Where I sat waiting for a lift.

I ended up taking the little train back down to Zermatt and from there I started walking again. I got a couple miles down the road when a ski team picked me up. They had one of the top skiers in the nation there sitting next to me. They were surprised I hadn’t heard of her but she was very young as well. They dropped me off in Brig which looked like a cute little town but I couldn’t stay as I need to get though Italy and on a boat heading south as the winter weather is upon me.

This is a look at the Alps after the storm the night before. First snow of the year. This was the lake in Italy where I walked for 20

I was hitchhiking when two guys walked by and I asked them if this was the best place to wait. One of them (Lionel) said it will be hard getting a lift from the area they would drop me and suggested I take the bus as it was only 2 or 3 Swiss Francs. I told him I have money but I haven’t exchanged any for Swiss Francs so he told me he would buy my ticket for me. That was very nice of him but as we were walking he said where the bus will drop me, the cars drive too fast to stop for me. He then offered to pay for a train ticket to the first stop in Italy so would not get stuck in the snow. We went to his house so he could get some money and while there he gave me a yogurt, apple and orange. That was very nice of him so on the way to the train station I found he has his own business and I offered to send him my marketing/sales training system to say thanks. I will also send him my book as he may be able to find an opportunity with what he has going on. At the train station he gave me another 10 francs so I could buy something to eat. I had planned on fasting a third day as I had never felt hungry or had a diabetic attack in the two days of fasting without food or water, but after that gesture, and the fact that I already received my answer, I said thanks and feasted on a cheese sandwich, a couple of donuts (yes, that ate up the 10 francs) and the other food he gave me.

Rolle Château.

I made it to a little town and spent the night at a camp site on the outscirts. In the morning I continued and got a lift to Rolle which seemed very old and quaint. From there I was able to get a lift to Visp and then to Zermatt where I would spend the night to begin my hike in the morning. Zermatt is very touristy but I don’t mind mountain touristy because I like the wooded building and such.

Lousanne had some nice buildings.

Museum in Lousanne

The Matterhorn at Sunset

While waiting for a lift this morning I received another revelation which filled me a deep sense of peace, confidence and love. It is moments like this and being able to meet good people that makes this trip so worthwhile. When I get up on top of the mountain I will fast for a few days and seek further inspiration and direction in prayer and meditation. Since I will be stationary, I don’t think it will affect my diabetes but we’ll see. If it doesn’t work and I get sick or my brain begins to shut down I will consider other things I have been fasting from for a few months as my fast and just continue in prayer and meditation for a few days.

The Matterhorn from Zermatt.

The hike to the summit of Gernergrat from the train station is about 10 miles (17km) but what they don’t tell you is that it is all uphill and not a graceful climb; some areas I had to nearly crawl to get up them. It is an 1800 meter (1 mile +) assent. People have been telling me I’m crazy throughout this pilgrimage but now I am beginning to believe them. They recommend a pack not heavier than 12kg (25lbs) and I am carrying a 40kg (80lbs) pack. The time estimated to climb it is 4-6 hours. It took me a little over 8 hours, and I was definitely tired. As I got toward the end I had to make little goals of about 30 meters at a time before I would rest to catch my breath. It wasn’t a problem for my legs (even the next day my legs never hurt) but after living at sea level for 5 years, the thin air was burning my lungs.

Getting up to the top was quite breath taking but I think the best views are from a train stop just before the top at a place called Riffelsee. There, was the most picturesque views. I ate one last time to replace lost energy then began my fast. The next day I found out that my stay would be shortened because there was a major storm coming that is to cause the temperature to plummet and bring a lot of snow. That was a shame to me but I would just have to make the most of what I could.

While in Essen, my blow up pillow began to leak air and I would wake up several times a night to fill it up. I finally decided this was not going to work. I went to several stores to see if I could find another but the only one who had them wanted like $10 for one and in England I paid about $2.50 for mine. I threw away the pillow and figured I would just have to use clothes for the time being but while going through my bag I came upon my water bladder. It was strong enough to hold water so I checked to see if it would hold air. It is very strong so I was able to not only use if for a head pillow but I also used it to lean on for more comfort in the tent. I wasn’t using it before but now I have a good use of it.

