Subtext

What I couldn't write last week was that my impromptu trip to the Geneva area actually was to Gland, to an interview with IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, for the position of administrative assistant for their global marine program. It would have been a very interesting job, with a decent salary. It would have required me to relocate to the Geneva area, which I was ready to do. It would have been the swan song to my career. Today I got the news that I wasn't the chosen candidate. I am very disappointed. While the work and the money would have been great, I also very much need to settle somewhere, to have an idea of what my life is going to look like over the next few years.

At least I now know what I'll do over the next few months. While my IUCN application was pending, I was offered the job at the St. Moritz bakery for the winter season. I'll start on Nov. 1 and it will go until sometime in April. That means that I'll stay here in my Dad's apartment in Zuoz until then. Of course, I don't have the faintest idea of what I'll do after that.

At least now I can move on and make some plans. And I do have a plan: on Sept. 15, as per my original ticket, I'll fly to Portland for some fresh air. I am planning to stay for about 4 weeks, go to the dentist, get new glasses, etc. I am hoping to take a trip to the desert, probably taking in the Desert Conference, which would allow me to sniff some sage and to see all my desert friends. I might also take a side trip to San Francisco to spend some time with Claire. I'll try to dive into my storage unit and retrieve my downhill skis and a few other essentials like my brand new Sorels that I decided were too heavy to take along...

Given the above uncertainties and the reflections, as per my last posting, last week was filled with some trepidation and anxiety. I was very grateful for the visit of Christiane and Gilbert. I met them both in Geneva in the 70s but they moved to Neuchatel shortly after I left the country. Since they were in the same town as Dad, it was easy for me to keep in touch, catching a quick cup of tea with Christiane between cooking meals for Dad. I don't know how I would have survived the week without them. They did the thinking for me when I was too spaced out to think straight, Christiane planned and executed meals, they treated me to fine dining, chauffeured me around and made me laugh. In return I acted as hiking guide, and they seemed to be satisfied with my choices. Surprisingly, the weather cooperated reasonably well.


With Gilbert, in the National Park.



















Graves of Benedictine sisters in the Saint John Convent of Mustair, founded in the 8th century.














Art in Pontresina