25-Mar-2023
We arrived in Geneva two days ago.
I started out ambivalent.
The weather has been iffy (not that I'm complaining about that -- we've been very lucky so far). But the expensiveness of everything weighs upon you. And we've clearly moved beyond well-behaved-dog territory, as some little monster tried to have a go at my leg yesterday.
On balance, though, it's been a good experience. We're both glad we came, and didn't duck out because of mega-costs.
Highlights:
1. Watching the light change. It's a moody old city, whose skies are always on the move:
2. Enjoying the statuary and the architecture:
3. Wondering how trolleybuses and trams can be so looooong...
We rode a bit of tram today. Look how looooong it is... We didn't stay on long, though. Too crowded, and too many sneezy people... Sometimes I wonder whether mankind has learnt anything from that ghastly pandemic...
4. Photographing pollarded trees (unrivalled here):
5. Travelling on a "mouette" (as the Geneva shuttle boats are called). I loved this, and it was especially good, as we didn't have to pay for it. People who stay in registered accommodation in Geneva can apply for a card entitling them to free transport within the centre of the city (so today's brief tram ride was covered as well). This is great, we think. Other cities charge guests a tourist tax, but here they offer them free transport. Kudos...
6. Walking to France on the "Green Way", which follows the route of an old railway that has now gone underground. It's full of interest:
During World War II, a secret passage between Gaillard in France and Thonex, this part of Geneva, enabled secret service officers and numerous refugees fleeing Nazi Germany to cross the border. This is part of the Thonex Memorial Way
Marguerite Marmoud was a resistance fighter who saved many lives by helping people cross the demarcation line. She was arrested in 1944, and taken to Buchenwald. She never returned
Text and monument marking the decision to put the railway underground
"The two countries' inhabitants will soon take a liking to sinking into the bowels of the earth, and emerging in the neighbouring landscape"
The river that marks the border with France
France!
7. Enjoying good-quality Swiss produce. We've had blueberries every morning for breakfast (way cheaper than we'd ever find them at home). Real Gruyere cheese is a real wonder. We've indulged in some luxury Swiss chocolate from the supermarket. And the Swiss Pinot Noir that rounded off our last evening was really good:
We're not leaving early tomorrow, so there's still (I hope) a bit more of Geneva to come. But here's to the experience so far...