2 fun(ny) things I found in Zurich

Yesterday I met my friend, Shannon and her new son, Niko for a walk around her neighborhood, which is pretty much across the v. top of the lake from us. Well, sort of.

Shannon is a hoot and totally relaxed, cool mom - we had a blast with Niko, who was born on July 22nd (I hope that's right?...) He's a v. hip kid already and was ready to get strapped on to mom's front for our little walk up to the forest and the farm.

I was v. eager to check out this farm - and it did not disappoint. There are little lockers - a la Greyhound bus terminal - only see through, where they have different bunches of apples of varying types and amounts that you pop money into and the door opens and viola! - fresh Zurich farm apples that you'll feel someone left just for you. (I told Shannon, who does not know just how zany I am - yet - that what would really be cool would be to go up there at night and liberate all the apples and replace them with like doll heads or yarn or chopsticks* or even trays of lasagna ... I could tell by her trouble-making grin that she would be on board if I ever decided to go through with mission "replace-the-apples-in-the-bus/airport-lockers-with-various-and-sundry-wacky-stuff-by-cover-of-night"). Right on.

Almost cooler than the lockers was the giant vat of apple juice that came out via a tap-like device. It took me back to those autumn days in NH at college (UNH) when I used to fill up other people's plastic red cups with cheap keg beer from the Ice House. (Oh, I did not drink in college - until I was 21 - no, really - I didn't ... I was (am) a v. good girl.)

The stuff that comes out of the giant vat is the most fabulous tasting stuff. Not like apple juice really at all - I can only have about one sip of typical apple juice but this stuff ... wow - I can see why Shannon said she was able to substitute this and a few other like drinks for beer while she was pregnant ... It's not quite as 'hard' as cider either - the thing I can most equate it to is Cider Jack, alcoholic cider - but not quite as bitey ... Anyway - this is all pretty useless unless you live here or will be visiting me in the next few weeks as you really do need to taste it.

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

*Speaking of chopsticks - I just wanted to share this lovely photo I took at BrockiLand. They are actually selling chopsticks - not used, I don't think, but certainly not new out of a sealed box - I mean these are the same chopsticks that you keep in your kitchen junk drawer for years along with random menus, toothpicks, mints, elastic bands, game pieces, twine, business cards of unknown or not remembered people, samples of products you got in the mail and just can't throw away because they were free and your favorite fortunes from those Chinese dinners.

Who buys these? (Let's hope only a kindergarten teacher for craft projects...) I'm planning a trip back this week and will check to see if they are still there. Now I wish I'd hooked up some sort of 'nannycam' to see who bought them - drat. Next time.