A Smile Speaks Them All...

One of my dear friends once told me, "There are many languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all." This rapidly is proven true when traveling. 

I apologize for not writing yesterday. Here's my reasoning. My day started at noon... Shamefully, I slept till noon!! Crazy! I justified it by being up almost for two days straight beforehand. I did feel much better after getting some solid sleeping time. I guess I was more worn out than I'd noticed. 

After I woke up, I had a big lunch with the family. We've been doing big lunches, and it's great. Always a full shmorgez board. Post lunch, Tom and I went to the train station in Adliswil to get me a "Half-Tax." This allows you to pay half price (clever naming, I know!) on any train, bus, or boat ticket in Switzerland. As I handed over my credit card, I had to keep reminding myself this will be worth it. I've no doubt it will end up paying for itself. But of course, at the time, I bet my lip and did it. Ah, the perks of traveling on a shoestring... Finally, Tom and I ventured into Zürich! This was to be my orientation trip. He is a spectacular tour guide, if anyone wants to visit Switzerland this way. Highly recommended. 

We went all over! After my gawking at the train station in Zürich, we continued down the Main Street- Bahnhofstrasse. (Fun fact- that got beautifully autocorrected for me. Whew...) Venturing to the biggest clock face in Europe- Dt. Peter's church. This is in the old town part of Zürich. With cobble stone skinny streets, colorful buildings and small windowed shops, Tom continually gave me a patient smile as I took multitude of pictures. He even helped take pictures of me excitedly drinking from fountains! 

After this, we continued on to the Fraumünster. A gorgeous church right next to the river. You know that European church, next to the river that is in every gorgeous picture? Yeah! Picturesque beyond compare. 

Next on our stops was Grossmûnstsr. A church with two towers on it. You can go into the church and climb to the top. That happened rapidly. The sights were incredible. You look one way and there is a bustling unique city, while the other way is a lake with spectacular mountains behind it. It was mind blowing. However, we took our pictures, I gawked, of course, and we walked the 182 steps towards the bottom again. 

After that, we wandered the old town more. Peeking in shops, Tom questioned my sense of direction, making sure I could come back on my own. Finally, we made our way home for an early bedtime for Becca. 

Today! I woke up at 8, which made me happy! What a reasonable time! I went downstairs for some breakfast and Tom reminded me I had a 24 hour ticket from yesterday. So he took me to the train station next to their house. Then I had one more time of not getting lost before I set out on my own. (The ultimate gentleman!) 

I got to Zürich, walked out of the train station, and said "Where to now?!" I started walking down Bahnhofstrasse. I realized I needed contact solution, so I meandered towards a "Co-op." As Florian informed me "The Walmart" of Switzerland. Except nicer- cause you know... It's Switzerland... 

Inside I realized- man, I do NOT speak German. You normally can make some words out. But reading a label on a bottle is a different story. A man was gently trying to squeeze past me as I blankly stared at a bottle. I smiled and realized I'm going to be smiling a lot since a smile speaks them all. And sure enough, he smiled back and moved on. This became my Moto for the day. I did my best but a lot of smiling and not knowing what was going on happened. 

Finally checking out, the lady threw a German phrase at me. I smiled saying "I don't speak German..." She immediately smiled and said "No problem!" And boom, English the rest of the time. Spoiled Americans... 

I decided to go towards the lake. I remembered how Tom told me the view there was better in the mornings. Sure enough, the sun was glistening off the mountains that had been hidden yesterday. The lake reflected the cities surrounding it and the mountains encasing the cold water. Birds flew by the dozens over the scenery more interested in any lost crumbs. It took my breathe away. I sat and let the majesty take over me. What a world we live in... A world where I can meet new people and struggle with languages, and in the same day see sights like this?! How spoiled am I? What a world we live in!! It was emotionally almost to much to take. A smile was permanently on my face as I continued on. 

The rest of my morning was spent trying to find the smallest stores I could, attempt talking to people, and explore their shops. It's amazing how well some know English and the stories they have. Some may not know English well, but the stories they have are written on their walls of their shops, or the hard work surrounding them. A great experience for sure. 

I got home in time for lunch. Delicious as always. Then Florian, Tom and I drove to Bremgarten, north of Zürich. They wanted to play Ingress. I want to see as much as I can. It was perfect. While they hacked portals -or whatever it is they do- I explored the cobblestone village. I will give them the acknowledgement of still letting me pester with questions or translating for me. It was a great evening for sure. We saw a graveyard from the early 1800's that people had been buried in this year. A church that was founded in the 1300's. A tower that was on the gate of the city for defense. However, my favorite was the Hexenturm. It was a tower (imagine a Rapunzel tower) that used to be used for capturing witches. It was right off the river and had the perfect story-tale feel. Amazing! 

Finally, drove back through the dark home. The lights of the cities below glowed elegantly as we sped past on a highway. A great end to a great day. 

I spent my day smiling. Not because of where I am, or the embarking of the journey I've begun. That certainly helped, of course. I smiled because I was surrounded by people who share struggles and happiness the world. Some of these people didn't understand a single word I said. But a smile speaks them all and can truly connect all stories. If that isn't fairy tale magic, I don't know what is. That is why we smile while traveling. Cultures that differ from ours make us grow in ways we never knew possible. I just hope my smile can convey the stories I am beginning to collect!