The Inception

It was the summer of 2019 when I decided to plan for another solo trip. This time, I chose to explore Lombardy, the region of Northern Italy, followed by a train trip to Switzerland and, last but not least, an exciting journey to Paris.

It was challenging to plan for the Swiss part of this trip and select places I'd love to see within three days. Eventually, I picked Zurich as my hub to explore other cities in the country, such as Lucerne and Bern. Switzerland is also very well-known for its endless chains of magnificent mountains. The question was: shall I opt for a trip to Jungfrau, Titlis, or Pilatus? From what I have seen and read, Mount Rigi seemed like a sound choice that definitely did not disappoint.

On a chilly Swiss summer day in August, I took the cable car up the queen of mountains. The trip felt like taking the stairway to heaven; the higher I went up, the closer I got to the sky. The minute I reached the sky, I went for another ride with Europe's first mountain railway, inaugurated in 1871, to move to the next level. The breathtaking views of beautiful Swiss mountain houses and happy cows spending quality time in the greenery are stamped in my memory till today. The feeling of observing an endless sea of white fluffy clouds floating on top of the mountain took my head and aspirations to a new space.

The messenger

After spending two refreshing hours on top of the mountain, it was time to bid farewell to the sky and return to the ground. I sat next to the window to take the last glimpse of this unforgettable panorama on my way down. Fortunately, I had a light rain jacket on to keep me somewhat warm. A messenger showed up, waving and smiling at me from afar. He moved closer and asked: "Do you feel cold? Would you mind if I sit next to you?". I smiled and answered: "Sure, I don't mind."

This American gentleman in his 70s told me his story about how he met his Swiss wife and moved to the country, what he has learned in life and how he was enjoying a peaceful time by taking hiking and cycling trips in the Swiss land. We exchanged experiences about people and cultures, and before I knew the mountain trip was over. We both left the cable car, and with a warm smile, he said: "You're an ambitious lady to be here on your own, and you still have more dreams to achieve…take care and enjoy the rest of your solo trip."

That day, this trip, and the messenger have sparked something in me that I could not ignore. All I wanted to do is write about this overwhelming travel experience and create a place where I can share these beautiful human encounters…And the 'Zein Zone' was born. Thoughts and ideas were continuously flashing in my head, with no prior invite or limits.

The zone

Coming from an Arabic background and being exposed to diverse people and places, I believe that cultural understanding is essential more than ever to break barriers, raise awareness, and promote love and tolerance. Learning two languages, English and Italian, other than my mother tongue, Arabic, has opened new doors for me to learn more about the other side.

Traveling to different places allowed me to meet with so many beautiful human beings and solo travelers alike. It gave me the opportunity to raise awareness about my beloved home country, Syria, and learn fascinating things about other cultures. I see art as a powerful tool to manifest our passions and express our emotions, challenges, and aspirations as human beings. You can get thousands of people in one place to dance, play and listen to music, admire a painting, or watch theatre, and they can all be inspired and feel connected through one universal language that needs no translation.

'Zein' is an Arabic name that means beauty and grace. It is also a name used for both males and females. 'Zen' in Buddhism reflects the state of enlightenment and meditation. This Zone is all about the open minds and souls who share the authentic details of life through Art, Culture, Travel, and human interactions in a colorful, equal, and diverse space. And today, I'm thankful for an unexpected trip that inspired me to start a new intriguing platform, which is eager to connect and exchange more beautiful stories with you.