And again, AIESEC leads me to another place. Not hot and tropical this time, but a land way up north, with tons of snow, beautiful fjords and blond people... Norway!!
What brings me up there? I got selected to go the the Norwegian national conference as a facilitator! Jipiii! Right after Christmas break, on the 9th of January I will go to Oslo to attend the premeeting, after that we will make our way up to Trondheim together, where we will get the people of AIESEC in Norway motivated and equipped to lead the race!
The location. Saas Grund in the south of Wallis, close to the Italian border.
The special thing this weekend: Since it was the opening of the season, they let you ride for free for 2 days. Therefore, and for some other reasons, like birthdays or major deprivation of snow, sun and mountains, Nora, Esthi and me went to our holiday house in Saas Almagell, where we spent two awesome days and nights.
It starts off with me and Esthi in Migros buying food for breakfasts and dinners (and other eventualities of sudden hunger). I guess it was our stage of near starvation that made us grab everything that looked somehow appealing. It became clear at that point that this weekend would turn out to be a serious culinaric highlight. With bags full of fruit, dried tomatos, olives, bread, fondue cheese, feta cheese, salad, artichoks, brownies, tunafish, jogurts, champagne, malibu and tons of other stuff, we go to my parents house to get the car. And what is it that is waiting there for us? A cheese cake, homemade by my mum just for us (my mum makes the best cheese cakes) (and that is true!).
After the arrival in Saas Almagell, we get busy right away, creating a pizza with about 10 different toppings, and at that point, Nora joins in. What follows is a cosy night, with some nice food and drinks, and endless talks about complete Contentness (Zufriedenheit). Which by the way sort of turned out to be the main theme of this whole weekend. Of course we stay in that night, since we want to be up on the mountain and on our boards (and skis) as soon as possible the next morning.
As soon as possible = 10:16 am. For all the Swiss people living outside of Wallis: Yes, there is snow in Wallis. Not too much. But of good quality. To our big amazment, even though it was free, there were as good as no people on the slopes. As you can imagine: Good snow, very good weather, no people, everything for free: It is the perfect day! No need of further explanation.
At fife that day we come home to our house, completely exhausted. First thing on our heads: Going to sleep. After a bit of recovery and a shover, we continue our culinaric supertrip with a fondue and cheese cake. After some homepartying, we take off to walk to Saas Fee. That acutally is a 40 minutes walk through the forrest (by night). Here some special thanks to John Bonjovi and Micheal Jackson for creating the perfect songs to shout through a dark and quiet forrest.
Coming back home sometime in the morning, getting up some hours later, the three of us are a bit tired. Wheather is half way good, but looks like its getting bad. Nevertheless, of couse, since we are sportive and active girls, we make our way up the mountain, where we really can't see a meter, and do our best.
Here the story is ending. After Esthi was headed back home, Nora and me did some cleaning up and made our way back to Bern and Lucerne.
Completely exhausted, but just as much filled with a deep feeling of contentness :-), I will go to bed now to pass out.
It's 1 am, I'm at home at my parents house and just finished watching a movie. I go upstairs to the bathroom, tie my hear together to wash my face, and in that moment, by looking up at the roof-windows, I can see it... The first snow of this year! It has been raining hard all day yesterday, so hard that I thought our house will be washed away in a flash. During the night though, it turned itself into that quite white little wonder. Snow! Yeah ladies, it looks as though our snowboard weekend next week will take place nevertheless! Get ready for some hardcore snowboarding, eating, partying and chilling out!!
Yesterday I get a call at lunch. It's Rob, my teammate from Thailand, Friend and Mentor, who has just landed in Zurich. (No it was not a big surprise, I knew he was coming). 10 minutes later I jump onto the next train leaving to Basel, to catch up with him there. Since I don't know Basel very well, I actually got a guided tour from Rob. :-) Glühwein, Münster, Bar Rouge (Wow, you definitely need to see this place!! What a view! the Bar is all in Red and on the top floor of the only skyscraper in Basel. And when you go there, check out the toilets! Usually when sitting on a normal toilet, what you have in front of you is just a wall or a door. Not so in Bar Rouge. There you actually face a window from floor to ceiling and you see the whole city laying in front of you... :-)) It was very good to see you again Rob. Although unfortunately it was only for a short time, I enjoyed to see that you are doing well and keep your plans burning. Hope to see you again soon!
I went to an AIESEC conference. Again. The sixth conference for me this year. And I figured one thing: I don't want this to stop. I don't. I'm serious. This organisation doesn't only provide me with very good and challenging work-opportunities, the heart of AIESEC is it's people. I know, it has been said often, but that is because it is true. This organisation brought me together with many inspiring, intelligent, energetic, good people and by doing this actually got me involved in a big number of discussions that I will never forget. I'm glad for it makes me think further and helps me reflect on what I do, why I do it and what I want to reach. And more than all: Who I am.
I have many new ideas on how I want this experience to continue. However, none of them matured enough to be named here, yet. But one thing is said: I want this to continue.
Thank you, People of AIESEC, for providing me with something I value so much. A playground.
Swiss person exploring the world as a nomad. Currently in Egypt, working for one of the most challenging, young and dynamic organisation I could imagine. I'm an enjoyer, a learner, a challenger, a relaxer, many things. Find out for your self!
