This morning we went to Geneva to vist where my grandmother grew up. It was another exciting day filled with walking, new things, and complete amazement as to how beautiful Switzerland is. I was also able to check some things off of my travel list!
My mom and I ate breakfast of madeleines and butter cookies with coffee and tea before heading to the train station to buy tickets to Geneva. We had some trouble with the ticket machine (we couldn't use a credit card without a pin), but we conquered and went to track five to wait for our train. The train ride to Geneva was less than an hour and we were dropped in the city center. My cousins had given us directions to old town while we were at dinner, and it was easy to find.
First we stopped to see the Jet d'Eau; it's literally a plume of water that is shot out of Lake Geneva. It's less than fascinating. We walked through the park and then headed up into old town to find St. Pierre's church (Saint Peter's) and 13 Grand Rue where my grandmother grew up. On the way to Grand Rue we were sidetracked by a used bookstore. I bought a copy of Vol de Nuit, by the same author as the little prince, printed in 1945 in Lausanne.
Next to Grand Rue. My entire life I had heard of 13 Grand Rue and had imagined it to be like the old apartment buildings that litter every street in Switzerland. I was disappointed to find out that it is way more modern than I expected. After taking a picture we quickly left to go to St. Pierre's.
St. Pierre's is the church where Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door and spearhead the Protestant Reformation. It's a beautiful romanesque church with so much history. The inside was spectacular with amazing bas relief sculptures and the entirely painted and gilded Chapel of the Maccabees. A must see when in Geneva.
St. Pierre's Church
Next we went to the Musée d'Art et Histoire. The museum's permanent collection is free and contains such works as by the likes of Picasso, Cézanne, and many Swiss artists. There's also a collection of applied art and more modern multi media art if fine art isn't your thing. There was an art deco exhibit and even a display of armor and military weaponry! While walking through the museum, I heard music coming from another room. The song was coming from one of the multi media videos and is the inspiration for this post's title (I'm a victim of this song by pipilotti rist). At the exit to the museum there was a work of art that consisted of a series of moving parts that turned into a huge cranking machine when a foot peddle was pressed. It was so fascinating! I'm a sucker for all art museums, but I really enjoyed this one.
Painting by a Swiss artist in the Musée d'Art et Histoire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJgiSyCr6BY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELy0ulAosAA
Next we decided to hunt down lunch. We walked along in the park that skirts the lake and strolled in the English garden before going to find a sidewalk café where my mom saw delicious looking french fries. We shared a burger with salad and french fries. The bread and butter that came before our meal was crusty and superb. Some of the best I've had in Europe so far. Our lunch came with individual sized jars of ketchup and mustard which we happily dipped our pomme frites in. The burger came on a fluffy bun with a dijon mustard sauce, red onions, lettuce, and tomato. I ate the whole thing (minus the tomato), and it was one of the best burgers that I've ever had.
Before heading back to Lausanne we stopped to by souvenirs. I got a small stein with flowers and "switzerland" printed on it. I plan on drinking my coffee out of it while I'm in Paris.
Once back in Lausanne we decided to go to the lake one last time. We took the bus, but forgot that there was a triathalon happening today so the route had been changed! We walked up and down the hills of Lausanne at least three times in less than three hours. I'm exhausted! We had finally caught the bus two back up to Croisires so that we could go to COOP to replenish snacks an bread for dinner only to find out that they were closed! We rushed back to the bus and sprinted down the hill to the 7/11 like COOP that we visited on our first day. We ran through the door just as they were closing and grabbed our groceries. Then back on the bus to our hotel to eat bread and herbed cream cheese for dinner.
Now time for bed before our 6:24am train back to Paris.
No comments:
Post a Comment