We spent one day in tourist mode--meaning: engaging in tourist activity; getting to a sight or a destination.
It was exhausting. Think three days at Disneyworld, always on the go. Crowds, lines, bus rides.
One day in tourist mode was enough.
The rest of our days are spent in enjoyment mode: keeping OUR schedule which really means "no schedule; enjoying the little nuances of a country" listening to cow bells tinkling; morning visits to the bakery; leisurely hikes whose trails start just minutes from residence; eating crusty bread and Swiss cheese on a bench high above the village.
Tourist mode versus enjoyment mode--there must be a balance. Or in our case, the balance is heavily weighted toward leisure.
Yesterday's tourist mode began by leaving the chalet at a precise time in order to pick up a roll and cheese and catch the 10:11 train. After the train ride into Lauterbrunnen, we waited at a bus stop with a pack of tourists from around the world--crammed into a bus. Our ride was through the valley to the first gondola. We rode the first gondola to the second, and the second to the final third.
We reached our destination: the Shilthorn. An engineering marvel~~a creation marvel. We stood on the top of the mountain where humankind-- engineers, architects, and workers had built the impossible.
The view was surreal.
Then a return to Wengen by the reverse process.
We're glad we went. It was worth it. But we are thankful to be "home."
We are home now. Real home. We arrived Friday night after the ultimate "tourist" day. It began with packing, a short bus ride to train terminal; catching the first train. Catching the second train after a four minute in-between run with other tourists to make it. Making yet another switch to the third train and eventually to the fourth train ride to the airport. A flight to Amsterdam. A rush to our second flight.
I'm thankful for experiences, time with family, time with each other. But the posts will continue as if I were still there. So much to write about.
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