Back in the day when I moved to Basel for my Master’s degree, finding an apartment was a crazy and hectic exercise. I didn’t know how ridiculous it would be, so I put it off till I got there. Big mistake, I ended up staying at a Bed and Breakfast for two months! It was a learning experience, my advice to all when starting in a new place, make all arrangements before you get there, or else you’ll end up spending a lot of money you probably do not have.
So, I started my studies with the huge burden of looking for a place lingering in the background. Fortunately, the lady at the B&B was accommodating (I call her my mama in Basel, and we still keep in touch). I eventually found a very cool place, like right out of one of those vintage French movies, old and cosy, just the way I liked it. This very cool place was exactly where I saw myself living when I thought of Europe and my roommate matched the apartment completely, artsy, girly and cool! She had told me she was in a band called Anne Claire, told me to check out their website and invited me to a show. I was amazed when I did, such talent, I couldn’t understand how they hadn’t been picked up yet.
I moved in, and it was great. My roommate told me she was going to perform in some type of contest and it was going to air on TV. Being new in town I wasn’t sure what it was but I had told her I would definitely give my support! I wasn’t able to watch the show on the day it aired, but the next day I rushed to YouTube (God bless them for having it up already), and SHE WON!!!!!!
That was how I became roommates with Switzerland’s representative for the Eurovision contest! Anna’s win was now my bragging right, and I used it as much as possible, it didn’t open any doors, but it was a great ice breaker.
Unfortunately, my euphoria did not last long because the challenges of living with a celebrity quickly kicked in. One morning, I woke up to a lot of noise and movement going on in my apartment and I started wondering if my roomie had invited some people over for brunch and assumed I would be in class (forgetting I was on holiday, YAY!), so I decided to be brave and venture out of my room. Strangers, everywhere, suitcases, tripods and then in the living room, my roommate with all kinds of curly things in her hair and a make-up person attending to her.
Me: Wow, what’s going on????
Her:`Cee, I’m so sorry, I had a shoot today, and I forgot.`
Me:`No problemo, can I watch?`
Thinking back now, I fondly admit that I enjoyed the shoot, watching the stylists, make-up lady and photographer work, with all the different languages just floating around was a beautiful thing! In my younger days I remember always wanting to be in the world of fashion, over the years I’ve learnt I am just not cut out for it, I prefer to be a very close observer.
In that sense, I guess having Anna as a roommate didn’t hurt 🙂
Did you have any unusual living situation from your college years? Feel free to share in the comments.
