Bernina Express & Honey Violet Gin
The antidote to arguing couples everywhere.
Chur felt like a storybook town to me, even though I almost lost a tooth on its’ cobblestone streets. Chasing sunsets is a hard business, no matter what country you are in. I was sad to leave it but very excited to jump on the Bernina Express, a Panorama Express train connecting Chur to Poschiavo in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps.
Boarding the Bernina Express is not just catching a train—it’s entering a moving masterpiece. As I settled into my seat, the large panoramic windows promised a view like no other. This was the entire reason for my trip, this train ride. Then this couple sat down across from me.
My excitement waned as they started arguing. Great, I thought, I am going to be stuck sitting across from this for five hours. I pulled out my postcards and started painting. There was no way I was engaging with this hot mess of a situation.
The journey began, weaving through landscapes that seemed almost unreal. And yet the war raged on across from me. The woman was on and off the phone. In between calls, she was arguing with her husband. He was upset that she had brought work with her and was defending herself.
Finally, after a good two hours, she walked towards the luggage holding area, and he followed.
I am not sure what happened in there all I know is when they came back, she had a bottle of gin. He pulled out a bag of food, and they laid it out on the table. They started drinking and were apparently friends again.
She offered me some of her gin and passed food my way. Yay! I thought, now we are friends too! I set my painted postcards to the side and took them up on their generosity.
Snow-dusted peaks gave way to turquoise glacial lakes as we carried on.
Villages with gingerbread-like houses dotted the valleys. Every turn brought a new vista, each more stunning than the last.
We had just passed the famed Landwasser Viaduct —a gravity-defying marvel that feels like it floats in the sky- and she told me her daughter was an artist. She showed me some photos of her nine-year-old kid and flipped through some of her artwork.
We chatted it up until we got to the highest train station in the Alps.
We all jumped off the train for some good photo opportunities and the freshest air I ever breathed. Well, except for that time in New Zealand, but that is another story for another day.
The rhythmic hum of the train paired with the visual feast felt meditative. Or maybe it was the violet honey gin? I caught her reflection in the window at one point and behind her, the Alps.
We cruised all the way to Tirano, Italy. She fell asleep, he stared out the other window, and I finished my postcards.
By the time we arrived in Tirano, we were fifteen minutes late. With the pulse of the train permeating my bloodstream, I ran off to catch my next train to Milan. I never said goodbye to them, nor did I get their names. I’d like to think that train ride changed them like it did me.
Somehow, though, I get the feeling they do this everywhere they go. Isn’t that the saying? Everywhere you go, there you are?
It's funny how we can’t ditch ourselves, even in the prettiest of places or on the fastest trains.
I am interrupting your regularly scheduled post for a LIVE UPDATE!!!
Okay, maybe by now, you have figured out that I am back in the States. I have been since the election. I came home to vote. I still wish I was back in Europe, and if I have my way, I will be again in February. Fingers crossed. As far as my Europe 2024 trip, I still have Italy, Germany and few other places to share with you before I am off on my next adventure!
December was a like a space storm for me. I deactivated my social media accounts, I needed a breather. Now, I am in the process of reinventing, rebranding, and refining my social media presence, my art, and basically life in general.
You know, the easy things.
Back to you, Happy New Year! I wish you all the best health and happiness as we move into 2025. I can’t wait to see what it has in store. I am hopeful it will be many great musings and inspirations!
I’ve spent most of my time preparing for my show and focusing on this blog. I enjoy writing so much. Thank you for reading. If you know someone who might enjoy Skewed North, send them a link to sign up. It is very encouraging to me as a writer to see new subscribers and people enjoying what I create.
Beautiful Photos.