ReminSWISSing

Tori’s European Escapade

Summer 2012

July

18/7 – 20/7

Zurich - Switzerland

Quote of the Country:

"I've always wanted to go to Switzerland to see what the army does with those wee red knives."

Billy Connolly

So Mum, Dad and I left the land of the daunting Cyrillic Alphabet behind and landed in Switzerland - which immediately lived up to it's reputation as a beautiful, clean, modern and efficient country. We were met at the airport by my parents friends Maggie and JP. We were whisked off to the city centre and had a look around the old town area, which was phenomenally well maintained. The flag was everywhere and the sense of Swiss pride was prevalent and justified. We lunched at Maggie and JP's son Robin's fabulous restaraunt Coco, where the menu is pretty set - you pick from about 4 options which change daily.

Me, Mum, Maggie and JP.

On the edge of Lake Zurich.

Switzerland has a unique approach to organising each district. The country is broken into 26 'cantons' which were previously independent sovereign states until 1848. Each canton has it's own constitution, legislature, government and courts. Uniquely, cantons are responsible for healthcare, welfare, law enforcement, public education and most significantly; taxation. This means the tax rate and regulations can vary hugely between cantons, adding an extra element to owning and retaining property. Cantons generally have distinct identities to help define them, and all have their own insignia. Languages vary between German, French, Italian and Romansch, sizes vary from 37 square kilometres, to just over 7,000. The Swiss Guard recruits from each canton, with requirements of a period of service in the Swiss Military and of course, a devotion of Catholicism. 

Other attributes that make Switzerland famous are it's fastidious attention to quality craft and detail (The Swiss are renowned internationally for high tech and precision items such as watches like Omega and Swatch, fabulous chocolate and of course the Swiss Army Knives.) it's impartiality (Switzerland is notorious for not taking sides in any major international conflicts including WWII, though the army was mobilised to 'ensure the neutrality' of the country.) and the infamous banking system.  Due to it's neutral status, which was recognised by neighbouring countries, the bank system developed into a very stable and thriving buisiness. It is estimated that one third of all private assets, not held in their country of origin, are held in Swiss accounts. The desirability of these accounts are due to their secrecy (some accounts are identified only by a number) and their history of turning a blind eye to tax evasion (not fraud though). Controversy over this goes from the rich and famous skirting tax laws, to the suspicion that assets stolen during the Holocaust are concealed within Swiss accounts.

In Zurich we were staying in the Schwyz canton, right on Lake Zurich, in a phenomenal neighbourhood. By phenomenal, I mean I am just driving down the road....and "Well HELOOO Mr Roger Federer!" (Not really - just his house, he was at Wimbledon) and then the next house, oh yup, thats where I am staying. We were staying with Maggie, and she had just moved into a beautiful town house, and we were the international guests at her housewarming. By the end of the evening I had the Swiss-Three-Kiss down like a pro.

Our second day in Switzerland, JP took us for a drive around Lake Zurich and to the Stanserhorn. The mountain overlooks Lake Lucern and you can get a lift to the top in such a unique way. At the base of the mountain there is a old wooden cable car that has been operating for over 100 years, and in true Swiss style, is in such amazing condition and has been so well made, it looks brand new.

Lol - Extra-Fahrten!

The old cable car took use through the little alpine fields and a few farm houses - very classic Swiss. When we go further up the slopes, we got out of the vintage car and into a very contrasting, ultra-modern suspended cable car that had only been in operation for a month - with an open air level.

The Stanserhorn Cabrio took you up the steepest part of the mountain, and gave unparalleled panoramic views of the Alps and Lucerne.

JP, ma and Mum with the amazing fresh Alpine air in our hair!

Whatcha dooing, Mum? Hehe

At the top of the mountain, we could look deep into the mist towards the Eiger and the Jungfrau - which I was to visit in about a week, after London and Paris. I could taste the awesomeness of the near future.

After the ride down, we went to Lucern to have a close up look at what we had seen from the top of the mountain. Lucerne is famous for it's incredible wooden bridge Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) that spans across the sprawling Reuss River. It is the worlds oldest truss bridge, and Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge. It has interior paintings that date back to the 17th century, though the majority of these were destroyed or severely damaged in a fire in 1993.

The flowers hanging off the rails of the Kapellbrücke and the swans swimming on the river, made for a real fairytale/storybook moment that was truly stunning.

We also saw the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) in Lucerne that commemorates the Swiss Guards who died in 1792 in the French Revolution. It was just an incredible sculpture, with the lion hewn into the cliff face, in front of a very peaceful garden and small lake.

Löwendenkmal, Lucerne, Switzerland

THE NEXT DAY I WAS ALLOWED TO SLEEP IN!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhh........... bliss. As I prophesied  I was already very tired, and it was only going to get worse as I started the second part of the trip, so it was just amazing not to have the pressure to get up and get going quickly.

. . . . . . . .

I had a great mini-break from the go-go-go theme of my huge summer trip in Switzerland, and I was really eager to return a week later. Maggie and JP were amazing in hosting us and showing us around the country. It was coming to the end of the time with Ma and Pa for 24/7, which would be both sad and a bit of fresh air.

And I would soon be seeing Jaime, and then an average of a new city every day! Bring it on!