Journey to Antwerp - Part 3 - Zurich to Brussels to Antwerp

Zurich airport is quite nice. You get the feeling that everything is well-managed (maybe it's that subconscious feeling you already have, having heard the phrase "Swiss Efficiency" one time too many, I don't know).

Anyway landed there on time at 6:20, and took their underground train to the domestic terminal. No problems at all in clearing the security check there as well, things were moving at a quietly efficient pace there. I couldn't help but notice the stark difference from Mumbai. While in one place there were people shouting all over the place ("Any Thai Airways to Bangkok" a la the Kochi bus conductors' "Aluva Aluva Aluva"), here it was far more peaceful.

Had an interesting sight during take-off from Zurich. It has 3 runways. Exactly as our plane (to Brussels) was taking off from one of them, there was another taking off from a second one, at what seemed like a 60 degree angle to ours. Beautiful sight, seeing the two take off together and then bank in opposite directions. You'd think it was some kind of synchronized show (well, maybe the ATC guys were having some fun :) ).

The final flight from Zurich too was uneventful. Landed at Brussels as scheduled at 7:15, went through Border Control and was out pretty quickly. The way they've put directions in these places, you really have to make an effort to get lost. Was actually wondering if I'd see my check-in luggage, as I'd through-checked it in all the way from Bangalore, with 2 flight changes after that. So was rather relieved to find it sitting neatly on the belt.

Had decided to get a taxi to Antwerp rather than the bus/train options, to avoid the hassle of getting off elsewhere and then dragging the luggage the rest of the distance. The taxi guy was someone I took an immediate liking to. As soon as he got out onto the 6-lane expressway to Antwerp, he moved over to the leftmost lane and floored the pedal to take it all the way up to 140 kmph, and kept it there. After hearing "Nikhil, this is not an F1 car, you know" while crossing 90kmph back home, this was awesome.

Traffic was light, and we made it to Antwerp in good time. Met my new room-mate, with whom I'd only interacted by email before.

I now understand first-hand what the term Jet Lag means. And it doesn't help one bit that it's as bright as day even at 8 in the evening.

From tomorrow, back to work!