Geneva, Switzerland
April 27 - May 2, 1998
Located on Lac Leman, a beautiful mountain lake, Geneva is one of the most picturesque cities in the world. It is the home of the International Red Cross, the European Headquarters of the UN, the World Trade Organization and a dozen other international organizations. Maybe this is why it was selected to host the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank. And I was lucky enough to get to go.
A huge stream of water in the lake is almost continuously spouting 140 meters into the sky. Called the "Jet d'eau", this is apparently how the Genevese celebrate the beauty of the city. To me, this spectacle does not seem consistent with the natural Alpine beauty, but maybe Freud who was born in nearby Austria might have had a theory to explain it.
Here I am on Lac Leman at dusk. I was in meetings all day and then would have receptions in the evening. I greatly enjoyed the hour I would have every evening to stroll on the lake just in front of the Hotel President Wilson where the U.S. delegation was staying.
Spring had just arrived in Geneva. The trees along the lake were just starting to leaf out and the first flowers were just starting to bloom. The mountains in the distance were still covered in snow.
On my first night in Geneva, even though Geneva time was six hours later than Manila time, I was too excited to go to bed. I walked from my hotel to the Old Town and visited the Cathedral Saint Pierre. (This is not my picture) A choir and chamber orchestra were practicing inside. I sat in the sanctuary taking in the simple lines of this Calvinist monument. Maybe Calvin succeeded in toning down some of that flamboyant French spirit when he preached here, but listening to that beautiful music, my spirit soared.
The City of Geneva had a grand reception for the 2000 delegates to the ADB Annual Meeting at the Geneva Arena. The arena featured a large stage, a giant cuckoo clock and, of course, the Matterhorn.
A local band that blends traditional Swiss instruments and music with more modern influences played a couple of sessions. The performance featured alpine horns, drums, accordion, bass and a rapper. I chatted with Hans Kessel, the leader of the group, and learned that he used to live in Lake Oswego, Oregon just a short distance from our home in Portland.
I especially enjoyed a concert by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande at the Victoria Hall. A young Japanese violinist played a stirring interpretation of Tchaikovsky's First Violin Concerto. I sat next to Ursula, the German wife of a friend of mine. She likes the romantic stuff and was deeply moved by the Tchaikovsky. In fact, the whole audience was totally enraptured.
Especially in that concert hall with all the opulent gold guilt and porcelain angels fluttering on the ceiling above, it all seemed so perfect. The orchestra then did one of my favorites, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Although most of the audience shared my appreciation for Stravinsky, clearly Ursula could barely stand it. Hearing Stravinsky in that old concert hall and witnessing Ursula's physical distress helped me imagine how shocking its violent passion must have been when it was first played in Paris almost a century ago.
The Swiss Bank Corporation invited us to a sunset jazz reception at an old chateau overlooking the lake. We strolled through the gardens which reminded me very much of some of the gardens in Portland. Here, my colleagues Alex and Cinnamon have a champagne toast to a wonderful Spring evening.
On my last night in Geneva, I sat at a streetside café in this square after my meetings had ended. The old buildings, the cobblestone streets and the fountain in the square all seemed a little magical at dusk. I sipped my café au lait and watched a misty moon appear over the steeple of Cathedral Saint Pierre. How I wished I could speak French, as my thoughts were lost in the cacophony of voices around me.
I snapped this shot on my last night from in front of my hotel looking west away from the downtown. Such an idyllic city. It might even be worth $400 a day to come back and see it as a tourist someday. I felt some remorse at my inability to really take in the sights during this business trip, but I guess I should feel very lucky to have a job that allows me to glimpse a nearly perfect city.
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