Crossing the Swiss Alps
6/5/2010 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph travels through Switzerland from Geneva to the UNESCO heritage Aletsch Glacier.
From cosmopolitan Geneva to the UNESCO heritage Aletsch Glacier Joseph travels through Switzerland by bus, train and lake steamer. In Geneva Joseph explores a city that has remained in the forefront of innovation and change and visits Lake Geneva’s lakeside villages. While in the sun-rich, car-free, 7,000-foot atmosphere of Bettmeralp Joseph enjoys a typical Swiss experience.
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Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope is presented by your local public television station.
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Crossing the Swiss Alps
6/5/2010 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
From cosmopolitan Geneva to the UNESCO heritage Aletsch Glacier Joseph travels through Switzerland by bus, train and lake steamer. In Geneva Joseph explores a city that has remained in the forefront of innovation and change and visits Lake Geneva’s lakeside villages. While in the sun-rich, car-free, 7,000-foot atmosphere of Bettmeralp Joseph enjoys a typical Swiss experience.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> male announcer: WELCOME TO TRAVELSCOPE, WITH JOSEPH ROSENDO, WHERE EACH WEEK, YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.
>> Rosendo: TODAY ON TRAVELSCOPE, I EXPLORE THE INTERNATIONAL CITY OF GENEVA AND THEN CLIMB THE ALPS TO A CAR-FREE, CAREFREE, TYPICALLY SWISS ADVENTURE.
>> announcer: TRAVELSCOPE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY AND COUNTRY GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, HOTEL AND DINING CHOICES, GUIDED WALKS, AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES: THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
>> Rosendo: I'M ON THE SHORE OF LAKE GENEVA, THE LARGEST BODY OF WATER IN WESTERN EUROPE, WHICH FLOWS RIGHT INTO THE RHONE RIVER AT THE CITY OF GENEVA.
GENEVA HAS BEEN AN INTERNATIONAL TOWN SINCE 58 B.C., WHEN CAESAR REBUILT THE BRIDGE CONNECTING THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT BANK.
SO GENEVA HAS BEEN WELCOMING AND SERVING FOREIGNERS FOR 2,000 YEARS, WHICH MAKES IT A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN YOUR SWITZERLAND ADVENTURE.
WITH ITS ART AND HISTORY MUSEUMS, LIVELY RESTAURANTS AND CAFES, GENEVA'S OLD TOWN IS WHERE LOCALS AND VISITORS ALIKE COME TO PLAY.
SWITZERLAND IS A MULTICULTURAL COUNTRY.
THERE ARE THREE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: GERMAN, ITALIAN, AND FRENCH, AND A FOURTH NATIONAL LANGUAGE, ROMANSH.
HERE IN GENEVA, THE ACCENT IS DEFINITELY FRENCH.
ON THE PLACE BOURG-DE-FOUR, THE GENEVOIS COME OUT TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AT THE TERRACE CAFES.
OR SAVE YOUR CUP.
WHEN IN SWITZERLAND, YOU CAN DRINK THE WATER RIGHT OUT OF THE FOUNTAIN.
SANTE.
GENEVA HAS OFTEN STOOD AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORIC CHANGE.
IT'S THE EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS OF THE U.N., AND IN THE 16TH CENTURY, IT WAS THE HOME OF JOHN CALVIN AND A CENTER OF RELIGIOUS REFORMATION.
YOU CAN SEE FROM THEIR SIZE THAT JOHN CALVIN AND THE OTHER GIANTS OF PROTESTANTISM HAD A VERY LARGE INFLUENCE ON GENEVA.
BUT THAT NEVER KEPT THE GENEVOIS FROM EXPRESSING THEIR JOIE DE VIVRE.
WELCOME TO THE BEACHES OF GENEVA.
LE BAINS DE PAQUIS, OR THE PAQUIS BATHS, HAS BEEN POPULAR IN GENEVA SINCE 1932, LOCATED AS IT IS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.
WELL, THE WATER MAY BE A LITTLE COOL, BUT THIS BEACH-LIKE SETTING STILL DISPELS THE MYTH THAT SWITZERLAND IS JUST SNOW AND ICE.
