So sorry for the lack of posting as a result of the shocking lack of wifi and internet, but we have made a plan and so my apologies for the backdated post....Craig will update you with news of Spain within the next few days.
Place: Nicole Rosenberg’s cozy apartment in Geneva, which has become our new wonderful home for 6 nights.
Brief introduction to my dear and amazing friend, Nicole Rosenberg:
Friends for almost 20 years, we share a birthday (8th April to be exact), we played for the same waterpolo and hockey teams at school, sat next to each other in every class, got roped into swimming 100m Butterfly at EVERY gala’s together, 8 midmar miles together and this is the incredible friend who flew out to South Africa from Geneva on the Friday and flew back the Sunday just to make our wedding last year. As if that isn’t enough, now she is the amazing host who has opened her home to Craig and I for an entire week.
Nicole has been a friend like no other. She is beautiful, fun and always honest and has been such a blessing.
Monday, 2nd July
We have just reached the halfway point of our adventure (3 months, 17 countries, approximately 6000 photographs, about 10 litres of beer consumed, bags of filthy laundry, packed on the a couple of extra kg's weight as a result of all the feasting and now a burning desire to take a day off.
So from the onset, Craig and I decided that the first 2 days were ‘off days’ and that we would use this time to recover, relax and do as little as possible, eat a lot and sleep even more.
This couldn’t have come at a better time as I woke up on Monday morning to rainy dark skies and with a dreadful cold.
We love mornings when we can start the day by making our own tea/coffee in a real mug, and not spend 3euro (R30 for 3 sips), dunk a delicious OUMA rusk (okay 2 rusks) and sit on the comforts of a couch, still in pajamas, watching the highlights of Wimbledon and the Tour de France, followed by a series of dvd’s. not to mention enjoying a hearty steak and veggies for dinner .... aaaaaah the finer things in life huh J.
Tuesday, 3rd July
Following pretty much the same wonderful recipe of sleep, eat and dvd’s as the Monday, Tuesday would be no different for the most part. We had only 1 task for the day and that was to confirm our ticket to San Sebastian for the ‘Running of the Bulls’, which we leave for on the 7th July.
So that’s what we did: woke up, made tea, ate Bovril on toast, dunk an OUMA rusk, took off pajamas, went to train station, bought the tickets, got back to the apartment, put on pajamas, and did nothing.
Wednesday, 4th July
Cabin fever setting in, it was the day that we would venture out and see the wonderful city of Geneva.
We caught the number 12 tram down to RIVE, which is the center of the city and the perfect position from which to wonder the streets in every direction.
Mont Blanc, Rolex, Tissot, Swatch, Tag Hauer and numerous other watch brands were to be seen everywhere along with Prada, Gucci, Dolci and Gabbana, Ellie Saab and various others dominating the streets.
Craig and I spotted a huge spray of water in the distance and made that our target and headed in that direction.
Once we arrived we were incredibly impressed with the enormous pump shooting gallons of water high up into the air and sparking the inquisitive mind of Craig to explore and investigate this astounding ‘fountain’. I followed Craig closely until about 50m from the fountain as I was being soaked by its powerful spray. That didn’t stop Craig, he hurried closer and took pictures from every angle.
We then made our way through the English Gardens where we soaked up the atmosphere of the upcoming summer and enjoyed watching people lie on the grass reading, chatting, improving their tans and making the most of the beautiful day.
This day was finished with a huge spoil as Nicole had bought 3 beautiful cuts of Canadian Bison steak, which Craig cooked to perfection and relished in every mouthful of what Craig and I agree is the ‘best steak we have both EVER eaten’.
Thursday, 5th July
Craig decided that we would explore the other side of the lake and visit Martigny, which is well known in the winter months for its remarkable ski slopes. The scenery was breathtaking as we rode alongside Lake Geneva spotting castles, sailboats, mountains of trees and lush vegetation and historical churches in the distance. Eventually we arrived at this quaint little town, where we walked through a market of desserts, cheeses, vegetables and souvenirs. Craig making sure to keep to a reasonably fast pace and stopping me from stopping to sample EVERYTHING possible.
We then found a bench, and had our packed lunch of sandwiches and chocolate before strolling through the little town with the huge mountains adding a sublime backdrop to the streets.
We then caught a train headed into the mountains where we could get to the cable cars, which are used to get to the top of the ski slopes so that the pro skiers zig-zag through the trees, down the ice, to the bottom of the mountain and appreciated the magnificent views.
Friday, 6th July
Yay for the weekend and that Nicole had managed to take a day off work in order to spend quality time together. My wonderful friend had organized a boat trip on the lake to Yvoire , which is a small village which is actually in France.
Weather was ideal as we sat on the first class top deck (completely free as a result of the amazing Eurorail pass). We chatted, laughed about old times and spoke about life in Geneva as we passed old cottages, castles, jetties and various little sailboats on the water.
As we pulled into Yvoire, Craig and I were dumbstruck by the prettiness of the village, with the green ivy growing over the walls, hundreds of pot plants hanging from the windows and balconies displaying colorful flowers in every shape and shade, adding to the village’s French flair. The only thing missing was a French artist wearing a beret and singing with a monkey on his shoulder.
We plonked ourselves down at the end of a hidden path, which meets up with the lake, and let our feet hang over as we hung out and enjoyed such an amazing time together.
Stomachs grumbling we started the search for a spot to have some lunch.
Crepes, ice cream, fondues, French fries, fish and so many options we decided on a potato bake for Nicole, a salmon and mussel dish for me and a scrumptious selection of meats, veggies, and baked potato to be dipped in a rich melted cheese for Craig. Full up on a wonderful lunch we managed to find room for the enticing ice creams where we sat and enjoyed on a bench in the square before catching the last boat back to Geneva.
It was a superb day of beautiful sights, excellent conversation, good times, even better food and another treasure for the ‘memory bank’.
Saturday 7th July
With sadness, we left Nicole and her cats in ‘around the sun to get to the moon’ direction of San Sebastian in Spain where we begin the 2nd leg of our journey.
It has been an amazing week in Geneva and being given the opportunity to stay with my dear friend has been so special and given us the energy and fuel we need for the next part of the trip.
This week we will attempt to ‘run with the bulls’ in Pamplona and do our very best to come out unscratched. I have been warned that it is frowned upon for women to participate in the ‘running’, but will still go with the hopes of living out this dream of mine and hopefully come back with my husband in tact.
P.s. Go Federer!!!!!!!!
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