A Special Place
I would imagine that most people have had a place, somewhere in the world and beyond their current home, where they would have wanted to live out their lives. A special place, in their mind and heart, that seemed to be the definition, the perfect picture of peace, beauty, joy, contentment and life. A place where the rat-race of daily life seemed to fade away or even become non-existent. I found such a place as this, over thirty years ago, and I would, if it were possible, move there tomorrow!
In the Summer of 1978, I was blessed to have experienced the beauty, peace and joy of Montreux, Switzerland and its people. I had spent four, wonderful days there with my college jazz band. We had been invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz festival, as well as the jazz festival in Nice, France.
Montreux sits on the southwest shore of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by the French and Swiss Alps. Lake Geneva is a large glacial lake with dark-green water that seems to stretch forever in either direction. Looking out over the lake, the French Alps rise in the clear blue sky and reflect off of the water.
There were several of us who would arise early every day, eat our continental breakfast, which usually consisted of fruit, pastry and a variety of coffee drinks, and then walk the shoreline. There's a walk way that stretches out for miles, and it's lined on one side by the lake and by gardens on the other. Montreux is an immaculately kept city: every morning the home and store owners would be seen scrubbing their sidewalks and street gutters. I could have literally eaten out of the gutter without becoming ill. We would walk for miles along the shoreline while being in awe of our beautiful surroundings and the smell of freshly baked bread, varieties of flowers and the clean alpine air.
The French Swiss are small in stature, but the men are broad at the shoulders, sturdy and strong. Everyone looks so content and healthy. They're a quiet and friendly people who always seemed to be looking out to see if we needed anything. The stores and shops are quaint, for the most part, and the food is out of this world! Our lunch and dinners, which we had to supply, usually consisted of French bread, hard salamis, cheeses, a salad and wine. Our evenings, when not performing, were spent under the influence of the best tasting, as well as most potent, beer that I have ever had. The Europeans, in general, were always surprised to find out that we couldn't handle the potency of their beers and wines. They found it very amusing.
One particular morning, after breakfast, I decided to walk on my own. I walked for quite a while, and then I stopped to sit on a bench, which was facing the lake. As I sat there on that beautiful, July morning and tried to literally comprehend what my senses and emotions were taking in, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that what I was experiencing could have never come about by chance. In those few, amazing moments, I came to understand, somewhere deep in my mind and heart, that God exists and was responsible for this beauty, joy and peace that I was experiencing. It was a life changing experience, which I will never forget.
Oh yes, if I had the ways and the means, I would have a little villa that sits on the shore of Lake Geneva, in that beautiful and friendly city, and every morning I would walk for miles and then sit on my bench, while sipping coffee, and ponder God and His beautiful creation that surrounds me.
DB Williams
http://www.theoutsiderview.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_B_Williams
In the Summer of 1978, I was blessed to have experienced the beauty, peace and joy of Montreux, Switzerland and its people. I had spent four, wonderful days there with my college jazz band. We had been invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz festival, as well as the jazz festival in Nice, France.
Montreux sits on the southwest shore of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by the French and Swiss Alps. Lake Geneva is a large glacial lake with dark-green water that seems to stretch forever in either direction. Looking out over the lake, the French Alps rise in the clear blue sky and reflect off of the water.
There were several of us who would arise early every day, eat our continental breakfast, which usually consisted of fruit, pastry and a variety of coffee drinks, and then walk the shoreline. There's a walk way that stretches out for miles, and it's lined on one side by the lake and by gardens on the other. Montreux is an immaculately kept city: every morning the home and store owners would be seen scrubbing their sidewalks and street gutters. I could have literally eaten out of the gutter without becoming ill. We would walk for miles along the shoreline while being in awe of our beautiful surroundings and the smell of freshly baked bread, varieties of flowers and the clean alpine air.
The French Swiss are small in stature, but the men are broad at the shoulders, sturdy and strong. Everyone looks so content and healthy. They're a quiet and friendly people who always seemed to be looking out to see if we needed anything. The stores and shops are quaint, for the most part, and the food is out of this world! Our lunch and dinners, which we had to supply, usually consisted of French bread, hard salamis, cheeses, a salad and wine. Our evenings, when not performing, were spent under the influence of the best tasting, as well as most potent, beer that I have ever had. The Europeans, in general, were always surprised to find out that we couldn't handle the potency of their beers and wines. They found it very amusing.
One particular morning, after breakfast, I decided to walk on my own. I walked for quite a while, and then I stopped to sit on a bench, which was facing the lake. As I sat there on that beautiful, July morning and tried to literally comprehend what my senses and emotions were taking in, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that what I was experiencing could have never come about by chance. In those few, amazing moments, I came to understand, somewhere deep in my mind and heart, that God exists and was responsible for this beauty, joy and peace that I was experiencing. It was a life changing experience, which I will never forget.
Oh yes, if I had the ways and the means, I would have a little villa that sits on the shore of Lake Geneva, in that beautiful and friendly city, and every morning I would walk for miles and then sit on my bench, while sipping coffee, and ponder God and His beautiful creation that surrounds me.
DB Williams
http://www.theoutsiderview.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_B_Williams
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