The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Switzerland-First International Trip

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

November 6, 2019

October 9, I traveled for the weekend to Switzerland for my first time at international travel. It always had seemed a bit overwhelming, as most new adventures do, but really, it was the easiest weekend trip because of so many friendly people along the way. I flew out of Chicago O'Hare on an International SwissAir on a 9 hour flight (plus a 7 hour time difference) booked through United Airlines, a wonderful airline that made me feel like first class.

I shared a seat with a seasoned traveler an Irish girl from Chicago who is an event planner. She and 9 of her girlfriends were meeting in Rome for a week of holiday fun. She gave me tips such as using my "Maps" app on my I-phone by following "transit" for all trains in the area.

When I get off the plane in Zurwick and can't read the signs, she said, "just follow the crowd. They each have to go through immigration and show their passport and then to baggage claim."

Then, I was to go down the escalator and go to the train booth and buy a train ticket to meet my daughter Darci in Teufen. I purchased a $55 ticket for a onehour, 14 minute ride in the "more comfortable first class".

You can use a charge card everywhere, so there's no need to exchange money for Franks but I did, just in case. There's booths at the airport for that and at an $8 fee.

A young nurse from Canada waiting on the train explained what the information meant on my ticket to assure me that I was at the right place as I waited. Inside the train, a young man offered to carry up my small suitcase as 1st class was up stairs in what we call the observatory. Upstairs everything was very clean, seats are large and comfortable and there were few people. The scenery was right out of the "Sound of Music," crisp, clean, and quaint.

People were so very friendly and respectful. A screen by the door illuminated the next 3 stops. I switched to a smaller red train in St. Gallen and the business man sitting in my cabin offered to carry down my luggage, then I hurried to catch my 2nd train to Teufen. I took the elevator down a floor then went across to the other side to board the waiting train. If I missed it, I could take the next one coming in 20 minutes. The doors closed but I saw a lady push a button and, the door reopens.

At Teufen, the lady in the depot didn't speak English but she was able to point to a Bus. The young lady from the bus told me she'd take me to the hotel as the taxi had left. She wouldn't take any pay but told me to enjoy my daughter. Darci and I enjoyed a first class delicious meal at a popular place up a winding hill and our Greek waiter gave us a lift home as it was on his way home.

Goats and cows with bells on their necks clanging, freshness of the air, clear sky and sparkling stars, and fresh food, relaxed atmoshpere and friendliness of the people were a constant throughout the weekend. We both enjoyed walking in the capitol city of Zurwick. Streets are narrow, but shops are many along the city center which runs along the river to Lake Zurwick-full of swans and boats. People sit and relax at outside cafes or along the river and enjoy time together.