THE ALPINE DREAM

Apologies to our great visionary Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam:” Dream is not that which you see while sleeping- it is something that does not let you sleep-Keep Dreaming” That was his driving slogan for any aspirant on the single-pointed devotion to leap big to attain the highest goal and be successful in life. For me, one of my dreams was to visit the heart of Alpine Europe!! Probably my dreams have been so intense that during some period in my travel, I had multitude visits to these regions filled with unending charms from rolling hills and lofty mountains to grand castles and shimmering lakes.

All these overtures are for my ‘Dreamland’: “Switzerland”.

Ruffling through the diary, my memories recorded on a particular page, came repeatedly on again and again, and that was on my favorite village “Engelberg”.

To this day, I consider Engelberg my dream village. If given an option to ‘settle down’ in Swiss!! (Nothing is lost in dreaming… “I dream BIG”!!) my preference would be none other than this charming foothills of the mighty Mount Titlis! This place is a combination of beautiful landscapes cacophony of cultures, swathes of history, rugged mountain ranges the whole place sophisticated in all ways and of course, the delicious flavorsome food and beverages of distinction. Engelberg- the village shaped by the Benedictine Monastery is a place none others can match. The pristine backdrop of the magnificent mountain, the ski slopes and the tolling of the village clock at frequent intervals takes one to trance. The musical(?) cows with bells hanging from their collars grazing in the yonder of the lush green meadows creating continuous rhythm is a mystic experience. Engelberg is the seat of the original Swiss cheese. The weather is one other factor that elevates this piece of land to a great place to live.

The well-defined roads, the broad streets with cute shops, cinema hall, a world-renowned catering Institute, the Rail Station made me to conclude that there is no better place in the world to live! If at all there is a brand ambassador to promote Engelberg, I am sure I will out beat him and give him a run for his money!

The view from my hotel window was astounding. I could see huge gondola type cable cars moving up and down the mountains and now and then vanishing under thick cloud of fog engulfing the mountain.

Up above the mountain over 3000 feet is the magical point of Mt. Titlis. After a quick nibble of a South Indian breakfast-Yes…you read it right! It indeed was a combination of Idli, Kichadi, Vada and piping hot coffee, we set our way to the cable car station situated on a sprawling expanse of space. I could not help heaving a deep sigh seeing the discipline of the crowd that throngs the place, the systematic and noiseless way the vehicles being parked and over all the facilities in the base station. The amazing thing I had seen was the facilities offered to the physically challenged-nowhere would they be left out owing to their disability.  Many of the tourists are from our country or of Indian origin. When we can abide by the governing rules in other countries, why the same person on his return to our own motherland starts breaking rules?  What a beautiful place would India be, if we carry at least a small percentage of self-discipline and spread the non-chaotic pleasant attitude to our brethren. Lamenting apart, the thought of going to climb an altitude of 10,600 feet in the Alps, by the world’s first revolving cable car in 3 different stages brought in goosebumps and high level of expectations.

Our turn to get into the cable car came and no sooner could see the village of Engelberg fading from our views and literally we were in cloud nine-piercing the clouds and steadily climbing higher every other moment. It was a hollow silence except for the melodious tinkle of cowbells from the grazing cows hundreds of meters below on the slopes of the mountain. The first stage climb was around 6000 feet. We changed over to a bigger car which could accommodate 50 persons and completed the climb in 8000 feet. Icy chilly wind enveloped us. All of us were clad in many layers of winter wear. Any direction we could turn was covered with flawless white sheet of thick snow. Headache is one hundred percent assured if we gaze at the miles of snow covered mountains with naked eye. Sunglasses are a must. We moved on to the most exciting part of the climb by Rotair, the revolving cable car which brought us 360 degrees view of the Alpine mountain. A great engineering masterpiece the Rotair is-moves at an amazing speed, revolves while moving, spacious, no jerks, no bumps. It was like a 5D theatre where one is surrounded by the screens. We lose the sense of direction at one stage.

No words are appropriate to describe the beauty of nature so abundantly spread on this part of the world. After an extremely steep incline of further 2000 and odd feet, we reached the summit. Believe me, the place was brimming with activities with hundreds of tourists moving up and down with all glee. It least looked like we were in Top of one of Europe’s tall mountain peak. Restaurants, Souvenir shops, Array of Swiss watches, cuckoo clocks, Swiss chocolates getting neverending customers and the exclusive photo shop where we get dressed up in the local costume and have us photographed. We should not complain of sky-rocketed price as we were almost near the sky ourselves!

Our first access was the Glacier Grotto, the Ice cave carved inside the core of the glacier-the frosty heart of Mt. Titlis, where we literally froze due to sub-zero temperature-getting inside itself was an ordeal as the floors were full of ice and was slippery. I couldn’t help appreciating and admiring the people who conceptualized this idea in enabling tourists to enjoy-how much planning ,enormous hard work and sacrifices would have gone into this to make it a reality.

From there we moved to the upper deck, opening to the peace and quiet of the Swiss Alps. There was a bright sun shine at that point of time and the whole region was glittering. Mounds of thick snow was everywhere-howling chill breeze hitting hard on the face-here I am -realizing my ‘dream’! We were clicking pictures like mad-certain things are to be seen to be believed. The cut-outs of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol of Yash Chopra’s movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayange kept in a prominent place underscores the importance of Indian tourists to the place. My inner mind kept on humming Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Akhele Akhele Kahaan Ja Rahe Ho- relating them to the locations shot for those movies. There is a long legacy between Mt. Titlis and Bollywood. The open-air café is aptly named “Bollywood”.

The chair-lift ice flyer leads us to the glazier park. The only thing that separates us from our seat and a fall is only a hand- held grip rod which opens at the lift of a leg. Me and my daughter were climbing down the 2000 feet gradient, by an involuntary action, I lifted my leg and there was no support to cling on to. That thought still brings shudders in me -that we did not fall down was nothing short of the grace of Bhagwan. Thereafter for the next few minutes I kept a very low profile! It started to snow and strong winds further made it difficult to bear the chill. It was getting darker too. We got back to the Rotair and going through the process in reverse, we reached back to my sweet Engelberg. Not much had changed in my two visits to Mt. Titlis, but I understand that a suspension bridge has been constructed in 2012 at an altitude of 10000 feet near the summit. A reason to visit the Mount once more sooner!!

Till I lace up for the next…

J.Ram