FAMOUS AS A PLAYGROUND OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL, LAKE GENEVA, OR LAC LEMAN, IS RINGED BY LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS.
FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS, THE BEAU RIVAGE GENEVE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LAKE'S MOST FASHIONABLE GRAND HOTELS.
HERE, TYPICALLY SWISS MEANS OLD WORLD CHARM, PERSONAL SERVICE, AND WHERE AWARD-WINNING CUISINE MEETS WORLD-CLASS WINES.
CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC.
OH, MY GOD.
1947.
IN NEARBY LAUSANNE, THE CHATEAU D'OUCHY HAS PUT A MODERN FACE ON ONE OF THE REGION'S VENERABLE PALACE HOTELS.
IT FITS IN YOUTHFUL, HIP LAUSANNE, A TOWN OFTEN COMPARED WITH SAN FRANCISCO BECAUSE OF ITS HILLY STREETS, CULTURAL RICHNESS, AND PROXIMITY TO THE LAVEAUX WINE COUNTRY, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
LOOK AT THAT BARREL.
MY GOSH, THAT IS-- THAT'S A WORK OF ART.
AND THIS IS ACTUALLY USED?
>> NOT ANYMORE.
HE WORKED TRULY AND PERFECTLY FOR 95 YEARS.
>> [laughs] >> WAS WORKED BY MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER.
THEY HAD TO BUILD THIS CELLAR TO BRING THE BARREL HERE.
>> Rosendo: PATRICK, I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE THE FIFTH GENERATION OF-- >> NO, NO, I'M THE 13TH GENERATION.
>> Rosendo: 13 GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKERS?
>> YES, EXACTLY.
MORE THAN FOUR CENTURY HERE IN EPESSES.
LET'S HAVE A PINOT TOGETHER.
>> Rosendo: OH, MY FAVORITE WINE.
>> OH, WONDERFUL.
>> Rosendo: I CAN SMELL IT'S A BIT LIGHTER THAN I WOULD EXPECT A BURGUNDY TO SMELL LIKE, FOR INSTANCE.
>> YES.
WE LIKE THE WINES.
WE CAN DRINK ONE, TWO, THREE GLASSES WITHOUT FEELING IT, OKAY?
>> Rosendo: YEAH, I COULD DRINK A LOT OF THIS.
>> YEAH, THEN HAVE IT.
>> Rosendo: SO IT WORKS.
IT WORKS.
>> IT'S FULL.
>> Rosendo: OH, YEAH.
[laughter] WE HAVE A FEW BARRELS.
>> NO HURRY, PLEASE.
[laughter] >> Rosendo: HOW MUCH OF THE WINE IS PRODUCED HERE IN SWITZERLAND, AND WHO DRINKS IT?
>> THE SWISS ONLY.
AND WE HAVE TO IMPORT A LOT JUST-- >> Rosendo: TO KEEP THE SWISS SATISFIED.
>> EXACTLY.
>> Rosendo: [chuckles] THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SAMPLE THIS, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE CHASSELAS, THE WHITE WINE, IS THE MOST POPULAR IN SWITZERLAND.
>> STILL THE MOST POPULAR.
AND LET'S GO TO THE GARDEN AND TRY SOME WINE.
[wine cork pops] >> Rosendo: NOW, THAT'S A VERY FAMILIAR SOUND.
>> SOUNDS CLEAR.
>> Rosendo: SOUNDS VERY-- IT'S POPPED VERY, VERY CLEAR.
AND WHAT DOES IT COMPARE TO?
>> IT'S VERY UNIQUE.
NOT TO BE COMPARED TO CHARDONNAY OR SAUVIGNON.
>> Rosendo: MM-HMM.
>> POSSIBLY LESS FRUITY THAN A CHARDONNAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> Rosendo: THIS IS VERY NICE.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
IT'S LIKE IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF THE SPICE OF A GEWURZTRAMINER MAYBE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE THAT OVERWHELMING FRUITY TASTE THAT MANY CHARDONNAYS HAVE.
