I worried about my emotions as I returned to Geneva yesterday. I was exhausted as I stepped off the plane in Geneva after ten days of constant meetings, social events, moving from place to place, and a little thing called running a marathon. Don’t get me wrong – these 10 days were wonderful and we are so thankful we had an opportunity to see friends just 3 months after moving. Most people who are living abroad only fly back to their home country 1-2 times per year, maximum. This year, we will be back in the United States 2 times within the first 6 months of our move.
But, regardless of exhaustion, I felt like my mood when I arrived in Geneva would match the gray skies. I figured that I would find myself at home, alone, depressed about the situation after 10 fun filled days. Instead of succumbing to unhealthy thoughts or actions, I proactively worked to overcome this pending emotion and was actually able to find a healthy way to avoid it.
Instead of focusing on how much I will miss our friends or our home city of New York, I focused on making my Geneva home truly feel like a home last night. After going through emails and catching up on work for a few hours, I headed to the grocery store. I still find the grocery stores in Geneva to be a foreign and confusing proposition, unlike the friendly aisles of Publix and Whole Foods. I haven’t figured out the organization, if there is one, and therefore it makes shopping take far longer than normal. In order to make the process easier I decided that going in with a plan would allow me to organize my thoughts and also have translations readily available, in case I couldn’t find a product.
I spent 15 minutes finding a recipe (Turkey Pumpkin Chili), typing the ingredient list into Google translator, pushed translate and then copied the text over to an email which I sent to myself. This simple task made grocery shopping in a foreign store so much more manageable. I picked up all the produce and dairy items first, which tend to be easier. Then, using my translation list, I asked for help finding the smaller items which were hiding such as ground chicken, a few spices, and beans. Having the power of knowing the French terms made asking for help less intimidating. Having a recipe that excited me made the process of searching for items and the entire grocery shopping experience more fun as I knew it was a means to the end – a delicious and healthy home cooked dinner.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been cooking in Geneva the past few months but I haven’t been making recipes and getting creative in the kitchen. Instead I feel as if I’ve been preparing simple dishes such as a heated vegetable, protein and carbohydrate. This process left me bored and uninspired. It’s amazing what a few minutes on Pinterest can do for the soul.
Last night, cooking was my therapy. The hour I spent preparing the ingredients, simmering and constantly stirring the chili, crafting a flavorful salad, and then sitting and dining by candlelight gave me a joy I haven’t felt in ages. This unique and awkward space, complete with the wood paneling and small, dingy refrigerator and oven, felt like my happy place.
For so long, I’ve found my happiness in Geneva outside. Whether hiking in the French Alps or running along Lake Geneva this solace was something that I couldn’t find in my own home. Just in time for the gray Autumn months and bitter, cold winter months I couldn’t be happier to have rediscovered happiness in the kitchen.
Special thanks to Gena and Anne who inspired me to get back in the kitchen, one recipe at a time. If you don’t follow my recipe board on Pinterest yet, I’d love for you to join the party. I can guarantee you that a pinning party has just begun and it isn’t stopping anytime soon!
Ok I only moved across the country, not the world and I know the first few months were like a huge vacation!! Then suddenly I needed to know how to really live in anew place and it took some adjusting and like you said making the decision that it was home.
You’re so right Amanda. The work trip has ended and now I live here. 🙂
Oh wow, you have no idea how much this post sounds exactly like what I could have written five years ago after first arriving in Germany. Grocery shopping and meal preparation is no small task in a foreign country! But taking it recipe, by recipe is a really a good perspective. I too have decided to get a little bit more create in the kitchen this winter, and Pinterest is definitely my friend in this little adventure. 🙂 Good luck!
I’m glad you can relate to this post Mandi. I’ll have to start following you on Pinterest – whats your name?
When my husband and I were in Switzerland a few years ago, it literally took us 3 days to get groceries because of their odd (to Americans) schedules and closed days. It is definitely a transition, but so glad you’re making the best of it 🙂 That soup looks absolutely devine!
You’re right Ashley – everything takes time to understand and grow accustomed to when you move over here as it’s SO different.
From your friend who happens to be a therapist, this is such a healthy, proactive perspective, Ash! What a great way to get ahead of the homesick blues and prepare for the potential sorrow. The homesickness will come and go, you can’t escape that, but you can…and have…done something really great to tackle it! A battle plan always makes a difference. So proud of you!
Thanks Tracy! It’s taken a long time to reach a place like this but it certainly feels good!
I love this post! And would love to hear more about the food you’re making. Do you do any food prep for the work week?
Katie at this point I don’t do food prep for the work week because I eat breakfast and lunch at the office as food is subsidized and it’s so much cheaper than buying. Since I’m only cooking dinner, and one dinner lasts 2-3 nights, I’m doing everything in the evening.
Ashley, I have been reading your blog for a while, but didn’t leave a comment. This post sounds so honest and I can totally relate to it, so I just wanted to express my deepest respect for what you are doing. Living in a foreign city is not always easy, but it will make you stronger. And never forget: You are not alone. Keep going – in my opinion your doing very well.
Btw, cooking is my therapy too;)
Thank you for the comment Sabine! It’s nice to know I’m not alone! 🙂
I hear gchat with friends helps too <3
Yes gchat helps for sure but it doesn’t help my flat feel like a home 🙂
I live in Zurich, and I have to know… where did you find canned pumpkin in Switzerland??? I neeeeeed this!
I live in Zurich and I have to know: Where did you find canned pumpkin in Switzerland??
I have been in Switzerland for four years and still have difficulty navigating the supermarkets. If they have been hiding canned pumpkin from me all this time, I’m going to feel very cheated.
I brought it over from the US however I was told I could buy it in Geneva. I’ll keep you posted as I only have one can left. Wonder if security would think I was crazy if I bring cans back from London on the weekends. 🙂
I just found that this market exists AND carries pumpkin!! http://www.americanmarket.ch/
Thanks. We don’t have an American market in Zurich, but I think the Geneva one will ship if things get desperate (there’s still a month til Thanksgiving!). I always bring sugar-free hazelnut syrup with me when I come back from the US (for my morning coffee). It looks a lot like whiskey, which can be a touchy subject when it comes to customs 🙂
And sorry for posting the same comment twice… i got an error msg the first time and didnt think things went thru
Somehow we always know just how to soothe our soul! I’m sure that as you make more and more recipes with distinct aromas you’ll really start to feel at home each time you make them and your home smells so yummy and familiar.
Sally you are so right! I have pinned so many recipes in the past few days! I can’t wait to cook a different one at least once per week!
Wow, I really wish I had read this post a few years ago when I was living in Italy and frightened to death of their grocery stores! Its so true that sometimes a nice home cooked meal is the way to beat homesickness, but those European grocery stores are so intimidating! Great post with wonderful tips for those living abroad!