Ok so it’s not Bahnhofstrasse…
I’ve lived in Switzerland for 2.5 years now. Things have got easier.
I had this feeling a while ago when I had a random hour or two to spend along Bahnhofstrasse and I ended up chatting to a stylish shop assistant in one of the fancier places for 10 minutes – we had a basic conversation mostly auf Deutsch just about our kids and that my eldest is almost perfect in Schweizerdeutsch and how when she lived in Lausanne for a few years, she wasn’t much good on the French but her kids were experts etc. I didn’t buy anything (it was all Moschino-level stuff, eek) but I left feeling like I’d gained an extra layer of confidence.
Today I overheard a conversation in a hotel where the lady asked for a black tea and the maître d’ said it was available at the breakfast buffet. Small, basic exchanges but I am understanding them.
My own German is still pretty bad – I lack confidence so I say things quietly and tend to mutter, which doesn’t help me OR the person I’m talking to. Then there’s pronunciation problems – I requested Ibuprofen in a pharmacy yesterday, saying it in my Australian way: “Eye-buprofen”. The assistant looked puzzled, until my friend chimed in with “Ih-buprofen” – A-ha! Then telling the same friend (who is Swiss-French) about a feature I’m writing that mentions Crans-Montana there was a moment…. “oh Crhuns-Montana!” (put on your best French). I will amend my pronunciation of this one from now on. Although there’s a certain appeal to Craaaans maaayte!
Anyway, here’s 11 things I am loving about my life in Switzerland right now
- More German conversations. Despite the fact I’m still pretty crap at German, more people seem to continue speaking to me in the language now (rather than switching to English), which must mean I’m improving.
- I’ve often theorised that the Swiss are the goths of Europe – rebels who like rules, smart, stylish (in their own way), intellectually arrogant, frugal but willing to spend where they see value, difficult and snobby-seeming (which can be basic shyness) but generally worth it when you get to know them. In this respect, I am not intimidated (mostly!) and I kinda “get” Switzerland/the Swiss
- My mum and my best friend who visited recently both said as an aside – “You should stay.” Women whose opinions I value.
- Wellness – a revelation. I used to think the whole idea was a bit wack but I’m a total convert.
- Frühstück / Brunch. They bring coffee then you go help yourself at the buffet. Ticks so many boxes.
- Swimming. There’s sooo much swimming here, and there’s water everywhere! Lakes, rivers, fountains. I love it. Although I do miss the ocean…
- Mountains. Also a recent conversion. So pretty and picturesque. I still have to pinch myself sometimes. I’m living in a postcard.
- Church bells and shopping hours. After you get used to the bells ringing every quarter hour and the shops being shut on Sundays, it’s more a case of why doesn’t this happen everywhere? Shopping as a leisure activity is kind of horrible (although I do enjoy it and miss it). I like the enforced family time of Sundays and the bells… well… you do get used to them and I appreciate quaint old-fashionedy things.
- The sky. There’s these beautiful skies in Switzerland… after the grey of London, the skies here are wonderful.
- We’re mostly happy here – the kids like their school and daycare, Himself is getting into hiking and cycling, the politics are OK (not that we have any influence), the pace of life is less hectic than London or Sydney.
- On a similar note, it feels like there’s time to explore some creative pursuits. I really want to see where this poetry thing might lead and I think I have the space to do it here.
I really hope we can stay.
Me diving into the Zurichsee. Photo: Katy Albany
More postcard views…
… and pretty skies
clairevetica 
I have such a hard time with pronouncing things the correct German way. I want the letters to sound the same way they do in English (American English would obviously be preferred), but they just don’t. I most recently had this issue when I went to the Kiosk to buy the stickers we need for our abfall. I wasn’t saying abfall correctly, I couldn’t remember the ridiculously long word that’s on the stickers, and the lady couldn’t understand me. So I walked over to the garbage can in the store, pointed to it, and repeated “Abfall.” We made it through 🙂
I think, in my shyness, I somehow feel like I’m being more “genuine” by not putting on the German accent but that really doesn’t work!
way to be creative, Liz!
Lovely snaps. It’s such a ridiculous place. I think it’s impossible – and if not impossible, then terribly sad – to tire of the Alps. I love how places seep into you (or you into them, or both) and it sounds like that’s where you and Switzerland are at.
In other news, I’ve not done brunch here yet. Will aim to rectify ASAP.
I keep trying to work out if it’s because all the postcards/ chocolate box views ARE actually Switzerland that it looks so perfect like that… I think they must be!
I really enjoyed reading this. It’s so nice to see that you’re starting to feel more at home in Switzerland. They say settling in takes two years (they say the same for settling in back in the home country) and for me so far it was true every time I moved. It’s a long process. Even more so when the new culture is so completely different to what you’re used to…
Thanks! Yes and I reckon you can add a year (or two?!) per child, eh? 🙂
Congratulations on your conversations in German! Keep up your achievements, as hard as it is, that’s how you practice and get better 🙂