SO YOU'RE RIGHT.
IT IS A DISTINCT CHARACTER.
>> JUST APART, JUST LIKE THE SWISS.
>> Rosendo: SO IF YOU WANT TO GET IT, YOU HAVE TO COME TO SWITZERLAND.
>> YEAH, SURE, WITH THE DANGER THAT YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE AGAIN, HUH?
>> Rosendo: [laughs] THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH ME AND INTRODUCING US TO IT.
FROM THE WINERY IN EPESSES, IT'S JUST 15 MINUTES TO VEVEY, THE FORMER HOME OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN.
AT THE CONFISERIE POYET, I LEARNED THAT THOUGH WINE IS A SWISS DELIGHT, CHOCOLATE IS A PASSION.
SWITZERLAND IS NOTED FOR CHOCOLATE.
AND I'M WITH BLAISE POYET, AND HE IS AN ARTIST.
AND HERE YOU REALLY SEE CHOCOLATE BECOME ART.
>> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: MILK CHOCOLATE.
>> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: IT WAS CREATED HERE IN VEVEY.
OUI?
MERCI.
>> [laughing] YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> Rosendo: MMM.
DARK CHOCOLATE IS LIKE A GOOD BORDEAUX, IS A BLEND OF DIFFERENT GRAPES.
HERE THEY USE THREE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CACAO BEANS.
THE 52% IN DARK CHOCOLATE IS A COMBINATION OF HOW MUCH OF THE CACAO AND THE CACAO BUTTER IS IN THE CHOCOLATE.
>> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: OH, OKAY.
THIS ROUGH, ROUGH, ROUGH.
OKAY.
SO THIS IS FUN.
>> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: MMM, BORDEAUX, MY FAVORITE WINE.
HE SAID THE MAGIC WORD, BORDEAUX.
MMM.
AND HE'S RIGHT.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
OH, MY GOD.
THIS MAY BE MY FAVORITE.
>> [speaking French] >> IT'S VIRILE, MASCULINE CHOCOLATE.
[laughter] I'D BETTER EAT MORE.
[laughter] >> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: THAT'S ALL IN THIS PIECE OF CHOCOLATE?
>> YES.
[laughs] >> Rosendo: FROM PHUKET?
>> FROM PHUKET.
>> Rosendo: OH, COME ON.
AFTER ALL OF THAT, I HAVE TO TASTE IT.
>> [speaking French] >> Rosendo: WOW.
GOL, THIS IS VERY AMAZING.
>> SPECIAL.
>> Rosendo: THIS IS WONDERFUL.
IT'S OFTEN BEEN SAID THAT THINGS ARE CREATED TWICE: ONCE IN YOUR HEAD AND ONCE IN THE WORLD, IN REALITY.
AND THIS IS A GRAND EXAMPLE OF THAT.
IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT YOU GET TO TASTE THE PRODUCT OF SOMEONE'S MIND AND SOMEONE'S HEART.
MERCI BEAUCOUP.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> Rosendo: NICE THING ABOUT TRAVELING IN SWITZERLAND IS THAT IT'S SO EASY, NOT TO MENTION BEAUTIFUL.
AND IF YOU GET A SWISS PASS, ALL YOUR INTERCITY AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IS INCLUDED ON TRAINS AND BUSES AND BOATS, AND THERE ARE ADMISSIONS TO ABOUT 400 DIFFERENT MUSEUMS AND DISCOUNTS ON YOUR MOUNTAIN FUNICULARS.
AND REALLY WHAT'S GREAT IS, YOU CAN HOP ON AND HOP OFF WHENEVER YOU WANT.
TWO TRAINS AND A CABLE CAR RIDE LATER, I ARRIVE FROM LAUSANNE IN THE CAR-FREE, CAREFREE TOWN OF BETTMERALP, LOCATED AT 6,000 FEET.
I SETTLE DOWN AT THE TYPICALLY SWISS BETTMERHOF, A FAMILY-RUN INN WITH VIEWS OF THE MATTERHORN, WHERE TRAVELERS ARE WARMLY WELCOMED AND A WEALTH OF ALPINE ENCOUNTERS AND ACTIVITIES AWAIT.
