Geneva, week 1

Here we are, in Geneva. The first week has been a roller-coaster, but things are quickly getting better, and Geneva certainly does not seem bad at all ;)

Our trip from Finland to Geneva lasted three days; a ferry to Rostock for 36 hours and then driving for two days, with a sleepover in Frankfurt (a million thanks Thomas&Natasha!). The days of driving were long..

We were stuck in traffic quite a few times, which delayed our arrival in Geneva, but hey, we made it!

Crossing border at Basel; welcome to Switzerland from the magnificent Alps! The scenery really is nice, can't wait to get a better look..

Adjustment

The first three days were spent unpacking, shopping for the necessities and getting used to the new place. After Singapore and three busy weeks of visiting friends and family in Finland, it has been very different being home alone in a new environment (and for the first time in my life, a country where I do not speak the language at all..). Our temporary accommodation is a nice flat in a central location in the beautiful Carouge area, but the lack of essential kitchen equipment and need for cleaning bothered me in the first few days (the way only a stay-at-home-mom would get upset about something like this!) and, I suppose I, as usual, tried to do a bit too much at the same time, getting all stressed out about what to cook for Valtteri (who has been refusing to eat baby food from a jar) with the two pots I had.. So on my third day I got sick with a mystery food poisoning. Not even water would stay in, yak!! I slept the whole day – well, as much as I could from taking care of the boys as well. Both of them clearly knew I was not ok and slept long naps and did not complain all day :)

First impressions

I have been slowly exploring Carouge, walking further or a different direction every day. This is what it looks like here!

Geneva and around

Over the weekend we went to Ikea and drove around to see potential places for our more permanent flat around Geneva. The country side, or small towns just outside of Geneva, have wine yards, horses, fields, small village streets, alpine views, elderly people walking their dogs etc. – so lovely! After Singapore it sounds like a nice idea to live in a sleepy little town in the country side.

I also found time during the weekend to start networking. I was introduced to a stay-at-home-mom group of Finns and got connected with a few adoptive families peer support groups. Getting connected and organising dates with people has really lifted my spirits. All I need now is agility..!

What I really like

The weather has been cold and rainy, but people sure are nice. Everyone is polite, says hello on the street, stops to chat (most of it in French so I really don’t know what they are talking about.. except for words like ‘iglu’ from an old lady looking at Valtteri in his winter wear and laughing) and the cars, the cars stop when we want to cross the road!!

I also love grocery shopping here :D Nearly everything is available in organic, fair trade and free range, and price difference is not much. Today I had organic fair trade coffee yoghurt that had actual coffee in it. It tasted niiiiice. And most products are local! But I do miss passion fruit and mangoes..

Rekku gets to go to nearly everywhere with me. If he could only behave, nearly stole a little pie in the cafe the other day! Here he is waiting with the other dogs while I go to the grocery store :)