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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Journey to Le Tour...Part 1
I'm home! I thought it might be nice to relive my trip by picture blogging my adventure to Le Tour. So here it goes.
Arriving in Geneva (Genève as the locals call it)
After several hours of flying I had arrived with my good friend Pat Muha to the old country...the homeland for many of us Americans...Europe.
We jumped on a quick train contemplating our first move.
We decided We had better buy a bus ticket and meet our host for the next two nights who we had met on [url http://www.couchsurfing.com] couchsurfing.com
Problem was....neither of us speak French and the small amount of English on the machine was no help....even the "how to buy a ticket". We cjust couldn't figure it out.
It took about 30 minutes of staring and feeling instantly lost with a language barrier before we headed into the train station and learned we needed to buy a special card.
We had overcome our first hurdle....quite poorly...and it was off to the meeting place of our host. A random Apartment in Geneve.
Upon arrival...we rang a bell to the instructed apartment to meet our host "Jenny". After a quick buzz...we heard a "hello?". I assumed it was Jenny. But she didn't respond. After about 10 minutes of awkwardly waiting outside an old lady left the complex so Pat and I jumped inside....walked up four flights of steps....knocked on a door. It flung open....and standing there....a girl named Ingrid. Umm hello? We were confused.
Apparently Ingrid was making brunch for several people....which included Jenny....and no one had arrived. In the awkward moment of letting in two strangers from America....we thought the best thing to do was cook.
PAt makes some mean eggs.
Soon a crowd arrived...including our host Jenny who we had never met before.
We had a great time eating and chatting.
Jenny offered to take our bags...which was two back packs....while Pat and I wandered the city.
Our first stop...the reformation wall on the campus of the University of Geneve.
Next it was off to the old city.
And lastly down to Lake Lemon...or Lake Genève...either one works.
Pat and I decided we needed to check out the Jet D' Eau..the land mark water fountain visible from most of the city.
Some more wandering and a quick meal later it was off to our hosts house for dinner.
A quick game of deadly pin pong (ball landed on water cover)
and dinner it was time to hit the sack.
Day two began with a quick trip to France (5 minute walk). We were surprised to see the border remained unguarded. Our purpose in France...a trip up a mountain to get a great view of Genève.
Going up!
The view was great.
So great it had PAt jumping for joy.
Nice Alpe wildlife as well.
Learning to Jump off a Cliff
At the top a guy decided to jump off a cliff. There are five steps to jumping off a cliff.
Step one: Prepare to jump
Step two: Put on large diaper
Step three: Get a running start
Step four: Crap pants.
Step Five: Exhale
A busy day in France looking at Switzerland made Pat and I want to go back. So we headed to the old city for a relaxing drink.
We also came across this dude who I believe was trying to lift some weights for money....but failed!!!
I've never seen a street performer fail at his task before! We spent the evening eating Swiss fondue.... Delicious ....and then came across this party.
Geneva was a great time....but it was time to head South to see if we could make it to Le Tour!
Journey to Le Tour...Part 1
I'm home! I thought it might be nice to relive my trip by picture blogging my adventure to Le Tour. So here it goes.
Arriving in Geneva (Genève as the locals call it)
After several hours of flying I had arrived with my good friend Pat Muha to the old country...the homeland for many of us Americans...Europe.
We jumped on a quick train contemplating our first move.
We decided We had better buy a bus ticket and meet our host for the next two nights who we had met on [url http://www.couchsurfing.com] couchsurfing.com
Problem was....neither of us speak French and the small amount of English on the machine was no help....even the "how to buy a ticket". We cjust couldn't figure it out.
It took about 30 minutes of staring and feeling instantly lost with a language barrier before we headed into the train station and learned we needed to buy a special card.
We had overcome our first hurdle....quite poorly...and it was off to the meeting place of our host. A random Apartment in Geneve.
Upon arrival...we rang a bell to the instructed apartment to meet our host "Jenny". After a quick buzz...we heard a "hello?". I assumed it was Jenny. But she didn't respond. After about 10 minutes of awkwardly waiting outside an old lady left the complex so Pat and I jumped inside....walked up four flights of steps....knocked on a door. It flung open....and standing there....a girl named Ingrid. Umm hello? We were confused.
Apparently Ingrid was making brunch for several people....which included Jenny....and no one had arrived. In the awkward moment of letting in two strangers from America....we thought the best thing to do was cook.
PAt makes some mean eggs.
Soon a crowd arrived...including our host Jenny who we had never met before.
We had a great time eating and chatting.
Our first stop...the reformation wall on the campus of the University of Geneve.
Next it was off to the old city.
And lastly down to Lake Lemon...or Lake Genève...either one works.
Pat and I decided we needed to check out the Jet D' Eau..the land mark water fountain visible from most of the city.
Some more wandering and a quick meal later it was off to our hosts house for dinner.
A quick game of deadly pin pong (ball landed on water cover)
Day two began with a quick trip to France (5 minute walk). We were surprised to see the border remained unguarded. Our purpose in France...a trip up a mountain to get a great view of Genève.
Going up!
The view was great.
So great it had PAt jumping for joy.
Nice Alpe wildlife as well.
Learning to Jump off a Cliff
At the top a guy decided to jump off a cliff. There are five steps to jumping off a cliff.
Step one: Prepare to jump
Step two: Put on large diaper
Step three: Get a running start
Step four: Crap pants.
Step Five: Exhale
A busy day in France looking at Switzerland made Pat and I want to go back. So we headed to the old city for a relaxing drink.
We also came across this dude who I believe was trying to lift some weights for money....but failed!!!
I've never seen a street performer fail at his task before! We spent the evening eating Swiss fondue.... Delicious ....and then came across this party.
Geneva was a great time....but it was time to head South to see if we could make it to Le Tour!
but i'm sorry...when i look at the picture of the ticket machine...everything in french has the english translation right underneath it....uhhhh how was that hard?
Love the blog and the photos too.