[tires skid] WHOO!
>> YEAH, THIS IS REALLY EXCITING TO GO DOWN, AND IT'S CALLED TROTTINETTE.
>> Rosendo: UH-HUH.
>> IT'S LIKE A SCOOTER.
>> Rosendo: RIGHT.
>> AND WE GONNA RIDE IT DOWN TO THE OLD TOWN OF BETTEN.
>> Rosendo: TERRIFIC.
AND THIS LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY COULD DO.
>> IT'S REALLY FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
>> Rosendo: LET'S GO.
>> YEAH.
>> Rosendo: THERE'S SOME COWS, OUR FRIENDS, THE COWS.
THEY GET RIGHT HERE IN THE GARDEN.
GUTEN TAG.
>> THIS IS REAL OFF-ROAD SCOOTERING.
>> Rosendo: YEAH, A LITTLE OFF-ROAD SCOOTERING.
IT'S GREAT.
WHOA, LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
>> WELCOME TO BETTEN.
>> Rosendo: THAT WAS TERRIFIC.
WOW.
LOOK AT THIS, JUST HOW BEAUTIFUL.
AMAZING.
[bells pealing] WHILE SCOOTERING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ON A SWISS TROTTINETTE IS FUN, IT'S A GREATER PLEASURE JUST TO WANDER THE STREETS OF BETTEN AND SEE WHAT I CAN LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND THOSE, LIKE MAUD, WHO, YEAR AFTER YEAR, COME BACK TO VISIT.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT COMING TO THIS TOWN?
>> THEY'RE REAL PEOPLE HERE.
>> Rosendo: OH, I'D LOVE TO MEET ONE OF THEM.
>> YOU WILL.
>> Rosendo: OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> [speaking Swiss German] >> Rosendo: GUTEN TAG.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> YEAH, NOW YOU ARE IN SWITZERLAND.
>> Rosendo: NOW I AM IN SWITZERLAND.
EXACTLY.
WELL, LET'S SIT DOWN.
>> [translates in Swiss German] SHE HAS LIVED HERE ALL HER LIFE, AND SHE'S 88.
SHE'S VERY HAPPY TO TELL YOU ABOUT BETTEN.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> IT'S--ON THE CEILING, YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS HOUSE HAS BEEN HERE.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> 1858.
>> Rosendo: 1858.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> IT WAS DESTROYED WITH A FIRE.
>> Rosendo: MM-HMM.
>> ROUND 1850.
>> Rosendo: SO THIS TELLS THAT STORY, THAT--WHEN THE HOUSE WAS BUILT, WHO BUILT IT, WHO LIVED HERE.
>> WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE AND HOW MANY CHILDREN THEY GOT AND WHEN THEY GOT THEIR CHILDREN.
IT'S ALL ON THE BEAMS.
>> Rosendo: YOUR HOUSE IS SO WONDERFUL, AND I'M SO HONORED TO HAVE--ALLOW ME TO COME IN HERE.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> Rosendo: GREAT THING ABOUT A CAR-FREE TOWN IS, YOU GET TO HIKE EVERYWHERE.
JUST ABOVE LAKE BETTMER, I'M ABOUT TO MEET SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THE ALPINE COMMUNITY: THE COWS.
[cowbells clanking] HERE I AM AMONG THE COWS.
AND WE'VE SEEN THEM UP ON THE-- IN THE PASTURELANDS.
AND THEN IN THE WINTERTIME, THEY'RE TAKEN DOWN TO BETTEN.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIEND ALICE HERE, I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN ACTUALLY MILK THEM.
>> OH, MASSAGE.
>> Rosendo: MASSAGE.
>> YEAH.
>> Rosendo: OKAY.
OH, MY GOSH.
WOW.
I'M MILKING A COW.
OH.
MMM.
THEN YOU--AUTOMATIC.
>> YA.
>> Rosendo: OKAY.
THERE YOU GO.
