Easter in Lucerne

Easter Sunday in Lucerne, Switzerland – That alone should be enough but we got more. First, let me say, Lucerne is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen and we saw it on an overcast day with low clouds that blocked the high peaks. Even so, it’s stunning.


In honor of Easter Sunday, we went to a church service at a pretty church across the river from our hotel. The mass was in German, of course, but they had a brass chamber music quintet that played for the service. The music filled the church and filled us with the Easter spirit. We laughed at each other because it was like taking small children to church. We both took tour books to read during the sermon since we wouldn’t be able to understand anything. It was a little difficult to concentrate because of all the standing, sitting, kneeling!



The rest of our afternoon was one of those wonderful spontaneous events. We wandered over to the information center looking for a hike I’d found in one of the tour books (yes, during mass!). Unfortunately, the hiking trail wasn’t open for the season yet – still lots of snow around, but they recommended a trip to Mt. Rigi, one of the lower peaks in the region and more likely to be under the cloud cover. The trip entailed a ferry ride (which included a delightful lunch), a ride up the mountain on a cog railway, a cable car ride down and the ferry back. It was very multi-modal! Unfortunately, the top of the mountain was completely covered with clouds so we didn’t stay long (ten minutes), but once we cleared the clouds, the view was spectacular.
Real Swiss chalets dotted the mountainside. For most of them, we could see no obvious road access to the houses. For some, there were dirt ruts and for others there was only a pathway. It wasn’t clear that electricity was available for many of them. It would be a very different sort of way of life – but one filled with tremendous natural beauty.
In addition to the mountains, we had another moment of true inspiration along the way. A very old man (mid to late 80s) was waiting at one of the stops for the cog railway. He was somewhat stooped but had his backpack on with his coat strapped in and a jaunty beret on his head. He was carrying his two walking poles. He boarded the railway and went up the mountain one stop, got off, and the last we saw of him, he was walking UP the mountainside. He’s my hero.
It was a very enjoyable afternoon.


When we got back, we took a long walk around the city, across bridges built in the 1300s, over the original city walls, and through city squares (platz) filled with buildings covered with painted facades. And, we got one last chocolate Easter bunny! So now I’m DONE with cuckoo clocks and chocolate (anyone believe that?)

Tomorrow we leave for Bern, Switzerland via Interlaken. We’re going to scout out one or two of the towns that Alison, Linnea, Katie and I will hike through this summer. More to come!