The one by the Limmat in Gessneralle, in the back streets of the Bahnhofstrasse.  There were probably very good reasons to put this fountain is where it is. But, a hundred years after, it seems a bit lost in the boardwalk. The city start growing, the streets got changed and people went away to more glamorous side walks.  It is not only neglected – it is also well in hidden in a construction site, away from most humans, animals and tourists. In fact, I only bumped into due to tragic series of bad judgement calls – the roads was cut, trams seemed to have found out a secret place to take a nap and I wasn’t exactly where I thought I would be. So, the Spanish approach to cross the road came in handy. All you need to do is chose what place is  more convenient to get you where you to go, make sure that al least the first car has enough space to break and run for dear life. And, when I got to the other side of the road, I found out not only that I had gotten into a middle of a construction and had helmet, but that there was indeed something that was worthwhile taking a shot.

A big thank you to M. for bearing with my worldwide famous sense of (dis)orientation and gracefully crossing the streets like a Spaniard.

The one in Limmatplatz, where the Langstrasse - the red light district  - ends.  Limmatplatz is not your regular tram stop. During the 90ies it used to be a major center of heroin traffic, This is not your regular tram stop…. Everything can happen here, from drugs openly changing hands to people being stabbed and pickpockets trying to work. For the best and the worse, it is also one of the most multicultural places in Madrid. People you would hardly see down the Bahnhofstrasse sits next to young hipsters and folks on their way to work. I never feel too comfortable in this place, but I have to admit this is the place where Zurich even looks cosmopolitan and open to everyone…

The one in Nägelihof, one of my favorite corners  in Zurich for a number of reasons. It is a quiet, almost secretive square in the otherwise busy Niederdorf. To find it, either you have to be very lost or know exactly where you want to go know.

I did my very first purchase in Zurich in the Nägelihof. It was as cold by then as it is today, and it soon became evident that either I got something to warm me up or had to go back home, at the time, in that place which name I don’t want to remember. In that moment, Shava materialized in front of me. I quickly walked in and grabbed an ultra boring yawn-feist beige scarf. The owner just looked at me, showed me the bright ones he has just received and suggested that maybe what my total neutral look needed was a pop of color. He was right – I ended up with an orange pashmina I still use to this day.

Lost as I was, I wasn’t able to retrace my steps to Shave until I actually moved to live in Zurich. It was Summer by then, and friend took me to Mère Catherine, a Mediterranean inspiration. It was the perfect evening for a home sick Spaniard. The food was great, the wine was great, but above all, we sat outside and it almost felt like I was back home. The bill quickly brought me back to reality, though.

And then, there is Le Philosophe, a tiny-tiny-tiny little old fashioned bar. You better come here with someone you like a  lot, because it will be very difficult to avoid contact. Although it is better known for its apéro à la française [French aperitif], the coffee and their chocolatey things are pretty decent.

It was fountain number 41, the one in the garden of  the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich [Museum of Design Zurich]. Still bitterly cold in, I am afraid…

It was fountain number 60, the one presiding over the Banhnofstrasse. You have seen in the peak of Summer and covered in snow. But, today Frau T. found another angle to this fountain on her way to the Hauptbanhnof.  It is at least curious to see a dragon spitting ice…  It is still bitterly cold in Zurich. Slowly but surely, all fountains are starting to have more ice than flowing water.

Again, a big thank you to Frau T, who spotted the dragon and took out her gloves to make this picture possible.

The one in Limmatquai, in one of Zurich’s most traditional and historic spots. Built in the XVI century, it represents Samson (of Biblical Samson and Delilah fame), being officially known as Samsonbrunnen [Samson fountain]. But, Zürchers call it the Fischmarktbrunnen [fish market fountain], as it used to be in the middle of a fish market and was mostly used to keep the goods fresh and clean. The market is long gone but a nearby street flower shop still makes good use it. Not at the time the snapshot was taken, though. After all the snow that felt last of week, Zurich got hit by an artic cold wave and has been shivering at sub-zero temperatures. Very sunny indeed, but, lets face it, way too chilly for minimal walkings let alone outdoors shopping.

It was fountain number 57, the one in Bellevue tram stop. I was also lucky enough to get it squeaky clean right  before the Love Parade. But, Summer is long gone… It has been snowing all day and it will be very cold for a few a days. Not very cold: excruciatingly painful cold would be a better way to put it- The snapshot was taken around Christmas time – note the circus tent on the background – but it isn’t much different to what happened today. Summer will be back, hopefully.

The one in the corner of Stockerstrase with Bleicherweg. Definitively not one of my favorites… We are now in the heart of the financial district and many of the buildings are of recent construction. The taste level was already a bit iffy when they were done, and aging only make them worse.

The hundredth fountain is the one in front of the Zürich Konservatorium Klassik und Jazz, in the Hirschengraben. It is a special dedication to my dear friend G., who very soon will pass in front of it almost everyday.

It was fountain number 60, the one presiding over the Bahnhofstrasse. When I published it, the sun was shinning high and bright. Tourists were competing for the the best snapshot of this fountain, and I was wearing a very light Summer. But today, I needed a thick coat and a pair heavy boots. Snow is finally here, and it and starts to slowly pile on the streets.

This photo was taken over 1 year ago in a Winter day like today. And, as it happened by then, Herr Alfred Escher looks down to Zürchers rushing, Lucy and small piles of fresh snow.