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The Swiss president is talking today, Swiss national day, about patriotism and how one of Switzerland’s strengths has always been that a nation with very different cultural groups and languages has found a way to live together in peace for more than 800 years.

Like many Swiss, I squirm slightly at the idea of patriotism, which in too many countries takes on a negative  streak of “we’re better than the rest of the world.” When you start out as part of the rest of the world and then join the club, whatever flag it bears, you see another side of the story.

And yet I love Switzerland because of its variety, in terms of the people, their ideas, the landscape. Politicians show their appreciation through speeches. I prefer to set the table with treats from all parts of Switzerland, each of which reminds me of a beautiful corner of this country. Here is part of what we’re eating at a mostly Swiss meal Wednesday (as a gesture to my American roots and the Swiss abroad – our Swiss son is in China – we’re having a T-bone steak, barbecued):

Photo, near sunset in the Valaisan Alps, the Val d’Anniviers in the distance

To drink: Pinot Gris from Domaine de la Colombe, Fechy

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