katrin & ronaldo

After an unusually cold and rainy spring, summer weather has arrived in Basel. People that move to Switzerland from other countries will often be surprised to find out that air conditioning isn’t really a thing here (due to Swiss regulations that limit the use of certain kinds of AC in buildings). The other local peculiarity new arrivals will often take note of is the enthusiasm for and scale of Rhein-swimming. A Basel-thing that I have become aware of since moving back is that it’s totally normal to see people cooling off in public water fountains (of which there are many). And I can see why. As I’m lugging around my camera bag in the heat and come across Katrin and Ronaldo, I can’t help but think to myself: “that looks nice.”

Katrin travelled to Cuba some ten years ago. The first time she heard Spanish being spoken she thought to herself “I want to learn that language.” Mid shoot Katrin’s former Spanish teacher rides by on her bike and stops to say hello. She tells me that Katrin was a quick learner and took to the language with ease. Katrin is from Germany and is a trained scientist. She is open and analytical – quick to ask good questions.

Ronaldo is a Spaniard and hails from Valencia. He’s an artist, an interior architect, and a building engineer. Katrin and Ronaldo met in Spain. They decided they wanted to live together and so Ronaldo moved to Switzerland. He says that it wasn’t a hard decision and if it didn’t work out he could always return. At first they spoke Spanish with each other. Now, after two years of Ronaldo learning the language, they speak German. Katrin wants Ronaldo to be able to work in his field and speaks highly of his artistic talents. Together they enjoy visiting art exhibitions, going to the mountains, and going on little adventures like these.

Ronaldo’s advice is to fight for your dreams: “there is a lot you have to do in the background in order to turn ideas into reality.” Katrin’s advice is to trust and go after the things that feel right for you – you only live once.

[36] Thursdau, June 17, 2021