Return home and observations
We officially pulled an all-nighter. We were up for 24 hours, but not exhausted. We rose at 7am, Zurich time, went for breakfast, did final packing and then off to catch train to airport. The Zurich airport is the largest I have ever experienced. So many people traveling and a long line to check-in luggage, then long walk to terminal, tram ride, then security, passport clearance, then walk to gate area, another passport check and then arrived at departing gate. Arrived at airport 2 hours in advance and got to gate with 15 minutes to spare. We left at 2pm, gained 7 hours, landed a little after 4pm. Amy picked us up, ride to Gurnee, retrieved car and drove home to Ludington. Arrived just before midnight which would have been almost 7am in Zurich. So 24 hours awake.
It was a fantastic, once in a lifetime trip to say the least. Met so many wonderful people, the hiking was phenomenal and the food!!!! (and chocolate)
Disclaimer- the following are my personal observations and conclusions and may not represent absolutes. In Switzerland...........
1. Everyone walks. no matter what age, condition, or impairment- they walk. All signs are in time, not distances and when asking for directions, you are told, "it's 2 minutes that way" or "it's best to walk the 30 minutes rather than wait for the bus".
2. If you don't walk, you ride a bike. So many bikes. and they walk or ride to the train stations.
3. Swiss men could be super models. The woman in our tour got together to discuss this and we all agreed that they could be on GQ magazine in a heartbeat. They age well too. Must be all that walking.
4. Everyone wears a scarf. Men, women, kids and babies all wear scarves. My scarf was the single most used item I brought on the trip. The kids look adorable with their scarves around their necks.
5. Gardening. Whether it's flowers or veggies, they are everywhere. If you have a home, there is a garden. If you are in an apartment, there are many pots on your balcony filled with herbs and veggies as well. Some of the vegetable gardens we saw had outstanding specimens of all sorts of veggies. The flowers were amazing.
6. Clean. Never any garbage. Everyone takes great pride in their homes and work places. Shop owners can be seen every morning sweeping and washing down the entrances to the store.
7. Personal appearance. Never once saw sagging pants, hats worn in weird ways or sloppy clothes. People are dressed neatly even if they are in jeans and a t-shirt, they look more put together than many Americans.
8. Everyone is fit. again must be due to all the walking and enjoying the outdoors. Never saw one non-fit person except for obvious American tourist.
9. Healthy foods. Grocery stores and all bakeries, bake daily and when it's gone, it's gone. If there is anything leftover, they might keep it for tomorrow at a reduced price or it gets fed to the pigs. There is nothing I had that was over salted and salt is rarely found on a table. Baked goods are never icky sweet, just delicious and you can taste the fruit, chocolate or whatever is in it without all the extra sugar. There are better food regulations. In this area, the US has it very wrong.
10. No language problems. Everyone we had contact with spoke enough English to help us or answer questions. Even if they said they only knew a little, it was plenty for what we needed. I felt so inadequate only speaking 1 language. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
11. Windows and doors. Genius design. Windows open like shutters into the house or from a closed position, the top tilts inward to let in air. They are not flush like our windows and doors but have a frame around the outer edge that makes a draft-proof design. All real lumber and very thick lumber. No 2x4s, rather 4 or 6x8-10s all solid wood. Many roofs are still made of stone shingles.
12. Many people in the Alpine areas still work as farmers and cheese makers. Many still have cows, sheep or goats and do things as they have for hundreds of years.
I hope we can go back someday. Still so much to see, do and experience. I loved it there!!!!!
It was a fantastic, once in a lifetime trip to say the least. Met so many wonderful people, the hiking was phenomenal and the food!!!! (and chocolate)
Disclaimer- the following are my personal observations and conclusions and may not represent absolutes. In Switzerland...........
1. Everyone walks. no matter what age, condition, or impairment- they walk. All signs are in time, not distances and when asking for directions, you are told, "it's 2 minutes that way" or "it's best to walk the 30 minutes rather than wait for the bus".
2. If you don't walk, you ride a bike. So many bikes. and they walk or ride to the train stations.
3. Swiss men could be super models. The woman in our tour got together to discuss this and we all agreed that they could be on GQ magazine in a heartbeat. They age well too. Must be all that walking.
4. Everyone wears a scarf. Men, women, kids and babies all wear scarves. My scarf was the single most used item I brought on the trip. The kids look adorable with their scarves around their necks.
5. Gardening. Whether it's flowers or veggies, they are everywhere. If you have a home, there is a garden. If you are in an apartment, there are many pots on your balcony filled with herbs and veggies as well. Some of the vegetable gardens we saw had outstanding specimens of all sorts of veggies. The flowers were amazing.
6. Clean. Never any garbage. Everyone takes great pride in their homes and work places. Shop owners can be seen every morning sweeping and washing down the entrances to the store.
7. Personal appearance. Never once saw sagging pants, hats worn in weird ways or sloppy clothes. People are dressed neatly even if they are in jeans and a t-shirt, they look more put together than many Americans.
8. Everyone is fit. again must be due to all the walking and enjoying the outdoors. Never saw one non-fit person except for obvious American tourist.
9. Healthy foods. Grocery stores and all bakeries, bake daily and when it's gone, it's gone. If there is anything leftover, they might keep it for tomorrow at a reduced price or it gets fed to the pigs. There is nothing I had that was over salted and salt is rarely found on a table. Baked goods are never icky sweet, just delicious and you can taste the fruit, chocolate or whatever is in it without all the extra sugar. There are better food regulations. In this area, the US has it very wrong.
10. No language problems. Everyone we had contact with spoke enough English to help us or answer questions. Even if they said they only knew a little, it was plenty for what we needed. I felt so inadequate only speaking 1 language. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
11. Windows and doors. Genius design. Windows open like shutters into the house or from a closed position, the top tilts inward to let in air. They are not flush like our windows and doors but have a frame around the outer edge that makes a draft-proof design. All real lumber and very thick lumber. No 2x4s, rather 4 or 6x8-10s all solid wood. Many roofs are still made of stone shingles.
12. Many people in the Alpine areas still work as farmers and cheese makers. Many still have cows, sheep or goats and do things as they have for hundreds of years.
I hope we can go back someday. Still so much to see, do and experience. I loved it there!!!!!
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