Leaving our “home” country

What a year! Our journey started about a year ago, when we decided to take the biggest step of our life! By the time we had no idea, that the world we live in was going to change so drastically.

Our last weeks in Switzerland were intense. Selling all our goods and throwing only a few things away. Getting all our life in a few boxes, weighting less than 435 Kilos. All the stuff, that is important and matters to us is now overseas, sailing the Atlantic to reach the Salvadorian coast.

Seeing our apartment empty was kind of a relief. A lot of work, but it felt right. We were still in the excitement to go, than in the sadness of leaving some things and people behind. We felt very strong and happy about our choice. A lot of people asked us if we were very emotional. I muss say that we were not that full of emotion yet. It felt right, we were very confident, thrilled for the new adventure to come. Four days before departure we had the opportunity to sign the sell of that beautiful apartment of ours. I felt very nervous. Corona Virus was coming closer, the idea of not being able to sign, having to find new solutions, made me doubt for a few minutes. On that day I shed my first tears. After knowing the apartment was sold and it was a done deal, the emotions were no longer in control.

On the 29th of February our suitcases were packed. The apartment was empty, Noam’s room had been moved to Patrick’s. We were ready to celebrate the life we had had in Switzerland with our friends from Zürich.

On top of this, it was Shana’s 15th Birthday party with a lot of friends.

We were so lucky to be able to do two parties almost at the same time in the Bounce Lab in Rüti. 

Our wonderful friends helped us with food and we had a marvelous time with them all. Sharing memories, moments, loughs and tears. I felt overwhelmed of so much love, but manage to enjoy the moment.

We were following the news very carefully, checking all entries in the USA and El Salvador to make sure they would allow us in. What if they close the borders? Salvador was already denying entry to people coming from Italy and Spain. That part of the game was not planed! 

4 O’clock on departure day, the borders are still open, our plane is scheduled on time. We try to make a big tour for the dogs out in the dark. Kiru and Laska think we are crazy, it is the middle of the night! Patrick and Noam pick us up. We put away the blowup mattresses and are ready to go, with two big dog boxes, six suitcases, three carry on and 3 backpacks. The trip to the airport is quiet. We still feel strong about this. Noam sits next to me, and it is nice to feel him so close. We talk about seeing each other soon in the summer break. 

After a moment all together it is time to say goodbye. Who was asking about emotions? Wow! As soon as we put the dogs into their boxes Noam started crying. So did I! Shana, Alex and Patrick joined the crying party. We cried and laughed at the same time. Tears and sobs were so strong, that I can not remember Noam’s face at that moment. It was almost impossible to stop.

We cried through security, at the border, buying water, getting in the plane and even over the Atlantic. We felt so strong, it feels so right, we are so ready, but we still left our Baby boy and Patrick behind. After a while the sobs stopped, the tears dried and we manage to get the hours of sleep that were needed. We were back to the excitement of starting a new life, in a new country. . .