...then slowly the Lake Geneva and the distant mountains came into view. It looked serene. And the green, grass filled plateau, and hills with huge houses and acres of land surrounding, green and bare(no trees, no garden. Just bare green grass). The whole country is hilly. We changed train at Bern and slowly moved towards Interlaken. Interlaken, between two lakes and the distant snowcapped mountains all around had a tranquility it. We took the next train to Grindelwald from Ost and slowly climbed from 500m to 1050 mts. There was Grindelwald village quietly lying in lap of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau. Small wooded houses and the small town look. We were late and so missed much activity the first day. We utilised the time to find out what we can do the next day and found out that we need to either take a Ski class or rent Ski equipment and go up to First. We chose the latter. The night atmosphere was sleepy, a small town at night with all the shops closed and people strolling sleepily to there hotels. Suddenly out of nowhere a group of people materialised with all the band instruments. They stopped right in the middle of the town and started their music. The whole atmosphere changed. People stopped and gathered around the band, people in nearby hotels came out to the balcony to see that the hell’s going on. Well unknown people, undefined, loud music, some dancing, foots tapping and reverberating sound. I felt this was life. Un-analysable, undefinable. Just existing and nothing more. Life.
Got up early, got ready and went for a stroll. The mountain ranges at dawn, the quiet atmosphere. Posted some postcards to home and relatives.
Rented Ski equipment. Understood how to wear it etc. Bought the SkiPass. Then went up the Gondola to First. First trip on a Gondola!!!! It takes you to heights so fast. Took a lot of photos. At First the view was spectacular. Snow everywhere. Glistening in the sunlight. Huge mountains, heights, depths and covering snow. Tried skiing and fell once, twice, thrice and gave up. Forget Skiing.
The ambience there was unbelievable. People, experts in Skiing, taking the lift up and Skiing down and immediately taking the lift again for the next round. Before starting back talked to one Andreas who owns a bungalow, portions of which he rents. He advertised a bit about his place and spoke also about his trips to Kerala, Trivandrum and Kochi. His parting comment was about Business: "We are not good businessmen. Bloody, you Indians should make damn good businessmen. More than even the Jews, I have seen. An Indian family will arrange everything and finally when they land at you place and they will say "Let’s discuss the price once more. You know I have these kids to feed etc"
Oh my God! I just picturised that. These Indians, touring Switzerland talking about trouble to feed kids.
Returned to Grindelwald and took the train back to Geneva. Called up home and conveyed a verbal picture of Switzerland, knowing very much how limited words can get.
Walked to the lake at Geneva lake and back to the Airport. Back to Brussels and normal life. Life goes on..
