Thing #24 that I love about Geneva - Ciao Bella!

The Marx Brothers once sang, "Everyone says I love you", but in Geneva we are singing to a different tune. In Geneva, everyone says "Ciao".

I don't know if this is a really Geneva thing (and of course obviously an Italian thing) to say Ciao in place of good-bye, or a larger European phenomenon, but everyone here says "Ciao!".

For instance, I was in the tram a few nights ago, and there was a big Russian guy screaming loudly at whoever he had on his mobile. The whole conversation sounded pretty ugly and confrontational (or maybe that's just Russian) but then he rings off saying "Ciao!".

Exhibit number 2. Again I was on the tram (no other place in the world quite like it for overhearing mobile phone conversations) and there was a young Portuguese guy (the Portuguese language always throws me for a loop - every time I hear it, for about the first five seconds I think that I am hearing Albanian), so he was yammering and how does he end the conversation? Why of course: "Ciao!".

That's Geneva for you. With a Ciao Ciao here and a Ciao Ciao there! Here a Ciao there a Ciao! Everywhere a Ciao Ciao ....

Okay. This is getting weird. Better quit while I am ahead.

Ciao!

Thing #23 that I love about Geneva - Beth Yaakov Synagogue

This is a really lovely building here in Geneva. I don't know why but I have always been very curious about it and dream to one day get to go inside and have a look around. So far I have only gotten my courage up to approach the fence.

No one is there chasing me off with a stick, so not sure why I feel so timid.

One day ... one day ....

Thing #22 that I love about Geneva - Cheap Date Skating Rink

Geneva can be shockingly, depressingly expensive. Dinner and wine for two? Ca-ching! 200 francs. Wanna catch a flick? Ca-ching! 18 francs. Skiing? Ca-ching! Too depressing to actually give the figure.

So I was very pleasantly surprised to go to the outdoor skating rink that the Geneva Sports Service has set up at the Parc des Bastions and discover that it only costs 2 francs to rent a pair of skates and glide around in dreamy circles (or in my case skid around on your butt) for as long as your heart desires.

Not only is it cheap, but it is really beautiful. The rink is right outside a big glass pavilion and the base was built around these beautiful "singing in the rain" kind of lamp posts. Plus they have colored lights hanging over head, you have the trees, the sky, no cars, and the jovial scowl of Calvin not too far away.

Merry cheapy happy!

Thing #21 that I love about Geneva - Graffiti Monster

Woo hoo! Finally got it! Happy dance! Happy dance!

I have been seeing this little graffiti monster since I moved to Geneva and continually loving it. Ever since I started this blog, I have been wanting to post a picture of my little spray painted friend but there has been a bit of a graffiti monster drought.

I spotted Graffiti Monster a month and a half ago on a billboard but didn't have my camera with me. When I went back a few days later he was gone.

But now. At last. At last.

I am reunited with my beloved Graffiti Monster.

Bliss.