Post 22: Geneva and Heading to the AirBnb

Day 2: Yesterday was about exploring Geneva, learning the transit systems, and getting to my Airbnb. It was definitely a trial for me. Not knowing the language an not being obviously different made had me getting in my head about putting people out. 

The hotel staff was very kind in helping me understand how to use my Swiss pass and how to tell first from second class trains. The breakfast was pretty good, but not a lot of variety.

When I got on the bus, I just followed how other people were doing it, and in some cases you have to a press a button for the door to open. I was o happy to get on, I thoroughly ignored as much as I could the smell of stale farts and halitosis.

Soon a lady came on and sat next to me. She turned to me and just looked me up and down. I think she thought it was me that smelled. I didn’t care, because I was so proud of just getting on a bus and learning things.

When I got off, there was a sign that was trying to point you in the direction of where transfer buses were....but it was pointing at an angle...there were no stairs. Wtf. I wandered around and found it...there was a bizarre intersection that was really confusing. But I found it.

I went to caran d’ache....somehow finding it, because the maps don’t really show the streets how they actually are on google maps. Turns out it was just the business, not like a place where it is like a museum.

I went back, because the bus was close and went back. Found the store....after I had a coffee, of course...with some WiFi.

After I bought some art supplies I most definitely did NOT need, I went to find my way back to the Bel Air station. I was so proud that I was able to find it. I also found the bus I was to take to get towards the aeroport. Turns out it was the wrong bus but that was totally fine because I was early and I knew which bus to take since the day before I was hovering around it to get to the hotel.

I got all my stuff and left. It was a wonderful train ride.

I got off and followed random signs that kind of matched what I was looking for and I found it. When I got off at my stop, I was all turned around. I could not find the street I was looking for, because the layout of the google map was not matching what I saw. I ended up asking a lady on a shop, and she pointed me in the right direction. I did get in.

He really likes those I sense soaked sticks. It is a nice cozy place. I was so tired,  it I could not even nap. I decided to get some groceries at the local Migros. I did, and was luckily the last in line before the cashier closed her station. But she apparently had to go and put a SKU on a green pepper and a cucumber. I did not realize you had to do that. I now know.

I did end up buying some processed meats like salami and prosciutto and shitload of veggies. I also bought a lot of coffee.....those macchiatos are ridiculously amazing. The Starbucks blonde vanilla latte is amazing as well. Starbucks is my savior for WiFi and drinks. I am and will always be a fan of Starbucks.

I am extremely proud of myself for taking these chances as uncomfortable as it is making me. Especially with limited WiFi. I am getting back to going with my gut instead of relying on a program.  (Side note....I am sitting in a Starbucks typing this out and there is a chunky bulldog someone brought in that is trying to sneak his way around to other people. She is fucking adorable).

I think the biggest thing for the whole trip is honestly the fact that people don’t realize  I’m a foreigner until they start talking to me. And then I feel bad for them! In japan,  you at least can tell I’m a foreigner, and when I walk towards the cashier I can see the  fact that they realize that they may have to speak English (regardless on what country  I could possibly be coming from).