I remember when I was in Paris and I paid an extra 20€ to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was so hazy that the further I went up, the less I could see. This memory repeated itself today as I went to Oeschinensee lake in the western part of Switzerland.

I left the house slightly past 6 and arrived in Kandersteg around 8. After paying the 5 franc to park all day, I began to walk the trail through the forest and up towards the lake. It was 10am and I was greeted with the most beautiful sight. As with most things in life, I wanted more. I wanted to see the lake from the up most spot, I wanted an adventure. Making my way into a small cafe, I asked a young man how to get to Früdenhut, which from previous research I knew it was a hike to the top. He looked at me and asked where I was from, asked if I was French, gave me directions and said, “it’s about 3 hours from here,” and with a gentle laugh continued, “see you tomorrow.”

The walk was picturesque. The birds were chirping, complete silence from human nature and a distant echo from multiple waterfalls. The course became steep and my footing was granted about two feet as I climbed the switchbacks that headed up the mountain. I paused to look down and my breath was completely taken away. I can’t even describe the panoramic view before my eyes at that moment. The clouds had blocked the mountain tops and therefore I had no idea that I was completely engrossed in the largest alps I have ever seen nor imagined, until that very moment. My eyes beheld images my camera lens wasn’t capable of capturing.

I believed the higher I climbed, the better photo I could take of the lake but as I continued to make my way, guided only by red and white striped markers on rocks, the haze came in and all I could see was white. At that moment my body quickly realized that the shorts and light sweatshirt that covered me were not sufficient. I had worked so hard to reach that spot, my heart rate was incredibly fast between the elevation and my speed, when suddenly my overheated body became extremely cold. Much to be expected yet not prepared for. I was after all in the midst of multiple mountains.

It was at that moment that I quickly recalled Paris and knew going to the top would only take a lot of time and I wouldn’t be able to see what I had worked so hard to achieve. I could hear a waterfall in the near distance so I decided to walk towards it. The scariest wooden bridge stood before me and the waterfall with a 500ft drop down to the lake bedded by rocks. I put one foot forward and the plank wobbled. I had convinced myself that many people do this and I would be safe, so I walked. After crossing the bridge I sat down, had some water and a pear and began my dissent.

Today was magnificent, even with the mystical clouds. Spending 5 hours hiking in God’s beautiful landscapes is the best therapy anyone can have.

Living in a country you love is definitely different than simply visiting. Waking up every morning to the beautiful view of the vineyards in every direction I turn is completely inspiring. Along with learning a new language, I am also forced to learn a new culture. Many of the freedoms we take for granted in the states are something others pay for however, many of the problems we have in the states could easily be solved if we adapted our ways.

Every year growing up my mother would make the New Year’s Resolution to return her shopping cart at the grocery store and every year she would struggle with returning it. Anywhere you go, you always find shopping carts sprawled across a parking lot and the most common excuse I have heard is, “Well, someone else is getting paid to bring them all in together.” Along with that comment however is the dissatisfaction when ones car becomes scratched by a lose cart.  In Switzerland, you must pay 2 CHF for a shopping cart. Once the cart is returned, you receive your 2- back.

Another difference, we tend to wish more people recycled in the states but here in Switzerland, if you don’t recycle, you pay a hefty price. Special trash bags are sold and cost about 6- per bag. The trash bags are small, something we would refer to as a small kitchen bag. You must dispose of trash in that bag, compost in a compost bag, paper in another bag and glass in another. If you so choose not to use the designated bags, you are charged 250- per hour that it takes a garbage employee to go through your trash, to locate something that identifies you (mail, etc).

Grocery store employees receive minimum wage, minimum wage is 25-

Cheese is often eaten after a meal.

There is no such thing as poor people in Switzerland, everyone has money.

Life has been great here- I cannot complain and here are a few photos that capture the previous week including Swiss Day on August 1, the donkey I meet on my runs, the vineyards, and a falcon.