Geneva..the "timebound" city

After we checked into the hotel, we slept for the next three hours exhausted from the whole driving experience. was a B&B called "hotel Cental" aptly named for its location. It was located on the main street in Geneva on the sixth floor of a building that had offices as well as shops. Although they had an option of using a shared bathroom, we paid a little more and got our own bathroom. It was a tiny room with a tiny TV and a table on the side. The weird part was the room door opened into the bathroom which then opened into the room. However, at that time, we were too tired to care.

After we got up, we set out to get food since we were famished. Neeraj loves Italian food (anything with cheese and I dislike it). So the dreaded moment had arrived. We were surrounded with italian restaurants, sandwich shops and all sorts of shops. We walked around for a reasonably priced restaurant and it seemed like all the restaurants were quite expensive. Finally, we found a Chinese restaurant which looked like the spring roll-fried rice-kung pow chicken places. The owner ushered us in and immediately we saw dozens of people smoking. Politely we asked to sit outside. We ordered tom yum soup, chicken sweet and sour and rice. The food was alright and once our stomachs were full, we broached upon the delicate topic of the car.

It was costing us about 171 CHF per day to keep the car. Since street parking in not allowed for more than an hour, we had to leave it in the public parking which was another 24 CHF a day. We called the car rental company and told them we wanted to return the car and then rent another car (smaller) the day after. Thankfully, they agreed to do it. However, we would not get the internet deal, and the smaller car would cost almost the same as the bigger car. But it was smaller and we did not have to worry about it for a day!!

We grabbed a quick sandwich at Mac Ds , carefully read the map and at about 9 in the night returned the car at the airport and sat in the public bus which brought is back to the hotel in about 10 minutes and 6 CHF :)) The next day, breakfast was served in room which was coffee, orange juice and two kinds of bread, butter and marmalade. We set out to see the wonders of this city...

We spend considerable time at the Geneva Jet d'eau (Jet of water). Once we reached it, thats where it hits you that this is the city of Time. There are hoardings for almost all the watch companies all over. By noon, we were quite bored of the jet and were heading back to the hotel when we saw the tourism offices on one of the bridges. Grabbed a free booklet and map and found a list of top ten things to see. Turns out that the undergroung parking was right by the famous Flower Clock. Just that we were too hassled to notice. Also a couple of statues that were listed in it were right by the jet and we had seen those. That left us with six things to see. The lady in the office said they were about 5 minutes walking distance behind hotel Central. :) We again patted our backs for the wise decision of returning the car.

It so happens that all the places we saw the previous day, were these places. Just that we did not know. :) We walked up the hill-like roads which were cobbled which lead to a cathedral. Below the cathedral was a real archeological site which we paid 8 CHF to see. But they let us take as many pictures as we wanted. It was so spooky to know that there was an entire catheral and parts of the city under the existing cathedral. Definitely a must see. We spent plenty of time there, peeped into the cathedral for a few minutes. It was quite spendid and first of many in our trip. The walk around the cathedral was oh-so European!! I have falled in love with the cobbled streets. There is an administration building which was quite artistic, the place where there were some cannons. There was a garden where there were chess game boards marked on the ground and almost life-size pawns. People were actually lifting them and walking to change places. Very funky!!

Also, Smart Cars all over the place...They grow on you!! :) I hope they decide to launch 'em in India. Had dinner in one of the open air restaurants in the middle of the streets. Had pizza, finally!! :) Just a little one too many sparrows...I think I amused everyone by ducking everytime a sparrow flew my way...The street side musicians playing accordians and singing typical European music was so enchanting..I can still close my eyes and hear them play music..

We managed to see about 9 of the 10 of the items. This changed our opinion about the city. It is a city with character and history..just that it is hidden under a "chronological" life...