Digital Photo Gallery of Ted Szukalski
Fine art digital photography, photographic news, reviews, articles and resources.

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helvetiorum fidei ac virtuti
As I look at this moving photograph of a sculpture of dying lion in Luzerne all I can think of is a scene from a gift shop I witnessed, where an American tourist was purchasing a T-shirt. She liked one particular design but was really annoyed with the wording underneath, which did not say Swiss or Switzerland but only had letters CH. She was arguing with the shop attendant that since they are Swiss that is what they should put on these T-Shirts and not something totally unrelated.

To everyone’s amusement the national pride took better of the sales person, who politely but very decisively said the letters CH stand for Confoederatio Helvetica (Swiss Confederation), which has existed since 13th century, long before any one from USA could come and ask for silly T-shirts. Remorseful and ashamed tourist bought the T-shirt and left quietly.

“Bertel Thorvaldsen’s famous carving of a dying lion (the Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal) is found in a small park just off Lowenplatz. The carving commemorates the hundreds of Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when the mob stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.” - source: Wikipedia

Mount Titlis, Urner Alps, Switzerland 102_0887.jpg

Photo: Mount Titlis, Urner Alps, Switzerland

This is probably highlight of our European trip. Fantastic weather and the most spectacular views all around. Starting from a very summery 26C at the foot of the mountain we got to the top of Mount Titlis in Swiss Urner Alps, where the top was fully covered in snow and we were welcomed by a chilly -5C.

We had proper winter gear with us and enjoyed winter sports, explored the glacier cave and had lots of fun.

Not everyone is prepared for winter in a middle of summer and one Japanese girl went to the top in a mini skirt, sandals and a silk top.

I strongly recommend visiting Titlis to anyone who loves Alps and snow.

Explore my Titlis photo gallery

Luzerne, Switzerland 102_0798.jpg

Photo: Luzerne, Switzerland

Our first stop in Switzerland was Luzerne. We arrived there late in the evening during a heavy rain. The weather continued like that for the next couple of days making our experience extra difficult. I say extra, as Switzerland is not exactly like other European countries. Short business hours even in tourist centers, super high prices practically for everything and a very average service. I really did not appreciate when giving a waiter an order to get a reply “you realise how much that is”. By the way it was a 5 Euro cup of tea.

So, perhaps we came across wrong people (they were at the check point, where you get your Motorway Pass, at the restaurant, hotel, ice cream parlour, bank … you get the drift a series of unfortunate events).

Swiss love their country and understandably so. The country side is beautiful, high mountains are spectacular beyond believe and it is all very charming.

Luzerne is inviting, colourful and very interesting. The old part of the town is quite small and everything is within walking distance. You will immediately notice quite specific architecture and decorations on Swiss houses. Some of them are real pieces of art. A real treat for the tourists.

Enjoy my Luzerne photo gallery. And I hope I am wrong about the Swiss.