The European Chronicles 2.8 Swiss Hospitality
The European Chronicles - Chapter 2.8
Swiss Hospitality
One bottle of aspirin, that's all it takes for room, board and guided tours. I'm fortunate to have a good riding buddy, Chris, who moved back to Switzerland several years ago; he and his SO Doris have been hosting me these past several days in return for a "big bottle of aspirin." Apparently, that's expensive here in Switzerland, so I willingly became a drug smuggler (allegedly). You do what it takes.
Best of all, they are both excellent riders and have shown me some amazing places.
But first, I have to leave Andermatt. You never know what will show up at the Andermatt Shell:
Watching, and hearing, him turn around was a bit comical, but certainly entertaining. Should have filmed it, but I wasn't really awake...
Raining, so I plot a bit more direct route that still takes me out of Andermatt over Oberalp Pass, which is completely fogged in until the top. That was interesting and a good way to get your adrenalin flowing in the morning. Fortunately, it is mostly gone on the other side, just a bit wet.
Chris and Doris have an amazing view:
You're looking at Lichtenstein, the border is a few kilometers before the mountains. One of the many castles
It cleared up later in the day and my guided tour begins.
We work our way to the top of a dam, thru narrow stone tunnels, near the ancient town of St. Martin
The remains of a winter avalanche...that's snow...
Even here...oh, and just as an aside: the Swiss post office delivers mail via 3 wheeled electric scooters.
Paging Krisanne; Krisanne to the yellow courtesy sign...
New 70 million euro bridge...infrastructure, what a concept!
The following day...sunshine! Best water in the village.
Into Appenzell
Appenzell is known for a few things: obviously, the stunning scenery. Cheese. And the oppression of both women and nakedness. Women only got the right to vote in 1991. Years later, in 2004, they banned naked hiking. First, who knew that was a problem? Second, why?
On April 26 the traditional open-air assembly in Appenzell, a scenic region in eastern Switzerland, decided overwhelmingly to clamp down on a sudden influx of naked tourists, particularly from nearby Germany.
The local populace gathered in this square to vote. Today we had cappuccino, hopes high, but sadly...
Up the mountain where there's a Swiss wrestling festival going on. That's right...it's a thing.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/traditions-_five-things-to-know-about-the-swiss-wrestling-festival-/42385088
The lake leads to Zurich
Thoroughly Italian
Right down to the gelato
There's a hiking hut at the very top; Chris and Doris have hiked there!
Always, always, always...a party at the top.
SUCH a boring color...
Thank you, thank you, thank you Chris and Doris!!! 😀😀😀
Tomorrow...Italia...and Stelvio....😏
Swiss Hospitality
One bottle of aspirin, that's all it takes for room, board and guided tours. I'm fortunate to have a good riding buddy, Chris, who moved back to Switzerland several years ago; he and his SO Doris have been hosting me these past several days in return for a "big bottle of aspirin." Apparently, that's expensive here in Switzerland, so I willingly became a drug smuggler (allegedly). You do what it takes.
Best of all, they are both excellent riders and have shown me some amazing places.
But first, I have to leave Andermatt. You never know what will show up at the Andermatt Shell:
Watching, and hearing, him turn around was a bit comical, but certainly entertaining. Should have filmed it, but I wasn't really awake...
Raining, so I plot a bit more direct route that still takes me out of Andermatt over Oberalp Pass, which is completely fogged in until the top. That was interesting and a good way to get your adrenalin flowing in the morning. Fortunately, it is mostly gone on the other side, just a bit wet.
Chris and Doris have an amazing view:
You're looking at Lichtenstein, the border is a few kilometers before the mountains. One of the many castles
It cleared up later in the day and my guided tour begins.
We work our way to the top of a dam, thru narrow stone tunnels, near the ancient town of St. Martin
The remains of a winter avalanche...that's snow...
Even here...oh, and just as an aside: the Swiss post office delivers mail via 3 wheeled electric scooters.
Paging Krisanne; Krisanne to the yellow courtesy sign...
New 70 million euro bridge...infrastructure, what a concept!
The following day...sunshine! Best water in the village.
Into Appenzell
Appenzell is known for a few things: obviously, the stunning scenery. Cheese. And the oppression of both women and nakedness. Women only got the right to vote in 1991. Years later, in 2004, they banned naked hiking. First, who knew that was a problem? Second, why?
On April 26 the traditional open-air assembly in Appenzell, a scenic region in eastern Switzerland, decided overwhelmingly to clamp down on a sudden influx of naked tourists, particularly from nearby Germany.
The local populace gathered in this square to vote. Today we had cappuccino, hopes high, but sadly...
Up the mountain where there's a Swiss wrestling festival going on. That's right...it's a thing.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/traditions-_five-things-to-know-about-the-swiss-wrestling-festival-/42385088
The lake leads to Zurich
Thoroughly Italian
Right down to the gelato
There's a hiking hut at the very top; Chris and Doris have hiked there!
Always, always, always...a party at the top.
SUCH a boring color...
Thank you, thank you, thank you Chris and Doris!!! 😀😀😀
Tomorrow...Italia...and Stelvio....😏
