"The Polar Express" & Zurich

Mom and Catherine have come to celebrate Christmas with us, and as we may not spend another Christmas here in Germany, we wanted to make it as memorable as possible for all. On the Saturday before Christmas we took a train to Zurich, Switzerland to see the famous Christmas Market there in the train station. Cyrus kept calling the train the "Polar Express" and was only a little disappointed when waiters did not come somersaulting down the aisles to serve hot chocolate.

It was a very long day, but well worth the effort. The train left from the Immenstadt station close to our house at 8:30 a.m. Of course in true Lewis fashion we barely made to the train on time. We were sprinting from the parking garage through about a foot of snow to get to the train.

Once on the train we sat back to enjoy the ride. Our first stop was in Lindau, Germany, about an hour away. In Lindau we had to board another train that would take us on to Zurich. This leg of the trip was about 2 hours. Tommy made a trip to the dining car to get coffee and hot chocolate for everyone, and it was a nice trip. I defenitely recommend traveling by train in Europe. Even with the kids it was less stressful than in the car.

The Christmas Market was located inside the Zurich Train station, so once we arrived in Zurich we did not have to take a taxi or street car. We "assumed" since the market was "inside" that we would be nice and warm and protected from the weather (did I mention there was a blizzard in Europe that weekend?). We were wrong! Inside the train station was so cold! It was even snowing inside! We stayed bundled up and Tommy found a cafe that was not heated, but at least sheltered from some of the cold, snow and wind. We set up camp there, ordered coffee (the best ever!), and took turns going out into the market to shop and see the sights!

Shopping with Sarah and Grace was quite a joy! We had given each of the kids 20 Swiss Franks to spend in the market. Grace and Sarah both decided not to spend it on themselves, but to buy gifts for everyone. This was much fun for me. Watching them watch each other for clues as to what to get one another was interesting. They made their selections and paid all on their own. The only time I had to help communicate was when one shop keeper spoke in French to Grace. Grace looked at me very confused, and I said "German or English please", the lady switched to German, and Grace took it from there.

While the girls showed much selflessness in their shopping in Zurich,

Cyrus decided to spend all 20 Franks on a plastic shark toy that you could probably buy at Myrtle Beach for about $2. As soon as we boarded the train to return home later that evening, Lore Mae broke the shark and Cyrus decided that she could have it since now it was broken! Was that a flicker of genorousity from my 3 year old boy?

The trip back to home was good. Mom, Catherine and the kids visited the dining car for dinner. We arrived back in Immenstadt around 9 p.m. The drive from the train station back to our house was a little hairy, because it had snowed all day. Everyone was very tired but glad to be home. It was a trip to remember!

Tommy took this video from the train as we went through Germany.

The country side was just breathtaking! You really did feel like you were on the "Polar Express" when you looked out the window.

Cy and Grace looking out the train window.

Inside the train station in Zurich there was a three story Christmas tree covered in Swarovski Crystals. We tried very hard to get a good photo. This is the best one, but does not quite capture how beautiful it was. The tree looks to be silver from a distance, but it is indeed a real fir tree that is completely covered in crystal ornaments! It was especially beautiful after dark.

One of the booths in the market. I love these paper stars. We had one on top of our Christmas tree.

I love this picture! If you have any doubts about how cold it was, just take a look at Catherine's expression.