Gotthard: One day to go – shut inside the mountain
In the future we will travel more quickly, but will we be able put the time we save to good use? But there's another aspect of this topic occupying my thoughts.
Alpine rail travel is always a real pleasure. And for someone who grew up for a time in a house next to a station and who regularly commutes by rail, trains have a particular fascination.
But it’s a fascination that could disappear into the darkness of a tunnel. A large part of the journey between Zurich and Milan will take place inside a mountain. So entrapped by rocks on all sides, your flights of fancy – spurred on by the countryside reflected on your windows – could be in danger.
You will reach your destination with a rather different image of Switzerland. You might well think that it’s a dark country, closed in on itself and hiding its best features.
Something to really think about… it’s not a totally new image for the country though and one which reminds us of what’s happening in modern society.
Luigi Jorio, Oberalp, October 14, 2010
At the top of Oberalp, with the autumnal Alps in the background.
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