Day 2: Arriving in Switzerland - Sick & Stranded

 

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Zurich, Switzerland

@hanstullmann Day 2: Arriving in Switzerland - Sick & Stranded  https://bit.ly/Day2Arriving #TullmannTravels  #Switzerland2023Tullmann ♬ Level Up - Ciara

@hanstullmann Day 2: Arriving in Switzerland - Sick & Stranded https://bit.ly/Day2Arriving #TullmannTravels  #Switzerland2023Tullmann ♬ Hip-hop instrumental.(1288673) - Eto

@hanstullmann Day 2: Arriving in Switzerland - Sick & Stranded  https://bit.ly/Day2Arriving #TullmannTravels  #Switzerland2023Tullmann ♬ Sunset Lover - Petit Biscuit

Arriving in Switzerland

After a restless flight of Jonas coughing, trips to the lavatory, and trying to block out sights and sounds with a variety of travel hacks, we arrived at the Zurich Airport on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 3:30pm.  We ate a quick breakfast as we descended. 

We went through border security, got our passports stamped, collected our luggage, and left the airport!

I attempted to activate an eSIM card on my phone to have internet data, we made our way to the airport train station and found a helpdesk to direct us on purchasing train tickets.  

Travel Hack: We purchased 2 travel passes:

1. Swiss Half-Fare Travel Pass (All transport is half-off)

2. A 10-day Berner-Oberland Regional pass (free public transportation in the region)

This was a big investment in the trip, but in the long run, it paid itself off and beyond.  

We booked tickets to Bern with multiple transfers.  This was... a little intimidating, but we made it all the way to Bern. 

We ate sandwiches made in America and played Uno to pass the time. 

Jonas is obsessed with Vending machines.  He calls them "Vendys".

Unfortunately, after leaving Bern by train, we had chosen the correct train, however, in mid-trip, a change was made, and the directions were given in German and French.  So, we didn't know we were supposed to transfer to another train.  We had to get off at an unknown destination and ask for help. 

We were able to board another train headed to Lake Thun, where we could transfer to the correct train line to get to our destination.  This hiccup caused us a 1-hour delay. 

Most trains have audible and/or written information to help to navigate public transportation.

There are some times we had to run to catch our next train! 

Lake Thun had a spectacular sunset that photos just don't capture...

We arrived at Lauterbrunnen train station after 9:00pm, the valley growing darker by the minute as we got on a bus for a 10-minute ride to a cable car.

After two cable car rides up the mountain and a walk in the dark through the streets of Mürren, we found our Airbnb at Chatlet Erika.  We hauled our luggage up narrow staircases to the third floor at 10:30pm.

The apartment was a tiny, simple living space for a small family with a kitchen/dining room, 2 bedrooms, and a bathroom.  

We ate the last of the food we had carried with us, got Jojo ready for bed (he was asleep in less than a minute), and went to bed.  We had traveled for 24 hours and our bodies and minds felt it.  

The stress of travel, lack of sleep, navigating a new country of unknown languages and transportation, and the misfortune of missing a train-- all these things take a toll on travelers.  This is part of the payment required for those who travel internationally.  

At the time, it seems like a high price and maybe even a mistake. 

However, in the morning, God's mercies are always new. 

#TullmannTravels 

#Switzerland2023Tullmann