I actually haven't written for a long time. Not that I didn't have anything to write about, but I was just too preoccupied with so many obligations. This time, I feel like I should really write about last couple of days, since what was happening was frankly a completely new adventure for me, filled with actions and emotions. :) Those who read my previous blogs might know just how much I like to write. I can see that I created this blog in February, yet this is only my second post. But I hope that I'm going to continue with writing, much more often.
While flying over the country where they use 3 colors for pedestrian traffic lights and 4 official languages, I was enchanted by one of the most beautiful views that I encountered in my life, snow covered Switzerland. Regardless of the horrible weather in central Europe, Zurich airport was working just as neat as the clock was ticking. Having had to wait more than 45 mins for the bags to arrive (because the airplane door was stuck frozen) didn't feel that well in the country of high organization, but after that, I managed to find my way to the train towards the city center. I had some sort of instructions to get to the hotel, printed out from google maps, but that didn't help me too much since I started going the wrong direction. And being in the city where English is almost perfectly spoken didn't help either. Why? Well, asking directions for the Red Light District is at least a little bit embarrassing for me. Luckily, I brought the GPS module with me, so I found my way to Hotel Regina, a stunning 175CHF per night, for a place that looks more like a bordel, than a hotel.
What the hell am I doing at such a place, at such a price? :) I actually came to Zurich to have a job interview, and it was not for a position in the prostitution chain, luckily. It was software engineering one. And not that I had the choice, I was pretty much forced to be in that hotel, since all "normal" places were already booked at the time of the reservation. However, I didn't really regret, it was a unique experience for me. Around the hotel it's packed with strip clubs, sex shops, and the actual hookers standing on the street corners, and in the hotel as well. I learned to recognize them easily, they're mostly in their thirties, with lots of makeup, pale, sad-ish faces, and dressed with an attempt to provoke, but not with much (if any) style. They don't really illuminate in the area called after the red light. They do appear as if there is some sad history behind all that makeup. They don't look at all attractive to me, yet they obviously have plenty of customers. The street is also inhabited by some suspicious dudes in their 40-ties, possibly their "managers" that make sure everything is as expected with their "merchandise". The good thing is that the police building is in the same street, so they apparently have them on the radar.
As I enter the hotel's elevator, the scent of cigarettes mixed with the cheap perfume, reminds me where I came. The room is luckily on the (only) non-smoking floor, and I'm happy to finally have some rest. I've had much better rooms for much less money, but hey, this is Zurich. Really nothing special, except for the fact that the bathroom floor was heated. This was the first time in my life to encounter such a thing. Don't know if it's worth spending the money, but since they did it in Suisse, I presume that it was well calculated. They don't need other form of heating in the bathroom and the feeling of warm tiles is generally appealing to the visitor. However, no Internet in the room. The worst surprise for me was that the laptop charger wouldn't work, since the wholes in the wall plug were too tiny. No adapter at all. Anyway, I went to an average restaurant for a normal dinner (one meal plus 0.2 juice drink) for bloody 30 franks. For that amount, 5 people can eat in Serbia, and eat pretty well at a nice place.
Later on I was getting into bad, watching some French TV channel. The next day I was supposed to have the job interview at 10AM. Or was it at 9? I wasn't so sure. I didn't have the Internet to check and was too tired to get dressed again to go down to the reception with the laptop. I had a little doubt, but I was pretty sure that it's at 10, so I set my alarm at 8:30. Then I had a strange dream... I showed up at the place for the interview at 10, and they told me that I was late, that I was supposed to be there at nine. "People were frustrated to have to wait for you, you didn't show that you are very professional, so we have to turn you down!", they said. I was so disappointed but I understood my mistake. I was really sad, but then I woke up :) What a relief! The dream was so real. So after the dream I was really scared that I would have been late and so I set the clock 30 minutes earlier, to buy me enough time to check the interview schedule on the Internet. And I was right in the first place, the interview was at 10, but once bitten, twice shy. I used additional time to remind myself of some things related to the interview.
So after the breakfast with some of the prostitutes, I headed my head to the spot, taking a taxi and paying almost 20 franks for 7-8 minutes ride. The interviews themselves went well, 3 + lunch + 2, each one for 45 mins, with a different engineer. For lunch I took myself some pasta with shrimps, a salad and fruits. Tasted pretty well. I was pretty content with how the interviews went, but we will see if they are happy too. :) However, the most important thing is that I'm satisfied with my performance, and that somehow brings internal bliss, no matter the final result. You can always do better, but what's important is to try and push and really give yourself into it. In that case, you won't ever feel unhappy about yourself.
On the way back to the hotel, I finally had the chance to see the city on daylight. It is very pretty, smelling like tradition. You won't see tall buildings, nor shiny fancy modern places. The cars vary in the quality and price. There are very expensive cars, but the majority of them belongs to some sort of middle class. Switzerland, being one of the richest countries, had me expect to see some more extraordinary stuff. They just might seem to be very humble, by saving their money and not enjoying too much of it. So, Zurich at the time seemed to me the same sh**t as Belgrade, just that they are paying 5 times more to be there. Of course, it's much safer over there.
Later in the evening I met with my two friends, former colleagues at Wowd that are doing master studies at ETH in Zurich. The snow was falling whole night and it looked very beautiful. They took me for a walk around the rivers, the old town and the lake. I managed to learn more about Zurich from them. I was having the impression that wherever I go, I have some good old friends that I can find and meet with, and count on, if needed. That really strikes me, emotionally. It's just great.
The last day I had to travel back to Serbia. I came to the airport a little bit earlier. I read the most beautiful essay my brother wrote about me and sent over the phone, in French. Had me feeling so intensely happy that I nearly cried. Then I had to wait for a couple of hours, since the flight was delayed until the plane for Paris landed in Zurich, with 71 passengers to board on our plane. Why would so many people go to Serbia from Paris, and also not directly, but through Zurich!? Then I realized that it must be some particular event going on, and remember that it's the Davis Cup finals in Belgrade, Serbia against France.
Bonne chance, Serbie!
