🇨🇭Cheese, Cows and...WOWS!!!

Deana and Jeff's Two Weeks in Switzerland

View from the top of Champex Lac Gondola Ski Lift

“Well ok then, we’re going to Switzerland!”

Two days later, I submitted my letter of resignation to my boss.

That was fast.

But when the opportunity to volunteer with two guys we knew were legit entrepreneurs building coliving/coworking communities among the global remote working nomads, we absolutely wanted to be a part. And in SWITZERLAND? Heck, yeah!

We landed in Geneva on September 5th and took a tram to old downtown for dinner. It’s a beautiful area.

Of course, the first thing we saw was a clock tower. And not just any clock tower, but the Tour de I’lle (“Tower on The Island”). It was completed by Bishop Aymé de Grandson in 1219. He was a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire and once ruled the city. The clock tower is all that is left of the fortified castle built to help control the route across the Rhone River. You can read more about it here.

Along our walk, I had to stop and snap a quick pic of the orange bikes because they made me giggle. Move over “Lime”; here comes “Donkey Republic”.

The next morning, we hopped a train and began our journey to Liddes, where our two-week adventure in Coliving Frilingue would begin.

The trains are amazing. And as our friend Mr Derek Smith reminded us:

'“Like a Swiss watch, always on time!”

The train took us around the Northern half of Lake Geneva, which is beautiful with the mountain peaks surrounding it. The farms along the route are lush and built on hillsides. Many were vineyards and orchards. They reminded me a bit of Central Washington State, where we are from.

After two very comfortable trains and a bus ride we arrived to this scene:

Breathtaking, right?!

And this was only the beginning.

Every morning we woke up to this image outside our window.

And whenever we stepped outside, we were greeted by these sounds:

…so amazingly peaceful.

Our first full day began with a hike led by our friend and co-host, Péle Philipp Alexander Weber. At “our” halfway point (because he took a group much further UP then our bodies were ready for) we stopped to take in the view and catch our breath.

Looking up and looking down

We were very grateful for the walking poles as you can see the degree of angle we were on. Truly a lovely beginning to connections made in this country.

And the next day…Swiss Nomad Fest with this fabulous group of people!

We started as strangers and quickly became friends.

From startups and pitches, to experienced business owners, and everything in between. Listening, learning, sharing, and growing! Time well spent truly getting to know people from many different cultures and backgrounds in a much more intimate environment. We even had the morning philosophy table during breakfast thanks to Jeff and his love of conversation.

But work wasn’t everything we did together. We also explored and played together.

Our first excursion took us to Champex Lac and the top of a ski lift.

Now let me tell you, I have skied and taken lifts. But this one was, by far, the steepest I have ever ridden.

People who know me know I am afraid of heights; like seriously.

Here’s a little secret I’ve kept between Jeff and me. Earlier in the Summer, I decided I was going to push myself since fear can, at times, be irrational. And I definitely pushed myself riding up this thing.

The reward…the most breathtaking views I have ever seen!

It really is okay now to pause and take in the majesty of these mountains. I certainly did.

After coming off the mountain, we walked down to the Lac (lake in English) where some decided to take a dip in the ice-cold water. If you’re into the “ice baths” trend, this would definitely qualify.

The water is pristine. In fact, you could clearly see the fish swimming quite a ways out. As we walked around the path I asked one boy if he caught anything. He was so excited he insisted I take a picture of him holding his prize. What a catch indeed!

Our next excursion was to Les Bains de Lavey, a natural thermal spaaaaa…

Oh.My.Word. It was ahhhh amazing! I was way too busy relaxing to get any pictures, but this stock photo will give you a good idea. I will just say if you are ever in Switzerland you absolutely MUST visit. We all slept well that night.

Our final excursion before leaving Switzerland was the traditional “Alpabzug-bringing down the cows” celebration.

It is quite literally a parade of cows and other livestock dressed in costumes marking their return from the high Alpine pastures to their wintering homes in the valleys.

I had never seen yaks up close. They were so cool. I had also never seen their breed of sheep. Aren’t they adorable?

There was music and food and…

Oh yeah…the food!!!

Now let me tell ya, there is literally no place with better-tasting milk, cream, or cheese. And there’s really no way to describe it either. Maybe there’s something about happy cows openly grazing on clean Alpine pastures every day that makes the difference. Who knows.

Whatever it is, you simply MUST have raclette (vegetables covered in melted cheeses) or fondue (dipping foods in cheeses) as well as freshly made ice cream and their charcuterie meats. Fun fact: they have cheese vending machines.

There is so much more to say about our time in Switzerland, so stay tuned!

Thanks so much for Zigzagging Along with us!

Once again, we are ever so grateful to have you be a part of our journey. And if you like what you’re reading, please click the like button and share it with all your family and friends for them to subscribe as well.