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| Zurich, Switzerland Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
THERE ARE so many wonderfully positive takeaways from our altogether too brief stay in Switzerland. I left there with no doubt that it is one of (if not the) most clean, modern and efficient countries in the world, while at the same time maintaining an "old world" European charm that is hard to describe in words. I have done my best to do that in words and pictures. However, as I reflect on all of our travels over the past decade, I have begun to realize that you just cannot appreciate a new and foreign place until you have actually put feet on the ground there. We hit the ground running, as the past couple blog posts illustrate, with a very busy itinerary. Our final day was to be a "breather."
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| Hauptbahnhoff at dawn Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
WHAT WE exerienced was only a fraction of what Switzerland has to offer. On another trip (and if I have anything to say about it, there will be another trip here), I know I want to visit some of the other places that offer a window into Swiss society and culture, like Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Basel. While we discussed it during the planning stages, we never did get to the northern border to see some of the more rural areas, and the Bodensee. Again, for another trip.
Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved
WE ALSO just touched the surface (mostly during our guided walk in Lucerne) of Switzlerland's amazing history. Switzerland is a smallish country, bordered to the southwest by France, the south by Italy, and the north by Germany. To Switzerland's east lies Austria and Liechtenstein. Divided into 26 separate Cantons (the indivual member states of the Swiss Confederation). Geographically comparable to our U.S. states, the cantons are more autonomous, politically and each has very detailed infrastructure. Swiss is, I believe, the only sovereign nation in the world that has no defined capitol (though the "seat" of the confederation is in Bern, for logistical purposes). Those cantons nearest each border tend to reflect in many ways, the character of the particular bordering country. Thus, cities like Geneva and Lausanne tend to be French influenced, including the prevalence of the French Language. In the south and southeast, prevailing language, food and customs are Italian. To the north, the influence is more heavily German and/or Austrian and the language, its own "Swiss" take on German. Historically, each of these cantons (there were many fewer of them in the beginning), were each their own sovereign state and were strongly independent. That culture of independence and individuality appears to survive today, even in the face of a healthy confederacy. In keeping with the independent nature of the cantons, however, Switzerland recognizes 4 "official" languages, including German, French, Italian, and Romansch. Of course, English is widely spoken as a second language.
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| Outside our Central Plaza Hotel - Zurich, Switzerland Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
WE HAD no plans to leave the Zurich area for the final day. The morning was casual and relaxed, and as I often do, I spent some time walking around the city near our hotel. We this same group was in Lisbon 2 years ago, Bruce and I hired a local guide/photographer for some evening and night shooting in the city. This was the first time I had done this, and I quickly followed with my good friend and guide, Jose' Manuel Santos in Porto. Those were two of the best outings I have ever spent during our travels, and I vowed to do so again (stay tuned, as we did just that in Prague, with similarly positive results). One of the things we did with the Lisbon guide was shooting moving trains, panning with a slow shutter speed, to illustrate motion. Fun, but with not much practice, I didn't really feel like I accompished my best results. Our Central Plaza hotel in Zurich was right at one of the busiest transportation hubs in the city, with multiple tram line tracks immediately outside. That morning, grabbing my cusomary Starbucks, I found a spot on a corner and thought I would give it another try. I made quite a few images. Keepers? Not so many. Like any other skill, it takes some practice and I could use more. But one or two of them - I like them.
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| Tram on the move - Zurich, Switzerland Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
WE DID have some plans for the afternoon, however. I often marvel at the seemingly coincidental "small world" experiences we have had during our travel, from meeting close friends of some of our "small town" Michigan home while spending a week in Ireland; meeting friends from England and meeting up with them again and then yet again; and on and on. This trip was pretty special for me. A long time ago in a place far, far away, I spent three intense years of my youthful life attending law school. During that period, perhaps seasoned by the fire and stress of the experience, I met a friend who was to become (and remain) one of my dearest friends. For 2 of the 3 years, we roomed together in an apartment near campus. I came from a small town in Northern Michigan, essentially conservate in my beliefs. Bob came from New York City, and was - to my standards - quite liberal in his beliefs. I was Protestant. He is Catholic. Doesn't seem like a friendship designed to take fire - or to endure. Yet is has. Bob once commented that over all that time, with many beers and much philosophical "conversation," we never had a cross word. I think that is probably right. We never let things get in the way of our true friendship. Other than an email exchange, and one "facetime" phone conversation, we had not seen each other in over 30 years..png)
Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved
TO MY personal good fortune, Bob has lived in Zurich for much of that 30-year hiatus. We had the delightful opportunity of visiting Bob and his wife at their home in suburban Zurich, where the 6 of us enjoyed a traditional meal of Rachlette, and some fine wine. We took a train out to his town just outside the city and Bob met us at the station (about a 5 minute walk from his home). I heard my name called, and we hugged as if we had just seen each other a few days prior. It was as if none of the 30 years had gone by - but it had, and we lots to catch up on. That's my "small world story for this trip." As we parted, we vowed to keep in better touch. I hope we do and I hope to get back to Zurich some day.
One of the best Swiss Chocolate brands is manufactured in Zurich
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved
IN KEEPING with the "theme" of our trip, our day ended with an unrelenting drizzle of rain. It did finally stop late, and I was able to get outside one final time to enjoy a cigar, on the walkway along the river just across the street from our hotel entrance. As I have noted, the corner intersection is busy, with the Hauptbahnhoff just across the river, and a congested tram intersection right oustide our door. It made for some great "people - watching" and the occasional good photograph. I am never without my phone and am often surprised at the ability of these little devices to substitute for a "real camera" 😉in a pinch. I made a couple final images of Zurich, as I realized that there is a very good chance we will return someday. Tomorrow, we would walk just across the bridge and board our train for the next adventure: Munich and Octoberfest.
Final night in Zurich - Samsung Galaxy S21
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved
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