A commuter to Bern and the world with Mendrisio in his heart
Gregorio Bernasconi works as a Diplomatic Advisor at the Federal Department of Finance in Bern, where he lives from Monday to Friday. Born and raised in Mendrisio, he spent about half his life travelling around the world: Geneva, Paris, Washington, Hanoi, Rome. About two years ago, he felt the need to put down roots, to give his children a place to grow up. Mendrisio was the most natural choice.
My job keeps me away from home during the week and often takes me abroad. Mendrisio’s central location is a great logistical advantage: I can easily get to central Switzerland, Italy, and the various places I work quickly from here, thanks also to the convenient public transport. And equally important is that the region is also perfect for family life.
The peace you can feel in the very air here makes life much easier, including for my family when I’m not there, which is a really important aspect for me. My children can go to school on their own, the school is attentive to their needs, and the services are really well-organised. In addition, living in a small town like Mendrisio allows you to live simply and quietly, without the hustle and bustle you get elsewhere. It’s a place where you really feel like part of a community
After twenty years of travelling and living abroad, I still run into school friends who recognise me and greet me as if we had never lost touch! It is an experience that always makes me smile, because it shows how strong the bonds with this place and with the people who live here are.
Can I be frivolous [laughs, ed.]? I couldn’t give up the food and wine here, which is truly special: the cheeses from the Muggio valley and the luganighetta sausage are some of the things I love most.
"Mendrisio is the place where I can breathe, where I really feel like myself, even after living abroad for so many years."
