No Foolin'

We were going to write an April Fool's blog yesterday...something about us getting deported, maybe, and Ian getting fired for making too much of a fuss about Steinhausen, and all our belongings falling off the ship and into the Atlantic Ocean...but then we thought, "Why tempt fate?"

Why, indeed, when things are turning around! All of a sudden we have responsive relocation consultants who actually respond to emails! Who move us to downtown Zurich! While we're not there yet (still cooling our heels in an Oerlikon hotel), we are awaiting confirmation/information about our move here to the centre of town: ---> (note lack of cornfields, proximity to Zurich HB), and into a hotel-ish apartment that will look a little something like the image below, if floorplans can be believed.

We received three options yesterday afternoon, and I went right away to check them out. The first was dingy and in a not-so-great part of town, although it was close to three different sex cinemas/"erotic superstores" (the private lives of Swiss-Germans seem frighteningly interesting!) The second was simply too posh: 70sqm of space in a "Presidential Apartment" seemed a bit much. All we said was "No cornfield," not "Crystal goblets only!" However, in true Goldilocks fashion, the third one seemed juuuuuust right -- close to the main train station, close to shopping, in the city centre, AND with a washer and dryer!!! I was sold, and asked our consultant to book ASAP. We won't actually be moving until at least Monday, but we've asked that we get there before the Easter Weekend, as we'd like to have a little jaunt somewhere to have the holiday we were supposed to have in our first few days here. Plus, the bill at the this hotel is getting INSANE, and I think moving out of here would be best for all the people who have to pay the tab at the end of this extended stay in Oerlikon.

The only downside of this new place is that it does not allow pets... We are hoping to be in our permanent accommodation by the time Mr. B. is supposed to arrive (May 26-ish), but if that's not possible, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave him in Toronto for another month or two. I'm not comfortable with kennel options in Zurich, and it's just not appropriate for us to move temporary accommodation again. It seems to make sense to move Banana only when we have permanent accommodation, so as to minimize disruption all around. As much as we want Banana here (note: "we" = Swiss Miss...though Swiss Mister says he misses the furball, too), we've learned that we need to be ready for unexpected Plan B's, and the "B" unfortunately does not stand for "Banana."

On that note, if you are looking for a temporary feline friend for end-May-June-ish, you know who to call. Banana is standing by to receive your emails.