You can feel the plane descend through the clouds and start to look out the window to see what you're home for the next year looks like. Lake Leman* spreads across the view with snow capped mountains hugging one side and vineyards sprawled on the other. As the ground nears, Jet d'Eau** sprays and the quaintness of the city shows as Chateau like houses sit on the suburbs. The plane wheels touch and the iconic red Swiss flag pops out everywhere you look. As you walk through the airport try to find your bags (hopefully they're there), final duty free store has chocolates galore with a dressed up cow ready to go skiing standing by. Finally, all you hear is French, smell croissants and barely taste pain au chocolat as you exit the airport. Smile.
Getting here was the adventure of a lifetime. The airplane 72 hours before notifies you that you need a negative covid test result to board the plane, and you're supposed to leave the next day. So you change your flight for the 4th time, sign-up for a covid test, and wait. Things are getting worse for flying so the anxiety creeps up and the only thing you want is to get your boots on the ground to alleviate the stress. The covid test comes near midnight and you realize you have to wake up at 6am to call the airline and change your flight to the day of so the EU can let you in (your covid test result expires in less than 48 hours and airlines don't take flying time and time differences in account). Call the family and let them know you're leaving in 3 hours.
After all the tears from saying goodbye, you remind yourself that it isn't goodbye and more so 'see you soon' to get your smile going. Planes are half empty and its a sad sight as a traveler even though having an empty seat beside you and not worrying about overhead luggage room is the best thing. But when the feeling of takeoff starts, all you say to yourself is "oh how I've missed this". Amsterdam Schipol airport was all decked out in Christmas decorations and planes were still taking off and arriving which gets you even more excited about the traveling you'll do this year.
My adventure started off sad and stressful, but now as I sit in my bed in Lausanne at 6am due to the jet lag (going to have to take a nap later), I'm starting to feel excited! I saw my apartment that I've seen only through a website and met my flatmates that I've only talked through the internet. Now to explore my neighbourhood and the city (its +1 outside but a run around the city should help me burn off energy to take a nap later lol). For New Years Eve some other classmates are going to join us for Champagne and food. Also, going to start exploring different Swiss cheeses and chocolate (going to make a running list and try to give taste profiles haha)
*Lake Geneva
**Geneva's large water fountain
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