Knowing those breathtaking mountains are so close feels surreal.
And how could I forget the stars? On my evening walks back home, I often pause to admire the clear, twinkling sky outside my host mom’s apartment. It makes Switzerland feel like something out of a fairytale. Sometimes, my host mom, housemate and I look out the window from the dinner table and soak it in. Watching the changing landscape—the snow-dusted mountains and the shifting weather—has become our shared entertainment.
Between the snow, the stars and the daily magic of this place, the coolest thing truly is simply being here and experiencing it all.
Shifting focus to a neighboring country, Spain has experienced devastating floods this week, particularly in Valencia, where they claimed the lives of 214 people and destroyed many buildings. While tourists often visit Barcelona or Madrid, this crisis highlights a side of Spain that visitors rarely see.
I happened to be in Spain with friends during this time, and it was eye-opening to witness the aftermath of the floods firsthand. I came across a local post discussing how tourism often diverts attention from pressing national crises and perpetuates an economy that prioritizes visitors over addressing the needs of local communities.
As a tourist, I couldn’t ignore the reality of the situation. Seeing the destruction and the resilience of the people affected made me reflect on the role we, as visitors, play in these moments. How can we be more aware and avoid accidentally overshadowing the struggles of the local population? It was a sobering yet impactful experience.
