Grüezi meine lieben Freunde! That’s “Hello my dear friends!” in Swiss German. From the tiny, yet stunningly beautiful principality of Vaduz, Liechtenstein, I ventured to the snowy wonderland of Davos, Switzerland. A journey of 44.6 kilometers that felt like a trek through the pages of a picturesque storybook.

Crossing the border, the change in language was quite noticeable. From the German spoken in Liechtenstein, to the Swiss German dialect in Davos. It’s fascinating how distances so small can create such diverse linguistic landscapes. Now, I’m no linguistics expert, but even my grumpy gnome ears could pick up the subtle differences in accents and vocabulary.

But here’s something that truly caught my attention. Amidst the breathtaking snow-capped mountains, I was struck by the serene silence. It was as if the world had pressed its pause button, and all that was left was the delicate whisper of the wind. I felt as though I was in the heart of a Swiss song, something like “Bergvagabunden” which says, “Sind wir doch die lustigen Bergvagabunden, Kinder der Freiheit, gestählt in Wind und Wetter…” – “We are the merry mountain vagabonds, children of freedom, hardened in wind and weather…” Quite fitting, don’t you think?

As of now, my tiny gnome feet have carried me through 3049.0 kilometers, over 110 days. From the artistic city of Winterthur, the charming Gossau, the royal Vaduz, to the snowy paradise of Davos, and now in the luxurious Saint Moritz.

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Ohne Musik wäre das Leben ein Irrtum,” which translates to “Without music, life would be a mistake”. And on this journey, the symphony of nature and culture is my music, and it’s a melody I wouldn’t want to miss for the world.

Bis zum nächsten Mal! That’s “Until next time!” for you non-Swiss German speakers.

Tschüss!

Ah, Davos! This Swiss city is full of surprises. Number one: Did you know Davos is home to the Kirchner Museum? Named after the renowned German expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, it houses an impressive collection of his work. Kirchner was deeply influenced by the Alpine culture and landscapes, and his works vividly reflect that. As the Swiss would say, “Die Kunst ist eine Brücke, die uns mit der Welt verbindet” – Art is a bridge that connects us with the world.

Second fascinating fact is that Davos is not just a city, but the highest town in Europe, standing proud at 1,560 meters. The locals proudly proclaim, “Wir leben wo andere Urlaub machen!” – We live where others go on vacation!

So, there you have it, folks. From high-altitude living to high-art appreciating, Davos truly is a treasure trove nestled in the Swiss Alps. Just don’t forget to pack your yodeling skills!