Chapter 4 - Northern Europe - like living in a nunnery

There are a lot of old towers and church spires, cobbled streets and frescoed gray stone buildings but even so, Zurich strikes me as a modern city. It’s clean, prosperous and sophisticated, very Swiss. At night the streets are covered with strands of tiny white lights. Every turn brings a new delight in light or sound, from intricate old buildings all picked out in lights to ringing bells on endless clocks to little night markets selling trinkets and snacks that are within our budget.

After a boat trip on the Zurichsee, I went wild in an English bookstore, buying replacements for things I've already read. Niki got one book, what she called a ‘beach book’. I got four, including a copy of the “World Atlas of Exploration” that I had put on my birthday list, but can’t wait for. I am starting to get worried about how everything is going to fit in my pack. I wonder if I can buy another bag and if so, whether or not I’ll be able to carry two of them. We were only in the book store for twenty minutes and Niki was already flirting with the guy at the till. I can’t believe it. She’s amazing.

The hostel in which we are staying is a sort of waiting house where many families of sick people stay. It’s run by nuns who are all extremely kind and helpful. Our room is actually one long hall with each bed section curtained off from the others. Very quiet but full of sadness. I feel guilty when I laugh out loud at something. Even Niki is a little subdued. Or maybe it’s because there are no men here.

I also bought a Swiss army knife today. I’d been pricing them for awhile, trying to be more responsible with my money, or rather Dad’s money as I have spent all of mine and am using his credit card all the time now. I guess I should add up the costs of all my purchases in case I’m close to the limit. That would not only be embarrassing but dangerous to my future as when I have to face Dad he might kill me! I’m really trying to not spend on things that aren’t necessities, but I find too many necessities. The knife I bought has two blades, a cork screw and a screwdriver - even a nail file. I wonder why a Swiss soldier would need a nail file. I would think that might be low on his or her priority list.

Niki went out with her bookstore boy tonight and I stayed in and read, not really minding being left behind.