07/06/2026
The season on the Brienzer Rothorn has finally begun! For me, it’s not just about the breathtaking ride on the steam train. It’s about encounters. Encounters with people, encounters with animals, and encounters with nature. It’s incredibly exciting for me to watch the ibex up here. It’s not about the perfect photo, but what they tell me. The old, experienced ibex has that look that says: I’ve been through a lot; you’re no threat to me. The younger ibex, on the other hand, reminds me of Lil Rasta. Impetuous, wild, all-knowing, and yet so inexperienced and uncertain at the same time. When it comes to the order of who gets to lick the salt lick first, the teenagers have to wait their turn. One day they’ll push the old ibex off his throne, but until then, he’s the one in charge here. They communicate clearly, sometimes with little and sometimes with a bit more body language. We can learn so much from them.
I run into people from the past. We’ve all gotten older. It seems to me that with age, we’ve learned to appreciate what we have.
Lil Rasta was allowed to join us for the first time. He sat on the train as if he’d never done anything else. Again and again, he looked out the train window with interest—he took it all in and was, of course, very tired by the end of the day.
I’m proud of this little guy who seems to love his life. That’s how it should be. Let’s enjoy the moment, the encounters, and simply being. That’s all it takes.
Photos Sylvia Michel Photography