I was the only one with a tent and I never saw anyone else actually hike to the top. Everyone takes the train. However, my tent was somewhat of a novelty for many of the tourists and they took pictures of it. I spent several hours on the edge of a cliff reading scriptures but when my back and butt got tired, and the wind started blowing a bit making it cold, I decided to continue my reading in the tent. About an hour later I heard a couple young guys speaking English joking about my tent and saying, this guy is too serious. They then started taking pictures and were talking about pretending it was theirs, that they had climbed up the mountain and took a few more pictures. When it seemed as though they were done, I said, where are you guys from. They both were surprised saying “Whoa, sorry man!”  I just told them it was fine, they can continue, I just thought it was funny. The next morning, while I was in my tent, an oriental woman in her own language was very brave and talking to a few friends, she tried lifting the tent skirt when I said, “Hello”. She screamed and started talking very fast in her language. It was all I could do to keep from busting out laughing.

Little church at the top of the mountain.

Well, my quest was fulfilled; I received an answer to my prayers. I was told what I yet lacked or the commandments I needed to live better in order to perfect myself. Among them were pride, controlling my thoughts better and telling the truth even if it hurts people. That is a difficult one because I don’t like to hurt people. I just hope I will be inspired to know how to respond in a non-hurtful manner. I am also amazed that even though I have nothing left to be proud of,  I still tend to exalt myself when there is no need. My glory days are over and I should be content to be happy without desiring the approval or admiration of others.

Just as I began my decent the snow began to fall. I am resting at one of the train stops because the bathroom has a plug so I can recharge my computer.

Zermatt

Check out the chairs with the sheep skin covers to keep people warm while sitting outside.

Zermatt souvenir shop

Some cool old buildings in Geneva.

I left Luxemburg on the 20th and it was free travel day. I told the person at the train ticket counter that I wanted to go to Geneva and asked if it was still free. She said yes it is free to travel today. Therefore, I jumped on the train heading for Geneva but before the first stop the conductors asked me for a ticket. I told them it was free travel day. They told me that was in Luxembourg; in France and Switzerland I have to pay. They kicked me off at the next station and I hitchhiked from there. It took much of the day but I ended up in the middle of the country somewhere with no city. I was told it is a small toll booth with not many cars and it was dark out so I just camped at the toll booth.

Tour train in Geneva.

In the morning I figured it was light enough by 7:00 to try hitchhiking again. It was 1:30pm and still nobody had picked me up. I decided I would wait until 2:00pm then I would start hiking again. As it got close to 2:00pm I was hungry so I ate and figured when I finish eating I will walk, knowing that once you start hiking on the auto route (freeway) nobody will stop for you. I had two bites left in my carrot when two young men (Rick and Dietrich (sorry, don’t know how to spell it)) and they took me nearly all the way. I was within about one hour to Geneva. As we had time to talk, they let me share my views on the gospel as they were unfamiliar with Mormons and were basically agnostic themselves. They were on their way to learn rock climbing and kayaking so their car was filled with gear and it didn’t look like I would fit but they moved everything around and packed stuff tight so they could help me out. As I’ve said before, I always run into the best people in the world doing this.

I was here on Monday and all the museums are closed Mondays. Open Sunday but not Monday.

I received two other lifts that got me to Geneva at dusk so I will wait until tomorrow to see the city, then off to the Swiss Alps. I would like to see C.E.R.N. too while I’m here but I will find out if it is possible tomorrow. I know I have to hurry before the cold hits as it can instantly freeze up there when the weather turns.

Cool little park where you can play chess or checkers on giant boards on the ground.

Skate Park in Geneva

Inside a church in Geneva. See what money can buy you. This guys crypt must have cost a fortune to be in the middle of the church alone like this.

Caught these people setting up this girl to look like she was abducted and attacked for an add to get people to send money to their cause. I hate deception like this.

The most famous feature of Geneva. I believe it goes 100m into the air.



With all the time waiting I was able to get more accomplished on my book and figure I am about half way through the initial draft. I am now recharging my batteries in McDonald’s and I will continue to work on my book while I wait for them to charge.