OF SNOW MOUNTAINS, COWS AND CHOCOLATE

 

36 OF SNOW MOUNTAINS, COWS AND CHOCOLATE

There are only two places in the world that can go by the appellation God’s Own Country: Kerala and Switzerland. Kerala is already a sought after destination.

Switzerland with its white,snow covered mountains, pristine lakes and extensive grasslands is indeed a dreamland. If Switzerland is likened to an alluring, colourfully attired, bejewelled bride, Kerala is a beautiful and bashful village belle slowly coming out of her slumber.

Driving through the Alps mountain range, this comparison somehow came to my mind. I had come to Switzerland this time to visit the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN). When I got a brief holiday in the midst of the heavy schedule of the visit, I decided to spend it at the Alps.

The charm of Egypt is the charm of the Nile. It may be said that the magic of Switzerland, likewise, is the magic of the Alps. About 60 per cent of the land area of Switzerland is taken up by the Alps mountain range. Look from any corner of the country and you are sure to get a glimpse of the Alps. The golden reflection of sun’s rays falling on the snowy mountain is incredibly beautiful. It is not something to be explained, but experienced.

After leaving Geneva we reached the small town of Zermatt. A town with clear sky and clean air. Gaily decorated horsedrawn carriages could be found here and there. These are the carriages that usually transport tourists to and from hotels and inns. Why is it like this?  I was told. This is a pollution free town. We want to keep it that way. So we do not permit plying of motor cars here. The local people also take extra care not to cause air pollution. Tourists have started searching for places that guarantee clean air. In Kerala where people do not permit the starting of any industry, is it not possible to turn that bevre as a boon by promoting oxygen hubs that guarantee unadulterated air for breathing?

It may be said that Switzerland is the creation of the Alps. With the seductive beauty of its many enchanting mountains, green carpet grasslands, pristine lakes and thick forests, the Alps attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. It is true the mountain range does not belong to Switzerland alone. It passes through Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy. But it is Switzerland that has imbibed much of the beauty and vitality of the Alps. Rock climbers, trekkers and those enjoying mountain games all make a beeline to the Alps.

The most attractive skiing ranges are located in this area. The first ever skiing resort had also come up here. At present there are more than 200 first grade skiing resorts in Switzerland. This mode of entertainment is not something of recent origin. It is said skiing began about 200 years ago. Switzerland is also home for some world famous ski training schools. Once winter season sets in and nature throws up a sweeping white carpet over the mountain slopes, ski enthusiasts from the world over start flowing here. In winter Switzerland turns itself into a playground of Europe.

It is common to find on the woodland paths young men and women from far who have come here for the thrill of a mountain trek on the Alps. It is an experience they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Carrying a backpack on their shoulders and holding a peculiar walking stick, the trekkers come to enjoy the raw beauty of the Alps. It is people like them who make Swiss life charming.

Long walkways have been specially made for the benefit of the trekkers. Mountain paths extending to over 65,000 km. It is the lookout of the Swiss Alpine Club to coordinate all activities related to mountain climbing, trekking and other forms of entertainment related to the mountains.

The most famous peak in Switzerland is Matterhorn, a peak that throws up challenge to mountain climbers. It is a thrill for the mountain climbers to try to scale that peak. In the nearby town of Zermatt there is always a rush of adventurers intending to climb Matterhorn. The fascination of the mountain is such that steep ascents, heavy snow storms and catastrophic avalanches are no deterrent to make the enthusiastic climbers back out.

There are trains that transport the less adventurous of the visitors to reach the mountain top. As many as 1,400 trains move in the mountain region, transporting the visitors. A journey by Glacier Express crossing hills and forests is an unforgettable experience. One of the most pleasant sights in this journey is the view it affords of the extensive mountain pastures where thousands of heavy set Swiss cows are let loose for grazing.

Dairy farming is one of the most important industrial activities of Switzerland. Cow is the symbol of the nation. The cows account for a major share of national income. During summer the cows are taken to the mountain pastures on the slopes of the mountains and with the onset of winter they are brought back, both with much fanfare and traditional fervour.

Among the Swiss breeds, the oldest and the most traditional is the Swiss Brown,which originated in the Alpine canton of Schwyz. Cow farmers who realized its many virtues took it to other countries. Cow lore says that in 1969 an American named Henry Clerk Belmont of Massachussetts imported this breed. Swiss Brown now occupies the fourth position among the cow population of the United States.

Visitors to Switzerland usually take home a popular item of gift for the family members and friends: Swiss Chocolate. Reputed to be the sweetest and the best in confectionary, the world over, these chocolates give a touch of sweetness to the memories about the land.

Among chocolate manufacturers, Nestle is on the top. Lindt comes next. There are several other manufacturers locally popular. It was Switzerland that gave the world the technology for the making of milk chocolates.

When seasons change the shape and taste of the chocolates also change. There are as many shapes as imagination permits, like chocolate flowers and rabbit shaped chocolates. During Christmas there is much competition among the chocolate makers to make hundreds of new varieties of chocolate to capture the market.

May be because they grow up listening to the comforting and consoling ensemble provided by the hills and rivers and pastures and snowy mountains and the cows, the people of the country are peace loving. Switzerland is a neutral nation. It kept away from taking sides during the Second World War. Others also let them be that way. Long, long ago when they had to face wars they did so in their own way. Once when the country was attacked suddenly, they lit torches on cows’ horns and drove them down from the slopes. Thinking that they were seeing devils, the enemies threw away their arms and escaped with their lives.

In another instance, they overcame their enemy with the help of vegetable soup. The attack by the forces of Lord Savoy came suddenly. Swiss youth fought with whatever they could find. A woman was making vegetable soup in the kitchen. She threw the boiling soup on the face the enemy commander. The enemies ran back.

Now, on every December 11, the Swiss proudly re-enact the scene in a fond remembrance of the daring act of that Swiss matron that made the day for them. Thousands of people assemble in celebration and make soup in a collective act of thanksgiving.  If vegetable soup saved the country then, milch cows safeguard it today.