Once I made plans in late 2008 to journey to Switzerland and dwell there for at the least a month or two, I started my journey by first searching for out an residence that I might name house for the primary leg of my journey. I didn’t actually care the place the residence was situated, nevertheless it wanted to have Web entry and it wanted to be inside my finances. I most popular that or not it’s in a considerably giant and historic metropolis, however apart from these few issues, I used to be open to absolutely anything I might discover.
I began my search on Craigslist.org, however was unsuccessful find something in my worth vary. Then I began looking out on Google. As soon as once more, no luck discovering an inexpensive residence with Web entry in any sort of main metropolis.
It was then that I had the concept to go looking on Google.ch – the Swiss model of Google.com. It was there that I discovered a wholly German web site (sadly, I can’t bear in mind what’s was) that had quick time period residence rental listings. Scrolling by means of the listing of residences (and looking out primarily on the costs), I discovered one in my worth vary after which used Google Language Instruments with a purpose to learn the main points of the residence (My German on the time was not almost pretty much as good as it’s now, so I wanted some additional assist). From what I might inform, the residence seemed nice, so I despatched off an e mail and heard again a short while later from a woman named Stephanie.
Stephanie and I exchanged a variety of emails. I requested in regards to the location of the residence, the Web entry and the worth. She wouldn’t budge on the worth and he or she needed to search out somebody who might lease the place for 2 complete months, however after a little bit of deep thought I made the leap and instructed Stephanie I needed to order her flat (afterall, the residence was virtually the identical worth as what I pay for the mortgage on my condominium right here at house, so it wasn’t like I used to be going loopy or something). I crossed my fingers, praying that this wasn’t some sort of Web rip-off and wired Stephanie roughly $3,000 USD ($1,200 per thirty days x 2 months + one other $1,200 for the deposit).
A couple of months later I flew into Zurich, Switzerland, boarded a practice sure for Luzern, and walked with my bicycle and all of my humanly possessions the quick distance (lower than a mile) from the practice station to my new house in downtown Luzern.
I arrived in Luzern on New 12 months’s Eve (2008), only a few hours earlier than ringing within the New 12 months. It was darkish once I emerged from the practice station and snow had simply began to fall from the sky.
I bear in mind strolling throughout the bridge that leads from one aspect of Lake Luzern to the opposite and considering to myself, “I hope this residence really exists. In any other case, I’m screwed!”
I had used Google Earth to map out the placement of the residence upfront, so it was extremely simple for me to search out as soon as I arrived in Luzern that evening. I walked virtually precisely to the entrance entrance, inserted the important thing (which Stephanie had mailed to me upfront), walked up the steps to the second story, went by means of two extra doorways, and located myself inside my new house!
Immediately upon my arrival I knew that I used to be going to love it right here. The place was trendy, clear, heat and welcoming.
Adorned virtually totally in IKEA merchandise, the residence clearly belonged to a woman – most likely somebody round my similar sage (25). The photographs beneath present almost each inch of my Swiss residence.
Once I walked into the lounge/kitchen space, I discovered a word that Stephanie had left for me, together with a variety of maps for the encompassing areas.
Here’s what Stephanie’s word mentioned:
Hiya Daren!
Welcome to Luzern, and welcome to my flat. Please really feel at house. Please be happy to make use of something you need.
– There’s an Web connection subsequent to the couch so that you can use.
– Be at liberty to make use of the meals within the cabinets.
– The garbage needs to be put within the gray luggage beneath the sink. When it’s full it needs to be put outdoors the door on the road solely on Monday or Thursday earlier than 8:00 am. Should you want extra garbage luggage they are often purchased within the Migros on the until.
– You need to use the washer which is subsequent to door (on the left) while you come out of the flat. The machine accepts just one Fr. cash which you set within the meter on the left. Be sure you manage to pay for in it in any other case it is going to cease washing. It takes two one franc cash.
– There’s a vacationer info within the railway station to your actions within the area or take a look at www.myswitzerland.com
If in case you have any questions please name my boyfriend ___________ or my mum who has a spare key ___________.
