[school] Bus Musing

Feb. 06, 2017

I’ve been nightmare-less for a long time in my life, but in the past 2 nights I’ve been surprised by 5 bad dreams. So I guess my life has become a dream and my dreams have become nightmares! The terrors I will overcome, but I can’t get over how incredible this place is. Everywhere I turn my eyes land on something beautiful. The natural environment is astounding in and off itself, but the Swiss maintain lifestyle habits that respect that beauty and enhance it. I’ll start big and simmer it down to the finer examples. First, the layout of their towns and their choice in architecture appears to be one of minimalism. They are unobtrusive in how they construct, allowing their structures to flow with the roll of the hills, mountains, lakes, and valleys, and they build in just the right size as not to waste space. Second, the public transport system is spot on and clean, making it a desirable choice when getting from A to B, and helps cushion the rapid effects of climate change as significantly less exhaust from commuters pollutes the air. There is also a low presence school buses in most of the country. All of the children behave self-sufficiently and are integrated within the adult world, trusted to ride the regular bus to get to school (because the bus accommodates for this, with stops in front of schools). I’d imagine in this way kids grow up without hesitation to use public transport in the future. On the note of pollution, Switzerland has an elaborate but easy to follow recycling system, in which everyone seems to be aware of what is recyclable and in what compartment that material belongs (this includes compost! somewhat of a rarity in the states). That’s a little on the setting, but as for the interior, here’s a little more detail. 1) Grocery stores are arranged in a way that pushes fruit and vegetables upon entrance, and has you walk through you’ll find your increasingly more processed options but it’s not the first thing thrown into you face. And when the Swiss eat, they do so in meals, building relationships by making it a communal activity, while also slowing down while they eat and not eating between meals in order to digest properly. I’m not sure if this is the case for all of the Swiss, but for my host family everyone eats all that’s on their plates, which is incredibly respectful and limits waste. These food factors fit the aesthetic theme of minimalism. How the Swiss take care of themselves with their eating habits, and I’m sure a number of other lifestyle habits I will soon observe, lends itself to the individuals being healthy and beautiful themselves.

Maybe these characteristics are simply manifestations of the efficiency culture here. But it all seems to add up to an aesthetically gorgeous, petite world of the Swiss. 🇨🇭