Hibernating Creatures Close their Doors
Sept 28 — Oct 2, Hunenberg, Switzerland
Seasonal Memoir Entry #29
Ice hockey is a sport best watched in person. It’s the only way to appreciate the speed of the players, the seemingly random back and forth of possession, the force of the body checks, and the intricate dance of the officials who need to avoid both players and pucks, usually while skating backwards. With some colleagues from school, I watched EVZ take on Geneva at the Bossard Arena in Zug.
The game was entertaining — EVZ won 5–4 in overtime, after giving up a two goal lead with 40 seconds to play — but the fan experience was off the charts. We had standing room only cheap tickets (CH 20). We chose to stand right behind the goal, as there was space. Little did we know that soon fifty or so EVZ fanatics would flood the space with beer, banners, and a bullhorn. Then the chanting and flag waving started. We just went with it, though we had no idea what they were saying. Lots of clapping, lots of singing, lots of saluting. It was fun! And unlike a football match in the UK, it was family-friendly. The standing room section was filled with Swiss of all ages, including whole families.
After six weeks of school, and three before that for prep and planning, I’m feeling settled into the role and into life in Switzerland. Even in a place as beautiful and orderly as Schwiez, transition is hard. It just takes time, and you can’t fight it. Things will slowly make sense over time. You’ll find what you like to eat, and discover all sorts of treats in the meantime, like a sweet pie whose ingredients are still a mystery to me. You’ll figure out the best route from work to home. You’ll get to know smiling faces at the farmer’s market and the grocery, even though language is still a huge barrier. That being said, it’s indeed interesting that people choose to live overseas. Are they running from something, as a psychologist once told me? Are they looking for adventure? Are they simply following a better paycheck? It doesn’t really matter, after all. Everybody has their reasons.
While I’ve appreciated the beauty of Switzerland, especially the hiking and walking, and while it’s been wonderful to be back in the thick of high school life again, I nevertheless miss home. Badly. Living alone for nine weeks was harder than I anticipated. I used to think loneliness was a mental state, but geography exerts its influence. Though I spoke with Tina nearly every day, and often texted or Zoomed with my children, I nevertheless felt distant, and at times, lonely. Melancholy is not an emotion I’m accustomed to. It’s not the end of the world, of course, and it’s no tragedy, but rather something to reflect on. It makes me grateful for the family and friends that I do have, and for the career opportunities presented to me, and I return home to work remotely for October with boundless appreciation for the concept of family, looking forward to reconnecting and just being there as we share a life together in closer proximity.
