Song of the Alps The Princess Family
By Minhee Park
Sometimes, the most unforgettable memories of a journey are not the magnificent landscapes but the warm-hearted people we meet along the way.
30-Second Summary
After descending Mount Rigi, we checked into the nicest hotel of our entire Swiss journey. That evening, at a small Italian restaurant beside the hotel, we shared dinner with a family I had quietly admired throughout the trip. Their kindness reminded me of my elementary school teacher, who once gave our village children their very first train journey. Looking back, I realized that the people who quietly care for others often become the most beautiful memories of our travels.
The Best Hotel of Our Journey
After coming down from Mount Rigi, we arrived at our hotel and were shown to our room before heading straight to the Italian restaurant next door.
Among all the hotels we had stayed in during our trip, this one was by far the nicest. The room was spacious and spotless, and even the shower room was surprisingly large and beautifully maintained.
After the rather difficult two nights we had spent in Täsch, it felt as though all that discomfort had finally been rewarded.
The bed was soft and inviting. Fresh white linens covered the mattress, and a kettle with coffee and several kinds of tea had been thoughtfully prepared on the table.
My sister and I couldn't help but smile as we admired the room for a few moments before unpacking our suitcases. Soon afterward, we headed down to the lobby and walked to the restaurant.
The Family I Secretly Called "The Princess Family"
Sihyeong's family had already arrived and kindly reserved seats for us. At the table beside ours sat the family I had quietly wanted to get to know throughout the entire journey.
I had privately given them a nickname—"The Princess Family."
The couple was traveling with their three daughters. Wherever we went, they naturally looked after people who were traveling alone or anyone who needed a helping hand.
All three daughters were beautiful, cheerful, and remarkably kind. Watching them together always brought a smile to my face.
The parents, too, were such a lovely couple that many people on the tour admired them.
Throughout the trip, I often found myself looking at their family with quiet admiration. The daughters seemed so happy traveling with a father who lovingly provided everything they needed.
My own family also had many daughters. Yet, when I was growing up, I don't remember our family ever taking a trip together.
My father passed away when I was in the sixth grade, and before then life itself had been a struggle. Travel simply wasn't something families like ours could even dream about.
Until I reached sixth grade, I had never once left my hometown of Gimcheon.
The Train Ride I Never Forgot
When I was in sixth grade, my homeroom teacher took our entire class on a trip to Chupungryeong.
More than sixty children boarded a train together under the care of one young teacher. For many of us country children, it was our very first train ride.
The night before the trip, I was so excited that I could hardly sleep.
I still remember chatting endlessly with my classmates aboard the old train as we crossed Chupungryeong Pass.
When we arrived, we spread our lunchboxes across a wide grassy field. We shared kimbap and boiled eggs, joined hands in a circle, sang songs, laughed together, and enjoyed a carefree afternoon.
Even now, I remain deeply grateful to that teacher. Looking back as someone who has spent years teaching students myself, I cannot imagine how much courage and responsibility it must have taken to lead more than sixty children on a train journey.
He even paid every student's train fare himself. It was an extraordinary act of generosity.
The boys who were usually the biggest troublemakers behaved perfectly that day. Everyone listened carefully, and we returned home safely.
To us, our teacher provided everything we needed that day, just as the father of the Princess Family now lovingly cared for his own daughters. Watching him brought back those precious childhood memories.
An Unexpected Gift at the Dinner Table
As we waited for our salad and spaghetti to arrive, we asked for the menu, thinking we might order a bottle of wine.
At that moment, the mother of the Princess Family smiled and gently stopped us. She told us not to order anything because they had already included us in their order.
Since it was an authentic Italian restaurant famous for its wood-fired pizza, they had already ordered several pizzas and drinks for our table as well.
Then she smiled and said,
"You shared that delicious Swiss chocolate with us on Mount Rigi today, didn't you?"
I was completely taken by surprise.
All we had done was open one small bag of Swiss chocolate and share a piece with everyone. Yet they responded with generous pizzas and even wine.
Their kindness touched me far more deeply than the meal itself.
The people sitting across from us noticed the pizzas we were enjoying and began ordering the same ones for themselves. Before long, the restaurant was filled with the aroma of freshly baked pizza and cheerful conversation.
