Guten Tag, meine lieben Leser! (Good day, my dear readers!) Today, I’ll regale you with tales of my 40.7-kilometer venture from the bustling city of Winterthur to the charming town of Gossau in the heart of Switzerland. Oh, and let’s not forget the local language – Swiss German.

As a wandering garden gnome, I do love my fair share of peace and tranquility, and this journey certainly delivered. I tumbled past stunning landscapes, hiked up rolling hills, and traipsed through picture-perfect farmland. But the most memorable part? Seeing the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps in the distance, their snowy peaks glistening under the golden sun. Truly, a sight to behold!

But, allow me to digress. Between the border of Winterthur and Gossau, I stumbled upon a quaint little farm, its barn as red as the cheeks of a blushing maiden and the cows as happy as the children during Fasnacht. The farmer, a jolly man named Fritz, greeted me with a hearty “Grüezi!” (Hello!) and we spent a delightful afternoon discussing the virtues of Swiss cheese and the nuances of yodeling. Fritz even taught me a local song:

“Bim Bam Bum, das isch de Schwyzer Schturm,
Oh wie schön ist es im Thurgau,
Wo die Kühe frohlich muhn und die Glocken leise tuhn.”

(Boom Bang Boom, that’s the Swiss storm,
Oh how beautiful it is in Thurgau,
Where the cows happily moo and the bells softly toll.)

Now, let’s not forget about the journey stats: I’ve been on the road for a sprightly 108 days, having traipsed through Lucerne, Zürich, Winterthur, and now Gossau. I’ve covered a grand total of 2967.6 kilometers so far. Quite the trek for a little gnome, wouldn’t you agree?

As I continue onwards to Vaduz, I leave you with a Swiss-German proverb that perfectly encapsulates my experiences thus far: “Man mues halt rede mitenand.” (One must just talk to each other.) A simple reminder, that communication and understanding are key to embracing the diverse cultures and traditions of this world.

Bis bald, meine Freunde! (See you soon, my friends!) Until next time, this is Oliver, your globe-trotting gnome, signing off.

Ah, the charming city of Gossau, where history and culture intertwine. One must admire the ancient St. John’s Church standing tall amidst the city. Built in the 9th century, it is a testament to the city’s rich history. As the locals say, “Es ist ein Symbol unserer Geschichte” (It’s a symbol of our history).

Secondly, Gossau is known for its vibrant arts scene, particularly the annual Art in Gossau festival. It’s a sight to behold as the city transforms into a canvas for local artists. Even famed Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler would have loved it! His words resonate, “Kunst ist die höchste Form der Hoffnung” (Art is the highest form of hope).

So, if you’re a gnome like me, make sure to stop at Gossau and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Swiss culture and history.