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Published: July 14th 2010
Alps
On the way to GenevaOn Thursday, March 18th we left Rothenberg, Germany for Geneva Switzerland. The rules for bus drivers in Europe are very strict and our driver Luggi needed to take a two-hour break in order to comply with the law. Our mandatory stop turned out to be a great thing and we ended up getting to visit Bern, which is the capital of Switzerland. Bern is a beautiful city. We all had time to split up and take a self-guided tour of the city, exploring shops and restaurants. After a nice break and some great photo opportunities we were back on the bus and headed for Geneva. We arrived in Geneva around 5:30PM, giving us time to check in to the hotel and head out for dinner. The next day was to be a busy one so most of us decided to take it easy and get our rest.
On Friday, March 19th we had an early 6AM wakeup call and a morning program. Fortunately the program’s location was in one of the hotel conference rooms! The program presentation was put on by SOS Children's Villages which is an international non-governmental organization that has been involved with children's rights since 1949; present
Bern, Switzerland
The capitol of Switzerland, on a 2-hour pitstop in 132 countries. It was very interesting and the first of two programs that Friday.
Next we headed to the World Health Organization. This was definitely the area of Geneva to be in. We stopped to look at the United Nations building, also passing by the International Red Cross headquarters. The streets in this area are lined with the homes of important diplomats and you definitely get the feeling that you are being watched by security personal from beyond the gated and foliage-hidden homes.
Once at the World Health Organization, and through the security checkpoints, we were treated to four speakers. The topics included general communication, the influenza pandemic, measles and environmental health. The presentations were very informative but this was a point where many of his the wall. I guess you can only go for so many days in a row on 3 hours sleep, running non-stop, eh? Things livened up when we were whisked away on a tour of the W.H.O. building and grounds. It is a beautiful building. Megan, Jordan and I split from the group in a mad dash for the merchandise store. Yup, pretty sure we were the only 3 people on the
Bern, Switzerland
The capitol of Switzerland, on a 2-hour pitstop trip who left the W.H.O. with souvenirs!
The rest of Friday afternoon was free. Finding energy from…well I’m still not sure where from. We split off and made our way around Geneva, exploring the sights. Everyone decided we “had to try fondue.” Well, almost everyone. I can’t stand the stuff and was just along for the ride. The fondue dinner was…an experience none of us will ever forget. We ended up at a restaurant which was recommended by the concierge at the hotel we were staying and was located at the sister hotel (should have been our first clue). To say this place was touristy would be an understatement but I'd already had just enough to drink to be able to fully appreciate the fact that they had stuffed Saint Bernard’s wearing thermoses around their neck for sale everywhere (yes, I bought one for like 25 Swiss Francs).
The first thing you noticed about this restaurant, aside from the man holding a 15 foot horn and blowing on it, were the prices (cha-ching!). But hey, most of us had been living like money was no object throughout the entire trip so why stop now? I sat next to
Bern, Switzerland
The capitol of Switzerland, on a 2-hour pitstop. DrakeSMARTers making their way through town Jake and we both ordered a few rounds of drinks. When they brought the first course out we were all treated to some sort of cheese and stale bread. I tried it, remembered why I dislike fondue and decided to save my appetite for the main course. Jake and Zack did the same and we enjoyed our beer while waiting…waiting………still waiting for the course containing meat to arrive.
After a half an hour of waiting, Jake and I decided there would be no main course…or desert and that we had just spent about $70USD per person (including drinks) on stale bread and funky cheese. Several of us men folk, many of whom were with spouses and had just spent upwards of $140USD on funky cheese and stale bread, made our way outside for a smoke…and I don’t smoke. The idea was that the cool night air would prevent us from flipping out in a public place, arguing over a ridiculous bill for a shoddy meal (deep sigh). It sort of did the trick and we made our way back in. Oh well, it was a learning experience and by the end of the trip *most* of us were able
Bern, Switzerland
The capitol of Switzerland, on a 2-hour pitstop to laugh about it. PS: a small number of our group had gone to a different fondue restaurant (loved it), paid half the price and had a 3-course meal which included meat. Yes - lesson learned. Saturday AM we were off to Paris, France. And nothing was going to bring us down from that!
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mom
non-member comment
Another wow
Joe, I am so very proud that you were able to experience all of this. It is what I would have wished for you. Love, Mom