Flower Power
While I often come off as a dreary pessimist to those who know me best, I ironically have an affinity to the romantic and whimsical (if that wasn't already clear from my posts from Paris). I try as often as I can to plan excursions that are as beautiful as they can be but the truest most beautiful experiences are those that arise spontaneously (and it sure helps to have a positive attitude to start). This Saturday was one of those beautiful days. Interlaken looks like a fairy tale with its crystal turquoise waters, snow covered mountains, dramatic cliffs, small classic Swiss style houses, and wildflowers in bloom. We took the funicular there to the top of the mountain, Harder Klum, where you could see the two bright blue lakes between which Interlaken sits. I know they say water looks blue because it's a reflection of the sky but this water surely has some unique properties for it to be as beautifully radiant as it is. When we walked along it later, my friend remarked "don't you just want to jump in?!" From the look-out point up above it was like you could see all of Switzerland - not in the sense that you could see that far, but in the sense that you could see so many classically Swiss sights: the rolling lower hills spotted with small traditional houses, the snow covered mountains, the beautiful lakes, the parasailers, and flowering fields. As you may know, vista points excite me greatly as an aspiring bird but to see such breathtaking sights from these heights was truly special.
We were hoping to be able to hike back down the mountain but as it had snowed the last 2 days in most parts of mid-Switzerland, the trail was blanketed wet melting snow, which created more of a mudslide down the mountain than a walkable trail. After taking the funicular back down, we decided to buy some snacks at the supermarket and picnic along the river that connected the lakes that sit on either side of Interlaken. After strolling along the banks down the tree lined paths, spotting many adorable doggies and persistent ducks dipping below the surface to feed, we found a nice spot to sit and eat our cookies and grapes. Although we had all determined we were on the same grape team (red over green of course), we did have to settle for a box of green grapes but it still made for a lovely picnic in the park. Earlier in the day, I had placed some wildflowers in my friends braided hair, which really popped amongst her thick dark curls. This prompted me to braid and flower the hair of my other two friends. While we looked like a classic '60s hippie girl band, I couldn’t help but smile. Here were a bunch of beautiful, lovely women who are my friends and who are kind and brilliant. I was filled with joy and gratefulness for this country, this picnic, this beautiful water, and these wonderful friends. It was a truly magical afternoon.
Earlier, I had listened to a podcast that was recorded on the day of the Women’s March on January 21st this year. The podcast is a comedy show, but it highlights women and POC (people of color). Listening to the podcast and hearing the guest comedians and hosts get riled up about social movements and advocacy and making a difference in the world got me excited as well. Living outside of the country definitely puts me out of touch but I do get the sense that people are not as vocal, ambitious, and, dare I say it, hopeful, as we used to be immediately after the inauguration. I remember thinking about how we cannot let any of our motivation and passion peter out because this is going to be one long fight, and listening to this podcast made me remember that. Spending the day with some ambitious and lovely ladies made me feel hopeful, at least in the moment, about what we may accomplish and content with the ways of the world. I wish I could have bottled up these moments today, but I suppose blogging about them is the closest I can get.