efficient escape

This weekend I received my very first guest. To celebrate the historic moment, we hit the city and walked around the lake. It was a brisk walk due to strong winds and bitter cold air penetrating the deepest of our inner ears. This first visit was exciting and first impressions are always noteworthy. This is a beautiful city, an international one and a more than affluent one as well. Hard to believe that only one third of the inhabitants are actually Swiss! We watched the seagulls glide in the wind with fascination and checked out the port. In the distance towards the left, there was a desert-like tree planted on the piece of land jutting out into the lake. We agreed that this did not fit the décor whatsoever. On the right side, there was a lighthouse, also somewhat obscure for a lake. All around the pier, there are private motor boats. Somehow matches the women with fur coats shopping in the city center. Royal bridges are crowned with immense colorful flags and this royalty is reflected in the price for the underground parking complex! We now know why the speed is reduced to a maximum on the freeway and agreed that the drivers in the city are not that great. This remark could simply emanate from our own ignorance: the yellow markings are obscure, the construction sites numerous and the driving rules unique – and who said the Swiss are slow? Sorry, I don’t know if I agree. All jokes aside, our first impressions were overwhelmingly positive – we were stunned by a magnificent city. I have yet to get used to being here and to consider this a part of my new life. After realizing the cost of many things here, I decided to think about how I want to manage my resources. This is why I planned a getaway this very weekend.

I went to France to go shopping, fill up on a few essentials, and find a way to wash my clothes cheaply. I was able to go for a walk in the mountains and to chill out in the neighboring country in which I will most likely be living. Along this line, an interesting name here for bordering towns and cities is “la France voisine”, or, neighboring France. So, I wasn’t in France, but in neighboring France this weekend. There too, it was chilly, especially with the higher altitude. This type of cold, doesn’t sting your inner ear, but rather burns the backside of your eyeballs. Really, no joke! The wind died down, leaving space to a fresh mountain air with a splendid sun justifying the use of my chic 4 euro sunglasses bought in the black market in Paris. That very model would sell like hotcakes for 80 euros here. Guess who wont be looking to buy sunglasses in Geneva! :)

The weekend was relaxing, especially generous with some well-needed sleep. And – historical moment - I was able to curl up to a book. Something that I just never have the time to do anymore! I am glad I had a guest here. Not only to improve my German, which is starting to get a little rusty, but also for the company. I just love my friends! Thanks to my guest, I was reminded of the opportunities and the beginning of what Bouygues Télécom calls: “A new world – your own.“