Big wheel in town: "Roue de Genève"

There's a new summer attraction in town this year: The "Roue de Genève". It's there until end of August, in the Quartier des Tranchées, just behind the Eglise russe, on Place Sturm!

It's a good idea for a family activity as you can combine the ride with a hotdog or crêpe afterwards! We were very pleased about the fantastic views we got - in all directions: to the old town, on the lake, to the Salève mountain ...

Now, for the Fêtes de Genève, we have another big wheel just at the lake. But it's smaller and the location is not as good for a real overview. But I'm sure it's fun too! Nevertheless I recommand Place Sturm's "Roue de Genève"!!

Montreux Jazz Festival

It's again this time of the year! Montreux Jazz Festival:
3 years ago we went to David Sanborn and Al Jarreau ... Al Jarreau created a wonderful swinging dancing atmosphere ... listen to him below...

4th July celebration!

No, we are still living in Switzerland... but let's say in a special part of Switzerland - in international Geneva! So we joined in the American 4th July Celebration last Saturday.

It was organised by the American Club and supported by the American International Women's Club, the American Mission and others. We looked forward to the whole all American atmosphere, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs - and we were not at all dissapointed!

We even sang the national anthem and were thankful for the lyrics that were distributed in advance! So I learned that the anthem is called the "Star-Spangled Banner"!

The bakery of the Women's Club was not only yummy, but also a delight to look at, especially for sure the cupcake flag!!

Now we are already looking forward to next year's 4th July!!

Politeness in Geneva

Car drivers are perhaps not the politest persons you can find in Geneva. But I found other situations where Geneva politeness impressed me. When you’ve put your groceries on the band at the checkout of Coop or Migros and you place one of those items which separate your groceries from the following client, you receive a polite « Merci » from the genevois.

And probably not only from the real genevois people, but also from many expats. I personally learned to thank for this gesture as well while living here (never thought of thanking for that in Germany!! I can’t remember loads of thank yous for this gesture!!).
Additionally, I made the following experience: When I – certainly by accident bump into someone with my stroller (let’s say at Coop) I always say PARDON. The interesting thing to me as that they always answer with PARDON in such cases as well! As if they hitted me and not the other way round. Now I do fortunately not bump into someone all the time! But there are enough situations where you have to apologize in daily life. It makes you feel nice when you get a PARDON back for a thing that you have done wrong.