Up not-too-early to pack up and catch a very reasonably-scheduled 10:50am train.  First train from Venice to Milan, second train from Milan to Zurich.   The competitive jostling for on-train giant-suitcase space is not for the faint-of-heart.  Yet the airline person in me is amazed that there always seems to be enough room, even with some bags stuffed between seats or plainly sitting out in aisles.  That would never fly on an airline!  Ha! Pun!  Made the connection with no problems, and the views out the windows between Milan and Zurich were stunning.  We threaded through the Lake Como district and then Lugano.  Gorgeous lakes whose shores were dotted with picturesque villages – all straight off of a postcard.  What a dramatic and appropriate transition from the Italian countryside portion of our adventure to the mountains; from pasta, pizza, and piazzas to schnitzel, strudel, and strasses.

We were making a 4-day stop in Zurich to visit our dear friends, the Walls family.  David is my longest-time friend.  We lived a block from each other in Topeka, were great friends through elementary and high school, and even went to Northwestern together.  Dave, his wife Cari, and their two boys Carson (11) and Cullen (6, almost 7) lived in Dallas until last year, when Dave got a job managing a fund with a firm in Zurich.  So they up and moved to the land of beautiful lakes and mountains, $10 bottles of water, and VERY STRICT RULES.  Dave works in downtown Zurich, and Cari works for her architectural design firm long-distance.  They were gracious to host us in their beautiful home, and we had a great time with them.

Back to moving day….. We arrived at Zurich’s central station in good shape, bought the right combination of tickets to get us around town, and had dinner at a quick-plate seafood spot in the station.  Our first realization of how expensive it is in Zurich – $120 to feed the family! (a meal that would normally cost about $45) That night I started the compulsive habit of cleaning my own plate and then everyone else’s at every meal, just to ensure I wasn’t wasting a single franc.  I now have to buy all new pants.  After dinner we caught Tram 6 to the Zoo stop, then little Bus 39, which dropped us right in front of The Walls Haus.  What a wonderful wilkommen!  We settled in their beautiful home and caught up with Dave and Cari while the kids played; Carson was on a school trip in the Alps until Friday, which allowed sweet Cullen full attention of the Stumbo kids!  It was about 8:30pm when we arrived, so we didn’t stay up too long.  Moving days are tiring!  It felt so good to be in a home, with friends like family, and dogs to love on.  And good ol’ American pillow-top beds.  Zzzzzzz…..

Last-morning look out the hotel to the Grand Canal.

Last Venetian breakfast!

On the move

This is LouAnn’s FAVORITE store, and we’re running into them EVERYWHERE, even in the Venice train station!

After a brief connection in Milan, on the train to Zurich.

Killin’ time on the train!

Our luggage porter, when he used to be able to carry luggage!

Waltzing in the Zurich train station, waiting for Dad to get all the tram/train tickets sorted out so we can head up the mountain to the Walls Haus.

Outside the Zurich station.  Trying to find Tram #6 towards the zoo!

Made it!  Tram 6!

Zoo stop – now tiny Bus 39 for the five-minute trip to the Walls house.

A proper welcome!  We made it!