now there was scattered snow and barren trees as they crossed the tiny hillocks of the vosges , then permanent snow and ice-floes on the rhine , a short stop at basle , and then the black criss-cross of zurich airport and 'fasten your lap-straps ' in three languages , and they were planing down , a slight bump , the roar of jet deflection , and then they were taxying up to the apron in front of the imposing , very european-looking buildings decked with the g*y flags of the nations .