Blogs from Geneva, South-West, Switzerland, Europe - page 16

This morning I got up at 3:30 AM so I could get myself checked out and get myself to the subway, so I could get myself to the above ground train, so I could get myself to the airport, so I could get myself to Geneva, Switzerland. Needless to say, I'm pretty tired. But I just couldn't sleep after checking into my new hotel, because this city looks SO awesome. I took about 200 photos of Geneva alone, so I obviously can't put them all on here. But basically the city has a beautiful waterfront (with a water jet that shoots 500 litres of water per second, 140 meters in the air), is surrounded by mountains, and has nice clean old buildings and parks. Accept for the water jet and the old buildings, Geneva actually reminds ... read more

Sunday, March 22: Fribourg - Romon This was my first day on the official camino. After the near disaster with the stamp to collect in the Fribourg Cathedral (the ink was dry) I manage to collect one stamp on the way in small chapel. It was a rather long section of about 30 km but every cm of it worthwile as the way leads along a wonderful countryside over hills and rivers along rivers and from one small but charming chapel to the next. And above all, the weather was wonderfully sunny and reasonably warm. About an hour before I reached Romont I was caught by a couple who were eating biscuits while they were walking. They offered me one, I smiled and declined, telling them that I'd rather have about 2 litres of coke. They ... read more

I had another day before my flight from Geneva to Barcelona. I arrived in Geneva a bit before 9am. It was brisk cold...a slight notch up from Annecy. Actually, I got lucky ‘cuz it was the weekend of l’escalade celebration. There were events going on at various places in the city and people were dressed up in the medieval outfit, from kids to elders, on foot and on horses. After covering decent amount of ground and encountering medievals, I sat down for a cup of swiss hot choco, not to be confused with swissmiss. Then grabbed roasted chestnuts on the street for nostalgia. Since I had some time and looked easy enough to catch a bus, I made it to the UN building and the obscure giant 3-legged chair. What’s that about?!?! The evening session of ... read more

Franciscans International is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded nearly 25 years ago. It is the first common Franciscan ministry, representing approximately one million Franciscan sisters and brothers in over 160 countries. Franciscan International strives to help those most in need, particularly in the areas of justice, peace, the care of creation and the promotion of human rights. Franciscans International has General Consultative Status at the United Nations with offices in Geneva, New York and Bangkok. The Marist Brothers are involved through the presence of Br Cesar Henriquez as are other Congregations including four Christian Brothers under the banner of Edmund Rice International, including Donal Leader and Brian Bond and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, including Denise Boyle as Executive Director. President of the International Board of Directors of Franciscans I... read more

Travel period: 23 - 26 May 2008 Geneva - situated at Lake Geneva, this is a serene and rather quiet city compared to many other European cities. Having said that, it's the hub of many international organisations, incl. Red Cross International and United Nation. Only half an hour drive from France, this is a French speaking city - a second most important language after German in Switzerland. I took a half day walk around Lake Geneva and to enjoy the view of lovely wineyard surround the lake. I only stayed here for 3 days - with one day going to Charmonix, one of the most popular skii area in France. Of course, the skii season has just finished but I can still see the snow on top of the mountain. ... read more