Zer-Matterhorn

I really don't get tired of puns. Ever.

On Sunday, Cedric, Miggi, Daniel, Laura and I journeyed to the south of Switzerland to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn. It's argueably the pinnacle of Switzerland...and completely saturated with Japanese tourists. There are so many Japanese tourists that all the signage is in German, English, and Japanese, and there are tons of Japanese restaurants!

After about 3 hours of sleep the night before, we all got together and took a long train ride down to Zermatt. Every time the announcer told us about the upcoming stop, she would speak in German, French, Italian (Swiss languages), Japanese (as we neared the Matterhorn), and then English. And every time, Laura would turn to me and say "This, this is for you." because we were all convinced that I was definitely the only American. Daniel asked me how many Americans I thought had ever been to the Matterhorn. I guessed 1%. I feel like Americans are not thinking of Switzerland as a top tourist destination. I don't know, I never really thought about taking a vacation to Switzerland before living here. Since we were on the early, we were surrounded by 60 year-old's hiking groups and the overambitious. We, on the other hand, were all brushing away sleep, but then when we started to travel into the more mountainous regions, we couldn't help but ooh and aah. Switzerland should be on the top of the tourist list! There were dozens of waterfalls, and rivers down below that were milky white, from the rock sediment and the sheer coldness from melted snow. I've been to the Rockies... the Alps have a sort of elegance that the Rockies lack. I think the cute little picturesque cottages tucked away help, too. 

Here is the majesty in all its glory:

We walked around the town a bit, and then headed for the mountain. Now you see, the others asked me why I was wearing sandals for the day, as we were leaving the flat, and I was sure that I would be ok, I can walk in anything. But for some reason, it did not cross my mind that we could be doing some serious, strenuous hiking. So there I was, the stupid american that was hiking up the crazy mountain in sandals, realizing I really haven't grown out of my asthma yet. But it really wasn't that bad, in the end. I was just a little dirtier than the rest, and felt even more rewarded in the end. 

On the way up, we went through the Ricola herb fields (REEEE-COL-AAAAAH!), and then decided we deserved a beer and bathroom break, and that we would stop to see this small black lake (that doesn't actually exist). Met some Austrians, and socialized a bit, before continuing up to the next gondola stop. We all agreed that we wanted to continue with the gondola. And then we stopped for lunch at another tucked-away place, and had the best Rosti I have had so far in Switzerland.

The gondola ride was gorgeous. I think this was my first time in a gondola (as I have never skiied either), besides at the Ohio State Fair, I guess, if that counts. First time up a mountain, at least. It was just stunning to see the small town get even small, and the snow masses get even larger. When we got out, it was windy and chilly (p.s. this was just at the top of the little matterhorn. I don't even know if you can go any farther without a pickaxe and a ridiculous amount of experience).

The Roomies!

The Group!

Laura and I waded in this melted snow lake, and tried to catch fish with our bare hands (so very unsuccessful). There was this random chapel up there as well. It reminded me of the small chapel/burials in New Orleans, more specifically, in the movie Double Jeopardy. I couldn't believe how lucky I was, to be up there with such great friends, and to have so much laughter and joy. The air was thin, but so pure. The only sounds were of the wind and the rushing water down below.

By the time we returned to the bottom, there was time for a quick coffee break, and then back on the train to go back to Basel. This trip was good bonding time, and good laughing time.

Once back in Basel, we had a traditional Swiss meal of racklette!
And it was so delish! There is this special hot plate contraption, where you heat cheese in your own little personal skillet, and then spice it and add meat bits and onion and garlic to your liking. And once the cheese in browned and bubbling a bit, you scrape it out onto some potatoes. It is sort of like a glorified baked potato...but so much more fun to make and eat. I don't think I have ever eaten that much cheese in my life. So. Much. Cheese. I love to prepare food with my friends here (actually, I have become a lot better cook because of these people, and the fact that Switzerland has no pre-cooked food choices, so you just have to learn). This was one of the BEST days!

Monday was low-key at work, and I headed to Liestal afterwards for Bible study. There were just four of us, but God was there, definitely. We watched one of the Nooma videos with Rob Bell, about breathing, and how breathing can be see as the name of God. This video was beyond awesome, and I would really like to get my hands on some of the DVDs. Just some good perspectives that I never thought of before. The best part of the evening was that God was telling me to talk about the "Receive" week at Crossroads last year. It was weird, because it didn't have much to do with the conversation, but I told about it anyways. Come to find out, it was exactly what needed to be said, and related with us all in an interesting way, and one member specifically. It is crazy how God can use us sometimes, and we have no idea what we are doing.

Tonight was a "clean the flat because we can't stand it anymore" night. Jamming to Amy Winehouse, I now no longer feel like an animal.

One quick sidenote before I go to bed: I am taking violin for the first time in the fall! It's official! I am so excited. I just hope I can play.

Guten nacht! —Linds