Geneva Diary

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Geneva Diary

Pengba Aruuba Eshingee *

Winter seemed to have taken its toll on the Alpine forests. The dry brown tall straight woods stood testimony to it. The snowclad Alps, as magnificient as ever, seemed to care a hoot though. But therein lies the beauty of Switzerland. It was a sort of childhood dream coming true, setting foot on the world's most beautiful country.

The welcome, though was not the most ideal one. Intermittent rain, freezing temperature and the jetlag of a long haul flight momentarily acted as dampner. But it was not the time to be complaining.

On one hand it was the curosity of finding out what one learnt in social studies lessons about Geneva during the high school days. The United Nations, International Labour Organisation, United Nations Human Rights Commission and so on.

On the other, when you have the chance to feel in real life what you have seen only in those umpteen picture postcards or in movies like Chandni or DDLJ, then you kick the tiredness and forget the choke-a-block schedule to enjoy every moment of it. Never mind that Sridevi or Kajol is not courting you, but just pull out camera make the most out of it. That was excatly what was decided upon.

The ladies at reception were asked to hurry up to complete our formalities, only that their half French and half German speech was coming in our way.

Nevertheless, as soon as checking was completed and the luggages were dumped in the room and a hurriedly taken mixed lunch of stew, rissoto, pasta and few mugs of coffee later, it was time hand over our fate for the next few hours to Mikeal, the Spanish guide. Thankfully, by that time the sky had cleared up and the Sun was shining bright, a perfect mild winter Sun.

Considering the limited time we had, one brief given to him was to show us as much of Geneva as possible, for from the next day till the end of the visit there would not be any time left for such indulgence.

So there we are, driving across the old world charm of the idyllic place passing through some of the world famous landmarks, such as the three-legged chair, a symbol of anti-landmine movement. Set up ages ago, the chair could not have been more relevant today.

The immediate thought was the news that one read up on e-pao.net in emnating from somewhere near Churachandpur, of the undergrounds and the Indian Army and how villagers were blown up by landmines.

No Landmines Please!

Without any bias to anyone, whosoever is using landmines just need to see this towering 'disabled' structure standing right in the heart of a peaceful country, reminding all and sundry how the miamed remains incomplete for the rest of their lives, never to be complete again. Think about it.

After a few quick clicks, Mikeal sped towards the famous Lake Geneve, the mother of all romantic places. The umpteen yatches on the shore seemed to be waiting for visitors to take them out. On the backdrop, right in the middle of the lake was the Zdo fountain. The scene was best captured in the camera for posterity, words anyway will never do justice in describing it.

Versoix was the last place on the agenda for the day. In the twilight, the hue of blue descending on Lake Geneve with the white of snowcald Alps on the backdrop, one just have to admire the creativity of the guy up there.

Admire him with a few mugs of steaming coffee. What do you say?

The Zdo fountain at Lake Geneve

A new Sunrise and the the fun of the past day is gone. Time for the hectic running around.

When so many people from across the world have gathered at one area, many of them trying to outdo each other, you also become a part of the crowd. So nevermind the fact that you had skipped lunches, as long as you are rolling on and keep the thing flowing--precisely the reason why you have flown across the seven seas.

Tell the world Manipuris are as good as them.

In between that madness, taking a few pictures of the cars that were on display at the Geneva Auto Show happening at that time was an experience in itself. From concept cars to new models to hybrids, it was to be seen to be believed.

Mazda Sports' car Concept

From Rolls Royces, Bentleys, to Benzes, BMWs, to the Toyotas, Hondas and the Suzukis and Hyundais and of course one certain Tata--it was the place where the best of West and East competed for attention.

Just that time would never be enough to admire them and of course a land called Switzerland.

Pengba Aruuba Eshingee , a pseudonym , writes regularly to e-pao.net . You can email the writer at [email protected] .This article was webcasted on 13th March 2007.

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