Switzerland Trip Part 1 - Zurich

Finally, the Christmas break is coming! Even though the first semester of our class has not officially finished since we still have an exam after the holiday but still... It is time to take a break! 

My friend and I decided to go to Switzerland for this time. It was a hard decision since as we know that Switzerland is the most expensive country in the world! However, with our holiday spirit, we finally booked the ticket and flew there. 

Our flight was on Des 22 in the evening, and it took around 1.5 hours from CPH airport. By the time we reached Zurich, we had taken a train from the airport to central. The ticket is CHF 6.80 per person. Then, we continued by tram to our hotel in Toni Areal area with 24 hours tram ticket cost CHF 8.80. We stayed at 25 Hours Hotel, I like the hotel since they have modern design and interior and you can find many funny wordings around the corner.

On our first day, we explored the city of Zurich. The weather was nice yet cloudy, it was cold but not that windy compared with Helsingborg - the city where I live now. Every attraction is near to each other. Hence you can just walk and enjoy the city. 

We walked along the riverside and The Old City of Zurich. I love the architecture, it is beautiful. Also, I also like how the tram is working here. Wish, one day, Jakarta can have a better transportation system. Even, they utilize some trams as a dining place and a place to educate kids during Christmas. I think it is really a good idea to attract both tourists and locals. 

We walked until the Lake Zurich or Zurichsee. The lake itself is big, previously, I thought it is a sea. In this area, you can see a lot of seagulls, swans, and ducks. The view is also fantastic because you can see hills with some snow across the lake. 

Not too far from the lake, there was a Christmas market near the Opera House. We could find many stalls here and a place for ice skating for children. Unfortunately, they just accept cash for the transaction. 

We had our lunch at Restaurant Zeughauskeller, It is an old restaurant serving some variety of local Swiss dishes. I ordered Kalbsgeschnetzeltes nach Zürcher Arta (I do not know how to pronounce it haha), or pan-fried veal with mushroom sauce served with Rösti or grated potato. While my friend had Rösti with sausages. It is pricey to eat here, maybe since it is one of the tourist attractions here with good food taste.

After having a full tummy, we continued to walk around the Bahnhofstrasse - an area with many branded stores and boutiques. We saw a lot of lamps that had not been turned on during the day. So, we diced to go back again in the afternoon. 

Before we took a rest, we went to Coop (local supermarket). Here, you can buy some ready-to-eat foods like pasta, curry and also some sandwiches, pasty and snacks that are more affordable compared if eating out. So, I recommend buying some foods here to save our money :)

Having a short nap, we went out again to see the city during the night. I recommend visiting the Bahnhofstrasse since it has a wonderful city light along the street. But I am not sure whether it is during the Christmas only or along the year.

There was another Christmas market around this area. We were there for a while before having dinner in McDonald's. For your info, even a fast-food restaurant here is expensive- simply because everything is more expensive here. hehe. But still, do not forget to eat when you travel! It is better to spend our money for food, so we can enjoy the trip and not get sick!

I will continue to write the second day in Luzern and Pilatus. So, stay on my blog.

Here, you can see my vlog in Zurich, hope you can enjoy it as I am. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXtWQ1d2KME

2017 in A Nutshell

Two weeks from now, we're going to leave 2017 and welcoming 2018. It is so fast I must say. Many things happen in my life. I have not written anything about my movement to Sweden. So now, I will write the story about it and also some memories in 2017.

Alhamdulillah, in around September or October 2016, I got the result that I passed the test from the scholarship I applied - LPDP. I was so happy that I had a chance to chase my dream to live abroad, maybe not for a long time, but at least I will get the international experience. 

The effort to live abroad was not as smooth as I expected, in Feb 2017, I got the result from my application on universityadmission.se that I was still on the waiting list to be accepted in the university. In the beginning, I was so confident to be accepted since last year I passed, but I needed to decline the application since I didn't have any scholarship to support my study. I was so afraid that I couldn't get the university, but there was a second chance to get the final result. With some support from my family and friends, I kept being optimistic to wait for the final result. By the way, the first result came right before I had a holiday in Raja Ampat, Papua ( you can check the other story about my trip to Raja Ampat)

In March, I had an opportunity to go to Mecca and Madina, Saudi Arabia, for Umroh. I was there by myself, but luckily I was surrounded by many good people there, and we are still in contact now. I prayed that I would get the best result for me on the final.

Alhamdulillah, right after I was back from Umroh, just a few hours after I was back home. I received the email that I was accepted in Lund University for Service Management, Tourism program. I was calling my friend just to ensure that I saw the right result. Then afterward I told my family about this good news. 

End of April, I resigned from my work in Unilever, and it was exactly five years I worked in the company. It was not easy to leave my career, but I need to chase my dream. Herby some photos of my journey in Unilever. I started to work in Unilever Food Solutions handling the local jewel brands and trade marketing for modern trade channel

 Then I moved to skin cleansing team and handling Lifebuoy soap.

and lastly in the hair category handling Dove Shampoo

After I resigned, I travel to many places such as Bandung, Jogja, Bali, Thailand, and Labuan Bajo. Also, I spent my time to meet up with my friends as a "farewell."

It was so fast... suddenly it was July already, and early August was my departure to Sweden. Mixed-feeling in between excited and insecure since I never left home before except for a business trip or holiday. The closer it was the more I got scared

Finally, the time of my departure had come... ready or not. I need to leave. The trip felt different, I usually go to the airport by myself, but now my parents were accompanying me. Then in the airport, my friend, Smita, came to say goodbye. Again, It was hard for me to leave them before entering the boarding gate. 

Here I am now. Currently, I live in Helsingborg in Skåne region, Southern Sweden. Please check the below link to see my apartment :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2n9oa2KGA

Now, It has been five months I live in this city and back as a student. It is not easy to be a student again after almost seven years I left the academic life. I need to adapt to the new environment, new culture, new people, language. Also, I need to manage my own life, finance, cook. Lastly, the most important thing is I need to study, study, and study. 

Sometimes, I can not lie that I am struggling. I miss home, my family, my friends, my fish, Indonesian food and many more. Lucky, I have some friends here as my "support system," and I always reflect myself that this is what I have been dreaming. The first semester is almost done now. Hopefully, I can keep going through everything here smoothly and having a lot of experience here.

(Edited version: Don't worry guys! I am totally fine here. haha)

Almost forget to mention that one thing that also motivates me is to travel :) so... please stay on my blog to see my Eurotrip experience. I will try to be consistent to write on my blog.

See you!