I could blame it on the Swiss…but I won’t. I love Switzerland! Everything about it makes me happy…the people, the food, the weather, the picture-perfect mountains. It is a beautiful country, and I was happy to call it home at one point in my life. The Swiss are known for their efficiency. Now, that’s not a bad thing. Every year as we approach Easter, I am reminded just how EFFICIENT they are…especially with train schedules.
Let me give you some background information. My family loved to visit Switzerland, and since I always had a kazillion TWA miles (remember TWA?) due to work, I was happy to use them for frequent vacations. I suppose I should be thanking Clinique at this point…for the work which provided the frequent flier miles. Let’s just move on…
We planned a trip to Switzerland during Easter (Spring break was called Easter break back in the day when my boys were young) break. At the last minute, my oldest decided he did not want to go, so alternate plans were made for him (he was a teenager). J.W. and I would go alone and be back in time for Easter. That was important to me.
Now remember, this was the day when you could have quite a few carry-on items as well as checked bags. Back then, I traveled with A LOT of stuff. You never knew. I could blame that on Clinique, and I actually will. As an Education Manager, I traveled with many pieces of luggage (training cases), boxes, overhead projector…you name it…it was probably in my checked, overweight, excess luggage. I was used to packing everything, so when we traveled personally, everything went. I was prepared for anything. I was a Mother with a capital M (don’t go there).
J.W. and I flew to St. Louis and then connected to Zurich. No problem. We arrived in Zurich and discovered one checked bag was missing. We were taking the train to Luzern (the train station was in the airport), so the TWA crew advised they would put the bag on a train when it was located. They would notify the hotel when the bag was to arrive at the train station so it could be picked up. We went on our way, and later that evening, the bag arrived. No problem. They were very efficient…loved it.
We had a great time. We visited some favorite areas, and I took J.W. to a few places he hadn’t visited. Please keep the words that are in bold print in your mind as I finish my tale.
Such a cutie. He had on two hats…don’t ask. You can tell he was a Phoenix Suns fan. He was always true to the home team.
This photo was taken in Interlaken. If you ever have the chance to visit, do NOT hesitate. It is very charming and a good base for many day trips. I love these photos. OK, let’s continue.
It was the day before we were to fly back to AZ. We took the train to the Zurich Airport Centre Station. As mentioned earlier, we had many bags. We gathered the bags and stepped off the train. I was counting the bags and thought one had been left behind. J.W. jumped back onto the train. SWISS trains run on schedule; they are very efficient. I turned around to see the doors close, the train starting to move, and my son’s frightened face. I did what any mother would do…I let out a primal scream which echoed in the underground station. There were no people around, only those DANG bags. Keep in mind I had all his medication with me, and he spoke very little German. Crying, I grabbed a luggage cart, threw the bags on the cart, and took the escalator up to the terminal. I ran to a counter and explained what happened. I was told to go to LOST AND FOUND. At this point, I am ugly crying, and I scream that my son is on a train…by himself. Again, I am told to go to LOST AND FOUND. The gentleman points the way, and I fly into LOST AND FOUND. I explain to the gentleman what has happened. He says, “No problem. He is on his way to GERMANY (remember those words in BOLD print ?). I will contact the conductor; you wait.” Like I was really going to leave at this point. I continued to ugly cry. After speaking to the conductor and laughing quite a lot, he told me what the plan was. “Your son is O.K. A nice woman saw what happened, and he is sitting with her. When they get to the first stop, the conductor will put him on a train coming back to the airport. It should be about 2 1/2 hours. I suggest you have something to eat.” I thanked him for his assistance and immediately dragged everything back down the escalator to the platform to wait.
The longest 2 1/2 hours. I heard the train coming before I saw it. I stood up and moved to the edge of the platform. As the train slowed, I moved with it. I finally saw my son by the door. The train stopped, and he jumped off. We hugged and hugged. He was just fine. He told me the woman he sat with on the way to Germany was very nice. She told him, “Someday, you and your mother will laugh about this experience.” He told her, “I don’t think we ever will.” Obviously, we have…many times over the years. He used to tease that I tried to send him to a place he hadn’t visited by himself. I can tell you I never took that amount of luggage again. Lesson learned.
Good memories. Thank you for visiting.
Dear Barb
I just LOVE hearing about your adventures… I hope you and your beautiful family have a lovely Easter.. Im sure your sweet boy is looking down from those Heavenly skies with love in his eyes.
Many blessings of love peace and joy be yours.❤
Robin R
Hi Robin!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I’ll be in Mexico for Holy Week…coming back on Saturday so Hubby and I will be together for Easter.
