Manifesting Mountains and Managing Money
I always believed dreams should be wild, impractical, and preferably covered in snow. Enter: Switzerland.
This alpine fantasy started where all epic journeys begin—on my couch, in a hot summery Ahmedabad day, air conditioner was full on and here it was on the TV “Crash Landing on You”. I paused the show somewhere between “Hello Captain Ri” and “Wow, look at those mountains,” and whispered to myself, “One day…”
Well folks, one day turned into day one. But let’s rewind a bit.
Let me tell you, saving for Switzerland is like dating someone way out of your league. You’re hopeful, broke, and slightly delusional. There were temptations, there was summer & winter sale. But I held on. Started a “SwissiPiggy” fund—because if you name your savings jar, you’re less likely to rob it. True story.
Weekend parties? Replaced by budgeting spreadsheets. Impulse shopping? I told myself, “Would you rather have that 4th pair of black boots or fondue with a view?” Switzerland always won. I downloaded four budgeting apps (used one), avoided late-night food deliveries (mostly).
The Visa Saga – Starring Me and a Folder of Dreams
Visa applications are adulting at its peak. It felt like applying for Hogwarts — except instead of an owl, you get a barcode. It’s giving “please don’t reject me, I’ve already told everyone I’m going.”
Cue: the paperwork! My god. Bank statements, awkward passport-size photos where I look like I smuggled cheese in my coat, all mandatory confirmed reservations – catching up your heart beats – what will happen if this visa is rejected? soul fragments — all submitted. I over-prepared like I was auditioning for Swiss citizenship. The embassy didn’t ask for a birth certificate, but I packed it just in case. Indian parents taught us well.
But plot twist—my visa got approved! I didn’t cry; YOU did.
Departure Drama & Arrival Bliss
Zurich Airport, first of all, is not an airport—it’s a lifestyle. Clean, quiet, classy. Even the vending machines looked like they had a PhD. As I stepped out, the air hit different—crisp, cool, like chilled confidence.
Welcome to Efficiency, Population: Hello Zurich – I’ve landed!
I legit waved at a cow. It nodded back (probably).
Zurich! The air smelled like clean dreams and neutral opinions. I landed, stepped out, and immediately judged myself for not wearing sunglasses. Everyone here looked like they’d walked out of a Rolex ad. And there I was, with puffy eyes and airplane hair, trying to remember if I packed deodorant.
But the city didn’t care. It welcomed me with open arms and punctual trams. That first tram ride felt like a spiritual awakening. No chaos. No honking. Just... serenity. I almost cried when a stranger smiled at me. They smile here. Unprovoked. What is this, heaven? I reached my cozy Airbnb – to a surprise with no check-in code – somehow managed to do it. Dumped the luggage and walked straight out to explore – all tiredness just ran away in the air.
Final Thought of Day 1 - Dreams feel far until your feet land on them.
Switzerland doesn’t just meet your expectations—it makes them look underdressed.
Day One was soft. Like fresh snow. Like warm croissants. Like a dream just waking up.
Stay tuned for Day Two—there will be lakes, hikes, cheese (obviously), and probably more cow interactions than necessary.
Until then,
Keep dreaming,
Keep saving,
And pack an extra pair of socks. Trust me on this one.
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