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    • TravelerRolling on East
      Day 34

      Happy birthday Sparsh!

      April 8 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      I rode the train to Geneva, where I was met by Sparsh. She cycles between France and Geneva each day for work, so she's a kindred spirit. Schopper carefully observes her bicycle, and approves of the same good tires.

      We ride back straight towards the Haut Jura mountains "until we can't anymore". This is where I shelter from the storm.

      The next day is Sparsh's birthday. So her boys Ayu and Kiran, with all the fuss that it entails, blew up balloons and 'helped' Patrice put together a surprise for mom. A joyful little family moment.

      Sparsh reminds me I can't call her a kiddo anymore. 🙂      Read more

    • Europe 2020
      1
      Day 20

      Coronacraziness

      March 15, 2020 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

      And then there was one... Well we were pretty lucky, we got to do everything except chill in Abu Dhabi on the way home thanks to this mad mad world! We had our last day in the slopes in Switzerland on Friday then they closed it, then last day on the piste in France yesterday, then they closed it. Seams like everywhere we’ve been they shut it down as we leave??? Sitting in my hotel having 2 minute noodles & tuna, ghost town here in Geneva, can’t even buy a crossiant! Oh well I’ve got microwave popcorn to make & 2 bottles of French red to drink! Oh & 3 rolls of toot paper to waste 😁Read more

    • In den Frühling
      Day 8

      Zwischenstopp am Genfersee

      March 30 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      Unfall auf der Autobahn, also schnell runter und parallel am Genfersee entlang. Ein kleiner Stopp, ein Cache und schon geht es wieder auf die Piste. Stau umfahren und noch ein bisschen was von der Schweiz gesehen.Read more

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    • TravelerDer Weg nach Santiago
      Day 54

      Willkommen auf der Via Gebennensis

      April 23, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

      So nennt sich der Abschnitt des Caminos, der in Genf startet und in Le Puy en Velay in Frankreich endet.
      Aber so lange muss ich nicht auf Frankreich warten: ich überquere die Grenze schon heute Vormittag! Alles, was den Übergang hier markiert, ist eine kleine Tafel auf der "Die Schweiz sagt Ihnen auf Wiedersehen" in vier verschiedenen Sprachen geschrieben steht. Von hier sind es laut dieser Tafel noch 1865km bis Santiago. Ein Katzensprung!

      Außerdem ist mir eine Pilgerin wieder begegnet, die ich in der Herberge in Freiburg zum ersten und am Tag darauf unterwegs zum letzten Mal gesehen habe. Sie heißt Nadine und geht von ihrer Heimat in der Schweiz bis Santiago. Heute wandern wir den ganzen Tag gemeinsam und haben es sehr lustig.      Read more

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    • Bags are packed
      Day 37

      Last day in Geneva

      June 26, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

      Today we woke up and checked out of our hostel and went to a brunch place for amazing avocado toast! Then we walked to this smaller area in Geneva called Carouge but when we got there, because it was Sunday, the shops were all closed so there wasn’t as much for us to do. So we walked back to the main part of town and we got our books and hung out in a park until we decided to go see the new Elvis movie before our train that night. the movie was amazing and then we stopped on the way home for dinner at a burger place because it was the only thing open on Sunday ha! Then we went back to the hostel to get our bags before going to the bus station for our overnight train. It honestly was as bad because we each got our own row to spread out/ lay down in which was nice.Read more

    • TravelerEurope 2023
      2
      Day 9

      Amsterdam to Geneva Day 9

      May 3, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

      A travel day so not much in the way of pictures. Uneventful trip to Amsterdam airport and flight to Geneva. Great views of the Alps, my favorite mountains, on descent to Geneva. A bit of a problem finding the right tram to take to my new abode for the next week. Finally found my way from downtown Geneva and my new place is lovely! Beautifully decorated and every modern convince. Tram stop right across the street, about a 15 minute ride to downtown Geneva. And its warmer! In the mid 60’s with sun. A real difference from Amsterdam, no “breeze” from the North Sea. Low 70’s expected for the next few days.

      Got settled, and then out to find groceries. This, too, is a residential area, large condo/apartment buildings line the busy street. A 15 minute walk to a market for the essentials. Took the tram back as my grocery bag was breaking. 😂.

      Will spend the rest of the evening relaxing and planning for tomorrow. Pics are of the different architecture here and a park in downtown where I was waiting for the tram.      Read more

    • TravelerEurope 2023
      Day 14

      Geneva Day 14

      May 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

      A beautiful, sunny day after yesterday’s gray. Decided to walk some new areas today. Have restaurant recommendations from the gal who owns the condo where I am staying. Walked the “other” side of the lake today, so glad I did as it is a beautiful promenade the goes for a long ways. On my way to have lunch at one of her recommendations - a restaurant at Bains de Paquis. (Baths at Paquis, on the “beach”). Turns out that I was not the only one looking to eat there today! 😂. I was able to enjoy the walk out to the baths and see all the people enjoying the beautiful weather - even some swimming in the lake. However, the lines were very long and I passed on lunch there due to the crowds.

      I took the “long way” home, wandering thru parks, the European cities have so many of these nice spots around every turn. They almost always have some interesting sculptures and, of course, flowers. The monument below (2nd pic) is actually a mausoleum, built in honor of Charles II the Duke of Brunswick. He left 24 million francs to the City of Geneva upon his death in the late 1800’s and requested his mausoleum be built in a place of honor in Geneva. They picked a great spot with beautiful views of the Lake and the Jet de Eau.

