The Turquoise Chronicles

Shortly after I accepted my new teaching position in Switzerland, I was invited to come for a visit. This generous and kind gesture is virtually unheard of in the international teaching community. Of course, I gratefully accepted the chance to return to Lugano.

Flying into Zurich Airport, I was instantly reminded of Swiss efficiency and time keeping. Train tickets were easily accessible, my train left exactly when scheduled, and all elevators were in fully working order. An easy two hour journey, I watched as we approached the Gotthard Pass, the wind whipping snow off the peaks above. In the valley below, my train glided smoothly aside lakes and charming villages, replete with chalets and switchback roads. Our conductors switched deftly from German to Italian as we entered the canton of Ticino, equally jovial in both languages.

I was greeted at the station by my new Head of Department and his lovely partner. We took an instant liking to one another and they kindly delivered me to Golden Hill, a guesthouse in Gentilino, a charming spot from which to reacquaint myself with Lugano and the surrounding area.

Recalling that Sunday brings store closures, I took the bus downtown and secured a few treats for friends back in Istanbul – parmesan and chocolates. I ate lunch in the Piazza della Riforma, stopped through Manor (a popular department store), and soaked in some sun on the waterfront. It had been nearly 15 years since I was last in Lugano but I quickly found some old favorites.

Sunday brought a glorious morning, and I awoke to sunshine and church bells. I had hoped to attend mass at St. Abbondio and I was lucky enough to find the whole congregation turned out for First Communion. It was a beautiful sight to take in – proud nonnas and little boys in navy blazers. Mass in Italian allows for a little extra reflection and I couldn’t help staring at the gorgeous 15th century fresco overhead.

My school is both a boarding and day school. As such, three meals are provided in the dining hall daily. I joined some old friends for brunch on the de Nobili veranda and met some new colleagues. Taking the bus downtown (so easy! so fast!), I walked along the waterfront until I found a spot with a view to paint. The day could not have been more beautiful.

Over the next few days, I spent some time on the Collina d’Oro. I visited Herman Hesse’s studio in Montagnola. He, too, attempted to capture the beauty of Lago di Lugano with watercolor. I had dinner in the garden of my new colleague, surrounded by tulips and lemon trees. I saw the apartment building I will live in next year, an easy 10 minute walk to campus.

I also spent a day on campus, meeting new people and seeing how the school has grown in the past decade. My colleagues were very warm and welcoming. The students I spoke to were keen and intelligent. I was even welcomed to the new Arts building by a tile painting of the Bosphorus and a quote from Rumi – a little bridge from Istanbul to Lugano.

All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better time in Lugano. I soaked in the fresh air, the easy transit, and the kindness of my new colleagues. I am very excited to move there in August and begin exploring Switzerland and Italy. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, please consider following along at my new space: SwissMissMeg.com. Once there, you can enter your email address to subscribe.