Geneva 2

As we made our way to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum what building did we come upon? None other than the world trade organization and the United Nations Headquarters! Although there were no tours offered it was a photo opportunity galore. Eventually we came to the Red Cross and Red Crescent museum. The museum tells the story of how the Red Cross was formed, its governing philosophies, and talks briefly on various projects that it is working on/has worked on around the world. Although small it also has on record all POW (prisoner of war) from the First World War (1914 – 1918) which amounts to seven million index cards which identify these people and which are still used today for people in search of their ancestors.

We were also fortunate enough to catch the tail end of an exhibition called ‘Modestes’ which were photographs taken by Alexandra Boulat which speak to the women of the middle east. The shots were haunting and raw yet captured their life in all forms. I’ve included my favorite here which I have taken a photo (not well). It’s captures the moment when the polls have been re-opened to women. Upon writing this I’ve discovered she was a French photographer who passed away in 2007. More of her photos through a photo essay can be found at http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1669313,00.html?iid=redirect-boulat .

The rest of our privileged day consisted of seeing the Jet of water (I believe it claims to be the highest in the world). The flower clock, the old town and sampling some expensive but well worth it Swiss chocolates! YUM! We also bumped into some Canadians (from Windsor) who were a group of old men who just spent the last 6 days skiing. Upon seeing the Canadian flag on one of their jackets I went right up to say hello –while Abby our American friend - documented my overtly friendly self by taking a picture. I think she was also further amused when the rest of his friends we discovered were on top of the cathedral and Linda and I excitedly waved and shouted ‘CANADA!’ to cement our new found friendship. I was also thrilled to find a Quebec license plate in the back of an old car and found the need to snap a picture as well.

Our full day in Geneva ended on with a short train ride back to Lyon and talk of further explorations into the Swiss Alps to climb, hike and ski either at a later date this semester or another voyage!