Well not much of Geneva today, we headed out this morning by train to Lausanne. Its just across the lake from Geneva, but the lake isn't at all like what we are used to, something like 50 miles long and up to ten miles across. Took about 40 minutes on the train, but was nice to get to see more of the country side. Lots more wineries and what appeared to be some lilac farms. Don't really know but alot of purple flowers.
Speaking of the lake, it is just amazing how clear the water is. Maybe we are just used to the dirtiest lakes ever, and then the Thames is even dirtier than that. Looks like chocolate milk most of the time. But Lake Geneva is literally crystal clear. I could always see the bottom standing out on docks or anywhere else. No wonder the locals have swim clubs in the lake itself.
After the museum, we had some time to kill so we ventured to some of the old churches in the center of town. Seems I never quite get tired of walking through these old churches, no matter how much each one of the looks the previous.
I have become a big fan or organs, too.
One of the things that seemed really strange while we were here, is just how much and ironically how little commercialism there was in Geneva. On the tops of every building were the most iconic brand names. Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and all the rest, but other than 2 or 3 McDonalds, I didn't see a single other restaurant that I had ever heard of before. Not even a Subway. It was really difficult to pick where to eat when EVERYTHING is a mystery.
And as a parting thought, just because you book a cheap flight and hotel, don't think you are going to get out of Geneva without spending some serious $$$$. Something about the Swiss, not sure why, but everything was super expensive. I try not to think about it as much as possible, but meals were rough on the pocket book. We met a couple that said they ordered drinks before dinner, and somehow managed to spend 64 francs for 2 drinks. I would have spit it up and told them they could have it back.
Lausanne's big claim to fame is the International Olympic Committee, and for us the Olympic museum. A word of advise....anytime your travel guide describes the city as 'having 3 levels' just pass on the visit all together. The train arrived on level 2 and we walked downhill for 20 minutes to level 1, and of course had to come back up. After yesterday you would have thought we would have avoided hills, but you would be wrong.
Anyway the Olympic Museum was great. Would have loved to take tons of pictures, but alas no photography inside. But nonetheless filled with really cool stuff. Every torch and Olympic medal from every games. Michael Jordon's shoes, Usain Bolt's jersey, Chris Boardman's pursuit bike, the list really went on and on. We used the audio guide which moved things along pretty fast, but you could have spent the entire day inside if you really read everything.
I had a little run in with a Swiss Asian lady who took exception to the size of my camera bag and told me I needed to leave. It was clear that her English and my French were not going to come to an agreement on things, so I ended up telling her boss on her and she had to let me in. It was funny to me, but she seemed pretty irate about the whole thing.
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| They call it OUCHY because its soo steep |
Anyway the Olympic Museum was great. Would have loved to take tons of pictures, but alas no photography inside. But nonetheless filled with really cool stuff. Every torch and Olympic medal from every games. Michael Jordon's shoes, Usain Bolt's jersey, Chris Boardman's pursuit bike, the list really went on and on. We used the audio guide which moved things along pretty fast, but you could have spent the entire day inside if you really read everything.
I had a little run in with a Swiss Asian lady who took exception to the size of my camera bag and told me I needed to leave. It was clear that her English and my French were not going to come to an agreement on things, so I ended up telling her boss on her and she had to let me in. It was funny to me, but she seemed pretty irate about the whole thing.
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| View from the entrance to the Museum |
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| Just a couple of the torches. The had a full set of torches and medals from every Olympics |
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| They never said what the mold of my abs was for. Now I know. |
One of the things that seemed really strange while we were here, is just how much and ironically how little commercialism there was in Geneva. On the tops of every building were the most iconic brand names. Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and all the rest, but other than 2 or 3 McDonalds, I didn't see a single other restaurant that I had ever heard of before. Not even a Subway. It was really difficult to pick where to eat when EVERYTHING is a mystery.
And as a parting thought, just because you book a cheap flight and hotel, don't think you are going to get out of Geneva without spending some serious $$$$. Something about the Swiss, not sure why, but everything was super expensive. I try not to think about it as much as possible, but meals were rough on the pocket book. We met a couple that said they ordered drinks before dinner, and somehow managed to spend 64 francs for 2 drinks. I would have spit it up and told them they could have it back.
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| Just because its funny |
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