Mayhem on Mayday

The apparently annual Mayday riots in Zürich rolled through Helvetiaplatz today, May 1, 2008.

The Polizei turned out in massive numbers, and in full riot gear. Things turned violent not too far in, with the Black Block throwing anything they could find at the Polizei -- beer bottles, trash cans, firecrackers.

The Polizei responded in kind by shooting rubber bullets, launching tear gas, and using some sort of scary-sounding flak cannon to supress the crowd.

Home at last!

I've finally moved into my new flat in Seefeld, Zurich, Switzerland. It's been a long two months in my temporary "Swiss Star Apartments" abode, but well worth the wait.

Seefeld is considered to be one of the popular areas of Zurich, and I can certainly see why: beautiful parks all along the coast, plenty of bars and restaurants, lots of shops and theatres. I'm quite glad to be there, and it doesn't hurt that my apartment has a pretty decent view of the lake.

Without further ado, here's an album with some pictures to peruse:

Zurich Apartment

Only in (Europe, Switzerland, Zurich)...

Well, yesterday was quite a fun day for me in Zürich... but it spawned some comparisons, which I deign to share with you now.

Only in (Europe, Switzerland, Zürich)...

• Can you take a tram to save walking 200m (the trams come every ~3min in busy areas)
• Can you buy milk (1.5 SFr.) and a pastry (1.2 SFr.) for less money than a 20oz. bottle of soda (3 SFr.)
• Do cinemas advertise for other cinemas (of different companies)
• Does a cinema ticket cost 19 SFr. (more expensive than buying a DVD in most cases)
• Do they interrupt the movie half-way through for ice cream
  
• Are there beautiful lush parks seemingly every 0.5km (and sparsely populated too)
• Is it illegal to hang your linens on a Sunday
• Is public consumption of alcohol (tram, train, park, anywhere) considered normal
• Can you be in the rural country-side in 20 minutes on public transportation
  
• Can you buy a single 7.80 SFr. (~5USD) ticket and have unfettered access to all public transport for a day: tram, train, bus, boat. (or just a 500 SFr. yearly pass for the same)
• Can you stop to admire a statue/water-fountain on every street corner, and then drink clean fresh water from it
• Do locals begin to be upset when a tram is 2 minutes late
• Can you find a street vendor selling flowers: but they aren't there, just a sign saying "Flowers cost 3 SFr." next to a jar

In short: Zürich is a fantastic place to live. I am thoroughly glad for my decision to move here.