Every fall I host a reunion with the people I worked with over various summers in Switzerland. The reunion is happening this weekend and I’m so excited to see all of my friends. In honour of the reunion, for today’s Friday Five I’m sharing some of my memories of Switzerland.
Bern, the capital, is a special place for a variety of reasons. The archways, for example, which fill the city’s historic treats are especially interesting to walk under. But Bern is not the only place you’ll find beautifully curved structures. Up on the mountain in Zermatt, there is a small church with an arched doorway. It’s such a pretty place to see.
archways, Zermatt and Bern
While eating out can be expensive in Switzerland, when you get to custom design your food (well, burgers & pizza), then it ends up being a really entertaining experience.
checklists of food (L: my burger toppings of choice, R: my friend’s pizza order – everything except capers, sardines & olives)
The trains in Switzerland run on time, they’re clean, and they get you to pretty much wherever you need to go. The system is like no other I’ve ever experienced. Tickets aren’t cheap but there are various passes available which lower the cost per trip.
The SBB
I’m pretty much a city girl but I absolutely love going for hikes in the mountains in Switzerland. At the beginning of my very first summer in Switzerland I was so clueless about following paths and knowing which direction to go. There was no need for me to worry as hiking trails in the mountains are very clearly marked. As long as you know what the markers mean you should be fine.
a wanderwag (walking path) marker; hay bails
(I know – you were probably expecting me to include a photo of mountains, but for this city girl, a stack of wrapped-in-white hay bails really interests me.)
Finally, the goats! As if I haven’t spent enough time talking about goats on this blog, right? But they’re white and they’re Swiss so what’s not to love?
Saanen goats
Have any of you been to Switzerland? Care to share a memory or two?
Photos by Jordana.
Did you go to Peter Zumthor’s baths in Vals? I’d say going there was one of the most memorable places I’ve ever been. Sitting in hot baths in one of my favourite buildings ever, looking at the alps with snow falling on my head. Spectacular!
Didn’t get to Bern but those archways look beautiful. Sigh…
Hi Ella,
I haven’t actually and I actually only recently heard of it. It’s gorgeous and I would love to spend some time there. Visiting the Matterhorn is one of the most gorgeous days I have spent in Switzerland. And I’m always happy to return to Saanen-Gstaad. And Lugano. And I really like Zurich and Lucerne too. Obviously I’m having a hard time deciding about my favourite spots in the country!
Jordana
p.s. For anyone who hasn’t heard of the baths in Vals – have a look: http://www.therme-vals.ch/en/home