Geneva
Monday, 11th August 2008
We woke at 5.30 and were out of the door at 6.05 which was a bit tight for me as the train was due to leave less than 10 minutes later. I like to have a good 20-30 minutes grace in case things go wrong. It only took a few minutes to walk to Avignon station but the signs were confusing and we ended up boarding the wrong train. A guard came along and told us we were on the wrong platform and our train was waiting on platform 1. There were a couple of flights of stairs to negotiate so I told Kitty I'd run ahead and try to hold the train. She had a large heavy suitcase which was difficult to haul up and down stairs not to mention onto trains. I had a rucksack and a small case so it wasn't so much of a problem for me. I managed to board the train and thought she was right behind me but she was nowhere in sight. The guards told me to get in as the train was due to depart. I called out 'my sister' but they didn't want to know and the doors shut. I still couldn't see her as the train moved out of the station. Apparently she had gone to the wrong doors which were locked. She could see the train but couldn't access it. I rang her on my mobile but couldn't get through so sent her a text. Finally I go a reply some time later. She was now making her own way to Geneva but would have to change trains twice. I settled down to travelling on my own, changing trains in Lyon to an ICE standard train. I arrived in Geneva at around 11.00 am and went straight to the Drake Longchamp hotel. The hotel gave me two free transport passes and after checking in, I left my things in the room and armed with a map I went for a walk to explore the town which is surprisingly quite small.
The majority of buildings are very classical and grand looking, similar to Paris and Vienna. I headed for the lake which was nearby, passed by a small park with an interesting lion's head fountain and reached a long promenade along the lake shore. There was an installation of international peace posters set up along the promenade - I was obviously in Geneva where the UN holds peace talks regularly.
It was cool and grey and the water was not very inviting - just as well because you weren't allowed to swim in it. You were allowed to go water-skiing however. The lakeshore was bordered by a stone fence and there were some rather nice houses built on the shoreline. There was also a magnificent water spout which splashed its spray across the water.
I walked past this marina full of small sailboats and took this photo of a swan and gosling paddling on the water.
Geneva is French-speaking which is reflected in the architecture and street signs.
The main street has tramlines. We hopped on and off several times using our free passes. It was a very convenient way to travel. The whole place is very prosperous and expensive. A half baguette filled with salmon and salad cost me 7 Euros.
Kitty arrived at around 2.00 pm and after she unpacked and freshened up we took a tram to the UN headquarters for a tour. We were on the 4.40 tour - the last tour of the day. The tram dropped us near this square of fountains. Nearby was a parade of international flags and an entry sign which became the obligatory tourist snap.
We had to walk through the grounds to the main building and passed a couple of sculptures. The broken chair was quite dramatic and pleaded with countries to sign the Oslo Treaty against landmines.
Mahatma Ghandi is featured and we went past the international headquarters of the Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations.
I was fascinated with the simplicity of the desks for world leaders and delegates. The guide told us that there were 6 languages used at the UN but mostly the proceedings were conducted in French and English. The ceiling was beautiful in this hall, which is one of three main halls where negotiations take place.
In the foyer between halls we could see some prize gifts donated by different countries, such as this ship. A chart showing the many branches of the UN and their locations (Geneva, Vienna or New York) demonstrated the complexity of the organisation which has grown over the years and which is funded by country contributions. Portraits of the previous General Secretaries hung nearby and through a window I could see a globe.
The second hall seemed more formal and modern. The gallery for interpreters was up high.
The third hall was totally unique. A Spanish painter had been invited to paint scenes of war and conflict. It was very dramatic and designed to make leaders take stock of their decisions. I'm not sure how much influence it's ever had. Bad leaders don't listen to the best advice and are usually not influenced by this kind of thing.
The hall was fitted with older furniture and was probably the first one to be built in the complex. Country delegates are arranged alphabetically which can be unfortunate as in the case of Iraq and Iran who have often gone to war against each other.
Back in the foyer we passed more gifts such as this Chinese painting and this tapestry.
Outside the complex we spotted a demonstration against the Russian intervention in Georgia but made our way past the protestors to the tram stop. Being caught up in a demo is no fun especially if it gets excited and violent. This was by all intent a peaceful protest but you can never tell.
We watched the Olympics on TV and took the tram to the Old Town for a meal. A half chicken, salad, vegetables, bread and glass of house wine cost 30 Euros - fairly expensive compared to what we'd paid elsewhere. We talked about having a fondue dinner tomorrow if it were possible. We bought tickets for Lucerne on a machine that evening and returned to the hotel where we set the alarm for 7.00 am with the aim of catching the 9.10 train. Tomorrow we would leave the French speaking part of Switzerland and enter the German speaking sector at Luzern. It will be good to be on familiar ground again as far as language is concerned.