Foreign Romance

It always starts with a glance. A quick momentary encounter that catches your attention and you just can't seem to focus on anything else. Something about it draws you in and your mind gets enveloped in thoughts of "forever." Then something snaps you back into reality and you try to shove the thoughts into the depths of your memory. But no matter how hard you try, there's that lurking feeling that stays in the consciousness of your mind and slowly creeps its way into your daydreams when you let your mind wander. It's the feeling of curiosity, the feeling of "what if...", and for a split second you think that if you just gave into the temptation you would find everything you were looking for. You yearn to discover the unknown, the adventure, the risk.

Switzerland has captured my attention. I can't describe what this city does to me, but when I'm walking around the streets looking at the architecture, evesdropping on conversations I pretend I understand, and smelling the aromas of cheese, chocolate, and roasted chestnuts my heart begins to race and I feel like I have the world at my fingertips. Even when I am sitting at the kitchen table looking out of the window over the balcony and across the lake to the other side, I feel like I'm looking at a still photograph. The only sign of life I can see is the train across the lake that looks like it's weaving through the houses like a boxcar train in some elaborate basement setup. Even though I have already been here for three months I still have to remind myself "You live here."

I know that after living in a new place for a while you usually get used to how things are and the characteristics that give the place a personality. The things that make the place unique transform into the norm and quickly get forgotten. Mountain landscapes become permanent backdrops, palm trees become just another tree, and the beach becomes a regular hangout. I hope this never happens to Switzerland. I hope the narrow walkeways, the ancient architecture and the secrets the city holds remain a mystery that never unfolds. I never want to walk down a cobblestone sidewalk and not marvel at the repeating arc pattern. I never want to hear church bells ring and not hold my breath because I can feel the vibrations beating in my chest. I hope I always feel like I'm honeymooning with Switzerland.

The Reformation Church

Right now the 7pm Saturday night bells from the Reformation Church up the street are ringing and I've opened all three of my windows so the sound can bounce off my walls and envelop my bedroom. And the best part is that the Catholic Church, also just up the street, plays its bells right after the Reformation Church. So for 15 minutes straight the only sound I hear is the chiming of the bells reminding me that I am 9,000 miles away from home in the cutest Swiss town in the middle of Europe.

Raclette Cheese Melting...YUM!

Today I went with my host family to look at the Christmas market in Old Town Zurich. I felt like I stepped into 1876 and was getting a rare glance at the "life of the natives" - except it was overly crowded with people talking on their iPhones and buying various treats and treasures for of the overly commercialized holiday expectations. The Christmas Market - oder Weinachts Markt auf Deutsch - is the closest thing you can find to a famers market (or Pike's Place Market for my Seattle audience). Little 10ft. x 10ft. wooden huts (meters?...what?) side by side line the streets and are filled with every art craft, baked good, woven and knitted garment you could possibly think of. Jewlery, scarves, incense, cuttlery, candles, cookies, bread....you name it and I'm sure you can find a booth that sells it. Some things are over-priced (as is most of Switzerland), but some things are an absolute steal. No matter what, you can always count on each booth having something unique that sets it apart from the other neighboring booths. The only booth we stopped at was for Raclette, a traditional Swiss delite of melted Raclette cheese atop potatoes or bread. While high in calorie and fat content, there is nothing that warms the stomach and cheese-lovers heart like Raclette. Following the Raclette we had French Crepes. Filled with the best European melted chocolate and wrapped in a soft fluffy crepe is a big smile, full stomach, and a smile.

Tonight I am hitting the city with another Au Pair whose friend has just flown into town from Seattle. I wonder what romantic experience I might have with Switzerland tonight. This country sure knows how to impress a girl...