A BREAK TO GENEVA

Worried about my brother’s deteriorating health conditions.

Stressed of 1 year in a row continuity.

Reached out an old acquaintance of mine- Italian married- father of 1 small son.

He asked me a tour to Geneva- relax – 4 days-

He picked me at Geneva airport, no kisses – no hugs – no fuss-

We arrived at a 7-floor building. All black painted- they lived on the 4^th-

Modern Architecture building-

His wife- Italian, brown hair- middled aged- calm- slow- serene- green eyes.

Cold dinner- CocaCola drink- Geneva tap water-

Talks about London Financial institutions and banks city centre, a bank at each corner.

Questions about my brother’s health conditions.

He said: ‘’you will have your own toilet with shower for 4 days-‘’!

‘’you will walk Geneva city centre in 1 day’’. !

He gently and civilized granted access to his home WIFI connection- had my laptop.

The following day long- 3 hour stroll in Geneva city centre- Geneva lake-no cars-

Purchased delicious expensive Swiss chocolate for me.

Went on strolling- not much talk- photos.

Photo at the old Middle Age horse stables- photo that was turned into black and white.

He invited me to lunch-

No alcohol for him- he takes medication- high pressure.

French language mostly used.

At the table talks about his Agency IT job, his wife, his intelligent multilingual son,

He plays violin- organ- he studies painting and drawing for comics.

Now a bit grown up, the son is very similar, just grown up.

A short visit to the Geneva United Nations building!

Following day spent with his wife at a fast food.

‘’you pay now’’ she said.

Talks about my brother’s health.

Her past job and her problems with HER former manager.

End of the conversation.

Not many people in that spot.

‘’Are you happy’’? I asked.

She replied ‘’yes, 18 years of my life here, sometimes jobless.

Got new jobs- HE not her.

Calls to Montreal – my brother’s voice. A bit feeble.

The following day- he prepared his car: ’let’s go to France’’!

Country village- French spot-

Wonderful sunny and warm day- 2 flags standing above the lake-

Beautiful French country houses-

Astonished, the lake looked like the sea- long stroll up and down.

26 degrees, it was May-

Lunch at the bistrot- only French language should be spoken-

Ice cream- wonderful refreshing ice cream.

‘’Take a shower and get ready to take off’’

2 cheek kisses at the Geneva airport.

4-day break from London tube and office.

Nobody in the office asked me where I had spent that long deserved and gained break!

Would talk to him 5 years later for a job.

Would talk to him 6 years later for IT job situations- he has a new job now.

Switzerland- France border

‘’Geneve en passant par les Frontières’’

May 2017