(not necessarily in that order)
I needed to scroll through some random photos of past trips to Switzerland to remind myself why the stress of traveling is so very, very worth it.
There’s the incredible beauty, of course. But way more important are the people we haven’t seen in almost four years.
We can’t wait.
This afternoon we celebrated World Brotherhood Day here at Ananda Village.
Unfortunately, it had to be switched to online only (due to a surge of COVID and other illnesses), with only the speakers, a small singing group, and three or four other guests in attendance.
But I found it as inspiring as ever to hear about Ananda’s outreach ministries and all the wonderful work they’re doing around the world.
In fact, I’m reminded of when I lived in Switzerland (from 2004-2006) and would receive Ananda’s annual appeal in the mail. I was still relatively new, and I remember being absolutely thrilled to know I was — in my own small way — a part of such an expansive work. I even sent a donation (though I’m not sure how I managed to afford it at the time!).
Of course, Ananda’s work has exploded in so many directions since then, and Ramesha and I play a much larger role in the worldwide music outreach nowadays. But the basic feeling is exactly the same as it ever was.
This quote from Swami Kriyananda describes it perfectly: “We are part of a great tide of loving, joyful energy that wants to give and give as long as people are happy to receive it.”
What a blessing it is to be part of that great tide of loving, joyful energy!
Yep, we’re finally going to visit family and friends in Switzerland this spring. It will have been almost four years since the last time we were in Lugano.
We can hardly wait!
I use Momentum Dash for my new tabs. I love the photos and the quotes, and the daily message often hits home.
Sometimes — like today — the photo and message combine to really get my attention.
I wasn’t the least surprised to read, “Campagna (countryside), Italy” as this photo caption; I instantly recognized it as Italy.
And I interpreted the message as meaning to never stop dreaming about returning to my other “home” — Europe — namely Switzerland and Italy.
I miss our friends and family in both places so very, very much. But the time will come!
When I started my RPP program back at the end of February it was with the expectation that I would go all out for six months before we flew off to visit family in Europe.
After a solid six months, I anticipated being totally okay with taking a break from at least some of my new lifestyle choices. I mean, no way was I going to Switzerland and Italy and not having any pizza or pasta or fondue or (fill in the blank)!
So, today I realized I’ve passed that six month point and there’s no trip to Europe on the horizon. And I think this may be why I’ve been feeling resistance and restlessness with my program.
A part of me knows this is the moment when Ramesha and I should be at a cafe in downtown Lugano having caffè macchiato and a brioche. Or enjoying an amazing pizza on the piazza in Assisi. Or eating lunch at Silvio’s and dinner with the Lo Menzo’s.
I know the resistance will pass, but in the meantime I can’t help but be a little sad.
I’ve decided that walking every day is my gift to myself for my birthday month.
I had been skipping my walk for too many days in the first half of this current challenge. But I’m back on track now, having gotten in my morning walk two days in a row (ooh, a streak)!
The key for me is walking in the morning. So I’ve decided that — if I have to choose between a full 7-8 hours of sleep OR getting up early enough to walk before the day gets too hot –I’m choosing to get up early. For now at least.
Earlier today I made myself a “walking accountability calendar” where I can keep track visually (I’ll use gold stars, of course!). And this is the photo I chose for motivation, because next time we go to Switzerland I fully intend to be able to go walking in the mountains with Silvio and Graziella!
“Your ballot for the 2020 General Election was received and will be counted. Thank you for voting!”
It feels great to have this done.
It also brings back memories of living in Switzerland during the 2004 presidential elections. At that time I had only ever voted in person on Election Day and I wasn’t familiar with the absentee ballot process. So I missed the deadline (the only time in my adult life I didn’t vote for President).
The thing that surprised me was how passionately concerned my friends and family in Switzerland were about my participation in the process. For weeks I had people asking whether I had voted yet…and explaining to me about my right to an absentee ballot!
Some were actually rather upset with me when I admitted that I had missed the absentee ballot deadline! I had to assure them that — being from California, which was won handily by John Kerry — I hadn’t thrown the election to George Bush!
So I’m glad to have successfully voted, not just as an American, but also as a global citizen. Because I’m sure that this year my friends and family around the world are more passionately concerned with the outcome than ever before.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my life… really I do!
At the same time, I have to admit that I would love to be in Switzerland right now. Especially if I could be walking beside my father-in-law, Silvio, and enjoying these incredible mountain views.
Our little Airbnb is in the “nucleo” (or center) of the old village of Aldesago, located halfway up the side of Monte Brè. There isn’t much information out there about these little villages, but I think the buildings of the nucleo might date back to the 1300 or 1400’s.
The narrow streets aren’t one-way, as those of us accustomed to American roads might expect! When two cars from opposing directions meet, there’s a particular car etiquette that apparently dictates which one pulls over and allows the other to pass.
We’re far enough up the mountain that we would have a view of the lake…if it weren’t for the apartment building across the street. 🙂
As you can see, we look out on a rather uninspiring expanse of concrete, but when I walk out to the edge of the patio area, I can not only see the lake, but — when it’s clear enough — I can see the Monte Rosa massif… a glacier so high and far away that it’s snow-covered all year round.
And just for fun…Ramesha says “hi”!
One of the first things one has to get used to in Switzerland is constantly sorting through multiple languages in order to do almost anything.
I already had a fair amount of Italian when Ramesha and I first got together, but it was amazing how much high school French came back to me — and how much German I learned — while grocery shopping or figuring out the bus schedule!
There are four national languages in Switzerland (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), with most every product description appearing in the three “official” languages of German, French, and Italian. A few products will also have information in English, but not that many.
Less than 0.5% of the population of Switzerland speaks Romansh, which I recently learned is a legacy of the Roman conquest of Rhaetia (now the Swiss canton of Graubünden) in 15 B.C. Fascinating stuff!