More Good Things About Switzerland

Switzerland is one of my favorite countries because it is downright be-yoo-ti-ful. Yodel that. It is nature at it finest. What I think of more than the alps is the color of the water there.

The people are so friendly and helpful, easy to talk to. There are four different language regions. French near the French border, German in the middle, Romansh to the east, and Italian near that border. It’s fun to drive into the country and see the language change on the road signs as you get to different regions. They speak really good English, too.

There is no dust in Switzerland. I checked. These are some of the cleanest people on Earth. Even the cars stay clean. And the bicycles. Which are everywhere. These are just the ones parked at the train station.

Extreme sporting is a big thing in Interlaken. Since we were there for Father’s Day, we gave Blane the gift of paragliding.

He took this photo with his mobile phone just after jumping off the mountain.

I’ve always wanted to paraglide, but wasn’t in the mood for it that day. Maybe next time.

Another thing I’ve always wanted to do out there is the obstacle course in the forest. There are platforms way up in the trees and cables to glide from tree to tree. It’s like chutes and ladders on crack. We found one and were going to do it, but it was just too rainy in the mornings. Another thing for next time.

Travelling itself can be an obstacle course. Deciding where you want to go and what you want to do while there, transportation, finding suitable lodging, food. The tour bus thing does not suit me. It’s too easy.

Some people make better travellers than others. Now that they are a little older, my kids enjoy it and understand why cultural exchange is so important in life, but when they were little, they preferred to be at home and with their friends than go to some strange land.

I’ve always felt more at home when away from home. One day I will probably sell everything and buy a gypsy wagon. Walk the Earth. [wink]