      Wandered some more and then home for a nap. Out early evening to get some final things that I am running out of and sushi for dinner. Home to CNN and a catch up evening. Leaving here Wednesday.

      .      Read more

    • TravelerEurope 2023
      1
      Day 11

      Geneva Day 11

      May 5, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

      Up and out today, good night’s sleep and feel much better! Chose 2 spots on the other side of the lake (the newer side) as they were both on my To Do list and close together. First stop: The United Nations Geneva. Geneva is the headquarters for the EU United Nations. (Like NYC is for North America). This was also the site of the “original United Nations” - the League of Nations founded after WWI. I had tried to get tour tickets when in Amsterdam but they were booked into July! Their tours are limited right now due to renovation inside the building. So saw what I could from the outside. Impressive buildings and huge plaza for big events. The Broken Chair sculpture (see pic below) symbolizes both fragility and strength, imbalance and stability, violence, and dignity. More specifically, it symbolizes opposition to land mines and cluster bombs as a reminder to the politicians and diplomats visiting Geneva UN. The sculpture is 39 feet tall and was commissioned by Humanity and Inclusion (previously known as Handicap International). It shows that even wounded victims of war are still standing tall, with dignity.

      Just a short walk away, was the entrance to the Botanical Gardens of Geneva. Any garden in Europe in May is a treat. A wonderful, peaceful several hours roaming the grounds and greenhouses. A beautiful place. Will let the pics do the explaining. Late lunch at the Cafe in the gardens with wonderful views in all directions.

      Wended my way back home, with several “detours”. The Geneva App for public transport is not nearly as good as Amsterdam! Feet up, as I am going out tonight!

      Classical music in Europe always seems special. I look for some anywhere I travel and usually not too hard to find. The Venus in Geneva is Victoria Hall, one of those beautiful old neoclassical style concert halls. (See last pic below). The concert was great and featured Michael Barenboim, violinist, the son of Daniel Barenboim, the well-known conductor. A very enjoyable evening.      Read more

    • skip's retirement travelSwitzerland
      Day 13

      Reformation Geneva

      April 21, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      Geneva was an important place where the Protestant Reformation took hold, so much so that this city was sometimes known as the Protestant Rome. This is where John Calvin preached and taught. Reformed luminaries such as John Knox of Scotland came here to learn and then bring Reformed theology home.
      The 1st 2 picture are at the Reformation Memorial. This is a long wall of sculptures located at Bastion Park (see another post) on the campus of the University of Geneva that was founded by Calvin. The 4 taller figures in the center are William Farel who convinced Calvin he was needed in Geneva; John Calvin; Theodore Beza, Calvin s successor in Geneva and John Knox. The other statues are other protestant luminaries: I note for my Rhode island friends that Roger Williams is guy in the pilgrim hat to the right of the central grouping.
      The 3rd picture is the facade of St. Peters cathedral where Calvin was pastor. The 4th picture looks along the side of St. Peter's at the steeple and 1 of the towers. The 5th picture is in the nave of St. Peter's. This building dates to the 13th century and was built as a Catholic church. Upon taking over, the protestants removed all decoration and any hint of luxury, leaving the austere space you see in the picture. The 6th picture is John Calvin's chair where he sat during worship.
      An interesting side note: Geneva had been known for jewelry making. However, the austere vision of life with no luxuries meant the jewelers lost their livelihood. So the jewelers became watchmakers as time was not considered a luxury. Here began Geneva's reputation for clocks and watches.
      The last picture is the Maccabees Chapel on St. Peters, a later side chapel addition to the cathedral. Though it was stripped like the rest of the church in the 16th century, it has been restored to something like it would have been originally.
      There is much more in Geneva about the Reformation, but many places were closed. This period was pivotal in Geneva becoming the place it is and in the shaping of much protest theology, including mine.      Read more

    • skip's retirement travelSwitzerland
      Day 13

      Geneva's Old Town

      April 21, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      As those who have followed my travels have probably realized, I have interest in the historic parts of cities. Geneva is no exception, especially given that my theology follows John Calvin who worked, preached, taught and wrote here for most of his career. The Reformation was a significant period shaping Geneva (see another post). This post looks at the historic old town.
      The 1st picture is the square with houses typical of the old town. You can see where some of the houses were extended upwards. This happened in the 15th century when Geneva was deluged with a flood of Protestant refugees seeking shelter from persecution.
      The 2nd picture is one of only 2 sections of the old bastion dating to the 15th century that witnessed the defence of the city against the Catholic Savoyards, an event still celebrated annually.
      The 3rd picture is the Tour d'Ille on an Island in the middle of the Rhone. This is where the oldest evidence of human activity in this area has been found.
      The 4th picture is the Maison Tavel, the oldest residential structure in the old town. The facade still retains it's original style. It is a museum today. One of the exhibits is a detailed scale model of Geneva as it was before "urban renewal" removed the ancient bastions. It is so detailed that even the number of bars in windows is accurate, though the 6th picture isn't detailed enough to see that.
      The 7th picture is the door into the old city hall and is a good example of the wood working skills back in the day. The 8th picture is in the city hall courtyard. Those are ramps up from the ground floor to the upper floors. I'm told it was built this way to allow the councilors access while riding a horse or mule.
      The 9th picture is what remains of an old city gate. The last picture is back in the main square. I didn't learn the story of the piece, but my reaction was the a nude girl in the square must have Calvin rolling over in his grave.      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Geneva, Genève

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