Travel and Personal

Geneva awakens

By Dweep Chanana ⋅ March 26, 2006 ⋅  Email this post ⋅ Post a comment

After several weeks, and months, of grey, cold, wet days, the sun has brought spring to Geneva. This is the Geneva I remember, and one that one can but adore. Sitting in the sun, instead of at the university conducting research as was the original plan, I recall why last summer was so unproductive. Because the mindless pursuit of relaxation was so much more rewarding.

At Parc des Bastions, where I now have wifi access, two musicians practice a duet together, while their friends lie and read. Oothers – couples, men, or women – sleep, chat, or do nothing. People have brought music, footballs, books, skateboards, and anything else useful outdoors.

Over by the lake, throngs of people have emerged, as if from a long, tiring hibernation. Geneva rewards them, for having survived winter, with bring sun, crystal blue and green waters of Lac Leman. Across the lake, the snowy peaks of the Jura and Mont Blanc herald the end of spring, showing finally the magnificence hidden by cloud through winter.

Time changed today, to daylight savings. Geneva awakens. A city is reborn.