LCD Soundsystem, 'All My Friends'
Somewhat close where somehow was stopped when something was lost.
Jardin Botanique
Weekends always promise more than they can deliver. Usually, one thinks that it will be the perfect time for indulging or working, depending on the respective needs. Unfortunately, when Monday is already on the horizon and one looks behind, the all-beautiful plans were transformed into laundry, ironing and cleaning, and you're happy if you managed to at least have a stroll & a drink in Carouge.
If that's true, what can I say? I'm happy, I've just came back from there. Now let's finish what we've started, port communities are waiting for us.
A new attempt to have another windsurf lesson, a new weekend without any wind at all. I expected during all Sunday just for a light breeze, but I haven't got even that. Hence, I ended up trying wakeboard, which was a big mistake. I hated it and I will spare you from all my complains. But the company (and the sun) was nice, though.
Saturday was spent at home, with a small Portuguese dinner prepared by me. Not that bad, I guess - the guests are still alive.
Wednesday, August 8: A "professional talk" with Mr. Khalil Hamdani, Director of the Division on Investment, Technology, and Enterprise Development (DITE) of UNCTAD, and a "talk & drinks" session about corporate social responsability and principles for responsible investment.
Picnic-ing in Geneva
Weekend #6 (August 11-12): An early morning tour to the known and typical Ferney market, just across the border, and a picnic by the lake with the product of the morning incursion. Later, the fireworks of the Fêtes de Genève. Sunday was spent at home - cleaning, working, et caetera.
Wednesday, August 15: An almost-farewell Japanese dinner after a busy day at work. Time's running out of control.
The cafeteria with a view
Thursday, August 16: The eagerly awaited lunch at WMO and the consequent disappointment due to high expectations. Not that it is bad, but I bet the view tricked many of the people who sold me this as the best cafeteria of all. But I still manage to see the machines they use to do the weather, though. Later, the intern coordinator meeting, where I was as representative of UNCTAD interns. Quiet calm, with no big frills. Me and my UNCTAD colleague decided to show how people from the right countries of Iberia - Portugal and Catalunya, respectively - enjoy meetings in bars and pubs by leaving the table to get food and drinks. It was a pity they had already finished when we returned...
The weather-makers at WMO
Friday, August 17: It was yesterday, for me. Work, lots of work. The last stop of the Cafeteria Tour, with the Red Cross Museum delivering its usual (good quality). And a this-is-it farewell dinner at a Portuguese restaurant (no, I didn't get any fee for arranging this!) and a late-night (and early morning; well, not for usual Portuguese standards) out in a club in Pâquis, dazed by being listening to kuduro in Geneva. Yah!
Weekend #7 (August 18-19): Home, sweet home.
Kitchen window & rue Blanche
According to UN/CEFACT, a "single window" is defined as «(...) a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements».
It is thanks to these "single windows" that most of my last days were spent in front of the computer, looking at my kitchen-single-window and missing all the buzz and sun of Geneva weekend. A short incursion to the lake on Saturday evening and that was all that I've seen from the Fêtes de Genève.
Coincidence or not, today was the day I manage to write more at work. Let's keep it moving.
This weekend I've been mostly suffering from João Garcia Syndrome.
Jungfrau massif, Lauterbrunnen, on Saturday
Lauterbrunnen valley & mountains, on Saturday
Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix, on Sunday
Mer de Glace glacier, Montenvers, on Sunday
Saturday
My first windsurf lesson ever. Falling, getting on the board, falling again, swimming in the lake, being hit by the mast and blaming the lack or wind. I like wind, I've always liked.
A dinner at a colleague's for celebrating two positive, overlapping events. Good food, better company, and the unforgettable story of "Teddy, the Bear", travelling across the oceans in containerships. When was the last time you had a Saturday VHS night with old UNCTAD videos?
Sunday
Even less wind and more sun. Morning by the lake, waiting for the wind, lunch at Café du Centre, afternoon working at home.
Monday
The bad weather is back.
Weekend #2, weather surprisingly good (it has been TWO days in a row, I mean), let's get out of the city! Where to? To the jazzy Swiss Riviera, for a night-&-day trip to Montreux.
The city, usually calm, was taken over by the jazz festival, which was also fun. During the afternoon, the urban hiking led us to Château de Chillon, one of Switzerland's top-5 for all guide books. And it's truly beautiful, not only the castle itself but also the scenery where it is set, surrounded by the never-ending waters of Lac Léman and inspiring mountains closing the background.
Château de Chillon, Montreux
During the night, it was time for dancing and listening to some music. It was hard to find out our way with so many people around, but we eventually found the free gigs and enjoyed them till late night.
Sunday was more relaxed, experimenting Geneva and the sun. I went to the cathedral for the first time and finished the day strolling around the lake with all Geneva around me.
I was told it was a "beach", Geneva
This weekend was the first prove I tasted of Swiss efficiency and conservatism. It rained the whole weekend (today I haven't even went out), except for the period the traditional Lake Parade party was crossing the streets of Geneva. Inspired in Berlin's Love Parade, the Lake Parade shows that Swiss are very fond of keeping their reputation of discretion and conservatism.