I know Sweetpea will be with us. Have a blessed week my friend.
Sending love and prayers to you and yours.
Barb
What an experience. I’ve never heard of such a scary trip. Must’ve been the longest 2 1/2 hrs of your life. Praise GOD that’s all it was. It could’ve been so much worse. That lady was obviously an angel. And as always your pictures are fabulous. Maybe one day I’ll make my way to Switzerland but, for now I am working on another trip of life and wondering where it is to lead me. Good job, looking forward to the next one. Lol.
Hi Mikala,
It was a nightmare for 2 1/2 hours but it turned out well. I believe she was an Angel, she kept him calm. Those pics are so old…1993. All I have now are dated pictures. I sure would love a new one. I guess any parent who has lost a child would feel that way…
You keep working on your current journey. Good things come to those who are patient.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. So many drive by’s. Lol
Take care,
Barb
Oh, that precious, sweet face. So innocent and full of joy… just makes me smile! I am so glad for that happy ending to a very scary story. CANNOT imagine the fear you felt. Well, actually I can a little. But, I will save that story for another day. 🙂
I totally agree Christi! I smiled while writing it but had a small meltdown afterwards. I know J.W.
would have enjoyed the post. Those 2 1/2 hours felt like days. I can’t wait to hear your story.
Thank you for stopping by. Love you dear one.
xoxo,
Barb
Dearest Barb,
Wow, what a scary experience and yes, you certainly do have your hands full at those train stations. And the trains LEAVE on time. Hope you didn’t miss your TWA flight back home.
Well, once when Pieter stepped into the train with two suitcases and I had two carry on luggage carts and a big purse strapped on too, as I was so afraid it would slide down my shoulder and fall between the platform. There was a metal beam so I physically could handle the two carts, lifting them in… But I had to do one at the time because of that ugly beam in the way. While doing so, somebody CUT my purse off the luggage cart and I noticed it right away as the straps were hanging by. I had to holler at my husband who was ahead of me. Come, get off the train because I’ve been robbed. One passenger told me that by law we had to go to the police at the place of the crime. So that was JIT = Just In Time that Pieter made his turn around as the trains do leave!
Long story short, that was not a happy ending, my green card and my Dutch passport were missing when a policeman in Amsterdam later found the purse with a ticket from the airport where we’d stowed additional luggage… We both came back from The Hague where we went to the Embassy and also applied for a new passport, just checking at the airport if the luggage too got stolen/retrieved… There was a message from the police instead and we met with him and I got my purse back, with a big scar over it where the knife cut through the leather from cutting the straps on that luggage cart. Not much money was lost and also some 22kt gold gifts for a friend and baby niece. An eery feeling that someone might be traveling on my old passport which is valuable on the black market the police told us.
I made the exam at the Embassy by naming all our local TV stations and such, they sure have to test you as many might play tricks by telling they lost their green card…
So yes, we know about the train efficiency and by the way love Switzerland. We still have friends there and lots of fond memories.
Loved JW’s happy face in your photos. What a treasure to have these. And there are always friendly passengers that help at times when we need it most!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette,
What a frightening experience and time consuming! Oh my goodness. Knock wood, never have had anything like that happen. Thank goodness Pieter has able to jump off in time. That is hysterical how you passed the Embassy test…but it does make sense.
A few years ago, we met a nice couple at the airport in Barcelona. He was Spanish, she was American. They have a house in Spain and go back and forth. Her passport was lost so the Embassy was able to issue a new one the next day. Because it was new, it was flagged by TSA. They went through every thing in her luggage and she basically had to strip down. She was in tears and her poor husband was telling her to cooperate. When we got to Atlanta and went through customs, she had to repeat the process and was so afraid they would miss their connecting flight to L.A. I was afraid she would be arrested. She was screaming at TSA. Her husband looked terrified. Ive often thought about them. She was at the point where she was ready to sell the house in Spain. Poor thing.
I love those pics of J.W. It is a treasure for sure.
We made our flight as it was early the next morning. Once we reunited, we went to the hotel to relax before heading out for a while.
You are so right, there are always friendly people to assist. She was an angel and I never had the opportunity to thank her as she continued on. When J.W was put the return train, he was with the conductor which he thought was very cool. This was prior to 911. I know they would not allow a child or anyone in the conductor’s car now.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story! I appreciate it. Hugs to your honey.
xoxo,
Barb
So nice to visit with you today, Barb! God bless you. 🙂
Hi Cheryl!
Thank you for stopping by! It is always appreciated. May God bless you too.