While were settling in as well as enjoying our new area, we were lucky that we had few months to do so during our summer holidays. We still enjoyed our gatherings and outings exploring our new area Thônex.

I was struggling to get used to our new studio flat as we were cramped the 4 of us like sardines. Also, we were on 7^th or 8^th floor. So high! Despite the changes, we had a massive green space outside. Somehow, we enjoyed spending our times indoors. The reason why you might ask, is simply because we loved watching TV. For all those who remembered back in the days, there was a popular TV program called Club Dorothée. Some people probably enjoyed it, I sure did, some people didn’t. The cartoons we used to watch daily, especially on Saturdays and the legendary characters. I couldn’t get enough. What I enjoyed the most was the generics and the catchy intros before each cartoons. I still enjoy re watching the cartoons or the generics which brings me right back to the late 80s. I enjoyed Japanese animation the most. My dad really made us discover cool things. I will always be grateful to him because as much as I enjoyed animations on TV, he made us discover comic books. Since our mum worked during the holidays, at my dad’s workplace, she didn’t have much time for us. So my dad took this opportunity to take us to the park, to the lake and simply to buy comic books. My passion for reading started with comic books. I enjoyed so much how the French and Belgian comic books brought the characters to life, by having bubbles for the character’s dialogue, also for they thoughts. I have so many favourite comic books I enjoyed such as Asterix, Tintin, les 4 As, Lucky Luke, Quick and Flupke and many more. I would often sit quietly (the only times I was quiet) and read. I loved the way the characters were drawn, the character’s countless adventures. I would read non stop. We still have the full album collection of Tintin (more than 30 years old).

When both our parents were free, we would do our weekly shopping, I was always moaning to have to carry the potato bag. In reality, I was moaning because I would have preferred staying home and read or watch TV. The only time I never complained going out was either going to the mountains or do activities such as swimming. Someone with so much energy as me needed to spend the energy. We still went hiking mountains in various regions of Switzerland. We also went to neighbouring France, Thônex is right next to the French border. My father knew how much I loved the mountains. Mountains for me represented calm, serenity and tranquillity. In fact, mountains represent Switzerland metaphorically: High ranks, peaceful, struggle to reach the top.

The mountains in Switzerland represents 60 or 70% of the landscape, therefore we were always served with an abundance of stunning views and landscape right on our doorstep.

However, my father still took us to the cinema. This time we watched The Little Mermaid: a masterpiece and the beginning of the Disney Renaissance. So, continuing with the theme of outsider, this is a great example. So Ariel, a mermaid, longed for a life with the humans. She has fallen in love with a prince and wants to be part of his world. She feels so detached to the world she lives. Seeking the sea witch, she is transformed into a human and gets to be with the prince. Even as a human, she doesn’t fit in yet, but slowly adapting and most importantly is finally happy. The Walt Disney film offers a happy ending. No matter that Ariel has now permanently been transformed to a human, she never forgets where she comes from.

In contrast to me, I can never forget where I am from, my colour is the biggest give away. I was adapting to my new life in Geneva, my French was fluent. I still wasn’t fully accepted the way I was. The only person who accepted me fully, was my only friend I had at school, my American friend who returned home after the appalling treatment he received. I was always reminded that I was an outsider and brushed aside by my classmates, especially the girls. The boys obviously enjoyed playing with me, but I was not their friend, I was never invited to their birthday party or on a play date. With the return to school looming, I had mixed feelings. I was wondering if I’d have a nice teacher, if my classmates would finally accept me and be my friends? The thought alone was unbearable and haunting.

We were living happily in our area of la Servette. Obviously, we knew our living arrangements couldn’t be permanent as we were sharing the house with other people. I enjoyed our access to the garden and the many parties as well as barbecues we hosted. My father’s new boss found out about our predicament and vowed to help. Despite his good intention, my father’s boss was a very wealthy and greedy man. Even though he helped us find a flat, his asking price was just extortionate for what it was. We moved there nevertheless. Our new area in Geneva was a place where we would stay until we leave Geneva for good: Thônex.

I found it bitter sweet to leave la Servette. I missed our garden. It was our home for 2 years. Despite our new move, the flat was a box: our new flat consisted of 1 bedroom, one living room and a bathroom. That was it. The kitchen was next to a wall and practically by the entrance. My parents sensed that we did miss our garden and especially our gatherings. So they arranged for gatherings such as trips to rivers on a regular basis, going to the swimming pool and roller skating. It was so much fun. As a family we carried on exploring the beauty Switzerland had to offer. With my parents, we’d go to other regions of Switzerland, especially to Fribourg (French) or Freiburg (German). In Fribourg, that region was blessed where they speak both French and Swiss German. My father always enjoyed travelling, so exploring Switzerland was the only thing he enjoyed doing there. Just like me, he was just mesmerised by the beautiful Swiss mountains. Mountain hiking became our favourite activity. I was more than happy to burn off my energy hiking mountains. Hands on heart, Switzerland is as beautiful as a postcard, so breath taking. My eyes always wanted to devour more and more and the many Swiss delicious landscapes was always on the menu.

My father also liked to discover and introduce things to us like TV programs, we realised our channels consisted more of French channels and we learned so much about the French culture this way. We only had 2 Swiss channels at the time. I always felt a deep connection to France due to the fact our TV channels were mainly French channels. I shall discuss my deep connection to France or how I felt deeply connected to France very soon.  My father also introduced us to comic books such as Tintin, Asterix, Gaston Lagaffe and more. Without even noticing, my French became so fluent like a French native with the accent and all. My father also took us many times to the cinema while my mum worked. He was the one who introduced us to Walt Disney films and I became deeply attached to Walt Disney animations that I’d still watch them to this day. The first film in the cinema we watched with my dad, was Lady and the Tramp. That film still holds a special place in my heart. Each time I watch it, I feel like I am 6-7 again.

