A Journey Through Germany and Switzerland: A Springtime Portrait

A Wonderful Week in Germany and Switzerland

I just spent an amazing week in Germany and Switzerland, and the photos I took not only capture moments but also reflect why I always long to return to this beautiful place. This spring, I embarked on a 9-day journey through these two countries.

Initially, I had planned to visit Copenhagen, but I had to cancel due to some family matters. Instead, I stayed with my daughter at her grandparents' home in the Black Forest, Germany, near the borders of Switzerland and France, while my son headed to the Alps for some skiing.

Time in the Black Forest

To be honest, my son had a fantastic time, and I can’t wait to share his skiing stories in a future post. Before Augustine set off, we had a few days together where I managed to carve out time from work to take my daughter out for coffee, ice cream, or evening strolls.

One day, the two of us even biked to Basel for coffee. Although the weather was quite chilly, it wasn’t as cold as winter, and the spring flowers had begun to bloom. It truly is a beautiful place, and I hope to spend more time here as I grow older.

Everyday Life

During trips to the supermarket, I usually just pick up essentials like skyr yogurt, salad, lean meat, and fresh orange juice. I always find great coffee spots in Lörrach, and walking through the forest to Basel is genuinely enjoyable.

Claire Marie and I often do some shopping at DM (a drugstore) before heading home. After Augustine left, Claire Marie joined a sports camp from 9 AM to 4 PM, which gave me time to finish work and play with her in the evenings.

Memorable Moments

I typically wake up early to work from 7 to 9 AM, then again from 9:30 AM to 2 PM. I also make sure to prepare lunch and exercise—no breaks, even in Germany! After each workout, I often treat myself to a döner for a protein boost, followed by a nice coffee in the afternoon.

I can't take my daughter on adventures like I did with Augustine when he was younger, so this week I wanted to make up for that as much as I could. Although it was just walks or ice cream outings, the time spent together is truly precious.

An Adventure to Basel

On Palm Sunday, my son and I went to Basel for the service. I opted for the train since Claire Marie is still too young to bike the 9 km. We had a wonderful time, but after the service, our return train was canceled due to vandalism in Germany, so we had to take a tram home, which took extra time.

Interestingly, in Switzerland, supermarkets are open on Sundays, and Claire Marie craved an apple before we entered the church. The weather that day in Basel was beautiful, with bright sunshine and a cool breeze.

Moments of Love

I discovered that while in Germany, I walk significantly more than I do in the U.S. The distances are longer, but it feels rewarding to clock in 20,000 steps in a day without ever stepping on a treadmill. This summer, my family will return to Germany, where the kids will spend time with their grandparents. Until then, I can only dream of relaxing days in Germany.