Bus trip to Les Houches

It was quite strange to meet everyone in person after looking at their Trekker profiles online. Most of them had met before or are doing this trek as a group, so I tried to get to know them all quickly. All 19 of them!

We did quick name exchanges, but the more detailed introductions were given in Les Houches.

There was this feeling of anticipation in the air as we got on our bus to Les Houches, France where our next motel is located. It is a tiny destination made of motels, shops and a pub where trekkers (like us) and hardcore skiers / hikers / marathon runners (unlike us) go to get closer to the ranges of Mont Blanc, being the point closest to Geneva. The tuckaway gave us a teasing glimpse of our first glacier! And of the intimidating mountains we would be climbing - laughing at us "We lie!!! We're bigger than you thought we were in those images you googled!"

The fields and beautiful West European architechture held all my attention on the bus ride. Which was great, or I'd be spewing on my boots before I'd even started this thing. Airsick? Seasick? What're those? But chuck me in an expensive car which glides like silk... Well then you'd better have a rather fancy sickbag in the backseat.

Geneva Farmers Market

The first morning I had in Geneva, I decided not to stay in for breakfast, but to have a little solo walk outside to explore the streets. Early and hungry, I was hoping to search for some local fare.

Walking around, I found that most of the stores were closed. (fonduee...!) But undejected, i forged on... when out the corner of my eye, I saw something explosively colourful - a FARMER'S MARKET!!! I actually ran towards it across the main roads, as excited as I was. Please don't follow my example and ignore incoming traffic, it's not very smart.

The market had jars of jam, cheese, ham, flowers, bread, fruits, vegetables... etc, etc. All fresh and waited by friendly Genevians. I wanted to buy each of everything but my bag was too small and I knew they wouldn't last. Still, I got some bread and cheese with my horrid messed-up french.

"Quel le fromage est avec la fondue?"
She paused, smiled and said something while giving me a large packet of shredded Gruyere. I asked again, haltingly, if there was a smaller packet. No? Okay.

I hope i didn't offend anyone.
Yum!

Geneva, Hotel Residence St. James

While we waited for the rest of the trekkers to arrive in the city, we took the opportunity to run errands and a little tour of the streets were taken.

There were a lot of cyclists, as expected because the streets were absolutely clogged with cars. It was so relaxing, with all the locals speaking french everywhere, walking their dogs or sitting on the grass for a picnic on the jetty.

There were white swans! And a carousel! I haven't seen white swans in years - all the swans where I come from were black, and beautiful as they are, you just can't beat the graceful classics.

After walking around, we had dinner at an Italian pizzeria. I was totally unoriginal... Mushroom pizza and coke?! I could feel my italian speaking relative sigh. It was fantastic though!

Bienvenue to Geneva!

We MDA trekkers caught the train from the airport to the main part of Geneva, where our motel is. And promptly wound up lost on the streets. Our french might not be so good, but we had something even better: a lost hot mumma with a short dress ;D . What samaritan could resist?

Whether it worked, or whether they just humoured us, we found our way in the end.

To the Hotel Residence St James.

Hiatus end, adventure start!

It's been ages since I've posted, and I've been kicking myself to start but somehow things have just been making me sluggish and not wanting to. This mood has been getting me and others around me feeling a bit down, but I will do my best to get moving and enthused!

Where were we..? Oh yes, Geneva!