I mentioned previously how I always felt like an outsider or an outcast. I must admit, when I look closer, this theme of outcast/outsider in films, books or animation will always have a resonance with my life. I will explore this theme of outsider further in my blog. Let’s start with Lady and the Tramp as my first example in the theme of being an outsider and how it connects with me. So in terms of the amazing character of Tramp, we have so many similarities: We both are strong, tough, independent quite simply put outsiders really! See, Tramp doesn’t really hang out with other stray dogs like himself in fear to get caught and he’s very street smart as well as a dog with a reputation; everyone knows about him including the dog catcher. He is intrigued as well as amazed by the posh side of town where dogs have collars therefore a home, something he doesn’t really have despite his claim to have many places to call home. The dogs who have a collar also have owners and live a lavish lifestyle. Something deep down Tramp always longed for. He obviously doesn’t belong in the posh side of town as he’s seen as an outsider because the give away is that he doesn’t have a collar. He doesn’t belong with the stray dogs either because obviously he’s too smart to be surrounded by stray dogs who he keeps on bailing out. He is pretty much alone, lives life in his own terms. Is he happy? Well not really even though he claims to be. Obviously, the film offers a happy ending to Tramp. For me Tramp’s role wasn’t just an outsider but he stood out in the film. I was so happy he finally settled with Lady and most importantly had finally found a place to call home. I see Tramp’s traits in me too relating to feeling like an outsider; just like him I’m strong and independent. So often I had to play alone never sure where I belonged. It will be years before I can slowly be accepted just like Tramp was.

I was slowly finishing my academic year of hell with my evil teacher. My American friend was ready to leave for America. I was already wishing for changes for my following academic year; I wanted my soon to be new teacher to like me including my many flaws, I wanted to have more friends, especially forming friendships with girls. I also wanted society to accept me and not look down at me as if I grew an extra head just because of the colour of my skin. Each time we’d go on public transport or in shops, we’d get people looking at us with shock or disgust. I admit with my dad present it wasn’t as always bad. I could only hope onward and upward.

When my friend’s mum discovered the extent of his only son’s treatment at the hand of our teacher, she became enraged and demanded an explanation.

She complained to the nuns, the headteacher and even to my mum since her and my mum were the only black parents from the whole class. She vowed to remove her son from the school once the academic year is finished.

My mum and my friend’s mum spoke at great length about  how her son was treated. My mum was gob smacked since she was still clueless of the extent of my own abuse at the hand of my teacher. Once confronted, my mum was in complete disbelief and didn’t know what to say to me. Her look was of disappointment. I didn’t make a big deal out of it since I couldn’t fully understand it. I somehow wanted to make excuses for my teacher’s appalling behaviour towards me. I know it sounds crazy, but all I wanted from her was her approval. I didn’t hate her like I should have. If that makes sense, I was waiting for her to praise me, treat me like the other classmates. I was willing to wait and suffer in silence when that day would eventually come. Sadly it never came. I felt like the way I was treated was my fault because of my own struggles with understanding French as well as my behaviour. I was becoming more and more notorious and terrible each day. I wasn’t easy to handle, even for my poor mum who would receive complaints on a daily basis about my behaviour in class and with others. As time went by, my teacher still gave me the cold shoulder, but she no longer shouted nor pulled my hair anymore. She didn’t humiliate me either. It was strange as I was so used to this treatment daily. My grades didn’t improve however. She acknowledged me with a rare neutral expression. By that I mean she wasn’t frowning nor disappointed but for me it meant a lot. I know it sounds weird. I felt like that was the closest to finally get her approval I have been waiting for what seemed like a lifetime. For my soon departing friend, it was the same. She no longer treated him poorly. Finally some changes in the classroom.

The end of the year, looming ever closer and to my horror, I found out my American friend not only was leaving the school, but he was also leaving Geneva to return home to America. I was so distraught yet knowing there was nothing I could do. He would return home. Somehow, I started to feel at home in Geneva despite my rocky beginning. My parents worked timelessly to make me feel this way. They also ensured to teach me French so I can understand the language more. I did better with hearing French and eventually orally too. My struggle was writing French. Everyone can agree that the French grammar and vocabulary is very hard. Still is. I accepted Geneva was my home. The beautiful city, which enchanted my eyes full of its lovely landscape and mountains, was never enough as I was selfish enough to want more. My mum would take us to hike mountains, visit other cities and regions of Switzerland. My dad seemed to enjoy it too. That was crucial for us to familiarise ourselves with the whole country and take in the culture.

We didn’t forget our own origins and cultures of course. As we had access to a big garden, my parents hosted many parties and barbecues. We invited relatives and friends of my parents especially from Guinea-Bissau. I enjoyed the countless parties as I was able to feel accepted and around people sharing my culture and heritage. My dad, despite being white, fitted so well among the guests for he knew the culture of Guinea-Bissau so well. He enjoyed travelling so much and he met my mum in Guinea-Bissau. He spoke the language, enjoyed the music from there too. It was so odd in a way that I tried to fit in my class dominated with white classmates but somehow I could never be accepted no matter what I did. My dad, effortlessly didn’t have to try at all. Each times my mum organised parties, my dad was always the only white person there. Sometimes I used to envy my dad. The parties we were having regularly enabled me to forget the hell I was going through at school.

Sadly, we would be moving to our new place soon and our frequent get together would be less and less frequent to my own chagrin.