Take pleasure in your keep in Luzern!
– Stefi –
P.S. – Are you able to water the crops as soon as per week?
– You too can use my pc. Login ____________
The plant you see right here on the far left aspect of the bookcase didn’t survive my keep. I attempted my greatest to maintain it alive, however I couldn’t… and I felt actually unhealthy about killing Stephanie’s plant whereas she was away. I left her a word once I left the residence, telling her how sorry I used to be. She e mail me again a number of days later and mentioned it was no massive deal. I hope that that’s true!
The grey cylinder on the left aspect of this picture had a word on it, asking me to not look inside. I think about this unusual round closet contained Stephanie’s garments or different private gadgets, however I by no means did look inside, so I assume I’ll by no means know.
The picture above exhibits the doorway to my Swiss residence. You’d insert a key to get previous the glass door on the bottom degree, then climb the steps on the left and enter the primary door on the left-hand aspect (with the identical key). As soon as contained in the constructing, I’d stroll straight ahead and enter the residence by means of the door straight in entrance of me.
It usually instances smelled like smoke contained in the residence constructing hallway and I often heard my neighbor to the left of me entertaining visitors. However apart from that, the residence was quiet, snug, and homey.
One of many neatest issues about my residence in Luzern was that it was situated straight above a Heini bakery and straight throughout from a big Migros grocery store. I by no means really ate on the bakery, however discovering meals was by no means an issue.
The residence I stayed in had home windows on to the left and the proper of the purple HEINI signal proven within the photographs above and beneath.
I might usually instances open the home windows and simply sit and stare on the folks strolling previous. Most individuals paid no consideration to me. In actual fact, most by no means bothered to search for and see me sitting there. Some did see me nevertheless, and so they normally simply waved as they slowly ambled previous.
Considered one of my favourite issues about my residence in Luzern was that I might sit within the residence, working or consuming, stay toasty heat, and I nonetheless felt like part of town as a result of I used to be in a position to look down on the entire folks strolling by.
The picture above exhibits my view of the Migros grocery store that was located straight throughout the road from me. This picture was taken in the course of the Fasnacht carnival, which is why the folks listed here are dressed up in costume.
This picture was taken whereas using a big conveyor belt right down to the underside flooring of the Migros grocery store. The grocery store had three fundamental ranges and also you rode a barely slanted conveyor belt to get from one degree to the following. As a result of the conveyor belt was flat, in contrast to an escalator that has stairs on it, you would push your cart up or down the ramp, which made me nervous the primary few instances I noticed others do it.
The photographs beneath present me working inside my flat in downtown Luzern. I spent plenty of time sitting at this desk, nevertheless it was most likely one of many extra pleasant locations I’ve ever labored. From that spot contained in the residence I used to be not solely in a position to get plenty of work performed, however I used to be additionally in a position to stare out the window to my proper and watch as hundred and 1000’s of individuals walked previous.
My typical day in Luzern consisted of me sleeping in till about 9 or 10 am. I might then rise up, verify my e mail and do an hour or two’s price of labor. Whereas working I might eat and stare out the window as folks walked by. Then I’d head out into the streets myself. I might stroll round, journey my bike, or just go and go to close by shops. Round 4 PM I’d return to the residence and spend a number of extra hours on the pc. I’d eat round 8 or 9 PM after which return to the streets for one more hour or so, simply to take a break from work and see what, if any, actions have been happening that evening.
Whereas dwelling in Luzern, I took a number of aspect journeys to different cities and neighboring areas. I went snowboarding with my good friend Wealthy Palantino and even took a practice to Liechtenstein.
After two months of life in Switzerland, nevertheless, it was lastly time to say goodbye. On the twenty eighth of February (2009) I packed up my issues, locked the door to my second story residence and mentioned goodbye endlessly.
I’d love to return to Luzern at some point (particularly in the summertime when the grass is inexperienced and the air is heat) and I’ll all the time think about this well-known Swiss metropolis as one of many few locations on this planet the place I’ve ever actually felt at house.
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