Author: telmajoanadias

En route to the promised land of Switzerland

On By telmajoanadiasIn My ExperiencesLeave a comment

The news of us finally leaving Guinea-Bissau to Switzerland, should have been welcomed with joy, excitement and jubilation. In my case, I was confused and in complete disbelief. This defined my other layer of personality: to add my defiance, stubbornness and overall strong character, I am also someone who would see it to believe it. I would also get into trouble for that when I was threatened with consequences and wouldn’t believe it until I actually get the consequence. Yes, you figured my strong and complex character was incredibly challenging to deal with. I wouldn’t be patient with someone who was like me either. 

My grandmother seemed to have run out of patience with me. She wasn’t the only one. No matter all the beatings I received while in Guinea-Bissau, it had the opposite effect on me as I simply became rebellious. Anyway, to be honest she welcomed the news with more jubilation than anyone else. As soon as she finished talking to my mum, she rushed around like a headless chicken and started to pack all our belongings. She was the speed of light and everything was packed up in seconds. 

Don’t get me wrong, I was obviously excited inside to finally be reunited with my mum and for all of us to be together again. Again, I had to see it for myself to believe it as we have been living in Guinea-Bissau for so long. Would I miss my time here though? Well, I haven’t seen my mum overall in 2 years. Those years felt like an eternity. So we were explained that in order to go to Geneva from Guinea-Bissau, we would have to transition from Lisbon, my hometown, before catching another flight to Geneva.

Unsurprisingly, the D-day arrived so quick and awaited us to leave Guinea-Bissau for good. After saying our goodbyes, we arrived at the airport. The only recommendation from my auntie was to guard my passport and ticket like a hawk. When it was time to show my passport and ticket, I refused to hand them over not only because of my defiance but also because I, for once, obeyed strict instruction. I was told unless I showed my ticket and passport, I would not be abled to board. Eventually, my auntie was called over and she disclosed that only to stewards and customs officer I am allowed and no one else. Thankfully for my auntie’s intervention otherwise I doubt I would be able to take my flight.

As I boarded the flight with my sister, we had a steward to accompany us as we were still noticeably young (I was only 4 nearly 5), I was able to convince myself it was real. I would be reunited with my parents. I slightly smiled as I was looking out of the window. This flight represented my escape, my freedom and my refuge. 

Once we arrived in Portugal, we were greeted by a familiar face, our mum. We ran as fast as cheetahs to greet our mum. The aura enveloped our reunion in such a manner that we felt it was just us in the airport. My mum looked at me and the first thing I said was you took so long or what took you so long. I spoke those words in creole, Guinea-Bissau’s official language. However, I could still speak Portuguese and with our time in Guinea-Bissau, I could equally speak creole. Anyway, we had to hurry, we had another flight to catch; en route to Geneva, Switzerland. We were still buzzing with excitement like bees, all over the place. I asked for my dad, I longed to see him again. I missed my dad so much. Dad remained in Switzerland awaiting us at the airport.

To give you a timeframe, it was April 1986 or 1987 that we landed in the promised land, Geneva. We quickly realised the sharp difference as it was way colder, I still remember. The majestic swiss mountains welcomed us, surrounding the airport. I was in such awe of amazements. I never saw such high mountains before in person if that makes sense. Inhaling this pure fresh air, I was already captivated by the beauty Geneva had to offer. My eyes were hungry for more. It wasn’t enough for me savouring the beauty Switzerland had to offer, I wanted to devour it. My mum took us away to get our luggage. Once we did that, awaiting among the sea of people in the airport was our dad. I was so ecstatic that I ran so fast and the realisation felt like I was running in slow motion. I jumped on my poor dad who was powerless to contain my joy and cries. It was the first time I saw my dad since our separation which lasted a lifetime.

We first took a bus from the airport, then a tramway to go to our new area where our home was located. At first, we lived in the area called La Servette. Our excitement was an explosion which exploded and its wave was felt throughout the whole tramway. As we were admiring more beauty of our new city, everything amazed us: the buildings, the many banks, the various chocolate shops displaying various types of mouth-watering chocolate on display. What impressed us the most, was how clean Geneva was. 

The stark contrast between Geneva and Guinea-Bissau was like day and night, no comparison. We were so excited and loud, which people did not appreciate and we kept on sensing the negative eyes on us. If looks could kill, our excitement would have died on the spot. My parents received many complaints about our behaviour, mainly our loud excitement for we just couldn’t contain it. I was only 4 for crying out loud. Why are people not compassionate that we just reunited with our parents and were simply excited about exploring Geneva? 

