: "I'm not ready, come back later!" So we left her for another hour, and after that hour, we still had to convince LGG to leave with promises of a return visit soon.
While she was playing we purchased a AA battery charger for the digital camera batteries, and clippers so I can cut ZDG's hair (instead of paying CHF 25 - 50/ month). We also looked at vacuum cleaners, electronic toothbrushes, microwaves (well I did while ZDG looked at computer stuff) in anticipation of needing them once we move into our own place.
Sunday was a day of rest. I cut ZDG's hair and we went for a long leisurely stroll along the Käferberg. If you look at a satellite map of Zürich, it is surrounded by a bunch of green blobs. Those green blobs are wooded hills filled with walking paths. We had fun finding frozen ponds, scuffing the leaves, and testing our balance on the various fitness course stops. And of course LGG asking "Can we go to the play place again tomorrow, Mama?"
All in all a nice weekend. And now it's Monday and time to return to the grocery store and continue the apartment hunt.
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