Nowhere is perfect, but let’s face it, Switzerland gets pretty darned close.
05.11.2023 - 12:19 / insider.com / Holding
For the first time in a decade, I went away without my husband.
I was skittish about flying solo, but my trip — to the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps — opened me up to new experiences and helped me discover a lot about myself and my marriage.
I'd just landed in Switzerland when I first wished for my husband. At the immigration checkpoint, I panicked when I couldn't find my passport and knew he would've kept it secure in his front pocket like always. I also wished for him at the train station, where I cut my finger shoving my suitcase into a locker, and I wished for him again when I got lost in the medieval lanes of Zurich's Old Town.
I love seeing the world with my husband, but I never expected to feel so useless without him. While he often handles the practical stuff, I realized I'd grown too dependent on him. Though he's never complained, I worried that traveling with me had become a project — not a vacation.
"You are capable of figuring things out," I told myself.
I found my way, retrieved my suitcase without further incident, and hopped on a train to my next destination. I felt better — until I discovered it was the wrong train, but at least I didn't call my husband for help.
I arrived at the charming alpine village of Grindelwald, ready for fresh mountain air, the famous Swiss cheese and chocolate, and an adventure.
In addition to its majesty, the Jungfrau region has a variety of high-octane activities such as zip-lining, paragliding, and ice climbing. I'm not very outdoorsy or daring (camping, multiday treks, and extreme sports are general noes), but I appreciated being in a place that could push me beyond my comfort zone. Plus, it's ridiculously pretty and welcoming of LGBTQ+ folks.
At Grindelwald-First, a prime spot for adventure enthusiasts, I quickly second-guessed my decision.
"There's no way I'm doing that," I thought, staring at the First Flyer, a 160-foot-high zip line that goes about 50 mph. Even more intimidating was the First Glider, where people were "flying" face down while strapped to a giant, metal eagle.
Watching a couple argue over getting on the eagle, I knew my husband and I would be having the same conversation. He was far more adventurous, enjoying skydiving and white-water rafting, and often suggested we try these types of activities together.
In turn, I quickly dismissed his desires. Suddenly, it dawned on me that I had limited his experiences. I didn't want to be someone who held my husband — or myself — back.
"Has anyone died from this?" I asked the operator who was strapping me in.
"Yes, but not here," the attendant said as a joke before launching me off the platform.
The initial drop made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack, but then I looked out at the
Nowhere is perfect, but let’s face it, Switzerland gets pretty darned close.
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