Swissness

The leaves glistened like shiny pennies dangling from trees, and there was a sweet aroma of crepes and chocolate that drifted through the crisp air. As we ambled up and down the winding and rather quiet, streets of Geneva my roommate Stacy and I could describe the Swiss city in only one word, "precious." A feeling came over us like we had been dropped into some fairy tale wonderland where everyone smiled and said Bonjour at any chance they got. A lake filled with beautiful white swans and reflections of the surrounding architecture was plopped right in the middle of the city, allowing us to feel at one with nature while simultaneously being immersed in Geneva’s bustling center. We stayed in a small bed and breakfast owned and run by an old couple who couldn't have been more lovable. They showered us with smiles and boisterous laughs and we woke up each morning to the permeating smells of Swiss hot chocolate and warm flaky croissants. On our first day we took a boat tour around the lake where we relaxed bundled in our winter layers, and where the sun warmed our faces despite the briskness of Switzerland’s November air.

We stopped in countless shops and tea houses that lured us in off of the street with their charm and warm ambiance. Each day Stacy and I found ourselves full when we realized that we had stopped three times within the past two hours, each time forcing ourselves to eat yet another pastry, just so that we could spend a moment in the adorable eateries that lined every street. On our last morning we took a short bus ride to the outskirts of the city where we then walked on foot over the French border. We followed the signs through a tiny French village leading us to a gondola that would bring us to the top of Le Monte Saleve. Clear weather would have been preferable but the clouds that filled the sky that morning made for a mystical trek through the paths that were etched into the top of the mountain.

Geneva is home to over two hundred international organizations, it is the proud owner of the world’s highest water fountain and it is the site of the United Nations headquarters. It is a town overflowing with cultures and languages and most notable to me was its charming character. I found the people of Geneva to be overwhelmingly kind, welcoming, and respectable. This trip to Switzerland, for me, was one of those visits when you head back to the airport and think, "I will be coming back to this place." It was a trip that was inspiring and fulfilling and one that reminded me of what my love for travel is all about.