Getting settled
Lausanne (you can say it "Low-zanne" or "Low-zehn") is starting to feel like home very slowly! We definitely enjoy the milder weather, the scenery, well connected metro, and general excitement of learning new systems have all been great. There are so many things that go into making a place familiar, the majority of which we take for granted. As I write this, emergency sirens are going off in the distance. You might not think sirens are something that contribute to a home feel, but after watching the Bourne Identity on one of the first days we were here, Jenny and I both do a double take every time we hear them here; European sirens are much different than those back home, and they make us think Jason Bourne is in a car chase every time!
We didn't bring many things along with us for the ride (only the very limit of what Air Canada would allow!), but that is just as well, since in Lausanne we have very little space (or, en français, "espace"). I channeled my inner Charles Sjaarda by measuring the square footage of a single tile, and then counted tiles to find that we have a whole 28 square metres to ourselves here (~300 sq ft)! It was a huge blessing to arrive to our own space including bed(s), tables, and chairs, despite the scant nature of it all. A quick trip to IKEA on our first day here was necessary to pick up plates, mugs (no cups yet!), other necessities, and of course dinner! Fast forward two weeks and actually now we are living in luxury... we even have a blender and a vacuum!
There have been a few victories in our first 2 weeks, but they have been hard earned. For some reason, most administrative things in Switzerland require the use of the "post-mail" in some shape or form, introducing a delay into anything you try to get done or setup. This doesn't bode well for us as task-oriented type people. I like to check things off my list as fast as possible (sometimes I even add things I just finished doing for the satisfaction of checking them off!).
Our victories so far, include:
We didn't bring many things along with us for the ride (only the very limit of what Air Canada would allow!), but that is just as well, since in Lausanne we have very little space (or, en français, "espace"). I channeled my inner Charles Sjaarda by measuring the square footage of a single tile, and then counted tiles to find that we have a whole 28 square metres to ourselves here (~300 sq ft)! It was a huge blessing to arrive to our own space including bed(s), tables, and chairs, despite the scant nature of it all. A quick trip to IKEA on our first day here was necessary to pick up plates, mugs (no cups yet!), other necessities, and of course dinner! Fast forward two weeks and actually now we are living in luxury... we even have a blender and a vacuum!
There have been a few victories in our first 2 weeks, but they have been hard earned. For some reason, most administrative things in Switzerland require the use of the "post-mail" in some shape or form, introducing a delay into anything you try to get done or setup. This doesn't bode well for us as task-oriented type people. I like to check things off my list as fast as possible (sometimes I even add things I just finished doing for the satisfaction of checking them off!).
Our victories so far, include:
- Finding a good church and having some solid convos there (no post-mail required here actually).
- Getting cell phones with Swiss #s and plans (with 60% off due to Jenny's work somehow!).
- Setting up a bank account and getting online banking (so much work for some reason).
- Getting into a groove at work, and not buying food.
- Familiarizing ourselves with the city.
Challenges that remain:
- Obtaining official work/residence permits in the mail (mainly important for Jenny, as her official work contract is contingent on having the official permit in hand).
- Obtaining health insurance.
- Moving into a new apartment (we've found one, but we are just finalizing the paperwork!)
- Learning French - I don't expect this will ever fully move into the "victory" category!
- Matt
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