First days in Switzerland

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Hello everyone,

Today, a few words from my traveling partner.



This is Gloria:



It's difficult to explain, perhaps a picture is worth a thousand words.



When you travel from your birth country and visit another, the mindset, history and culture can be quite an influence on you, somehow every time I come to Switzerland, pieces seem to come together for me a bit more than the last visit.

I wish I could speak even two of the four or five languages most young people speak when they live here (out of necessity). Because of the diverse surrounding countries and influence of German, Italian, French, and Romansh it is now days a must......Add English as the worlds choice a n d .....you have it.

I am enamored with the beauty God has graced us with wherever we are

But more so here, because of my Swiss heritage.

It's not like Colorado doesn't have mountains of great stature and beauty!

I think it's because - in Switzerland or even the Austrian Alps, the rise is so dramatic and deliberate from sea level to the heights of 2200 meters which sounds and looks far more impressive than the 6600 feet we live in. The convenience of the travel system of buses, colorful, quiet, electric, Swiss trains, ease of lift systems and myriads of, well cared for, hiking trails of every ability grade.

Add to this ;

mountain sides scattered with bell toting cows keeping the grass looking velvety,

distant church bells echoing thru the hills,

Watching families work together to rake the grass (as mandated) on the mountainside,

stacked wood neatly cut to exactness, scarcely seen elsewhere,

Occasional Alpenhorn players of four or more displaying their cultural icon,

sporadic impulsive voices suddenly bursting out in regional songs from unidentifiable corners of the mountain,

Sometimes, the tree level has long since disappeared at this height and the grandeur seems even more resolute than before.

AH - SWIZZERLAND!!



It is a privilege, not taken lightly, staying in this 350 year old home with charm

many folks have not been able to experience, and some would not even care to.

The 1-2 foot thick walls, original huge chunk stone floors (would make any Granite lover drool) renovated lighting, Antique furniture, and Ornate Ceramic light fixtures

give great ambience to the experience of sharing another persons lifestyle and home with us. The marriage of old and new conveniences are most appreciated

ie, hot and cold running water, microwave and expresso machine etc. Fat pillows and thick down comforters.

This dream however is not one We ever thought existed. We are blessed by all it's

History speaking to us through this experience.

When you add this all together to join "the old world charm" of buildings many years older than the founding of America, the Festivals that make "one" proud to be of a specific heritage, the costume/dress that captures your historical roots, boasting of the music, specific foods identifying individual cultures we often have lost with others of our historical countrymen, it has a bittersweet nostalgia.

Well this is only a bit of the overall experience of visiting old world Europe.

Oh it is changing just like the rest of the world for sure.

But, for now, we are drinking in the beauty, heritage and quaintness of this old world charm.

We are glad you are along - sharing it through our eyes and pictures.

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