I left Nice and got on a short flight to Basel, Switzerland. Switzerland wasn't even apart of my original plan for Europe, which only makes it all the better. I knew it was time to take a rest and save some money so I reached out to my mom's cousin, Melissa, that lives in Switzerland. Melissa, along with her husband Dino, their son Lukas and their rottweiler Nacho (he's only half as scary as he looks) were generous enough, without any hesitation, to take me in for a little while. They live in a small town outside of Basel. They gave me the guest bed in their attic and it was so nice to have my own little space up there. Melissa and Dino are international teachers, the last time I saw them was when I stayed with them in South Africa before my study abroad semester. After 30 days of hostels and non-stop traveling I was looking forward to taking it easy in Switzerland for a week with some family.
I made home base at the Schnyder's and then went off on a little side quest for the weekend with a friend I made from the Good Morning Hostel in Lisbon. Jérôme and I talked for maybe 10 minutes at the hostel on the very first day of my trip and he said if I ever make it to Switzerland to let him know and he'll be my tour guide. I told him he better be serious because I will definitely take up this offer if the opportunity presents itself. Jérôme wasn't joking because picked me up and had a whole weekend itinerary planned for us. We headed south to Bern, the capital of Switzerland where he lives. We rode bikes out to a few of his favorite bars and clubs in Bern and I got to meet some of his awesome friends.
The next day, which I swear had to be the most beautiful day of the year, we went hiking in Grindelwald. I'm obsessed with mountains. They're my favorite things to paint, hike up, camp in and ski down. The Swiss alps BLEW. MY. MIND.
Jérôme pulled off the road on our ride back to Bern and told me we're jumping off a bridge. This, also, was not a joke.
We had beers to celebrate our hiking success and for dinner we ate Raclette, a Swiss staple, which is basically just cheese on potatoes and it is pure bliss. The traditional way of eating it is to melt the cheese over candles, which I thought was pretty cute.
The next morning Jérôme showed me all around Bern. The old city was my favorite, I loved how the Aare river separates it from the rest of Bern. People float down the river with dry bags "fisch" when the weather is nice, sometimes people will even float to and from work.
Jérôme then dropped me off back at Melissa and Dino's. Unfortunately he participates in "real life" and had to return to work. We said our goodbye's and hope-to-see-you-again's. My visit was so spontaneous but he took me in and showed me what it's like to live like a true Swiss. A 10/10 tour guide (10/20 if you're reading this Jérôme).
My last few days in Switzerland consisted of floating down the Rhine with Melissa in Basel, a lot of bike rides, coffee shop visits, and a day at Kunstmuseum of art. Melissa volunteers at a small charity room next to their flat where people donate clothes and goods to others in need. It's mostly utilized by Ukrainian refugees. I got to spend some time there organizing baby clothes. Look at how small and adorable these mittens are.
I booked a night train to Vienna after a beautiful and relaxing week in Switzerland. My time here wouldn't have been half as great if it weren't for the Schnyders and Jérôme taking me in and showing me this beautiful country they get to call home. I'll never forget it.
Currently I am...
Listening to: Jagge Dabu Fantastic
Reading: Nightingale Kristin Hannah
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