thoughts around the world

by Mariane Yalmanian (Brazil)

Making a local connection Switzerland

I was born in Brazil, small town. And since I can remember I was always crazy about traveling. Even if It was just a road trip to go visit a not so close relative, I simply loved it. But I always dreamed about seeing the world, big internacional trips we’re my goals. In 2015 I was capable to realize this childhood dream and went to Europe, more specifically to Switzerland. And boy it was beyond perfect. That country is everything that I expected it to be. I was able to overfly the Swiss alps in an helicopter with a glass floor, I walked around the amazing village of Grindelwald and went to the top of Europe in Jungfrau. I went during winter and everything was covered in snow and looked like a fairytale. This incredible landscapes had a very similar point to me they made me feel so small making me realize that my “problems” are nothing, and so big at the same time. I was so grateful for being alive, and to feel the cold wind on my face. I felt free. I looked to the people around, they all seemed hit by the same inexplicable feeling. Even over heard a conversation between a mother and her daughter. The girl was asking for pictures but at that high and temperature the smartphones very often die, so the mother said: “what’s the point of getting a selfie any ways?! One can only feel this, and no picture can capture the sensation we are having, stop being a brat and enjoy it.” She couldn’t be more accurate. And the end of the tour Everybody needs to get into this little train to go down the mountain and I could see the impact that this kind of experience had in all of them, everyone was quite and contemplating their on existence. I was something I will never forget, and I wish every single person was able experience the same. Traveling around the world means much more than taking pictures, it means to make a connection to your self and realize that we are part of something magical.