Geneva-Thursday

Wow - Geneva is beautiful- reminds me of Victoria, Canada, set around the harbor at the base of Lac Lemon, Geneva in this portion of Switzerland, is a little inroad into and surrounded geographically by France, the harbor area has low story buildings strung to form a U around the harbor. We explored old town Geneva with its chocolate shops as regular as every corner or more and little alleys with windows framed by red geraniums. Often we have found fountains have a spigot with the phrase "potable water" above so you can reach under with your hand and cup some water to refresh yourself. We heard French, German and Italian though little English. We took a tram which did a portion of the U and ended up at the English Gardens where we had lunch outside. The restaurant manager reminded us very much of the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland as he flew around the restaurant late apparently for a most important date. Interestingly also I am reading Mary Shellys Frankenstein and Jacquie is reading an Agatha Christie, both set in Geneva... Geneva was all good....however...two days in Geneva was more expensive than 5 anywhere else...next time the girls pay...ha!

By 5 we hit the road towards Paris and thought we would overnight in Dijon, but felt great that we decided to press on and in fact had booked a hotel near the airport for Friday night before our flight home, so just headed there and by 11:30 we were checking in - no need to move on Friday then - a treat!

It is Bastilles Day - French Independence on Friday - so as we took the ring road around Paris to the Charles de Gaulles airport...there were fireworks going up all around us as we passed communities - it was a spectacular welcome home to Paris. The hotel is just splendid after a long drive. Internet, play station and movies in an ultra modern and large lobby.

Tomorrow we will pack then do two things, explore Marcos neighborhood of his youth then head to the Champs Elysees (Sophie..., je ne peux pas mettre l'accent sur Elysees en tant que pour une fois pas un clavier français... mais je sais que c'est là !)

It has been such a pleasure travelling around and seeing Marco's family and Europe. We are also though, very happy to be heading home! On Saturday! Thank you, Thank you Cynthia in advance for picking us up - tried to call you today - spoke with Ally to confirm - will call you today or email me! Hugs - KB