I’d planned to start the first leg of my journey into the Alps with a smooth ride on one of Geneva’s fully electric buses. Instead, I arrived just in time to watch it glide away – whisper-quiet and smug. Great for the planet – less so for my punctuality. Still, I couldn’t be mad. These buses are a step toward SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, eliminating air and noise pollution. So I did what any slightly flustered, sustainably inspired student would do – I grabbed a Donkey Republic bike. Within minutes, I was pedalling to Cornavin station, weaving between trams and pigeons. Not glamorous, but fast, cheap, and didn’t emit a thing (minus my heavy breathing). Shared bikes like these are perfect for short trips and support SDG 13: Climate Action.
At the station, I met up with friends and flashed our SBB Friends Pass – a complete game-changer. For 20 CHF each, up to four friends can travel anywhere in Switzerland for a day. No carbon guilt, no rental car drama. Since SBB trains run mostly on hydropower, they’re among the greenest ways to travel, supporting both SDG 9 and SDG 13. I’d packed a lunch that deserved some credit. The night before, I’d joined a La Farce cooking class, producing meals using food condemned as waste – slightly bruised veg, near-expiry tins, that sort of thing. My spicy lentil curry may not have looked glamorous, but it was waste-free, affordable, and oddly delicious cold. A small, yet meaningful contribution to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
As the train pulled into Kandersteg, we were greeted by classic Alpine charm – wooden chalets, steep peaks, and crisp, pine-scented air. After a Strava-worthy ascent on foot, we reached the lake. Oeschinensee: glassy-blue water, sheer cliffs, and total stillness…
And that’s when I saw her.
There she was, standing lakeside like she owned the place (she probably did), grazing calmly with the kind of presence that made everyone slow down. Long lashes, a bell, and an attitude that said, “I’ve been here longer than you, thanks.” Cows like Daisy are an integral part of traditional alpine farming, where small herds graze freely, supporting SDG 15: Life on Land.
On the way home, tired and hungry, we opened Too Good To Go. A bag from Brezelkönig was waiting – soft pretzels saved from the bin. Dinner sorted. The app’s simple but powerful, reducing food waste while supporting SDG 2 and SDG 12.
Just a few smart choices – shared bikes, slow travel, leftover curry, and a cow named Daisy.
https://www.tpg.ch/en/about-us/tpg-today-and-tomorrow/vehicles
https://www.donkey.bike/blogs/explore-geneva-like-a-local
https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/day-passes/friends-day-pass-youth.html
http://www.toogoodtogo.ch/
