2008 Switzerland

“Switzerland is kind of like South Dakota, but pushed together,” was Sarah’s first impression. She also learned quickly that “not many curves” and “relatively flat” should not to be taken literally at all, when it comes from a Swiss.

Switzerland 2008

After visiting South Dakota for two weeks, I have to say that Switzerland is kind of similar. Just a heck of a lot smaller, and with a ton of hills and mountains.

I don’t expect anyone to know where Switzerland is exactly (except for my Swiss friends of course - duh!). Don’t feel bad though; I didn’t know where South Dakota was either. For anyone needing help, I placed a map to the left.

After recovering from the jet leg, my parents took us to the Schilthorn “Top of Europe” mountain, which has a restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every twenty some minutes. Anyone familiar with James Bond “On her Majesty’s Secret Service” will remember the endless chase on skies from the top of the Schilthorn.

Not to forget the trip to the North of France to Anne-Sophie and Manny’s wedding. We were astounded how much the French can drink - and still walk straight. Hours and hours of drinking, fine dining and dancing; with cheeses from every region in France for dessert. Besides cake and dessert wine, of course.

At my parent’s we enjoyed the home-cooked food, most of which came straight from my mom’s huge garden, or the farms in close proximity. But more importantly WE GOT ENGAGED!! Yes, high up in the Alps in Switzerland, backpacking and camping under the starry sky at 12,000 feet I proposed to a speechless but happy Sarah. The ring is as unconventional as we are, and after hiking for six hours on the second day in the Alps, we decided that she has proven that she can be a true Swiss, and that she can keep it. It really was a test... even though my mom said it was “relatively flat”, it went up and down a lot - at least for someone who truly knows what flat is. Because South Dakota really is flat. Very unlike Switzerland, where you can’t make five steps before facing the next hill. The fact that people go hiking in these excruciating Alps made Sarah’s jaw drop. At least it seemed to explain why everyone is eating SO MUCH yet is so skinny at the same time.