An Unexpected Journey to Ecublens
The best stories start with an unexpected turn, don’t they? So, when my meticulously planned journey to Geneva took a spontaneous twist, landing me in the quaint town of Ecublens, I couldn’t help but feel an excited shiver down my spine. Is this what Bilbo Baggins felt upon leaving his comfortable hobbit hole? If you ever find yourself in the Lausanne district of Switzerland, and you’re a part of my tribe of intrepid travellers, this unassuming little town is a gem you ought not to miss.
A Technology Timeout in Ecublens
Imagine this—a tech-savvy travel blogger, with a fancy DSLR around her neck and pockets filled with gadgets, finds herself in a no-connectivity zone. As someone typically connected but prefers to detach, being off-grid in Ecublens unexpectedly felt like a breath of fresh air. I had no internet, no phone service, it was amazing how the silence could be so loud. It can be exhilarating when traveling leads to unplanned digital detoxes, so here’s my advice for anyone visiting Ecublens—cherish the moments of silence, step back, and just breathe.
Exploring Pigeonnier du campus EPFL
Being a travel blogger with a penchant for offbeat sites, my first stop was the Pigeonnier du campus EPFL, an iconic dovecote at the heart of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology campus or EPFL (for those of us who opted out of Swiss-German lessons). This piece of architectural elegance is a surprising sight amidst the modern campus environment, a perfect paradox that combines the old and the new, much like my own Irish-Japanese heritage.
Tasting Ecublens at Bar Satellite
No journey is complete for me without indulging in local food. And so, I found myself at Bar Satellite, a laid-back restaurant frequented by the townsfolk and students alike. The menu here is modest but well-prepared, where every dish reflects the simplistic charm of Ecublens itself. Unfortunately for my palate, some of their dishes lean towards the spicy side, but I did find solace in their array of Swiss pastries—a plateful of happiness, really.
The Unplugged Takeaway
So, what did I take away from my rather spontaneous visit to Ecublens, apart from a quirky coffee mug and some memorable images etched in my watercolour journal? I discovered that sometimes, the journey itself can be a destination. Losing service in this town didn’t mean I lost out on the experience. Rather, it gave me the chance to detox digitally and enrich my travel memories even more. That’s one more reminder that travel isn’t just about reaching a destination but about savouring the journey.
Remember, my fellow adventurers, revitalizing moments of disconnection are just as valuable as the connectivity we often depend on. Ecublens was a fortunate deviation on my travel map, proving once again that it’s the unexpected turns that make for the best stories. Happy wandering!