Bramois

Bramois is a tiny one bar town just outside of Sion, Valais. My husband and I spent the last month here in this quiet little town, close to his hometown, Sierre. A good friend of his lend us his secondary home while he and his family lives in France. There is nothing fascinating about this place, the locals are a bit nosey and apparently havent been anywhere else in their lifetime except Bramois.

When I first arrived in Sion I was shocked at number of African nationals residing here in this little town. Then as the days go by I was even more surprised at how sometimes you get the open stare for being different. My gynecologist warned me earlier that Bramois is a small town and people can be a bit shallow sometimes. I on the other hand couldn't be bothered with the little details. Bramois is a nice place to slowly adjust and learn the culture, appreciate the people and the scenic landscape.

Despite it being classified as a town of its own, half the time you still have to travel into Sion to do your grocery shopping or anything administrative.

My biggest problem till now is probably the language barrier but I've been through this before in Japan.

At first I feel like the only foreigner here who doesn't breathe a word of French or as we like to say in Japanese; Furansu-go taberarenai. Roughly translated as I can't eat French. Anyway, I went around looking for language schools that I can enroll in and to my relief( I use relief cos it means I'm not the only one who can't speak French in these parts) all the classes are full. I have to wait until the end of summer holidays. That's not good enough for me, I need classes as soon as possible, my value on the job market heavily relies on me being able to speak a decent level of french.

Disappointed I continue with my private lessons at home all alone, struggling with the pronunciation and the complex gramar.

At times I go out and walk along the Borgne river and try to form words in my head.

Being a black foreigner here in this one bar town can be tough. You have to disregard the open stares, the snooty teenagers and their shallow attitude. Once or twice I receive a snort or some sound girls make in their throats when they pass by and whenever that happens I always end up laughing at these poor girls. It must be tough being hallowed up in this little town all your life and be threatened by anyone who appears different.

People act differently in small towns. Back home it is the same but our blood ties and culture adds a little flavor to the morning and evening gossip you sit through from time to time.lol.

It's my first experience in a small town abroad. I've been to little towns like these before in Japan but the Japanese culture won't let you feel like the outsider. They are as curious and threatened by they won't openly stare at you as you walk by.

For now I just have to continue with whatever I do best and leave these Bramois villagers to their small town duties, until I leave for Geneva, Lausanne or Zurich I have to remain positive that Bramois did open my eyes to some typically Suisse culture.