That evening, over authentic Italian pizza and wine, we naturally began sharing stories about ourselves and where each of us had come from.
People Who Made the Journey Warmer
The family was originally from Daegu but had moved to Seoul several years earlier. They smiled as they told us they still hadn't completely adjusted to life in the capital.
When they learned that I had also studied in Daegu, the conversation immediately became warmer and more familiar.
The father ran a business in Seoul, and I was surprised to discover that the three "princesses," whom I had assumed were university students, were actually older than I had imagined.
The whole family looked remarkably young.
I found myself wondering what their secret was.
Perhaps it was because they always smiled. Their joyful energy seemed to keep them forever youthful.
Throughout the trip, they gave us countless reasons to smile, and there were many moments when my heart felt quietly warmed simply by being around them.
Sihyeong's family, with whom we shared almost every meal during the journey, was just as kind.
Quiet and thoughtful, Sihyeong was always considerate of everyone around him. His mother often insisted on buying us wine or beer during dinner without making a fuss about it.
Some people make a journey memorable not through grand gestures, but through countless small acts of kindness. They were exactly that kind of people.
The People I Hope to Meet Again
If I am ever fortunate enough to return to Switzerland, I hope I can travel with these wonderful families once again.
I would love to meet the brother and sister from Suncheon, the gentleman who courageously traveled alone, the mother and daughter from Ulsan, and every member of our tour group who shared those unforgettable days together.
And, of course, I would also like to thank our guide, who quietly watched over us throughout the journey.
When people think about Switzerland, they often remember the Alps, crystal-clear lakes, charming villages, and magnificent mountain scenery.
As for me, I will certainly remember those breathtaking landscapes. But just as vividly, I will remember the warm smiles of the people who walked those roads with me.
Long after the beauty of the mountains begins to fade in memory, I believe the kindness we receive from people remains in our hearts the longest.
Whenever I think of Switzerland in the future, I know I will remember not only the Alps, but also the Princess Family and everyone who made this journey so warm and unforgettable.
Song of the Alps | Minhee Park
알프스의 노래 프린세스 가족
박민희
가장 편안했던 호텔
리기산을 내려와 호텔로 온 우리는 방을 배정받고 곧바로 호텔 옆 이태리 식당으로 향했다.
오늘 배정받은 호텔은 지금까지 여행하며 들어온 호텔 중에 가장 좋았다. 시설이 깨끗할 뿐 아니라 방도 넓고 화장실 샤워부스도 너무나 크고 깨끗해서 테쉬에서의 고달픈 이틀간의 잠자리가 한꺼번에 보상을 받는 느낌이었다.
침대도 크고 폭신하고 깨끗한 침구와 커피포트, 커피와 각종 차가 준비되어 있어 즐거운 환호성을 지르며 우리는 잠시 호텔방을 감상했다.
언니와 캐리어를 잠시 정리한 후 우리는 로비로 내려가 식당으로 향했다.
내가 이름 붙인 프린세스 가족
시형이네는 이미 도착해 우리 좌석을 준비해 놓고 있었고 우리 옆 테이블엔 프린세스 가족이 앉아 있었다.
여행하며 이 가족과 한 번 같이 식사를 하며 담소를 나누고 싶었는데 오늘 드디어 가까이 같이 앉게 되었다.
이 가족은 딸 셋과 부부가 함께 왔는데 여행 내내 혼자 오신 분이나 다른 분들을 잘 챙겨 주셔서 참으로 고마웠다.
따님 세 분이 다 너무 예쁘고 착해서 내가 프린세스 가족이라고 이름을 지어 드렸다.
부부 두 분도 얼마나 보기가 좋은지 여행 내내 다른 분들의 부러움을 샀다.
여행을 다니면서 그 가족을 부러운 눈으로 많이 쳐다보았다. 모든 것을 공급하는 아빠와 함께 여행하는 따님들이 너무 행복해 보였다.
우리도 딸부자 집인데 어렸을 때 한 번도 가족이 함께 여행을 가 본 기억이 없다.
아버지가 초등학교 6학년 때 돌아가셨으니 사실은 그럴 시간이 없었기도 하다.
또 그 시절은 먹고살기도 빠듯해서 여행은 꿈도 꿀 수 없는 시절이기도 했다.
6학년이 되기까지 난 한 번도 태어난 김천을 나가 본 적이 없었으니….
