(ok, I’ll be truthful and say that I wish it was 2 minutes in length, but still very powerful).

More info on World Humanitarian Day here: http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/

photo credit: billaday

When you’re planning a trans-atlantic move, you’re always encouraged to under-pack, right? Don’t bring shampoo. You can buy it there. Don’t bring towels. Waste of space, you can buy it there. Bottom line? When in doubt, YOU CAN BUY IT THERE. Or so I heard.

I economized my packing with the best of ‘em when I decided to move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Geneva, Switzerland. I packed no toiletries. I packed no towels. I packed no linens. I packed no extraneous clothes. I almost didn’t bring my ski boots until I thought twice about the prime Alps locations.

Now, 18 months later, I can tell you what I wished I’d packed.

• Towels. Yep, of course you can buy them in Switzerland, but one tires of Ikea towels after 18 months. Also, think about the efficiency of wrapping your valuables in towels for the moving process (I didn’t).
• Shampoo. Again, you can buy it in Switzerland, but you will pay double the price… Ditto to contact solution, face wash and moisturizer.
• Bathrobe. Seemed so extraneous when I was packing. Remember, you ARE moving, not going on holidays. You’ll want the comfort stuff.
• Favorite pens. Favorite stationery. Favorite drawing stuff.
• Anything technical or outdoorsy. Even if it’s European brands, it tends to be a great deal cheaper in the United States. So jump drives, sleeping bags, camping stuff, hiking boots, etc.
• Specific cooking tools you love. Your favorite paring knife. A favorite spatula. Measuring cups that measure in cups, not ounces (this I did bring from the US and thought it was inspired on my part). Love it all. Have used it all.

What I didn’t need and will be leaving in Switzerland

• Clothing that I rarely wore in the United States, but couldn’t force myself to get rid of, yet determined it looked “European.” Haven’t worn any of it.
• Shoes (specifically four pairs of treacherous heels) that I rarely wore in the United States, but couldn’t force myself to get rid of, yet determined they’d be worn in Europe. Yes, because having no car and walking everywhere leads to you wearing more uncomfortable shoes? No.

If you have a credit card and a healthy fear of exchange rate math (e.g. who cares what the euro is worth), Paris is a blessed escape from Calvinistic Geneva where I toil away (“toil” being a dramatic exaggeration).

NOTE: If you’re concerned that I don’t know how to correctly use “e.g.” and “i.e.,” you are correct. I had a boss once say that it was the only thing that he’d teach me. Clearly, it didn’t take.

Having returned from the city of lights, sitting in my overheated apartment stuck between an open-air terrace where college kids drink and a bar where, shockingly, college kids drink, I feel I may be romanticizing Paris a bit. Thus it’s time to make a list of all the ways in which Geneva is better than Paris.

ok, GO.

Umm… googling “Geneva” for some quick inspiration. please hold.

Ok, clearly Google is not contributing to this list.

I’ve dug deep, but below are my top 10 shining examples for why Geneva could take Paris in a UFC-style match. Little cities fight harder, and meaner. Paris won’t even be trying when this knock-out is registered.

1. Geneva has the loveliest tap water — really! Always fresh.
2. I always know what time it is in Geneva. Clocks abound!
3. Cheese! lots of it.
4. Geneva has one of the more relaxing train stations. No frantic running in circles as you only have two areas to choose from and they’re 50 meters apart.
5. You can’t get lost in a city that is centered around a lake in the middle. Everything is on one side or the other.
6. Genevans love to help with directions. Really. I’ve been asked more than once if I need help when I’ve stood for too long at a street corner.
7. You never see those pesky “50% off designer clothing sales” that Paris is plastered with.
8. You’re rarely tempted to buy Swiss clothing so your credit card thanks you.
9. Macaroons and patisseries don’t line the Geneva streets so your hips thank you. AND….
10. Paris is but a short train ride away so you can always jaunt there, even as you secretively know that it would *probably* be too much to live there.

sigh.

Source: http://flickr.com/exlibris

I realize over-priced-ness appears to be a common theme in Geneva. And it is.

Some days, I really have to remind myself of reality.

Today, I was obscenely excited about my uber-cheap lunch for 15 CHF: pumpkin soup and grapefruit juice. Oh dear: not cheap, not frugal, not practical.

Geneva is sometimes so far from real life.

* Learning French lessons to be continued – I promise!

photo credit: clemmac

To date, I’ve never dared ask a sales person for help. I tend to ruffle around the racks until I find something and say “I’m OK” if they offer to help. Thus, a new phrase: Do you have other sizes?

FRENCH: Est-ce que vous avez une autre taille?

photo credit: RachelH

I’m not sure of queuing protocol yet in Switzerland. I mean this is an efficient country and it seems that they’re fairly orderly with little numbers from machines (ala government buildings in the US). But I run into the odd situation where I’m waiting outside of a restaurant or similar and someone asks me if I’m in line. THUS, I will say…

FRENCH: Oui, je fais la queue.

Which I *think* means, “yes, I’m in line.” But it could also mean “I make the line.” Seriously, French, why do you hate me?

photo credit: jekert gwapo

Let’s pretend that you’re in a restaurant and you cannot pronounce the menu item. Let’s pretend that your colleague has good taste and you always like what she has. AND she can speak French. Well, then, “I’ll have the same thing as her.” is quite helpful.

Thank GOD you have good taste, Kate.

FRENCH: Je prend la même chose.

So we make do with our local farmer’s market at Plainpalais, which is about two minutes outside our front door.

This morning, we stocked up on fruits, veggies, some sausage, a fresh roasted chicken and some crepes.

Feeling fairly proud of ourselves, we walked home, adding up our totals as we lugged the bags.

Umm, we spent $100.

Oops.

Apparently, the watermelon, strawberries and avocados add up pretty quick.

We miss you, Thoiry.