First impressions of Zurich: a city of precision

It's been exactly 53 days since I left Kristiansand, and I've already managed to see some incredible places. Today marks another transition as I arrived in Zurich after a smooth train journey from Geneva.

The train pulled into Zürich Hauptbahnhof at 13:42, precisely on schedule. I stood for a moment in the grand hall of the station, getting my bearings and observing the flow of people moving with purpose in every direction. There's something comforting about Swiss efficiency that reminds me of home.

After checking into my hotel near the Old Town, I decided to make the most of the remaining daylight hours. The weather is cooperating beautifully - 14°C and sunny skies, perfect for walking. I spent the afternoon getting acquainted with the city center, wandering along the Limmat River and taking in the views of the church spires against the clear blue sky.

What strikes me immediately about Zurich is how clean everything is. The streets are immaculate, the trams arrive exactly when the schedule says they will, and there's an orderliness that permeates everything. I found myself at the main train station at 14:05 for a tram that was scheduled for 14:15, giving me plenty of time to study the map and make sure I was on the correct platform.

The lake and the mountains

I made my way to Lake Zurich, which stretches out from the city center like a long finger pointing southeast. Standing at the edge of the water, I could see the distant Alps on the horizon, their peaks just visible against the sky. There's something deeply calming about bodies of water, and I spent a good half hour just sitting on a bench watching the light play on the surface.

The lake promenade was busy with locals enjoying the weekend sunshine - joggers, cyclists, families with children, and couples walking hand in hand. I noticed several magnificent plane trees lining parts of the walkway, their mottled trunks and spreading canopies creating pleasant patches of shade.

I overheard a father explaining to his daughter that some of these trees have been here for over a hundred years. I stopped to take a few photos, capturing the way the afternoon light filtered through the branches.

Unexpected exhibition

While walking back toward the city center, I noticed a poster for the "TITANIC – L'Exposition" at the Lichthalle MAAG. I hadn't planned to visit any exhibitions today, but the timing worked out perfectly - it was just after 3pm, and the exhibition would be open until 8pm.

The exhibition was fascinating - over 200 real artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreckage, along with detailed recreations of parts of the ship's interior. There was something deeply moving about seeing personal items that had rested at the bottom of the Atlantic for decades before being recovered. A pair of spectacles, a leather wallet, a perfume vial - small fragments of interrupted lives.

The most impressive part was walking through the recreated first-class staterooms, with their polished wood paneling and period furnishings. I had to duck slightly through some of the doorways, reminding me that people were generally shorter in the early 1900s.

Coffee and contemplation

After the exhibition, I needed some time to process what I'd seen. I found a small café near the river and ordered a coffee. The barista prepared it with practiced precision, presenting me with a perfectly formed cappuccino.

Sitting by the window, I watched people hurrying past as the afternoon began to fade. I pulled out my notebook and jotted down some initial impressions of Zurich: orderly, efficient, clean, prosperous. There's a sense of everything working exactly as it should here.

It's now just after 5pm, and I'm back at my hotel taking a short break before heading out for dinner. Tomorrow I plan to visit ETH Zurich where Einstein studied, and perhaps take the Polybahn funicular for a panoramic view of the city. I'm also eager to explore the Old Town more thoroughly in the morning light.

I'm curious to see how Zurich compares to Geneva over the next few days. Both cities share that Swiss precision, but each has its own character. Geneva felt international and diplomatic, while Zurich already seems more business-oriented and perhaps slightly more reserved.

Fifty-three days into this journey, and I'm still discovering new aspects of myself in each place I visit. The restlessness that drove me to leave home early has settled into a comfortable rhythm of exploration and reflection. I have 447 days ahead of me - almost a daunting number when I think about it - but right now, I'm exactly where I need to be.

[Photo: Late afternoon light on Lake Zurich, with distant Alpine peaks visible on the horizon]