1. 3 Summers
When we agreed to do this stint in Geneva, we were told it would be for about two to three years, but weren't sure of the exact dates. A couple of months before we made the big move we found out those dates: March 2011 through August 2013. Do the math. Three Summers here! Yay! We love skiing and pretty snow, but that is the extent of our love for Winter. Most of you would agree that Summer is the most awesome time of the year. Heat, sunny days, vacations, beach, swimming, barbecues, cornhole, beer pong in the pool, fruity drinks, tanning, flip flops, sunglasses all the time, long days, etc. Summertime in Geneva is especially awesome. Why you ask? Because August is a party. A constant party involving street vendors, lake excursions, carnivals, music everywhere, fireworks, and lazy days. Adam has the whole month of August off, as do the majority of the Swiss. Literally. The entire month. Four weeks. They take their Summer seriously and we like it. If you do that math one more time... how many Augusts do we get? THREE!!! Woohoo! Another bonus is that they just installed some pretty amazing docks/piers on the river next to us (including soft rocks in the water and some ladders for swimming). This isn't the Ohio River ladies and gentleman. The only thing you could catch is a fish or a duck. It's blue, beautiful, clean, and we can see straight to the bottom of it. Here are some pictures from our first time laying out.
We're so thankful we get to enjoy three amazing Summers here.
2. Small Town
Despite being a very international city, Geneva is fairly small. I am starting to become familiar with getting around town... not just in our little neighborhood. We've both actually run into people around town that we know. What!?!? Yes. We are starting to make friends and there are enough of them that the chances of a random meet are increasing. Here are some interesting Geneva facts:
- Population of the main city party (where we live): little less than 200,000 (about the same size as Fayetteville, NC or Shreveport, LA)
- Population of Geneva Canton (like a county): roughly 460,000 (100,000 less populous than Louisville, KY... which is home)
- Geneva is the second most populous city behind Zurich
- 2009: Geneva was ranked as the #1 most expensive city in the world (to live in)... awesome.
- Elevation: 1,230 ft.
- Area: little more than 6 sq. miles which means it's easy to walk, bike, or bus anywhere (moving from Phoenix which was 520 sq. miles... and growing)
- 40% of the city's population is comprised of internationals... that's us.
We're thankful that Geneva isn't a ginormous city and that the town is small enough to enjoy all of it, except the 'Red Light District.'
3. Skype
Skype is awesome. I don't know what we'd do without it. I guess we just wouldn't see anyone. Ever. It makes being so far away much easier. Plus, it makes me look uglier than I believe I am, which will pay off when we visit. Oh Ashley! Lookin' good! Last time I saw you (on Skype) you looked like you were balding, had been drinking all day, grew a mustache, and put on some pounds in your shoulder region.
Also, I've been saving blackmail pictures of my sister and mom.
