The Ties That Bind: Following My Mother’s Footsteps Through Switzerland

Starting my journey in Adelboden

Recently, I’ve become enamoured with the concept of fate and the Chinese legend of the red thread. This myth emphasizes the idea of predestined relationships and suggests that regardless of the obstacles and challenges that come in between, the red thread ensures that people will ultimately find their way to one another. It can be associated with both romantic or platonic relationships, but the core message remains the same: the red thread represents the invisible ties that bind people together.

Before reaching Appenzell, I spend time in one of my favourite Swiss alpine villages, Adelboden. I have a strong family connection with this picturesque hamlet in the Bernese Alps; the village is where my mother and her family escaped for fresh air (to alleviate a brother’s asthma) and to enjoy snow sports in winter and hiking in summer.

The autumnal fog and low clouds obscure the snow-capped tops of the surrounding mountains, including my favourite, Engstligenalp and its famous waterfall, the second highest in Switzerland. But the moody weather doesn’t dissuade me from meeting my mountain biking guide at 9 am sharp for an energetic, if soggy morning ride into the hills.

Andi Oester, a fit 30-something cyclist and ski instructor has grown up in the nearby valley and lives close to where my grandmother once rented a chalet apartment. Settling into easy conversation as we pedal up the gravel path, it turns out we know some of the same people, including his uncle who used to work in North America, and my grandmother’s former landlady. Riding the winding mountain trails back to the village’s main street, I feel the low hum of the red thread of connection at work.