Summary of the Journey
Introduction
On a multigenerational family train journey, a new mother realizes the time to take your “someday” trip is now. After spending the pandemic on separate continents—two and a half years during which our baby, my parents’ first grandchild, grew from a blinking newborn into a three-toothed agent of chaos—my family was determined to be together. Could there be a more beautiful way to do this than a train journey?
Our route—from Venice to Como, then over the Swiss border to Zermatt, Wengen, and Zurich—was bold, linking places my parents had seen only in Bollywood movies and travel shows, places I had never dared to believe I would set foot in until a few years ago when I first visited Switzerland. We waited anxiously for visas, submitting bank statements, flight reservations, even personal letters of invitation from my father-in-law in Slovakia, whom we would visit after Switzerland. Then, in disbelief, we all arrived in Europe. It was my parents’ first time on the continent.
Exploring Venice
At the end of a few days in the enchanting Venice, we took a vaporetto to the train station. Our baby’s stroller, too wide for the luggage racks, posed a problem. We rummaged for a place to park it until an older woman leaned it next to her. The train crossed a long causeway over the water to the mainland, speeding past fields containing misplaced apartment buildings.
Though the three generations had never traveled together, we surprisingly found our rhythm with ease. My parents entertained the baby, who clapped on the glass and laughed at the Bengali rhymes we sang to him. When he grew sleepy, my husband and I rocked him, using my fleece jacket as his blanket, and unwrapped our tramezzini, cheap and delicious triangular sandwiches made of crustless white bread with fillings like ham and egg or tuna.
Birthday Dinner in Como
Como turned out to be so crowded with visitors that no restaurant could seat us for my husband’s birthday dinner. Ultimately, we enjoyed takeout cacio e pepe on the steps leading to the lake, watching the sky morph into glorious colors. My mother, accustomed to a lifetime of caregiving, took off her shoes and dipped her feet in the water as a duck swam by.
Crossing into Switzerland
As a child, my travels were primarily within India. Those train journeys featured vendors selling salted cucumbers and lemon tea. I would observe the passing landscape, fascinated by the scenery outside. This sense of observation returned on our train ride through Italy, where our baby grinned at strangers, and their kindness provided moments of rest amidst the chaos.
However, as we crossed into Switzerland, we faced a different reality. Officers appeared, demanding passports. This scrutiny echoed an uncomfortable familiarity for us, the few travelers of color on a largely white coach. My parents, slightly bewildered by the aggression, answered question after question while others sat undisturbed. The unfortunate experience left a lingering wound, a harsh reminder of racism in travel.
Zermatt and Wengen
In Zermatt, the Matterhorn occasionally revealed itself, providing breathtaking views. I cherished our next stop, Wengen, a beautiful, traffic-free town overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here, we marveled at the mountains, the vibrant greens contrasted against the white peaks. During a rainy day, we discovered mystery berries and reveled in the stunning sunset, a rare sight according to a local.
Reflections in Zurich
In Zurich, amid a charming summer atmosphere, we strolled by the lake, happy to be tourists. Amidst predominantly white towns, we remained aware of our surroundings. The sandwich shops, clean trains, and quaint Alpine gardens formed part of our “someday” trip, brought to the present. Through the trip, I learned that there is no ideal time for adventure; it is vital to seize the moment. Begin your journey today and explore the world around you.
