Dear Switzerland

Dear Switzerland,

About a year ago I was packing up my life to come live with you. I didn't know what would happen when I got here. Who I would meet, what I would do and see, who I would become. But over the last 11 months we have grown together to become lifelong friends. To be honest, when I first heard I might be moving here I thought “wait, where is Switzerland?” and then quickly remembered you for being the land of dairy and chocolate. Quickly after my arrival I learned of other things I have learned to love and will miss. Here is the list:

Oh, how I will miss eating cheese with every meal. How I will miss an endless supply of milk chocolate. How I will miss your obsession with ham and all things pork-related. I'm going to miss your multiple personalities: French, German and Italian. I'm going to miss your close contact with France and fine wines. I'm going to miss your cobbled streets (although my pointy heels won't). I'm going to miss your nightlife and open container policies. I'm going to miss your bars and clubs. I'm going to miss your always reliable (except in the snow) public transit. I'm going to miss your bizarre sense of humor when it comes to traffic. I'm going to miss how small you are. I'm going to miss your friendliness with other European countries. I'm going to miss your happy relationship with EasyJet (although I won't miss the delays). I'm going to miss using my Voie 7 train pass to travel pretty much anywhere I want within the country after 7pm for free. I'm going to miss the wonderful people you've put into my life while living here. I'm going to miss my kiddos, Ben & Melchior. I'm going to miss speaking in French to French people. I'm going to miss going to bed at midnight on work nights just because no one wants to leave. I'm going to miss the passion of good friends. I will miss your inexpensive and required healthcare. I will miss having my prescriptions paid for. I will miss your hair dye. I will miss your Cannabis Iced Tea. I will miss Migros. I will miss your smile.

However, to be fair there are some things I'm not going to miss. Although I think the list is much shorter. I will not miss your expensive nature (let's face it $8 for a tall latte is a little extreme). I will not miss your default of German on websites (I mean, French is a stretch for me... but German? Let's be serious). I will not miss your strange and unusual lighting. I will not miss the snow. I will not miss your lack of regular coffee makers. I will not miss your exchange rate. I will not miss your lack of clothes dryers. I will not miss ironing every piece of clothing down to the children's socks & underwear. I will not miss Monday mornings (although I have a sinking suspicion that they'll follow me home). And I will not miss the lack of Hulu and other easily accessed online-media.

Despite all that, Switzerland I owe you a lot. You helped me become more of the woman I am today. Someone who can speak for herself in more than one language. Someone with the courage to talk to a stranger. Someone with the passion to travel on her own. Someone who is needed and needs people. Someone to love.

It's time to say goodbye now. And I really don't want to go. It's not that we've grown apart. Or that we're different people now. It's the “greater” powers at be. Making me say goodbye, turn my head and walk (fly) away. I don't want to. I want to stay. I want this year to go on forever.

But that isn't life, I know it as well as you do. Things happen and we must carryon. We must move on. We must change. As much as it sucks to do so.

So in the great words of Paul McCartney & John Lennon:
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true.
And then while I'm away
I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you.

I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you.

All my loving, I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true.
And then while I'm away
I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you.

All my loving, I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true
All my loving
All my loving
All my loving, I will send to you.


Goodbye Switzerland, I will miss you, but I will be back someday. And in the meantime – all my loving.

Xoxox – Mattie

READERS: Please be sure to add my new blog to your list of ones to watch. Starting after Dec 24th that is where the random life of Mattie (although less exciting I'm sure) will be posted.