Grüezi Mittenand, my freunds!

It’s your favorite globetrotting gnome, Oliver, reporting from the charming city of Baden, Switzerland after a grueling yet eye-opening 41.5-kilometer saunter from Schopfheim, Germany. The journey was as beautiful as a blooming garden, but don’t let the beauty fool you, my little legs were certainly feeling the burn!

Oho, did you know we crossed a border? Jawohl, we sure did! And so, we switched from “Guten Tag!” to “Grüezi!” faster than a Swiss watch ticks. Fascinating, isn’t it? The beauty of our world lies not just in its landscapes, but also in its rich tapestry of cultures and languages.

Now, let’s talk about the highlight of this journey. As I was trekking along the serene paths, I beheld a sight that was as memorable as it was peculiar: a herd of goats, each wearing a bell around its neck. The music they made as they moved, each bell ringing out in a different tone, was simply captivating. It was as if they were playing the local song, “Alperose“, with their neck-bells!

As I stood there, a verse from the song came to mind: “In d’r Schwiiz, do bin i dehäi” which translates to “In Switzerland, this is where I am at home.” And, for a moment, amidst the ringing bells and the scenic beauty, I felt a strange kinship with this land.

As of now, I’ve traveled a whopping 2802.9 kilometers in 102 days, trotting through the beautiful cities of Grenchen, Basel, Schopfheim, Baden, and Zürich. Each city, a unique garden with its own distinct flavor.

In closing, I’ll leave you with a philosophical musing that crossed my mind during this journey: “Even in our differences, we find common ground. Just like the diverse bells of the goats, each unique in its tone yet together creating beautiful music.”

Bis Spöter, my friends! Keep exploring, keep learning, and remember, no garden is too big for a gnome with a heart full of curiosity.

Ah, Baden, a city of enchantment and history. I once heard a brilliant composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, say, “Harmony is next to Godliness“, and in Baden, I felt that harmony. The city is home to the Grand Casino Baden, one of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful casinos. One can’t help but feel like they’re in a James Bond movie while there!

The city is also known for its thermal springs. The Romans, those clever fellows, were the first to make use of them. The springs are said to have healing properties. I dipped my little gnome toes in, and I must say, I felt sprightlier than a Swiss clock!

In Swiss German, “Baden” means “to bathe”. So, as they say in Switzerland, “Gehen Sie nach Baden und baden Sie in den Quellen” (Go to Baden and bathe in the springs). Now, isn’t that a phrase to live by?

Oh, and let’s not forget the famous Swiss poet, Gottfried Keller, who once wrote, “Wer das Dichterische liebt, liebt das Unvergängliche” (He who loves poetry, loves the everlasting). I believe he must have loved Baden. After all, isn’t a city with such rich history a poem in itself?