Travel: Alps (Swiss Side)

The Alps

Choose your mode of transportation--train, plane, or automobile and you'll be satisfied with the view.  My first time, I took the train from Geneva, through Bern and to Interlaken.  The goal was a one day, 8-hour hike starting from G-- to a point 2/3ds of the way up.  All you see is God.  It's like no hike you've ever had in the U.S.  No trees cloud your vision as you stare up the slopes. Yet, the land isn't especially rocky, either.  There is vegetation galore.  Jungsten is generally in your view, somewhere or another.  Look over the shoulder.  The snow and ice blaze in the sun. One sound above all: Cow bells.  Bessy is everywhere.  At one point, we had to push the cows out of our path.  Initially, there are a lot of summer and winter homes.  You can always stop by on a family picnickingin their yard and ask for cold water.  Usually, a bottle of wine will be chilling in a cool glacier well.  It's a dichotomy of sight--the bright grass against the snow topped peaks. You might meet a couple of guys from your hometown (like we did).  Sunbath on the way up and take a picture with the snow-topped peaks in the background.  Look up and eventually you'll see the Swiss flag marking your destination. And once there, stare out at the land that presents a wierd mixed-image of a highly prestine golf course with cows milling around the hills and glaciers magestically placed at the outskirts.  On the way down, I suggest spinning through the field of flowers located in the slightly flattened portions of the hike while singing "The Sound of Music" off-key. Yeah, definitely on the to-do list.  At least for the first-time visitor. 

The train ride back home isn't a let down, either.  Stare out onto Lac Geneve and the mountains are still there, reflected and then a great backdrop to the whole scene.  Then, at some point, you'll realize that the water captivated you long enough and kept you company as the Alps bade farewell. 

A road trip is equally as fun. CRAZY drivers, though! Or, may be just having some fun.  Regardless, the cars are small and the speed is fast.  It's like a strange Mario Kart race, with you having picked a fantastic scenery and the Mountain Drive Course taking you over bridges and next to the lake featuring a scattered number of boats.  The colors should clash--the bright blue of the water and deep seedy green of vegetation.  But, like Mario Kart, there is no tacky. The weather seems to be almost always perfect.  Rain comes at night and is gone by the morning.  The perfection of the environment can't be mimicked anywhere else on Earth. 

Airplane--there's only one great way to see the Alps in this form: JUMP. Skydiving's a big thing here. So is Canyoning. But seriously, I went on a whim and ended up hiking the entire time. No regrets.

Regardless--it's all about the Alpine air and water. So jump. But don't be stupid.