Saturday, October 01, 2005

WHO in Geneva

I really love Switzerland! Somehow I find the people, the way of life (though I was only there for a week), plus the country has a lot of outdoor places to go! The mountains! Skiing!! My next post will be on my trip to Interlaken...You have to be there!

That said, I have to learn french again now! How about two days dutch and two days french weekly? hmm...bien bien...

Oh! Before I put the photos, I must share with you all, some really interesting notes that I made on Swiss culture, among them being the most organized people on Earth.

1. You cannot flush your toilet after 10pm. If you do, your neighbour has the right to sue you in court and the government can put you into jail for disturbing peace and quiet.

2. If you are caught for 3 times on the tram for not paying your tickets, you will be banned for life on public transport in Switzerland.

3. Each person has specific timeslots in a week to do your laundry. And only 1 slot per week.

4. When you get married, you have to first decide with your spouse, how you will split your assets, in the event, both of you get divorced. Then you sign the marriage papers.

5. When you buy bus tickets, you have to have the exact amount! Even the ticket machine by the bus stop will not give out change at all, it only accepts exact amount. We always have to prepare 3 Swiss Francs coins to take the bus!

Oh still interested to stay in Switzerland?

I think I still like the efficiency of the Swiss.

Ok, here are the photos:



This is the World Health Organization - WHO building in Geneva



John Knox Centre. I stayed here while I was on course in WHO. Just 10 mins walk but really cold...heehee, I actually didn't bring a proper jacket cos I didn't anticipate that it would be that cold! Plus, I only had like 5 hours to unpack and pack again...so, kinda slipped my mind about a jacket..:) It was about 8 degrees in Geneva



Imma from MSF and Nuelly from Epicenter



Lake Geneva!



Random photo in the city



This should be familar to many of you....but you cannot imagine how many cows they have in Geneva! haha...almost every corner possible and in parks too. Some people said that every weekend, a cow would end up in the Lake Geneva...haha, somehow...



Swans! This was taken on my way to the reception. We ate at this jardin restaurant by the lake!...nice..





Bon Appetti! New friends at the seminar





On one night, we took a bus to France! This is at Tourney, the first city you will hit, west from Geneva, near the France/Swiss border. Had a really nice french cuisine dinner.



Photos taken at the end of the course. It was a really enriching course for me in the area of WHO Essential Medicines Policies.





On the afternoon of the last day, we decided to do the tour of the United Nations Palaise. This was a museum of Ceramics and Pottery....if I remember correctly...hmmm *ponder*



Opposite to the UN building is the International Red Cross headquarters!



The museum for the International Red Cross is also at the same place. Too bad we didn't have the time to visit it. Maybe next month, I will have some time. Will be in Geneva again for work in Oct. But just 3 days this time.



This is the United Nations Palaise! I am really looking forward to the World Health Assembly next year where I will have the chance to be at the meeting.



Here is our tour guide. She can speak 6 languages!



General Assembly room



There are many gifts from UN Member Countries. This one was from China and its called the Temple of Heaven. The amazing thing about this is that where-ever you stand, the temple is centered to you, with the path leading to the entrance!! Really man...



I like this as well. This is called "All roads lead to Rome" How apt...haha



Raisins anyone?



I love random shots...:)



WORLD PEACE!

South Africa Part Two

Animals Alore!



Taken on the jeep while on the game drive within Pilanesburg Game Park



Spot the Zebra?



Rhino! And more to come...:)



The Lesser Plains



Impellas!



The road behind...



Tree and Springboks!



Nice colour of the land



Erm, elephants?



Imagine this view of the road for like 4hours...



Finally we reached a small town, where Kat went to find her friend, who is a keymaker. At the garage, there is this limo!



We spent an afternoon at Kat/Dave's old farm, where Lisa still lives there. She and her husband, Pierre, worked on the charcoal factory for Dave, together with a few woodcutters and farmhand. She has NINE dogs!



Ok, you can see the couch that I slept on every night. Winnie and Lucy would sleep on the carpet beside the couch and every morning, winnie would like STICK her tongue into my ear, if I left the ear exposed!!! Then, sometimes, Lucy would push her nose under my arms and force me to scratch her!...so I am like closing my eyes, trying to pretend that I can still go back to sleep and my left arm, scratching her back....so who is going to scratch me?



On this other day, as we were driving towards Blyde River Canyon, we had to stop over at Pilgrim's Rest, an old gold mining town. Quite a touristy place I found...



The hyundai on the left is our car



African ware here = tourist traps. Buy in Zimbabwee, you get them for 1 tenth the price.



I like this photo



We didn't go into the wine yard though. Hot day eh?



Hmm...time bomb?



Haha, looks like I have to go back again cos I didn't have the draught. Nice tradition.



We were just so happy to be out of the car! haha she was getting a bit dizzy with Dave, going round mountain winding roads at 140km/h ! I survived siting in the front seat.



Part of the Canyon!



You really have to be there to FEEL it. Amazing...



Can you see those winding mountain roads? We took those.



At the viewpoint



Wow, wonder if its possible to sit at the top ledge overlying...



YES!



And so the journey in South Africa ends with a nice party-of-3 photo! :)