Eighteen

LONG TUNNELS AND SECRET RADIO STATION

Switzerland welcomed us with the most gorgeous of scenes. Clouds descending upon mountains, a light mist covering our car, and sudden appearance of gorgeous houses perched atop mountains. Each scene prettier than the other. 
Meanwhile Akhila and Ravi had been keeping track of the tunnels we were crossing. They were 62 tunnels and the longest ride was in the Gottard tunnel, 17 kms long and the journey took about 13 minutes. This crosses from the North to the South. 
This and a few other tunnels are only passable during summer months. 
After the Gottard Road Tunnel, the Seelisberg Tunnel is Switzerland's second-longest road tunnel at about 9 kms or such. Each time one came out of the tunnel there was a breathtaking view. 
While Italy was a historic trip, I realised that in Switzerland enroute to Gontenshweil, we crossed an extremely historic small town of Beromünster, which has Switzerland's National AM Radio Station. 
Switzerland's National Public Radio was founded in 1931 as an answer to Nazi-propaganda from Germany. As per Google the programme broadcast was in the German language, spoken by 70% of Switzerland's population. 
For several decades Beromünster was the "Voice of Switzerland" not only at home. In the course of the 1930's the Nazi regime brought the German and Austrian press into line so that Swiss media remained the only German-language platform for public criticism on the Nazi ideology. Socialist and liberal Swiss newspapers and Switzerland's National Public Radio did their best to unmask Adolf Hitler and his inhuman political programme. 
During World War II Switzerland's national public radio (www.swissinfo.org) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (www.bbcnews.com) built up a reputation for independent information. 
Hitler is said to have officially demanded at least three times, that the Swiss Government should remove Prof. Jean Rodolphe von Salis' Weltchronik [World Chronicle] from Radio Beromünster's schedule.
Since the 1990's Beromünster, plays mainly  traditional Swiss Music. In 2003 the antenna feeder cable was damaged by lightning. At the end of 2008 the legendary Radio Beromünster was shut down completely. 
We crossed the village and drove towards Gontenshweil to arrive at Wepfi to a riot of colours thanks to Sheppo, friend of Matina and Bruno. 
I must tell you a little bit about him. A loner by nature, he and Matina's elder brother were classmates and he would spend a lot of time at their house in Germany and has maintained the friendship. A cyclist, he goes away anytime he feels crowded. 
He lives in a new flat above Wepfi and we were invited to visit with him and his aquarium. He is so lucky and he acknowledges that with infinite grace. He has a view and has grapes growing on his doorstep. Though reticent and shy, he was a charming host and the fish were friendly. He was the one who had watered the garden while we were on this road trip. 
We unpacked, repacked and settled down to finish rum, Amaretto and whatever was available. We ate chocolates, all kinds of Swiss desserts and then we had pesarattus for breakfast. Such is our Swiss life.