As you know me by now, especially my defiance including my stubbornness, didn’t stop my excitement. In fact, I was even louder to the annoyance of other passengers. I simply didn’t care and it shows in my carefree personality. Unfortunately, my excitement in the new city was short lived. The very next day, I had to go to the hospital as a matter of emergency. My time in Guinea-Bissau simply didn’t want to let me go.

Swiss Chocolate

On By telmajoanadiasIn Interesting Facts About SwitzerlandLeave a comment

Swiss chocolate is chocolate produced in Switzerland. … Switzerland is particularly renowned for its milk chocolate. In 1875, a Swiss confectioner, Daniel Peter, developed the first solid milk chocolate using condensed milk, which had been invented by Henri Nestlé, who was Peter’s neighbour in Vevey.

The cows produce a more dense less aerated milk due to the fact they are at altitude and the milk they produce is officially known as Alpine milk. These two main ingredients are a big part of the reason why Swiss chocolate is so famous. The Swiss became famous for chocolate in the year 1819 when François-Louis Cailler (1796-1852) invented the mechanized production of pressed chocolate. He opens a chocolate factory in Vevey to produce Switzerland’s first mass-produced chocolate confection. Chocolate becomes more affordable and is sold as a packaged product.

Switzerland is known as the home of cheese, banking, and chocolate. Swiss chocolates are world-famous, as the names Lindt, Toblerone, Läderach, Cailler, and even Nestlé feature in shops across the globe.

Swiss chocolate is famous around the world, but what are the secret ingredients and mysterious processes that make it so well-known and loved?From around 1819 until the present day, Swiss chocolate making has been recognised as a world standard which other countries can only dream of attaining. It all began in 1819, when François Louis Callier, opened the first chocolate factory in Switzerland. By 1857 Swiss farmers and developers had managed to promote the growth of cocoa trees in Ghana, Africa which is under their colonial control. Ghana still remains one of the foremost cocoa bean producers in the world.

And by 1875, after eight years of continuous research and experimentation, Daniel Peter, a Swiss citizen had created the first chocolate that contained a high proportion of milk, using one of Switzerland’s most easily available ingredients – the rich creamy milk produced by Swiss pastureland.

Swiss Banking System

On By telmajoanadiasIn Interesting Facts About Switzerland1 Comment

The main benefits of Swiss bank accounts include the low levels of financial risk and high levels of privacy they offer. The Swiss economy is one of the most stable in the world and has not been involved in any conflicts in hundreds of years. Banking is seen as emblematic of Switzerland, along with the Swiss Alps, Swiss chocolate, watchmaking and mountaineering. … Starting as a way to protect wealthy European banking interests, Swiss banking secrecy was codified in 1934 with the passage of the landmark federal law, the Federal Act on Banks and Savings Banks. Swiss bank secrecy does not help anymore in connection with tax evasion but it still works for privacy protection and asset protection. Fully anonymous numbered accounts without disclosure obligation on the ultimate beneficial owner and the source of funds do not exist anymore.

The rich and famous put their money into the swiss bank due to some following reasons.

First and foremost reason is security and wealth preservation. Making sure that your wealth is safe and there for the generation after you is in fact one of the most important reasons. According to latest research Swiss Banks are one of the most liquid banks in the world. Furthermore most of the private banks do not get involved into commercial activity such as loans, discretionary investment programs etc.Their sole purpose is safe keeping the wealth of their customers.

The second very important reason is secrecy. Famous for their secrecy laws bankers are legally barred from sharing any information about their clients. This goes as far as even confirming the existence of an account. If a banker breaks privacy this is considered a criminal offense and prosecuted by the state in the court of law. The third reason is the country itself. Switzerland has been neutral on all political conflicts remaining a safe haven in times of war. Currently they still have a special stature within the EU that allows them to keep the Swiss Franc which has virtually zero inflation since it is backed by gold reserves. So is this still the case or is it possible for people without a seven figure bank account balance to enjoy the benefits of the Swiss Bank System? Because of competition it is now possible to open a Bank Account in Switzerland with as little as CHF 1 000 – 5 000 starting balance. This will give you access to their exclusive services such as: private bankers, investment research reserved only for their clients etc.