Postcards to Rick Steves |
TOUR SURPRISE
Though our second day in Chamonix is a free day, Daniela arranges a Happy Hour at the hotel for those who are interested. Everyone happily arrives and shares what they bought: lots of wine, cheese, crackers, and fruits. What a fun time to get to talk, laugh, and get to know each other further.
RELAXING RIVER WALK
There are plenty of lifts, hikes, and other adventurous activities to do in Chamonix. (Daniela even rode her bike into nearby Switzerland and back.) I chose to spend my morning, however, with nature on the Arve River walk into the nearby village of Les Praz. Along the way, I pass cute bridges, chalets, and the occasional cyclist, before arriving at a picture-postcard-perfect chapel.
"You really have to be up early in this town, both to catch the good weather (it's sunny with a nice breeze now; paragliders are flying over me and up by the mountain), and to enjoy the beauty of the town before it floods with tourists. I decided to brave the 45 min. walk to Les Praz -- glad I did! To enjoy rewards, you have to put in effort, even though it may be tough.
Along the way, I came across the biggest snail I've ever seen -- and I've seen lots in Burgundy. He was ever so slowly crawling along. I prayed and meditated during the walk. Me, by myself in nature with just the sound of the rushing river and the chirping birds, I was able to think and be inspired. I remembered sitting by a calm creek back in high school on a camping trip, and getting flooded with writing ideas. I felt the same way this morning. I guess having a pretty river all to myself brings out the best in me. Chamonix has a lot of cute shops and they're worth a visit, but the beauty here is in God's creation. Imagine how small you are surrounded on both sides by the mountains. At Les Praz, I finally reached, at the end of a quiet street, my prize: a cute chapel in the park, surrounded by step stones, a fountain, and beautiful flowers. It was surrounded by the mountains, and I sat down and just soaked in the views. Amazing! The town was quiet, lovely, serene. I could've taken the bus back, but I decided to walk... |
On the way back, I came across the same big snail! He hadn't gone far at all... at least from my perspective. It reminded me of myself. I had come from afar, but the world is big and I am small, so perhaps not really. Either way, I feel at home." - Journal entry, July 7, 2014. |
ICE GROTTOS WITH FRIENDS
After my walk, I meet with friends who have come to visit me from Switzerland! We choose to visit the Mer de Glace. A cogwheel train takes us up to Montenvers, over 6000 feet above the valley floor, where we have commanding views of the rapidly receding glacier, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice).
After a quick gondola ride and 420 steps down the mountain, you arrive at the ice caves. To have an idea of how fast the glacier is sinking, various signs along the way mark how high the ice was in years past. Several years ago, it took less than 300 steps to reach the ice grotto. Once you reach the grotto (whose entrance is carved out each year in a different place due to the recession), you can explore the tunnels, where panels describe how the cave was dug. Creative lighting gives the tunnel a dreamy blue, green or purple glow. And when you're done, there's no escaping the 420 steps back up (signs along the way tell you how many left to go). Thankfully there is a surprisingly good cafe on the terrace: try the salad with bacon bits and warm goat cheese wrapped in phyllo dough. And wash it down with that green beer! |
A QUICK TRIP TO ITALY
One optional excursion you can do at the Aiguille du Midi is a gondola ride to Hellbronner Point, the Italian border station. Normally you can embark at Hellbronner and day-trip down the mountain to the Italian towns of Courmayeur and Aosta, but the lift down the Italian side is closed for construction. Therefore, we simply glide into Italy for a few moments and back around to Chamonix.
Unlike the massive lifts to the Aiguille du Midi, you glide for thirty minutes each way in a smaller gondola fit for four. I have a cabin all to myself, and for an hour I drift at 12,000 feet over glaciers, peaks, and forests. The views are amazing and the experience is surreal. Things are a bit more clear in France; come Italy, it is foggy and snowing. |