Thing #31 that I love about Geneva - Bâtiment des forces Motrices

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, people still gave a monkeys butt about public architecture. Grand and glorious buildings were proud signs of a cities culture and wealth. A nice facade was a joy for all, not just the few the rich and the filthy.

But, I digress.

The Bâtiment des forces motrices is for me, hands down, the most breathtaking piece of architecture in Geneva. Almost ten years going, and every time I go by it (which sometimes I do more than once a day), it takes my breath away just a little bit. And to see her tarted up at night with her lights! Hubba hubba!

Started at the end of the last century (pardon, the century BEFORE last. Sigh. I'm getting old) as an industrial works for normalizing the water levels in the lake and river, its function outmoded and it was finally converted into a space for theater, exhibitions and functions.

It is a lovely space. When you go inside before entering the theater area, you can still see the huge old industrial bits, and enjoy the feeling of teeny-tinyness in such a sweeping space.

What a grand old dame!

Thing #30 that I love about Geneva - Bread and Wine with The Brothers

Geneva may be the city of Calvin, but in my neighborhood the Catholics are going strong.

The Saint François church sits tucked in a little back way on a road closed to traffic. And right next to the church is a little building that houses the Franciscan Brothers.

A fixture of our neighborhood, you see them rocking around in their grey robes, sandals and rosary beads. You run into them buying their bread in the bakery. Recycling their wine bottles at the bins. Doing their thing, and as the Bee Gees once said, just stayin' alive.

I tell ya, there's nothing like men running around in grey dresses to add a little colour to the neighborhood!

Thing #29 that I love about Geneva/Switzerland - Voting by correspondance

I know that this is not a novel concept in many countries, but coming from the US, I find the idea of being able to vote by correspondence on a universal and systematic basis to be a bit of a revelation.

Not only in Switzerland can you cast your ballot by mail, but the explanatory material accompanying your voting packet is amazing!

You systematically receive literature providing the details of the propositions you are voting on (ex. modifying social security) as well as providing the official counter arguments against the measure. On top of that, you get a nice tidy little list in the back of the brochure showing each Party's position. So if you are undecided you can always reference the vantage point of the political party that you feel the most affinity with (there are 7 principal parties in the Canton of Geneva, plus a handful of smaller Parties: Solidarity, Left Alliance, Workers Party, Communist Party and Independents).

So you get your voting packet in the mail, read the support literature, write in your vote on the ballot, seal it up in an anonymous blue envelope and then put it in a bigger envelope with a card you sign verifying that it is indeed you that voted. Then you just pop it all in the mail box (of course the postage is already paid on the envelope).

It's just so damn civilized!

Thing #28 that I love about Geneva - Artraction

I was walking in Jonction with Monkey Boy the other day when we came by this new gallery (or new to me anyway).

This gallery aims (among a number of things) to promote local artists in the Lake Geneva region and make their works accessible to the larger public. And accessible they do indeed make them. Not only is it possible to buy works, but you can also rent them! This means you can test drive a piece before you commit or if you need variety in your life, you can regularly alternate what you display in your home.

This is truly excellent. Aspiring artists and aspiring art collectors rarely get a change to meet one another at the opening gate. And art can just seem so intimidating and beyond reach for us prolos. I love this two way democratization.

I am looking forward to checking out the works on offer and who knows, maybe something locally made and fabulous will come to grace my walls.

Thing #27 that I love about Geneva - Green Roofs

To be frank, Geneva doesn't suffer excessively from a lack of greenery, but still I have been really pleased these past few years to see the rising trend towards greening rooftops, particularly big ugly industrial eyesore rooftops.

We are also seeing this more and more with apartment buildings as well.

I know that this isn't a movement that is particular to Geneva, but I am proud of my fair city for flowing into a good trend.

Beautiful, greening, oxygen making.

All good.

Back, bigger, better and naturalized!

Oh, great shameful shame! It has been a year since I have posted anything.

Damn, a year sure does go by fast! And lots seems to happen as well.

In the past year that I have continued dreaming posts in my head, but never quite managing to actually post them. I have changed jobs, become a Swiss citizen, and above all, continued loving Geneva (dog shit and housing situation aside, of course).

So, I'm back. I'm bigger (actually, I think that I might have lost a few pounds, but we'll be working on that). Good Lord, I hope to better. And yes, Folks. I am naturalized. So from here on out, consider this blog a "Swiss insider/wide eyed American in Europe" hybrid view.

Welcome back!

Thing #26 that I love about Geneva - Cheeto Trees

I was a frightfully unobservant person before I moved here, so it is entirely possible that I had Plane-trees growing out the window of every house I have ever lived in for my whole life and just never noticed, but when I first came to Geneva and saw these trees I almost fell on the ground from a mix of awe and laughter.

Being a serious botanist, I dubbed these trees "Cheeto Trees" - I think the picture explains my logic.

Actually, I am ashamed to admit this, but it is only now, after over eight years of living here, that I have bothered to find out their actual name.

Plane tree, Schmane tree! They'll always be Cheeto Trees to me.