Our cup of joy and relief overflowed when our container arrived in Zurich after three weeks in an empty apartment. The giant container was transported by truck from Welgemoed to Cape Town Harbour and by cargo ship to Port Elizabeth before it finally arrived in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. After that, it travelled on a barge upstream in the Rhine River for 1 200 kilometres to Basel in Switzerland. In Basel, it passed through customs and travelled by truck to our residence. I have a new respect for logistical planning!

Camping in an empty apartment for three weeks

We were delighted about the familiarity of our belongings. The three weeks of camping in an empty apartment proved we could get by with very little. Children speak what they think, and Zander’s reaction was touching. His joy was without limits at the sight of our belongings. That evening, when he lay with us in bed, he said, “The blankets smell nice. It smells like you and Dad”. His words summed it up.

We are wearing our steel armour to survive

Many things are different and strange to us. In the morning, you put on your steel armour, your smile and look the dragons in the eyes. In the evening, you feel satisfied because you have learned some new things and explored new terrain. However, when you come home, you look for some haven and then your belongings and people are precious, despite the familiar scratch marks. In your safe space, you can lick your wounds. Here you can laugh together about the day’s failures and frustrations.

We live in a rural setting between farming activities

We enjoy our apartment. The new building is light and in a rural setting between farming activities. Our home is a distance from Charl’s work, and it takes him about an hour to get to work by bus, train, and tram. Zander travels about fifteen minutes to school by train.

The appliances in the kitchen are brand new. With the help of my Clicks glasses and the Google translator, I had to determine how the induction stove that works with magnetism, the high-tech oven that also has a steam function and the washing machine and dryer, with German instructions, should be operated.

Regulating the temperature

At first, it was strange to take off our shoes like everyone else, at the door when we entered. The whole apartment has blinds, but they are on the outside. The blinds are the only way to keep the place cool. According to Google, there seems to be a ban on air conditioning in terms of EU F gas regulation to protect the ozone layer. According to Charl, one can find anything except yourself on Google.

Recycling

Recycling is on another level. Switzerland is full of recycling points with containers for materials including aluminium, plastic, different coloured glass bottles, PET plastic, cardboard, compost material and even a fridge for deceased pets.

Our recycling point is close to Zander’s school, and we have visited it numerous times with our piles of cardboard in which our new cupboards, which we had to build ourselves, were packed. The only items allowed in the rubbish bin at home are dirty packaging materials. It must go in a dedicated bag, for which you buy a sticker from the municipality to encourage you to recycle as much as possible.

The Swiss are very health conscious. Fast food outlets are scarce. I am amazed when the moms take out sliced carrots and cucumbers, and the toddlers receive the snack food with joy. Everywhere you see people jogging or cycling. I have not seen a fat Swiss person. If someone has some excess weight, you know it is a tourist. We are also still working on our excess weight caused by comfort eating.

Sunday

Sunday is spent as a day of rest, as the Bible recommends. All shops are closed, and the people spend the day with their families outdoors. They enjoy hiking in one of the many forests or hiking trails along the lake. Even the toddlers ride with mom or dad on a bike or strollers.
I enjoy the beautiful sounds of the church bells you hear throughout the day. Significant days on the Christian calendar are public holidays, even Ascension and Pentecost.

Next week the schools start, and on Monday, the school welcomes newcomers and their parents. We will put on our armour and smiles and provide you with feedback in my following letter.

Kind regards
Emsia