Zermatt

We enjoyed a relaxing train ride from Blonay to Zermatt, first passing along Lac Leman with France in clear view just across the lake then up into the mountains to the German part of Switzerland with Italy just to the south. We passed villages, castles, vineyards, waterfalls then finally entered the snowy landscape. More than the language changes. You can somehow notice the change in attitudes — the locals are much more direct; still very clean and efficient but with an edge about them.  My father’s ancestors came from a small part of Switzerland, near St. Moritz, where the German dialect is still very similar to the Pennsylvania Dutch he grew up with in an Amish community. I recall a small conversation my father many years ago.  I commented there are many ways to do the same thing. He said, “No, there’s the one best way; all other ways are wrong.”

We picked up some rental boards which were quite affordable given that almost everything in Switzerland is about double what I would expect to pay at home. Our balcony is just over Daniel’s head on the top floor in this picture. The view from our room every morning is the vibrant top of the Matterhorn as shown in the first picture of this post. 

Snowboarding in the morning was the creme de la creme–perfect snow, perfect weather, no lift lines, just amazing! We could ski down to the Italian side but decided to stay on the Swiss side. The lifts, trams, and gondolas are all comfortable and state-of-the-art. Unlike skiing in the USA, I never saw a lift or tram slow down or stop. 

Taking a break at noon we sat at an outdoor cafe with live music playing Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Elton John and Van Morrison. There were fire pits but the weather was so nice, we were comfortable without heat or jackets.

Sharing this experience with Daniel is magical. He’s such a great travel companion. The only way it could be better would be to have his siblings with us. We’re already talking about another trip for the whole family. The world is big and time is our most precious limited resource.

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” Desmond Tutu