Geneva, Switzerland

My Anna is here! Three months ago she graduated from the university and now she will live in the Netherlands for a year, as an au pair. I’m so excited for her. 

Anna is with me for a month before joining her family so she is doing some traveling. She went on her first solo adventure to Brussels. My kids are world travelers with tons of experience but traveling solo, in my opinion, is the most difficult. It isn’t about the navigating and planning but things like eating dinner alone. I am so proud of her for stretching her comfort zone and making it happen. 

She went on a trip to Scotland with a friend and I am now joining her in Geneva, Switzerland. I am on a two week ‘staycation’ which has filled up quickly with adventures. 

The first day we visited the Red Cross Museum. The Red Cross was started (1863) by a Swiss businessman on his way home from a work trip when he came across horrific suffering following a battle. He wrote a paper that convinced others that everyone should receive medical treatment following a war. The Red Cross eventually expanded to communication during crisises and ensuring prisoners are treated fairly. Below is a photo of children orphaned following the Rwandan Genocide.  

The evening included a nap followed by drinks at an Irish pub with non stop talking. 

Day two was lots of walking and chocolate! We went on a walking tour where I learned a lot about the Swiss history. Calvinism (Christianity reform) played a huge part in shaping the culture. Wearing jewelry was forbidden so goldsmiths created watches convincing the church they were practical. Hence, the watch industry is big here. 

The first Geneva Convention was held here (organized by the same guy that started the Red Cross) where leaders from all over the world came together and agreed on the standards for how humans are treated during a war. Below is the building where it was held. How is it leaders can get their shit together in 1864 but not 2025?

The banking business is also big here because Switzerland is known to be neutral and not fight in wars, which makes their money safe. As a host of the Red Cross and United Nations, it makes sense. 

Our next adventure was walking to nine chocolate stores picking up samples at each. A ChocoPass allowed us to do this which was a great investment but after we finished we realized we should have bought only one. Holy chocolate! 

Our day ended with a meal of fondue (which the Swiss are famous for), wine, and an intense conversation on how landlords tend to screw over tenants in America and how to fight them. 

Day three took us on a train ride to Montreux where we visited the Chillon Castle. It is amazing to think about how much work it took to build this structure and maintain the simple life in medieval times. 

Day four we took the bus to France and rode a cable car, Telepherique du Salveve. Here was our view from the top. 

We knew when leaving in the morning the weather would be crap. But sometimes with travel, the unexpected experiences are better than those expected. 

But, we walked into France and had a great day simply transversing the city before going to the airport. 

This was a nice little adventure with Annelies. She is a great travel companion. 

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A couple of months ago I entered all my trips into Polarsteps and realized I have now visited 39 countries, so I have updated my blog. I have been to many, but it is so little compared to what is out there.