How I Burned 100CHF in Zurich

This morning was unlike many, many others in Zurich: (1) it was sunny and (2) I felt like running. So before Mother Nature or I had a chance to renege on our intentions, I took a quick swig of coffee water, rolled my ankles a few times, and ran aimlessly down my street with the goal of making a decision on where to go by the time I reached the traffic light. And once at the traffic light, I decided to just keep going straight since I hadn't decided on anything.

I eventually got to Letzigrund, the main stadium in Zurich, and was excited to see event posters plastered around with a big "Gratis" in bold letters; excited not only because this was one of the ten or so German words I knew, but because it means "Free"! I asked a security guard at the entrance if I could come in, and he didn't understand me, but since he moved out of the way, I took it as a yes. I eventually found an event organizer, who told me it was a run to raise money for MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and that even though I didn't have any sponsorship, I was welcome to run on the track since it was better for my knees than the sidewalk (how thoughtful!)... and so, I ran in the Lions Joggathlon & Walkathlon for a few miles and enjoyed being at the center of a huge stadium while listening to a mix of American R&B and Swiss German encouragement over the loud speakers.

I don't look forward to running (just to run) and infrequently go out on my own initiative, but I do love the post-effects. Also, sometimes it's good to just get lost in your own thoughts, and since I left my iPod at home, that's exactly what I did. I bounced back and forth between the superficial and significant, thinking about my last days in Zurich and what the next months will bring, and then thought awhile about how lucky I am: having the opportunity to live abroad, travel around the world, genuinely enjoy my job, having awesome friends, family, and my health intact. I don't do enough to repay the hand I've been dealt, but I figured the least I could do was donate to the charity organizing the event I crashed. And since some friends I know in Zurich literally burned through a 100CHF bill two days earlier (in a silly and embarrassing way that need not be recounted...), I figured I'd follow up and burn the same bill for something a bit nobler.

Hahnenwasser Hassles

One of the most annoying things about Zurich is the lack of table water provided at most restaurants. It's always nice not to have to ask for something, but when you explicitly request hahnenwasser (tap water), it's been more often the case for me that a waiter will bring a 5CHF bottle of something fancy and open it before I have a chance to argue. Or they will say they don't serve hahnewasser, or they have to charge for it.

I understand that the service industry is different in Europe than it is in United States. I am accustomed to the campy customer-is-always-right-your-wish-is-my-command attitude, along with frequent check-ins to make sure I don't want a refill, and that everything is alright -- with me, my food, and my life (superficially). This is not what I expect, nor is it what I necessarily want, but come on... no free tap water?! Even France, a country regarded as having less-than-charming service, always has a carafe of water at the table when dining. Ignoring the additional cost, all of the extra bottles are just unnecessary waste. And the irony is that once you leave a restaurant in Zurich, you have 1200 public water fountains awaiting to quench your thirst.

I've learned to live without ice, even when it's not included in an "ice tea", but this custom is one that leaves me dry. Literally.