29th March 2006 – Day 163

I woke up late and had to ask Qicong to leave first since he has to attend his lessons. He handed me his keys and left for the train station.

I took the time to think about where to go this morning. I decided that the Lindt chocolate factory would be worth a visit. But to visit the place, it would mean that I have to buy a ticket for 3 zones.

The problem was easy to get around.

The factory would only open at 1000, so I had some time to pack up all my stuffs into my backpack.

Lindt chocolate factory is no property of Willy Wonka, but the production lines were closed to the public as well. There was nothing interesting except for the strong whiff of chocolate in the air. In fact, there was nothing else I could do there except for buying chocolates.

Buy chocolate I did. Lots. Since they were for personal consumption, I did not mind buying the leicht beschädigt chocolate which were cheaper.

I was late for lunch since I went back to the hostel to put all the chocolate down. Qicong was worried that I disappeared with his keys.

The Landesmuseum here was also quite interesting. I could spend the whole afternoon in the museum looking at all the exhibit. On each display, there is a corresponding explanation with 4 languages, namely German, French, Italian and English. Understanding the exhibit is not a problem.

I couldn’t finish the museum on time. I made another arrangement to meet Qicong again outside 15 to 20 minutes later.

I rushed through the rest of the exhibits and when I was outside 20 minutes later. Mr Tan wasn’t there.

I waited until 1700 before I decided that he will not be there. I told him earlier that my train leaves at 1907 and should leave Dietikon by 1815. I presume he might have gone back first, and I made my way back too.

It turns out that he had to settle some billing problem before the post office closes, or else he would have to pay a fine. He was relieved that he did not have to pay the fine. I was too because my 40 CHF train ticket need not be wasted.

I took the 1830 train back to Zürich Hauptbahnhof and bidded him farewell from Dietikon.

It was not until 5.5 hours later that I reached Karlsruhe since I was taking the slower train from Pforzheim.

Back in the hostel, Stefan asked me again if there would be a Abschiedsparty since I would still be here for Thursday night. Well, I would be in Karlsruhe, but that doesn’t mean that my remaining time here would be spent partying away!

So, I have to start packing up the mess here.