IT'S LIKE A LITTLE VACUUM CLEANER.
AND WE ATTACH THEM.
AH.
OH, IT'S WARM.
IT'S NICE AND WARM.
WHAT'S THE NAME OF THIS ONE?
>> LOUDA.
>> Rosendo: LOUDA.
HOW ARE YOU DOING, LOUDA?
EVERYTHING GOING WELL?
THESE ARE GOOD FRIENDS TO THE FAMILY AND OF COURSE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEN, BY PROXY, US.
YEAH.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.
HAVE A GOOD TIME.
LOOK AT THOSE BIG BROWN EYES.
SWISS DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE WORLD FAMOUS.
AND WHILE SWISS COWS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE SOURCE OF THEIR GOODNESS, IT ONCE ALSO TOOK STRONG ARMS TO MAKE SWISS BUTTER.
MILK, CHEESE, BUTTER-- ALL IMPORTANT PRODUCTS HERE IN SWITZERLAND.
AND THESE LADIES ARE SHOWING ME HOW THEY USED TO MAKE IT IN THE ALPS.
ALL IT TAKES IS TIME AND LABOR.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN HERE IS, IT'S GOING TO SEPARATE.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE BUTTERMILK ON TOP OF THE BUTTER THAT'S GOING TO BE FORMING ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS CHURNER.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE US TO MAKE BUTTER?
>> FUNFZEHN MINUTEN.
>> Rosendo: FUNFZEHN-- 15 MINUTES.
>> JA.
>> Rosendo: 15 MINUTES?
OH, THAT'S NOT TOO-- OH, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
>> JA, JA.
>> Rosendo: IT'S GETTING VERY HARD.
OH, YEAH, 15 MINUTES.
[sighs] YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY THESE SWISS LIVE SO LONG, HIKING THESE ALPS AND USED TO BE MAKING THEIR OWN BUTTER.
LOOK AT THIS.
THIS IS WONDERFUL.
MMM.
OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
ALPINE CREAM, WOW.
TO MAKE BUTTER, ALL YOU USE IS CREAM?
NO SEL, SALT?
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
SWEET BUTTER.
>> PURE.
>> PURE.
>> PURE SCHWEIZERLAND.
>> Rosendo: PURE SWITZERLAND.
I THINK I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> Rosendo: OH, NOW IT'S BUTTER.
WHOO!
JAWOHL.
LOOK AT THAT.
THAT IS BUTTER.
>> [speaking in Swiss German] >> Rosendo: I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER TASTED BUTTER BEFORE.
THEY SAY THE PROOF OF THE BUTTER IS IN THE EATING.
I JOINED FRIENDS AT THE WALLISER-STUBE TO TEST THAT THEORY ON MORE SWISS SPECIALTIES.
>> OH, FIRST, IT'S A SPECIALTY FROM THIS REGION.
IT'S CALLED RACLETTE.
>> Rosendo: RACLETTE, OKAY.
LET'S HAVE THE RACLETTE COME IN.
>> OH, LOOK AT THIS.
>> Rosendo: OOH.
>> OH.
MELTED SWISS CHEESE.
>> Rosendo: UH-HUH.
>> TYPICAL SWISS POTATOES.
CORNICHON.
>> Rosendo: CORNICHON, WHICH IS PICKLE.
>> AND THE SILVER ONIONS.
>> Rosendo: OKAY, LET'S DIG INTO IT.
>> JA, A LITTLE BIT OF THIS NICE, SMOOTH CHEESE.
>> Rosendo: WHAT IS THAT CHEESE NORMALLY?
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE?
>> OH, IT'S A RACLETTE CHEESE.
>> Rosendo: IT'S A SPECIAL CHEESE MADE FOR RACLETTE.
>> YES, EXACTLY.
>> Rosendo: AND THEN YOU-- NOW, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE ONION?
HOW DO YOU EAT THAT?
>> WELL, IF YOU MANAGE, YOU CAN PUT-- >> Rosendo: OH, MY GOD, YOU PUT ONION ON IT TOO?
