A - Z 2025 Reflection Post

And just like that, April has come to a close, and with it, the 2025 A-Z Challenge. 26 letters, 26 posts – and yes, I even added a few extras, as I also participated in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, which calls for 30 posts in total.

This year marked my 11th participation, and for my A-Z challenge, I decided to dive into how Zurich, Switzerland, stands apart from the typical European city - or if, in fact, it fits some of those familiar stereotypes after all.

Here’s a look at the posts I shared:

A is for Arrivals, Cow Bells & Runway Views – Zurich’s Airport Vibes

B is for Banking, Bling & Bahnhofstrasse: Where All the Swiss Clichés Come Together

C is for Colorful Corners: Corbusier, Tinguely & the China Garden

D is for Dolder Dreams: Where Zurich’s Old Money Meets Wellness and Luxury

E is for ETA (Estimated Time of Appetizer) as well as Europaallee: Zurich’s Modern "Crates and Cranes District"

F is for Financial Facade: The Suits, Ties, and Windows of Mythenquai

G is for Grossmünster: Every European City has one big Church 

H is for Hardbrücke vs Veggie Bridge: Hateable new vs lovable old Bridge

I is for Idaplatz in Bloom: Zurich’s Pink Spring Secret

J is for Jules Verne Bar: A Drink With a Side of Altitude

K is for Kunsthaus Zurich: Art Without the Crowds

L is for Lindt Home of Chocolate: A Sweet Escape in Zurich as well as Leisure by the Limmat: A Tour of Zurich’s Riverside Charms

M is for Mind the Pigeons? Zurich HB vs. other European Train Stations

N is for Niederdorf: Cobblestones, Cafés & Cultural Spots

O is for Opera House: Culture, Drama & the Sächsilüüte Böögg

P is for Platzspitz: From Needle Park to Family Picnic Spot

Q is for Quaibrücke & the Quirks of Zurich Life

R is for REDL, One Truth and & More: Discovering Zurich's Street Art and Rieterpark: Magnolias, Views, and Zurich’s Quiet Escape

S is for Sihl River's Single-Syllable Story: Between Concrete and Green

T is for Turicum Calling: Traces of Ancient Rome in Modern Zurich

U is for Up the Üetlibergbahn: Unlocking Zurich's Views and Einstein's Cubby

V is for Viadukt Markthalle: Colorful Produce and Thoughts under the Arches

W is for Wiedikon’s Woven Histories: Brickworks, Jewish Life, and Urban Style as well as Wollishofen: Lakeside Tranquility and Cultural Creativity

X is for X-periencing Zurich’s Trams: From True Blue to Colorful Dots

Y is for Y Not? Discovering Zurich’s Sculptures

Z is for Zurich Zoo: A Journey Through Conservation, Challenges, and Connection

So, what’s my takeaway?

Honestly, I feel like the A-Z Challenge might be slowly fading. In the early years, thousands of bloggers participated, but this year, only 171 signed up on the Master List (down from 217 last year).

What happened? 

Many bloggers have shifted to faster, more interactive platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where engagement feels more immediate and the effort-to-reward ratio is often better. Others might have stepped away from blogging altogether, either due to burnout, life changes, or a waning sense of community that once made blogging so vibrant. As the blogosphere became more niche and less reciprocal, the generalist, community-driven blog quietly lost its momentum.

Thank you all for being part of my blogging journey through the alphabet—your support is deeply appreciated!

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As I reflect on my A-Z journey through Zurich, I realize I’ve never quite addressed the question: Is Zurich like any other European city?

In many ways, Zurich shares the charming elements of other European cities: Cobblestone streets, picturesque riversides, historical landmarks, and a vibrant cultural scene. But what sets it apart is its balance of old-world elegance and modern innovation. It’s a city where high-end banking meets artistic expression, where nature intertwines with urban life, and where efficiency and sustainability are not just goals, but ways of life. Zurich’s unique blend of Swiss precision, rich history, and forward-thinking energy makes it more than just another European city - it’s a place where contrasts thrive and coexist beautifully.

PS: For those of you intrigued by Zurich’s Sächsilüüte Böögg tradition – at this year’s Sechseläuten festival on April 28, 2025, Zurich’s Böögg (a snowman effigy symbolizing winter) took 26 minutes and 30 seconds to explode after being set ablaze. According to local tradition, this duration suggests a summer ahead that won’t be particularly hot or sunny, but also not too cold or rainy - just a pleasant middle ground. 🌸