Nestled at the foot of the Alps, on
the shores of Lake Geneva, lies the enchanting city of Montreux, Switzerland.
Long celebrated for its beauty, Montreux is set against the backdrop of
snow-covered mountains and the crystal clear waters of the lake locally known
as Lac Leman. The mountains stretch their peaks into the heavens and the
lake extends as far as the eye can see. It is this sight that leaves me
breathless when I first lay eyes on the lakeside city, but I could not have
imagined the beauty that awaited me along the shore.
The
lakeside walkway I travel starts at the magical Chateau de Chillon, on the
eastern end of Lake Geneva. Beautifully located on a rocky islet, it is one of
the most well preserved castles in Switzerland. With tall stone walls and an
air of mystery about it, it is the perfect start to an unforgettable afternoon.
Committing this impressive image to memory, I turn my back on the magnificent
castle and head north to discover all Montreux has to offer.
As
the sun-warmed walkway slopes downward, I come ever closer to the waters of
Lake Geneva. The lake is crystal clear and oh so inviting. With clear blue
skies and the hot sun beating down on my neck, the urge to jump in the pure
water fully clothed is almost irrepressible. The sounds of the water lapping
and spraying at the shore add to this irrational desire. The clarity of the
water is mesmerizing. Imagining the cool, inviting water on my skin is almost
too much to bear. Never in my life have I known water could be so radiant and
alluring.
Soon
I become aware of other sounds penetrating my consciousness; the wind
whispering through the palm trees, the distant growl of boat engines on
the lake, the water spraying upwards from the hulls of the boats, the birds
calling to one another, and the constant chatter of locals and tourists alike.
I am not alone on this journey; I am joined by many people enjoying the warm
summer day. There are children playing and couples relaxing in the shade,
taking great pleasure in God's creation.
Yet
people are not my only company on this stroll. I am joined by other life all
around me. Flowers of every color line the shore: purple, red, yellow, and
pink. The flowers grow in the shade of palm trees, an unexpected surprise. I
never would have expected to see palm trees growing in the shadows of
mountains. Along with the alluring flora, I am blessed to be accompanied by
elegant swans gliding all along the shore to my left. Their feathers are as
pure and white as fresh mountain snow.
At
the end of my journey, I discover the bustling street market on the edge of
Montreux. Although not as relaxing as my shoreline walk, the market has a
beauty of its own. Vendors sell everything from brightly colored hats and scarves
to fresh strawberries. Children play in the cool water to escape the summer
heat as their parents peruse the various shops. Since I cannot jump in the
water to escape the heat, I buy a small cup of cold Movenpick ice cream. The
ice cream is better than any I have tasted before. Sweet and creamy, the
lemon-lime dessert is the perfect way to end my walk along the shore of Lake
Geneva.
Breathing in
the floral scent and fresh air of Lake Geneva gives one a sense of being alive.
Your senses become awakened like never before. You feel the cool mountain air,
hear the gentle waves, smell the fresh strawberries, taste the purest water,
and see one of God's most glorious creations, all at once.
Trapped in my own little corner of the earth for so long, I never realized just how big and wondrous the world is. It had never crossed my mind that you could see all the way to the bottom of a lake or that palm trees and mountains could co-exist in the same environment. My eyes were opened to how little I knew of the outside world.
Before
my journey along the shore of Lac Leman, I was woefully ignorant of what the
world had to offer. St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those
who do not travel read only one page.” My experience in Montreux added another page
to my book, but there are so many more pages to fill. It would be foolish to
assume that one has seen all one can see. The world is vast and limitless, with
endless possibilities. God did not create this boundless beauty for naught. It
was created for us to discover, savor, and cherish.
