Started my pre-trip preparations by leaving my Visa in the Wachovia ATM by work. Oops. Earned myself a trip back to the office (or rather, the bank branch immediately below my office) to retrieve it on my day off -- fortunately I'm developing a close relationship with Wachovia-employee John, who is responsible for handling such matters and who recognizes my card because it has a photo booth sticker on it.

Then the red eye to Zurich with excellent Swiss Air snacks (tortellini and croissants) and an early morning arrival in Switzerland. The fact of being in another country is maybe not quite setting in, besides that all the subway stops are more unpronouncably named than Hoyt-Schermerhorn or Kosciusko. Bratwurst is delicious though and the proximity of lakes and mountains to the city center is a bit shocking. Nature and metropolis aren't supposed to co-exist.