The trip is coming to a close. Takehomes so far:
-Geneva - a relaxed lifestyle.
-Some natural beauty
-Great food
-Great transit system
-smoking is still a major part of life here; it’s fine to smoke in a restaurant. You actually smell it as you enter the airport.
I loved how people were walking everywhere. Vancouver has this to large degrees, especially joggers and then activity extends into a ton of sports. But it seems to be a part of everyday life for a greater number of people here. Just going to work involves walking to either the bus or light rail. A short walk from there to their workplace and then the reverse.
Why we don’t have this in Vancouver? It has to be the distance. Geneva seems to have rail and light rail for longer distances and bus for shorter. Geneva itself seems small and lends itself well to this mode. I did end up walking everywhere - from the WHO to the restaurant and ultimately to my hotel. Into the old city, along the waterfront, etc. It’s a small enough place that walking is terrific.
The restaurants have been great (thanks to the people we’re working with for choosing them). I’ve enjoyed a brilliant fondu and a generous fresh made pasta.
The pictures are going up on flickr (link to follow) and I’m still deciding where to put the video.
So the real question - Geneva a top 3 city of the world and would I live here? Yes. I’d definitely spend some time here. I don’t think I’d put down roots but there is a laid backness, culture and lifestyle that is hard to deny.
