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Hi from Southern Switzerland!
After spending five months in Southeast Asia, my visit to Southeast Europe (the closest I could call home) was quite short, and I am already in the Swiss Alps.
I drove through Italy, with a short stopover in Trieste, and crossed the Simplon Pass on a car train. I had taken it several times before, but this one was the shakiest ride through the Alps, the one where it felt like my handbrake would not hold, and I’d tumble through the tunnel.
It would have been nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I came to the other side at night. Still, it’s nice to feel you’re alive, holding the wheel of your vehicle, instead of being driven by someone else, on a speeding train where every spark of the engine seems to be the start of a disaster scenario.
Being alive is always a blessing, but also, I’m happy to say I’ll spend the next weeks (Months? Who knows?) housesitting a friend’s flat. That’s quite gentle towards my wallet, as I don’t think I could pay rent in one of the priciest European countries unless the currency I’m paying with is watering someone’s plants.
By the way, did you know that the water in Switzerland is free? The flat I’m staying in doesn’t even need heating, as somehow, well-isolated places stay warm. Well, the outside temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, so it does feel like spring, even if my large windows look at the snow-capped mountains.
It’s a pretty place to look at, to be at. While I’ll continue to explore this area, I see my Swiss trip/stay as a writing retreat, where the desk with the laptop should become my best friend in the following period. There is so much Asian content I will still be reporting while living a somewhat slower life in Switzerland.
I’m counting my blessings, even if I said no prayer at Kek Lok Si (translated as the Temple of Supreme Bliss), the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, where I started my “Chinese” New Year. Or should I say – neon year? This Penang temple in February shone like New York in December. Visit the link to see how 10,000 lights can transform a religious site.
You know, it doesn’t matter which calendar you follow, or what date it is. You can always start anew. My Swiss friend, whose flat I’m housesitting, got a job in another city. While this is certainly a major change for him, it also brought something fresh to me. Staying in a beautiful mountain environment without the stress of constant moving around.
March is a good month to start with changes.
Here’s to new beginnings!
Have a blissful week!
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
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