Schaffhausen is the place I was meant to be and the story I am about to share will prove why my statement is not “cheesy” but the beginning of a true love story!
The year was 1991, when I graduated from High School in Berlin, and my parents gave me a weekend trip to beautiful Switzerland as a gift. I was so excited as I had never been to Switzerland before!
We stayed in a small family pension near Schaffhausen and I was immediately amazed by the hospitality of the Swiss pension and could not believe that everyone was greeting each other with a friendly “Grüezi” when they walked by (remember, I grew up in Berlin and in Berlin we only greet people we know – well, at least we try to, most of the time!)
Part of our programme was a day trip to the Säntis where I had my first Käsespätzle. I also visited the Rheinfall, plus a guided tour through the old town of Schaffhausen. Of course the weekend flew by and so did the years … in the meantime I studied, married, and our family grew … I had almost forgotten about Schaffhausen until the year 2006, when my husband received a job offer in the town I so eagerly visited as a teen.
Four days after our third child was born, we moved to Schaffhausen with a three-year contract in our suitcases … 16 years have passed since and my family and I have become true Schaffhuuser, as we resisted all temptations to move abroad.
Schaffhausen became home for us and we have established a few family traditions that we enjoy very much. One such tradition would be spending our youngest daughter’s birthday at the minigolf place in Neuhausen for 15 years now. The winner would – of course – get the biggest ice cream.
Another family tradition is that my husband and I walk to the Beringer Randen almost every Sunday and climb the steps (no matter the weather) to enjoy the beautiful view from there.
I also love that Schaffhausen has so many water fountains I can drink from no matter what route I am jogging.
My list of routines and of our family traditions could go on and show that Schaffhausen is truly the “kleines Paradies” for me and my family.
All of this is to illustrate that the love story between me and Schaffhausen is special, ongoing, and definitely not a flirt but a lifelong commitment!
Ebru Güver, proud mother of three, dedicated teacher and still in love with Schaffhausen.
