On Mountain Time
From our very first moments in Zermatt, we could tell that things would be different here. Up until this point, we had been moving at rapid speed, enjoying the excitement and energy of Paris, then the lively atmosphere of Munich. We had come from a long day of travel by bus, through four countries, to get here from Munich. we had become used to moving quickly, but when our bus came to a stop in the small Swiss town of Tasch, we climbed out and boarded a short train, which carried us the rest of the way up the mountain side and deposited us in the quiet, car-free town of Zermatt.
As we walked to our hotel, other people were quietly strolling the cobblestone streets, And we noticed evidence that even goats had been walking those same streets not long before! We reached our hotel in time to settle in and relax with it delicious pizza made by a local restaurant.
On our first full day, students were able to sleep in a little, and then we met our mountain guides, boarded the enclosed chairlift, and sailed up the mountain side, high in the air, as birds flew by and trees swayed beneath us in the breeze, we spotted glaciers on the mountain peaks and gasped at the views unfolding below.
High up, close to the Matterhorn base camp, we climbed the slopes and walked around alpine lakes (a few even enough to test out the temperature of the water)! We rode the gondola only partway down, and from there on we hiked down the mountain path, into a small gorge, through pastures, and back into town. Through all of this, we took our time, breathed in the sweet wildflower air, and felt time seem to slow down.
On our second day here, there has been time for classes Not just in the guest house, but also in our beautiful garden, and a local park. Our dinners were a short walk down the lane from our hotel, where we enjoyed soups, schnitzel, and stew in a chalet with oak-paneled walls.
Each night, the absence of light pollution meant that students could look up to see millions of stars in the clear night sky. The only sound in the darkness was the rush of the mountain water in the stream slowed down from the peaks where we had walked earlier.
For our group, Zermatt has given us an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and relax, and this high-altitude town has been a high point in our travels so far.
