Growing up in East London near the local docks and everything peppered with traffic and railway, does not give you such a thrill: the smell of it all, the dirt and dust of the buildings can stifle your existence. Perhaps this was the reason, after 20 years, that I decided that the world has more to offer, and so I decided it was time to move on, to use the languages I had learnt at school, and to see something more of the world. Finding work in another country was not so easy for a cockney girl. We did not move on but found England was the best we could have, at least most thought that.

I was a little different it seemed and scanned the newspaper for work in another country. Yes, someone was searching for an english speaking secretary in Zürich in Switzerland. I applied and met my future boss in a hotel in London. He was acturally a pakistani, but his wife was Swiss and lived in Zürich. Long story cut short, I got the job and two months later I arrived in Zürich. His wife’s family owned property, so I had a room in a house. I was living in with the Pakistani-Swiss family and food was provided. I quickly made myself at home and was working in the office during the day. He also had an Indian restaurant, and in the evening I would work there now and again, helping out. It was no problem and I was enjoying my new life. I stayed two years, but things were slowing down a little in Zürich, and with regret I decided it would be time to return to London. However, the wife of my boss said, if you really want to stay. put an advertisement in the newspaper that you are looking for work, try to find something in Switzerland. I got a couple of offers, but speaking to my mum on the telephone, she told me she saw a company in the british newspaper in Switzerland looking for a secretary. Again it was luck, I applied and got the job. The company was glad that they did not have to arrange my transport from London to Switzerland with all the details of a work permit. Of course, mum was not happy, she thought I would be coming home and she was the reason why I stayed.

56 years later I am still in Switzerland. In the meanwhile I had met Mr. Swiss, we married and I had two children. I also got two children into the bargain from the first marriage of Mr. Swiss, so actually had four chilldren. I had become the wife and mother of a Swiss family, and even learnt the language (Swiss German). I now consider myself as a 100% Angloswiss.

And I ask you, when I see this sunrise from my apartment in the morning can you blame me?

FOWC with Fandango: Thrill