Lunch at YOLO yesterday with a charming group of people representing various Swiss tourist offices. I learned about Bern's preserved old town from Daniela and about hiking trails from Sibylle. Michelle mentioned her favorite Swiss writer, Martin Suter, after I had brought up Nicolas Bouvier, one of my favorite travel writers of all time, who was born in Geneva. (Andreas said he'd look into possible Bouvier sites for me.)
But then I told them something about Switzerland that they weren't aware of: It is one of the happiest countries in the world (according to Eric Weiner in The Geography of Bliss.) Recalling the book as best I could, I said that the generally high standard of living contributes, as well as a national abhorrence for flaunting one's wealth, which produces a sense of equality. But there was also a deep love of nature which, combined with easy access to it, made the Swiss content. Lastly, I said, falling finally onto a cliche, there was chocolate.
Of course, it's possible that they all knew of their high happiness ranking, and simply didn't want to flaunt it.
