Grüezi, liebe Freunde! (Hello, dear friends!)

Today, I’ve moved my gnome boots from Zug to Lucerne, a delightful 20.3 kilometers that took me through the heart of Switzerland’s soul-stirring landscapes. As a gnome, I don’t make such a journey hastily, but rather stop to appreciate the beauty around me.

As I waddled along, my eyes were arrested by an unusual sight: a herd of Swiss cows, their bells chiming in a melodious symphony across the verdant pastures. Now, cows might not seem like an interesting observation to you, but let it be known, these are not just ordinary cows. They are the well-known Swiss Brown Cows, famed for their rich milk, which goes into making the delectable Swiss cheese and chocolates.

This made me think about a Swiss saying: “Ohne Fleiss kein Preis” (No pain, no gain). Just like the hardworking Swiss Brown cows, our journeys and experiences are often the result of our hard work and perseverance.

Today’s journey brings my total distance to an impressive 2867.3 kilometers. I’ve been on the road now for 105 days, with my recent stops in Baden, Zürich, Zug, and now Lucerne. These cities, each with its unique charm, have been a true delight to explore.

There’s a song I’ve been humming, “En Ängel i miini Tasche” (An Angel in my Pocket), a local hit that perfectly captures the spirit of my journey, “I ha en Ängel i miini Tasche, und er reist mit mir wo ich gah” (I have an angel in my pocket, and he travels with me wherever I go).

So, as I continue on my journey, I’ll leave you with a musing from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once said, “The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” As I travel, I am constantly reminded of this truth, and I hope you are, too.

Bis bald! (See you soon!)

Ah, Lucerne! What a gem nestled in the heart of Switzerland. The first thing that captured my grumpy gnome heart was the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). This is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and it was originally built as a part of the city’s fortifications. Some say the whispering winds through its timbers sing the songs of the Swiss composer Richard Wagner, who found inspiration in this city.

The second thing that fascinated me was the Lion Monument, or “Löwendenkmal” as it’s called in German. Carved out of natural rock, it’s a tribute to the Swiss Guards who were massacred during the French Revolution. The pained expression of the dying lion left me pondering the words of famous Swiss poet Gottfried Keller, “Freiheit in Krähwinkels Land ist des Bürgers Freud und Wonne” (Freedom in Krähwinkel’s country is the citizen’s joy and delight). The intertwining of history, art and culture in this city is truly remarkable.