I have learnt a lot in Switzerland in the last 5 days and
none of it is work- related.
I have learnt what I like. I like simplicity.
A small purse with essentials, wearing flip-flops instead
of heels, taking a shower and letting my hair dry on the walk to the
conference, a shiny subtle lip-gloss, choosing to wear the same outfit twice in
a row because having so much fun with friends no time to change, being less in
contact with the everyday worries of home, leaving my kids to their exams and
not stressing, sitting here by the window in the hotel with rain streaming down
and a cool breeze, a welcome delight.
I love the tram and taking it across the city, I love the
bikes and knapsacks on peoples backs. I love the comfy shoes people wear and the
fact that literally no one drives a car. I like that when it is hot we sweat
and when it is cool we put on a sweater.
(I really really don’t like the snacks at breaks or all
the meals with eggs on top)
I like vising my friends and spending simple evenings
chatting with their kids. I like taking a tram home by myself late at night and
feeling safe. I like putting my feet in the cool river and eating a simple
salad. I like unsweetened yogurt with strawberries with a sip of red wine.
Grilled veggies and lovely lemony potatoes.
I love the European way of life and Swiss is honestly
gorgeous and breathtaking. I could never live here likely (for all the reasons posted
in my last post) but I could get used to visiting here often. I like being
collected at bustops by sweet little girls and holding hands in the rain and
saved by them too.
Little guys who call me “Katarina” in their sweet little
accents.
This trip has made me realise that when I have grown kids
and more time and more money (will that time ever come…and do I want it to?) …that
I will want to travel a whole bunch. Rent apartments for a month at a time in
beautiful cities and explore them with my Guy at my side. Integrate into the
lives that people lead a bit like I did this time. With two besties living
here..it was easy and I had great inspiration.
I want more of life on a whole different level. My time
is coming for this soon I bet.I love the simpleness of this week and I want to
bring some home with me. It needs to make its way into my home in some fashion
and stay there with me forever. I want to bring a slice of Basel home for good.
And I have to say that weather truly does not matter
anymore to me and that is a biggie. There was a time it meant everything to me
and that was a whole big waste of brain cells and time. Yes I get severely annoyed
by weather ruining summer plans-but not more than that. Just a passing annoyance
like the rest of the world and a slight depression when every single weekend we
don’t get to use the boat.
But I love rain too-like tonight walking home off the
tram..in the rain…feet wet in my flipflops…water splashing on my ankles and in
my hair. And yesterday in a heat wave sweating and water pouring down my face
from heat. I love it all. I love existing. I love being able to overcome. I
love being able to feel angry. And being able to forgive. To be able to get my
act together no matter what. Knowing that I am strong and powerful and small
and vulnerable all wrapped into one. I am human and full of love
Splish. Splash.
Realizing the happiness I bring to others across the
world and being proud of that.
Managing on my own through thick and thin.
Being
in my element…. All the elements of life.
Switzerland was exactly what I needed this week and the
comfort of two of my greatest teachers…just hanging out together and having
fun. Nothing more or less on the agenda. Actually having no clue where exactly
my agenda even is.
A nice little escape from my complex and complicated life
(that I intend to simplify a whole lot)
In my element both in complexity and simplicity. Being
both and indulging in what that means for a life. My life both here an now and back home with my family this weekend.
In my element of the very seasons of my own existence.
