Zürich Series - Oerlikon

This northern quarter of Zurich used to be an industrial area until economic forces caused the migration of manufacturing to cheaper areas in the east.  Along Binzmühlestrasse and its surrounding streets stand scores of ABB buildings, interspersed by numerous squares surrounded by a small number of fast food eateries, most of which are closed at the weekend.  At the corner of #80, there is a sharp edged building, mirrored on the ground by this triangular piece of paving area.  This part of Oerlikon, north of the railway station, is deserted at the weekend when the offices are closed, and only families from nearby are seen going to the Co-op supermarket to do their shopping.





The belching smoke against the morning skyline, it was explained to me, is from the recycling plant where waste is converted into combustible heat and electricity for Zurich.    According to Stadt Zürich, the Zurich residents are top in recycling: 43% of household waste remains in the material cycle, with 160 collection points in this city alone.  How commendable.

This is Departure Gates E at Zurich International Airport, accessible by SkyMetro from the main departure gates A-D.  The signage is in red, the colour of the Swiss flag.  For an international airport, the place is surprisingly quiet and empty.  The Skymetro runs every 3 minutes, and there is a clock counting down the minutes to the arrival of the next train.  The Swiss efficiency is most impressive.  On arrival at Heathrow, all the three e-Passport gates were out of order, and one lone immigration official was deployed to serve the long queue.  The queue was directed by a glum faced woman who appeared to resent being put to test by such a technological failure, and vented her displeasure on the frustrated passengers.