Geneva, Switzerland “The City of Peace”

Also known as “The Smallest of Big Cities,” Daniel and I arrived in Geneva at 6:30 AM after flying all night from Newark, NJ. In only a short time, we were commenting on its quietness, cleanliness, and politeness. It’s the opposite on NYC, Bangkok, or Rome. I never heard a horn honking or a person shouting.  Later, while discussing our impressions with French/Swiss friends we were told that, yes, the Swiss people place a big emphasis on such things but they are also quite cold and closed off, not making friends quickly.

The famous Jet D’eau (Water Jet) fountain located where Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) meets the Rhone River can be seen all over the city. This is a view from the top of St. Peters Cathedral.We had just two days to enjoy the city so we walked the streets, hit some of the highlights, and met quite a few lovely local people at coffee shops and cafes. Perhaps, my first thoughts of Switzerland are alps, cheeses, chocolates, banks, and watches. Geneva is certainly prominent in the high-performance watch sector.There’s a Patek Phillipe museum that, regrettably, wasn’t open when we went by but we stopped at a Rolex store to admire the gorgeous watches.  Located in an industrial building with an obscure entrance, we spent a couple hours at the MAMCO (museum of modern and contemporary art) that offered some impressive paintings and installations by primarily European artists (there was one Warhol) over the past 40 years.

A delicious lunch at a sidewalk cafe brought a long conversation with a local gentleman who was quite opinionated on almost every subject but, surprisingly, American politics never came up. In fact, no one we met ever mentioned American politics, sports, religion, or anything controversial. They talked about food, wine, travel, occupations, education, automobiles, and general pleasantries. When visiting St. Peters Cathedral, you will appreciate the beautiful architecture and stained-glass windows but don’t forget to turn around to admire the organ pipes. Sorry we couldn’t stay for a concert but it must have amazing acoustics. 

Eight hundred and fifty years old, the church is well-known as being the home of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation movement.

Walking down a narrow street in Old Town, I noticed this marker indicating the birthplace of Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Genevan philosopher, composer, and writer of the 18th century.  

For our first dinner, our hotel clerk recommended a favorite restaurant for cheese fondue which we enjoyed with bread and potatoes. The service was just like everything else; polite and efficient. 

After two days, we were mostly over the jet lag and ready to travel to Blonay, also on Lac Leman but more in the mountains. What a happy reunion after twelve years to be with Monique and Laurence, some of my most treasured friends! With old friends, one reflects on dreams and passages, then shares hope and visions for the future. Time apart seems irrelevant.  

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” Henry David Thoreau