Goodbye Switzerland...

Almost exactly four years ago (in two days) I arrived in this wonderful country on a cold, dark morning to a completely snow-covered ambiance. After over an hour’s drive we arrived at the capital city and checked into what is until today the city’s only 5-star Hotel. I did not like the cold, old-world ambiance of the extremely formal hotel and only after two nights (I was booked for five) moved out and into the house which was in fact ready and waiting for me. The house was very modest by most standard but it was a reflection of Swiss modesty, subtlety and lack of ostentation. It was, however, in the best part of the city, and had an enormous mature garden and a small pool (more for splashing in than for swimming). I remember my domestic staff happily taking photographs standing on that frozen water in the middle of the pool.

As it turned out, the small modest house hosted scores of formal and informal dinners and lunches, and garden parties and a practically endless succession of house guests throughout my four years in it. Indeed, wise people say it is the 'berkat' (blessing) of the house.

Well the scene today is just as it was four years ago - snow, frozen pool and all.The cycle is now complete, and in two days I will leave Switzerland for good. Today I celebrate my departure (and my birthday) with my loyal staff and close friends of 'The Firm'.

I leave with a happy and content feeling that I have had a good, if not excellent four years here. I have done my job to the best of my ability and the fact that I stayed on for four years speak for itself. And there is nothing more wanting on my part from Switzerland. I had partaken all the best I could possibly from this small incredible country of practically the best of everything (and, oh yes, I did finally buy the newest model Rolex Oyster Perpetual as a farewell gift to myself – my last souvenir from Switzerland, indulgent as it may be). And as if to indeed close the circle I was officially honoured to a farewell luncheon yesterday at the very hotel where I began my life here.

Will I miss Switzerland? Not really, I do not really miss anything I leave behind and I always look back to the happy memories of the place I leave. But I will never hesitate to tell people what a great place to live in Switzerland is. Indeed it has the best of everything and the people work hard for it. And they are modest, polite, friendly, hospitable and very correct in everything they do. And I especially like the egalitarian way of life they religiously adhere to. I will most probably miss the cheerful excellent service the shops, restaurants and any other establishment provide here and how people always almost unfailingly greet me everywhere.

Now I go home to Malaysia for good, and my overseas assignment days are finally over after over 21 years living abroad in eight countries. I still look forward to travelling, though I tell myself not longer than 5 hours flight one-way! Switzerland and all the other seven countries I have lived in and the countless countries I have travelled to and visited in the last 35 years will provide me with ample good memories for the rest of my life. What a fortunate and blessed life to have had these opportunities! Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah! About this time too, four years ago in a crowded tent in Mina at the end of our pilgrimage ritual, just before we headed back to Mecca after our two weeks of performing one of the compulsory tenets of Islam, our ustaz made his farewell speech and doa (prayer) to our group of some fifty pilgrims. He also made a point to mention that I would be taking up an assignment in Switzerland immediately after returning to Malaysia and that he and the other pilgrims prayed for my success and well-being. Thank you ustaz, and my fellow pilgrims - I believe Allah had graciously answered your prayers for me! Alhamdullilah!

When one door closes, another one opens. I look forward to a new chapter in my life. Perhaps a calmer and modest, or an even more exciting and challenging one, who knows. I am ever ready for anything.

This will probably be my last entry in this blog. I have enjoyed indulging in it and Switzerland provided me with much time, occasion and facility to write. But I have very little patience for the notoriously slow Internet service in Malaysia. But then perhaps even that could improve in time – after all life is full of surprises.

Thank you for reading my blog. Good bless.