How to Swiss Alps
The destination was a Michelin star restaurant that stood quietly alone near the top of the Swiss Alps, but I had no idea that’s where we were going until I got there.
To celebrate a recent birthday, I was away with a few close friends for a weekend in the Alps. Normally a winter spot, it was decided by the others to give it a try during the summer. Fewer crowds, beautiful vistas, lower prices and a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
It was also decided that the details of the weekend would be kept a surprise from me. And that we’d all be mostly phone-free for it.
That morning, our journey started with a local train near the hotel, which was already at about 1,000 meters above sea level. With everything in German, I had no idea where we actually were and where we were going. And no phone to pull up Google Maps to track the blue dot, that would often give me so much comfort in knowing. I had nothing to do but to admire the gorgeous views from the local commuter train. It was breathtaking.
Now at nearly 1,800 meters, we waited in a short line and bought one-way tickets for a gondola ride. It took us from the train station even higher into the mountains. I was quickly reminded that a fear of heights I thought was part of my past was clearly present for me. I smiled and gracefully took in the entire experience, sights and frights.
As we disembarked the gondola quickly, otherwise we’d end up going back down, I realized we were now at 2,600 meters. The air crisp and clean, the 360 degree views of the Alps standing majestically tall and the valleys shining bright green with tiny villages appearing far in the distance in between, inspired a silent awe as our small group had no words.
Then we started a hike, along a fairly horizontal trail that walked alongside one of the mountain edges. After not too long, we crossed paths with a group of elderly people, smiling and laughing, looking and sounding ever more youthful than us. A little further along, we saw a few women rock climbing the face of the mountain and a few men down below cheering them on. And then saw a couple having a picnic on a patch of grass.
It was a completely other world that existed far into the sky.
We finally got to the restaurant, about an hour later. It was nestled alone into one of the mountain tops and sat down at our table. There was only one problem: I was no longer hungry.
Having no idea where we were going, and not realizing the peak experience of the day was yet to come at the restaurant, I thoroughly enjoyed the train, the gondola and the hike, and savored every moment. It was all deliciously satisfying for my spirit.
Not knowing where we were going forced me to enjoy the journey, as there was no destination. Had I known there was somewhere to get to, I would not have been as present and curious along the way there.
So often in my day-to-day life, I have blinders on and forget to enjoy the way to wherever I am going. My focus on not only getting a specific outcome, but also as efficiently as I can, drains the journey of any value as it is a means to an end.
As I sat there at the restaurant, with fancy looking food sitting on my plate that I was not that interested in, I felt this calm energy throughout my entire body. The joy of not knowing, of discovering more of the world, and as a result, more of myself, that was made possible thanks to not having a goal.
The weekend away, with its surprises and silent beauty, was a reminder for me to slow down and to let go of the need to control every detail. Life’s most memorable moments often come when I least expect them, so why am I trying so hard to create them?
The next time I’m rushing towards an arbitrary goal that my mind gets stuck on, I’ll try to remember this moment in the Alps. I’ll take a deep breath and remind myself that sometimes the most productive thing to do is to pause, look at the view, and enjoy it.
And that is how I learned to Swiss Alps.
