We decided that it was time to venture out of Lyon and head someplace new for the weekend. Geneva is super easy to get to and everyone speaks French or English! Perfect for us!
We headed out Thursday morning after my physical with the OFII to finish off my visa (so frustrating this process is! But, it's finally done now... after 3 trips to the same office!). We arrived at Geneva's Cornavin Train station about 1 pm Thursday and immediately started exploring. We set off walking over Pont Moulin, Geneva's main bridge across their portion of the Rhône river and headed into the shopping district. We found a nice little restaurant to have for lunch.... Only to discover that 1. water... from the tap... COSTS MONEY and 2. Geneva is expensive!
Next we ventured over to the Tourist Office, got some great ideas about fun things to do, found the hostel, and heard some very disheartening news about me and Rachel's hotel. While we knew that our hotel was in France, the women at the Tourist Office had no idea where it was... and she made us extremely nervous. Not to fear! It was 10 times easier to find than the lady thought it would be and the room was perfect! A big bed, huge room, and a kitchen! The kitchen was awesome because we then could make our own breakfast, and dinners and not have to spend hardly any francs at all! It was perfect and we took full advantage of it!
Friday we got up and hit the ground running. We first walked over to St. Peter's Cathedral. It's another typical example of a Gothic cathedral, but it contained the Chapel of the Maccabes, a beautifully colorful side chapel, and stunning views of Lake Geneva. One can see these views by paying the 4 francs and climbing the towers of the Cathedral. The North Tower looks out over the Lake, mountains, and the jet l'eau, Europe's largest water fountain. We got a bit snap happy up there, but the photos are amazing. The South Tower doesn't have any views, and rather one can climb up into a smaller completely wooden room, but what was so cool was climbing up the tower with the church bells going off right next to you... it was like something out of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Next we walked a block away to the Maison Tavel. This is one of Geneva's oldest homes that has been turned into a free museum. It houses everything anyone needs to know about Geneva's history. The curators are awesome and will give you a free tour with complete explanations (in French) after simply smiling at them!
That afternoon after a Kebab lunch. We headed to the Red Cross Museum. The International Red Cross was founded in Geneva and has one of the most interesting museums I have ever visited. Not only is the creation of the organization extremely cool, but the museum takes you through every World War through a much more human rights approach. First you watch a movie about the creation of the red cross. It is very simple, just one simple photo/painting after another, no words, just universal symbols and creations so that any visiter could understand. Then you walk through a room that has cataloged every POW from 1900- 1940 and the racks and racks of files are chilling... They also present what the Red Cross is up to now and has a special exhibit about the founders.
That night we did a bit of shopping, met up with some other friends, made a beautiful dinner accompanied with French wine and had our own little slumber party!
Saturday we took a guided walking tour of Geneva with a tour guide from the Tourist Office. She was phenomenal and told us all about why Geneva is such an internationally important city. It really is the center of Europe from a political stand point and with the United Nations and International Red Cross headquarters there it is the center of the world for any Human Rights Movements too.
Headed out to Lord Nelson's Pub Saturday night and then headed home to Lyon Sunday morning!
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