평생 잊지 못할 첫 기차여행
6학년 때 담임 선생님이 처음으로 우리를 데리고 추풍령에 데리고 가신 적이 있었다.
60명이 넘는 반 아이들을 데리고 총각 선생님이 기차여행을 시켜 주신 것이다.
그때 비둘기호를 타고 추풍령까지 30분 조금 넘는 거리를 여행했는데 그 전날부터 잠을 잘 수가 없을 만큼 많이 기다렸다.
처음으로 친구들과 타 본 기차 안에서 재잘거리며 추풍령고개를 넘어갔던 기억이 새롭다.
추풍령에 내려 넓은 풀밭에서 가져온 김밥 도시락과 계란을 나눠 먹고 함께 둥글게 손을 잡고 원을 그리며 노래 부르고 놀았던 그 여행….
난 지금도 6학년 때 그 담임 선생님이 참 고맙다.
기차 한 번 못 타 본 우리 촌 애들을 60명이나 데리고 추풍령까지 데리고 가 주신 선생님….
지금 내가 학생들을 가르치는 입장에서 보면 어떻게 그 많은 아이들을 데리고 기차를 태워 주실 생각을 하셨는지 정말 보통 정성이 아니셨다.
왕복 차비도 선생님이 다 부담하셔서 우리를 데리고 갔다 오셨으니 평소에 그렇게 말 안 듣고 말썽쟁이인 3수생 남자애들도 그날은 아무도 사고를 치지 않고 선생님 말씀을 잘 들어 무사히 여행을 다녀왔다.
그때 우리 담임 선생님은 지금 프린세스 가족의 아빠처럼 우리의 모든 필요를 공급하시는 분이었다.
오늘 이 가족을 보니 그때의 우리 선생님이 생각난다.
따뜻한 저녁 식사
저녁으로 나온 샐러드와 스파게티를 기다리며 우린 포도주라도 시키려고 메뉴판을 가져다 달라고 했는데 프린세스 가족의 사모님께서 뭐 시키지 말라고 하시며 우리 것도 이미 같이 시키셨다고 했다.
이태리식 식당이라 원래 피자가 전문인 집이어서 화덕 피자와 음료를 우리 것도 같이 시키셨다며 낮에 리기산에서 비싼 초콜릿을 주시지 않았냐고 웃으신다.
세상에나… 6프랑짜리 초콜릿 한 봉지로 하나씩 나누어 먹었을 뿐인데 비싼 피자와 포도주까지 사 주시다니….
건너편 테이블에 앉으신 분들도 우리가 먹는 피자를 보고 덩달아 시키신다.
그날 우린 덕분에 이태리 정통 피자와 포도주를 맛나게 먹으면서 서로 어디서 왔는지 서로의 얘기들을 했다.
여행이 남긴 가장 따뜻한 기억
이분들은 대구분들인데 서울에 이사 가신 지 몇 년이 되었다고 하셨다.
아직도 서울 생활이 잘 적응이 안 된다고 하시며 대구에서 학교를 나왔다고 하니 반가워하신다.
공주님들의 아버지는 서울에서 사업을 하시고 대학생인 줄로만 알았던 공주님들은 나이들이 제법 많아 깜짝 놀랐다.
온 가족이 동안이어서 비결이 뭔지 궁금했다.
아마 이분들을 볼 때 항상 웃고 행복한 에너지를 발산하시는 게 젊게 사시는 비결인 것 같았다.
여행 기간 내내 이 가족 덕분에 많이 웃고 마음이 따뜻할 때가 많았다.
함께 늘 같이 밥을 먹은 시형이네도 참 따뜻한 가족이었다.
조용하고 과묵하던 시형이, 식사 때마다 우리를 챙기며 포도주와 맥주도 많이 사 주셨던 시형이 어머니….
다음에 다시 스위스를 갈 수 있는 기회가 주어진다면 다시 이 가족들과 함께 여행을 가고 싶다.
순천에서 온 대학생 오누이와 홀로 여행 오신 멋진 삼촌, 울산에서 온 엄마와 딸, 또 그때 함께 여행한 우리 팀의 모든 분들과 가이드님께도 이 글을 쓰며 안부를 전한다.
알프스의 노래 | 박민희
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