Geneva

We leave Chamonix this morning with an unsettling circumstance. Margaret took a fall yesterday and it seems that she may have broken, cracked or separated her rib. She wasn't feeling it too much right after her fall, but more as the day went on. She is very uncomfortable and the pain is getting worse as time goes by. Having done the same thing in a ski accident at Wisp 5 years ago, I can understand her pain and discomfort. She had a difficult time sleeping last night and as time goes on movement is very uncomfortable. Martina, the hotel manager walked across the street with us to the pharmacy to help us get Margaret a rib belt and pain medication. Had about an hour before our bus ride so we went up the street to the Saturday open market where the local people shop on Saturdays. As most open markets in Europe, there were stalls filled with all the local delicacies...Savioe cheeses, saucissons from the local farms, flower stands, jewelry, regional fruits and vegetables, knives which are a local specialty craft by Opinel or Laguilot, chocolates, confections, etc. The town was abuzz with locals out and about shopping, skiers lined up at the bus stop to go to the different ski venues, as well as people taking in the World Cup event.

Chamonix in the morning is rather interesting. The town is situated very deep in the valley, with the mountains jutting straight up from the town proper. It appears rather dark in the morning, but as your eyes gaze upwards to the mountains peaks that are 360 degrees around you, you see
the sun splashed brilliantly across the highest peaks and jagged crests. It is so eerily spectacular and dramatic. Chamonix valley created by the glacier is so narrow...it' s as if you are at the bottom of a funnel.

Got the bus at 10:30 for Geneva. As we approached the small village of Les Houches, it was crowded with people getting ready to watch the World Cuo competition. Saw the bottom part of the downhill run as we were leaving the small village. Arrived in Geneva about 2 hours later. You would think it's spring time...weather is sunny and fairly warm. Geneva is a very international city...you see many nationalities. Lake Leman is very big with the city divided into the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droit (Right Bank).. The Hotel Bel Esperance, where we are staying is on the Rive Gauche near the Vielle Ville (Old Town) area. Very picturesque, sophisticated, and a very easy city to walk about. Spent a couple hours exploring along the lake front and the streets of the old city. Obvious there is a lot of wealth here...Ferraris, Bentleys, Alfa Romeos are parked on the streets of the city as well as many haute couture designer shops lining the main street. Will continue to explore tomorrow.