Last weekend I went to visit my lovely friend Val, who is studying with BU in Geneva. Grenoble and Geneva are only about two hours apart by train, and it was only about 20 euro each way. It's incredible how easily one can switch countries here! I took a train early Saturday morning and was there by 10. After purchasing some very necessary Swiss chocolate and having a nice lunch of grilled cheese (made with Gruyere, bien sur) we decided to wander up to the Carouge neighborhood, a nice artsy little place with lots of cute shops (none of which I could afford, naturally, this being Switzerland and thus the most expensive country ever).
After wandering around a bit, we made our way over to the old part of the city, which is elevated. It is all in a light tan stone, and there's a big cathedral there. The cathedral is actually where Calvin taught when he was in charge in Geneva and definitely feels different than the big Catholic cathedrals I've been in--much plainer, for one! But it is still very beautiful and lots of stained glass and such. The old quarter is nice, and very scenic, but Grenoble's is much more lively, with more old shops and such. Of course, I'm a little biased since I am living here!
After all that we were very tired, but within a few hours were ready to head out again for fondue! The first place, which Val had already been to, was absolutely full, but luckily it is not hard to find fondue in Geneva and we quickly found a little restaurant and ordered fondue and wine and had a really lovely dinner.I have had real Swiss fondue before, when the fam all went to Switzerland when I was a senior in high school, but it was even more delicious than I remembered, and it's fun to be able to order wine in a restaurant and no one even checks cards here! I guess I look like an adult or something? Or probably they just don't care.
The next morning we went for a walk around the lake, or as they call it in French, Lac Leman. I enjoyed all of the swans and the beautiful scenery, with the distant mountains (much more loom-y in Grenoble) and the beautiful buildings. Some photos:
Some lady decided to feed the swans and ducks, and this was the result.
After that, it was back to Grenoble!
Geneva is a beautiful city, but expensive! For example, here I pay 90 centimes for a pain au chocolat. There, in an ordinary bakery, one pays 2.50 francs! The only thing that I could get cheap was the chocolate, and even so if I'd wanted I could have spent 50 francs on a box easily. I would love to explore some of the museums some time as well--but save something for next time I suppose.
This weekend BU is taking us to Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. I expect it will be fun.
Love,
Miriam
No comments:
Post a Comment