St. Moritz, Switzerland
HELLO SWITZERLAND! My first week of class has come to an end and I'm saying hello to my first weekend!! Or rather I'm saying buon giorno! I am writing to you from my bed back in Milan, so that means I'm alive and survived all the traveling. I had the most incredible full day that I will never forget--but I'm getting ahead of myself. I guess I should start from the beginning!
Rewind 14 hours ago. I was boarding the Bernina Express bus to take me to my first stop: Tirano! The ride was very relaxing and was made very interesting by our guide Angela who explained and highlighted certain landmarks. On the bus, I made friends with two older women who were sisters. We just chatted and talked about life. By the end of the day, I think I became an honorary step sister. Nothing was said officially. On our way we passed Lake Como. That was just the beginning of more beautiful sights to come!
Once in Tirano we had two hours to explore before meeting at the train station. In Tirano, I visited the Madonna di Tirano church, browsed the boutiques on Main Street, before settling in for lunch at Al Portici.
All aboard the Bernina Express! Once the train starting chugging, the views kept coming! I was snapping pictures left and right. Thank God there were other Asians on the train, so I wasn't the only crazy Asian snapping pictures from every spot and every angle. But it was absolutely necessary. No words or pictures could ever describe or capture the beauty I saw! We went from green hills, to snow-capped mountains, to gorgeous blue lakes, back to green hills!
The train is slowly ascending and before you know it you’re among the Swiss Alps. The train snakes its way through the glaciers and you’re surrounded by both water and glaciers. Not to mention the natural waterfalls that were around corner. It was absolutely breathtaking.
With all the beauty leading up, would you expect St. Moritz to be anything less? For one thing, it's literally spotless! It's like my mother came in with a toothbrush and scrubbed every corner, every which way. Plenty of cities are clean...but do any of them have St. Moritz lake as the back drop?! I'd be walking along Main Street and there'd be a break between shops--and you'd get a surprise view of the water! St. Moritz was such a gorgeous, quaint town that's tucked away within the Alps. I was sitting down in the main square and just thought to myself I'm in Switzerland right now.. Then I couldn't stop smiling.
" Travel not for the destination, but for the joy of the journey."
That truly describes my day! St. Mortiz wasn't my destination. But rather seeing a new view as it peeks through the trees, or strolling through unknown streets, or just making new friends along the way. Today reminded me of all beauty that I sometimes overlook because I'm too busy getting to a "destination." I could not have asked for a more refreshing a day! I am forever blessed for these opportunities to see the world.