The Alps

The Alps provide an interesting backdrop to life. This quiet, wild place is abundantly peaceful and completely removed from reality. The main news of the day here is simply what weather it will be, and whether we will be able to hike or not. It was a shock to see the National Park we are staying - la Vanoise - mentioned on the evening news. And that brief moment of fame was mainly to tout the therapeutic wilderness of this ibex sanctuary. Yet as I enjoy this peace, I am charging quietly towards the future, the unknown, and a world bustling with excitement, as the Alpine calm conceals the chaos that awaits me.

In this environment, foresight is difficult. It feels as though I've been prescribed a difficult treatment for a mysterious disease lurking deep inside me, but since I don't directly feel any hint of an illness, I struggle to see the need for it. My ailing condition, of course, is being utterly useless, and while a 22-year-old can get away with that, it won't be so when I'm 30. Which is why I must work towards a better future, and also why this most unproductive of places may not be the best for me at this crucial juncture of my life.

One of the greatest benefits of the Alps, however, is that it is very conducive to meditative thought. Spending hours walking in the fresh alpine air, surrounded by the wild beauty of the Parc National de la Vanoise really works to clear one's mind. I realize that in general, the scarce moments of zen that I allow myself only occur when I'm seated on the porcelain throne. Here in the Alps, that is not the case. One needs only look up towards the staggering beauty of the mountains to feel completely at rest, and feel, along with a sense of awe, in communion with Mother Nature.

Today, my parents and I re-visited a hike from last year that we had walked in the opposite direction. It is probably the most stunning hike in the near vicinity, as it involves multiple "cols," two lakes - a small turquoise one and a large green one - and breathtaking views of several glaciers. It's also been the hike where I've had the best wildlife experiences in the Vanoise. Last year, we surprised a large herd of ibexes, as well as several marmots. This year, along with, once again, a large amount of marmots, we spotted a pair of adorable alpine weasels chasing each other, and even caught a glimpse of a chamois running behind the side of a cliff.

I love the Alps.