WTF-Beta

The scenery in these mountains is spectacular!

Special train today, built for steep inclines.

The track includes a rack on the steep parts that engages a cog under the engine. Very cool.

Eels

Real Estate

Taxes

There simply must be better choices.

Crudite

Standard

It was like that when I got here.

Divot

@jon-nyc

#3 most popular soda in Switzerland after Coke and Coke Zero. Not nearly as sweet as either of those and made with whey, of all things. Very unusual, think “iced tea w/lemon, carbonated with a little sugarl

Tour bus driver suggested a restaurant where we could sample the iconic foods of Switzerland. Says he’s never been there but it’s always busy and the diners look like locals. Next door to where our tour bus dropped us off so why not?

Nailed it! This places breaks no new ground and was exactly what we wanted.

Veal strips and onion gravy. Think beef stroganoff light with a pinch of (nutmeg?). Served with rosti - hash browns with extra butter. Another less than photogenic meal but very satisfying.

Fondue, of course. Emmenthaler with white wine, bread, taters and pears. (Pears?). Excellent! I’m beginning to wonder why everyone doesn’t weigh 600 pounds but the general population appears to be quite fit. It might be all of the hills and stairs.

We were advised not to eat from the dipping fork (rude and unsanitary) but it seems everyone does it anyway.

Cream of veg soup. No cream I could discern, more of a puree. Has zucchini in it which would overpower most soups but works in this one. I’ll be making this one at home. Photographs comparatively well.

This one has a long name but the toddlers would recognize it instantly as Mac and cheese. Sharp white cheese rather than cheddar.

That pretty much covered the list except for “Berner platter” which no one else wants to try but me. Kind of a charcuterie with dried green beans (?), sauerkraut and sausages.

I’ll watch for it.

The #1 snack in Switzerland. Seems random so I had to taste for myself. Definitely not hard to find.

Don't eat chips often but I might I might make an exception for these! The flavor is very subtle compared to flavored American chips - maybe regular BBQ flavor at 1/4 volume with a bit of lime and vinegar. Very tasty.

Limited distribution outside of Germany and Switzerland, which will sound exotic to the home folks. Light, cheap, and familiar enough in flavor that the toddlers will eat them.

Souvenirs!

Took a cable car to the top of a mountain overlooking Lake Zurich.

Spectacular!

Our first authentic Swiss meal. “Raclette” which is both the name of the cheese and how they prepare it (poured over bread and/or potatoes, sausage and/or bacon on the side) There is nothing here not to like.

TIL that Zürich is the most expensive city in the world - and I believe it! The price of everything is - YIKES!

Dotard

Biased