>> AND YOU'RE ALLOWED EVEN TO USE YOUR HANDS.
>> Rosendo: THANKS GOD FOR THAT.
OKAY.
[laughter] HE'S AN EXPERT, AN EXPERT.
>> OH, MY GOD, YEAH.
LOOK HOW FAST.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU SAY NOW IN SWISS?
>> Rosendo: NO.
>> EN GUETE.
>> Rosendo: EN GUETE.
>> YEAH.
>> Rosendo: GOOD APPETITE.
>> MMM.
>> Rosendo: MMM.
>> MMM.
HEY, PROST.
>> Rosendo: PROST.
>> OH, JOSEPH, PLEASE LOOK INTO MY EYES.
>> Rosendo: OH, IS THAT WHAT YOU DO IN SWITZERLAND?
>> OH, YEAH.
>> Rosendo: OKAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Rosendo: MEN?
MEN TOO?
>> [laughs] >> Rosendo: NO SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION IN SWITZERLAND.
I LOVE THAT.
OKAY.
WHAT'S NEXT?
>> THE TYPICAL SWISS FOOD, ROSTI.
>> Rosendo: ROSTI?
ROSTI.
>> OH, YEAH.
YOU'RE GONNA LIKE THAT ONE.
>> Rosendo: OKAY, ROSTI.
NOW, IS THAT, LIKE, POTATOES?
>> WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE HASH BROWN.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU, THIS IS LIKE THE GOURMET HASH BROWN.
>> Rosendo: ALSO ON TOP OF IT, WE HAVE EGG.
LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CHEESE.
>> OF COURSE.
>> Rosendo: EVERY SWISS DISH SEEMS TO HAVE SOME CHEESE IN IT.
>> YOU KNOW WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH CHEESE ON IT?
>> Rosendo: WHY?
>> WE HAVE COWS ALL OVER.
>> Rosendo: THAT'S TRUE.
I REALIZED THAT.
WELL, YOU GO--YOU FIRST.
LADIES FIRST.
>> DON'T BE BASHFUL, OKAY?
>> Rosendo: OKAY, I WON'T.
>> JA.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
OH, I'M IN HEAVEN.
LOTS OF NICE SWISS BUTTER.
OH, YEAH.
>> Rosendo: MADE FROM THE NICE SWISS COWS OF COURSE.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> Rosendo: WONDERFUL.
ONCE AGAIN?
>> THERE WE GO.
>> HEY, YOU LEARNED VERY WELL.
PROST.
>> Rosendo: PROST.
>> PROST.
>> Rosendo: HOW DO YOU SAY "LET'S EAT" IN SWISS?
>> [speaks in Swiss German] >> Rosendo: I'LL LET YOU SAY THAT, THANKS.
>> [laughs] EN GUETE.
>> Rosendo: EN GUETE.
NOW, WHAT IS THIS, YOU GUYS?
[laughter] I'M SORRY.
WE'RE AT 7,000 FEET, OUR STARTING POINT FOR THE WALK DOWN ONTO THE ALETSCH GLACIER.
I'M WITH PETER, MY GUIDE, AND A NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE FROM OUR WALKING GROUP, BECAUSE IN ORDER TO GET DOWN ON THE GLACIER, YOU HAVE TO GO ON A GUIDED TOUR.
SO LET'S GET GOING.
COME ON.
WOW, LOOK AT THIS.
THERE'S BLUEBERRIES ALL HERE ALONG THE PATH.
THIS IS LIKE EDEN.
YOU WALK ALONG THE PATH AND YOU CAN STOP AND PICK LUNCH.
LITTLE MILK AND SUGAR AND... MMM, A LITTLE LEAVES FOR ROUGHAGE.
IT'S GREAT.
>> WE ARE HERE ON A MORAINE.
1860, THE GLACIER GROW SO HIGH TILL IT HIT THIS POINT, JA?
>> Rosendo: SO THE GLACIER WAS THIS HIGH STRAIGHT ACROSS THE-- >> STRAIGHT ACROSS FROM HERE.
YEAH, YEAH.
