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When we first set out on this trip 10 months ago, we had absolutely no intention of heading to Zermatt, the posh, car-free, ski resort nestled in the southern Swiss Alps. But while we were in Petra. Jordan, we met a delightful young Australian couple--Bill and Poppy--who were staying in the same hostel that we were. At the buffet dinner at our hostel, we shared a table and got to know one another--all in about an hour or two. Bill and Poppy, though from Australia (Bill from Brisbane and Poppy originally from Tasmania), were living and working in Zermatt, and were traveling the Middle East on holiday. As our meal progressed and they learned of our travel plans, they suggested that, should we make it near Switzerland, we stop in and stay with them in Zermatt. Perhaps they did not realize that these two virtual strangers from America would take them up on their kind invitation. We are very glad we did.
Zermatt sits at roughly 5200 feet in a valley dominated, at its head, by the Matterhorn, perhaps the most famous peak in all of Europe. Bill and Poppy's studio apartment had this magnificent view of this famous peak--something we never tired of looking at.
Here are Bill (26 yrs old) and Poppy (23 yrs old), with the Matterhorn in the distance.
Bill and Poppy are asked how they like Zermatt by a local, and respond by saying they are enjoying their vacation here in Zermatt. They each are working here illegally--not an all too uncommon practice, as many other Australians, English, and Americans do the same. Still, they try to be discreet, with Bill occasionally having to flee from construction sites (he is a carpenter by trade) unexpectedly visited by police on the prowl for illegal workers.
Poppy watches over two children and maintains the household of a young local man who, sadly, lost his very young wife in a car accident. Here is Poppy with one of those children, Andre, hamming it up for the camera.
You cannot go to Switzerland and not have fondue. Here, Bill and Poppy (together with Rich's head) enjoy this national dish of cheese and wine in a local restaurant. Very very nice, and great fun to boot.
Poppy and Bill, with children looking on, enjoy a game of chess at the large, outdoor, chess board in central Zermatt. Bill and Poppy love chess, and taught us how to play--something we plan on doing for the rest of our trip.
While in Zermatt, in addition to numerous mountain hikes, we enjoyed an incredible day of summer skiing. The weather at 12,000 feet --bright sunshine, followed by snow, followed by white-out--you name it, was in marked contrast to the weather in the valley. But it all contributed to a great day of skiing and a fabulous time. Skiing in August in Switzerland--we are very, very lucky.
Indeed, we thoroughly enjoyed the Swiss Alps. |
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Bill
and Poppy were extraordinarily hospitable, opening their home to us without
reservation. With less than 24 hours notice that we wanted to come, and
knowing us for all of a couple hours from Petra, they were still amazingly warm
and gracious. Here we sit enjoying a meal on the first night-- a great
curry with rice prepared by Bill. In fact, they cooked virtually every
meal--all wonderfully--as they treated us like lifelong friends (which we now
have become).
Originally
intending to spend only 2 nights in Zermatt, we had such a wonderful time with
Bill and Poppy that we ended up staying for 6--and would have loved to stay
longer. Some of that time was spent in a local pub--The Pipe--frequented
much by the local, English, speaking community. Here, James the
bartender), Rich, Bill and Poppy pose for a picture.