>> Rosendo: THAT'S 160 YEARS AGO.
HOW MUCH HAS IT LOST?
>> IN 160 YEARS, MORE THAN 150 METERS.
>> Rosendo: SO, LIKE, A METER A YEAR.
>> YEAH, NOT EXACTLY.
LAST 40 YEARS, IT MELT EXACTLY SO MUCH, LIKE, 120 YEARS BEFORE.
>> Rosendo: THAT'S BAD.
>> IT'S GLOBAL WARMING.
>> Rosendo: SOUNDS BAD.
OH, BOY.
WHILE IT'S MAGNIFICENT TO APPRECIATE A GLACIER FROM AFAR, IT'S FAR MORE THRILLING TO WALK ON ONE.
AND SINCE IT'S SAFETY FIRST WHEN GLACIER WALKING, IT'S TIME TO STRAP ON OUR CRAMPONS.
[ice pick chopping] OH, MY, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL AND VERY DRAMATIC.
>> HERE WE HAVE REALLY A LOT OF CREVASSES... >> Rosendo: YES.
>> AND RIDGES.
AND YEAH, IT LOOKS-- >> Rosendo: VERY DRAMATIC.
>> YEAH, YEAH.
>> Rosendo: THIS IS THE LONGEST GLACIER IN THE ALPS?
HOW LONG IS IT?
>> MUST BE 22 OR 23 KILOMETERS.
>> Rosendo: 13 MILES.
THIS IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE.
>> YEAH.
JOSEPH, DO YOU REALIZE THAT YOU DRINK WATER OF THE 14TH CENTURY?
>> Rosendo: 14TH CENTURY?
HOW'S THAT?
WHY IS IT 14TH CENTURY?
>> LOOK ON THE MOUNTAIN.
THAT'S SNOW DOESN'T MELT DURING THE SUMMERTIME.
AND IN TEN YEARS, IT GIVES ICE.
AND THIS ICE IS ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD.
BUT IT'S MOVING VERY SLOWLY FORWARD.
>> Rosendo: RIGHT.
SO I'M DRINKING WATER FROM BEFORE-- >> THE 13TH OR 14TH CENTURY.
>> Rosendo: THE NEW WORLD WAS EVER DISCOVERED.
>> FROM THE MIDDLE AGES.
>> Rosendo: FABULOUS.
[water whooshing] NOW, THIS IS A GOOD PLACE FOR ME TO ASK YOU.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS BIG CHUNK OF ICE TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE?
>> FOR OUR ELECTRICITY, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> Rosendo: RIGHT.
>> AND ALL THE RIVER, LIKE RHONE AND RHINE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
>> Rosendo: THE MAIN RIVERS.
>> AND OVER OUR DRINKING WATER TOO.
>> Rosendo: AND AGRICULTURE TOO.
SO THIS IS REALLY A RIVER OF ICE, BUT IT'S ALSO A RIVER OF LIFE TOO FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE IN SWITZERLAND AND EUROPE.
>> BUT OFTEN I BELIEVE NOBODY KNOWS IT.
>> Rosendo: NOBODY KNOWS IT, YES.
AND YOU KNOW, UNTIL THEY REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, THEN THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO TO PROTECT IT AND PROTECT THE CLIMATE THAT HELPS IT EXIST.
WALKING OUT ON THE GLACIER HAS JUST ENOUGH DANGER TO MAKE IT EXCITING.
BEING IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE.
THROUGHOUT SWITZERLAND, THE DESALPE, OR DESCENT OF THE COWS FROM THEIR SUMMER ALPINE PASTURES TO THE VALLEY MEADOWS BELOW IS MARKED BY CELEBRATION.
ON THIS GLORIOUS DAY, I FOLLOW THE COWS TO THE CHURCH, WHERE THE ENTIRE TOWN WAITS.
IT'S SEPTEMBER 11TH, AND THE COWS HAVE COME HOME.
THEY'VE LEFT THE UPPER PASTURES, AND AS A MARKING OF THE CHANGE OF SEASON, THEY'VE ENTERED TOWN HERE AT THE CHURCH TO BE HONORED AS THE ACTUAL LANDOWNERS OF THIS LAND NORTH OF THE STONE WALL.
ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE, ALL THE HOUSES, ALL THE HOTELS, ALL THE RESTAURANTS, THEY'RE JUST LEASING THE LAND FROM THE COWS.
THIS IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE THE END OF SUMMER BUT ALSO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HUMANS AND NATURE AND THEIR INTERCONNECTION.
LOOK AT THE WINE AS PART OF THE--I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR YOU, SWEETIE.
BUT LOOK.
THEY HAVE THE WINES SET UP IN THE TROUGH.
COWS ARE THINKING, MAYBE WE'LL DRINK A LITTLE WINE INSTEAD OF THIS GREAT ALPINE WATER.
THEY'RE HAVING A GOOD TIME TOO, PLAYING AROUND AND PUSHING AGAINST EACH OTHER.
GUTEN TAG.
HELLO, MARGARIT.
HELLO, ALICE.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
NICE TO SEE YOU.
YOUR COWS LOOK BEAUTIFUL.
SCHON, SCHON, SCHON, SCHON.
THE KIDS MUST LOVE THIS.
EVA?
>> YES, THEY DO.
THEY DO.
>> DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT THIS MEANS, THE COWS COMING DOWN?
OR THEY JUST KNOW SUMMER IS ENDING AND CHRISTMAS IS COMING SOON.
>> YES, YES.
>> Rosendo: WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY, EH?
THE WEATHER, CULTURE, PEOPLE, THE EXPERIENCE, AND OF COURSE THE COWS, THE OWNER OF THIS LAND.
[cowbells jingling] THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME IN MY SWITZERLAND ADVENTURE.
SWITZERLAND IS FAMOUS FOR THE ALPS.
AND ALTHOUGH THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT, THEY'RE ONLY THE PRE-DESSERT.
THE SWEETEST EXPERIENCES IN SWITZERLAND ARE INTIMATE AND OFTEN UNEXPECTED, EXPERIENCES THAT CELEBRATE THE SWISS AND THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS OVERFILLED WITH ARTIFICIAL STIMULATION, IN THE WORDS OF SHAKESPEARE, "FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING."
IN SWITZERLAND, I WAS REMINDED THAT THE WORLD HOLDS A WEALTH OF MEANINGFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCES.
WHETHER IT'S A WALK ON A WONDER, THE ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF THE HUMAN SOUL, OR A CHANCE MEETING WITH A LOCAL TREASURE, THE BEST OF SWITZERLAND IS NOT EXPORTED: LOCAL FOODS, THE WARM HOSPITALITY, THE GREAT BEAUTY.
THE SWISS ARE HAPPY TO SHARE IT.
BUT YOU HAVE TO COME HERE TO GET IT.
TILL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN: "TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS."
HAPPY TRAVELING.
>> announcer: TRAVELSCOPE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES.
DK CITY, COUNTRY, AND DRIVING GUIDES FEATURE EVOCATIVE PHOTOS, 3-D MAPPING AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR KEY SIGHTS, AND TRAVEL ITINERARIES.
DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES: THE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT OTHERS ONLY TELL YOU.
FOR A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S TRAVELSCOPE ADVENTURES, CALL: OR ORDER ONLINE AT: YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL US AT: OR WRITE US AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.
>> Rosendo: NOW THAT YOU'VE CROSSED THE SWISS ALPS, LEARN MORE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET, WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW MY WORLDWIDE ADVENTURES THROUGH MY BLOG AND PODCAST.
KEEP IN TOUCH.
NEXT TIME ON TRAVELSCOPE, I FOLLOW VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA'S GREAT OCEAN ROAD FROM THE CAPITAL OF MELBOURNE TO SCENIC, CULTURAL, AND WILDLIFE ADVENTURES.
[splashing] Captioning by CaptionMax www.captionmax.com >> both: [speak in Swiss German] >> Rosendo: HAPPY TRAVELING.
>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
[laughter] >> Rosendo: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
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