We were in Geneva before time at 1.40 in the afternoon as against the scheduled 1.55 a very comfortable flight which included viewing an in flight James Bond movie “ From Russia with love” and a reasonably good Asian Vegetarian Meal. The exit was quick and pleasant – none of the cumbersome check out procedures followed at US airports.
Ranju and Achyut were waiting for us. The Geneva Airport Railway station is just next door, almost an extension of the Airport. We quickly got our Railway passes made, saving us 50% of train fares for our stay in Switzerland. Once the “temporary pass” was made we were on our way to Vevey an hour’s train drive away from Geneva Airport Railway station.
And the train ride was simply fabulous. To start with, the train itself was very neat and clean. Cushioned seats and absolutely no overcrowding at all. All the passengers were business like, absorbed in reading their French newspapers but very courteous. The giant windows enabled us to see the countryside as it rolled by – the scenery was breathtaking. Lush green fields and Swiss chalets – single independent housing units with sloping roofs and healthy cows lazing around .The tranquility was amazing. Not taking part in both the World Wars has obviously made a great difference to the Swiss people. So calm so peaceful and so confident of themselves.
The terrain is mountainous and vineyards are grown on theses very mountain slopes, so many of them – the harvesting had not yet been done and we could see the black luscious grapes hanging from the grape plants – here each family owning the vineyard makes its own wine and Swiss wine is not exported! The Swiss economy runs on Banking, Dairy and Tourism .No wonder the reception at the Geneva Airport was so friendly! Down below was the huge Geneva Lake separating Switzerland and France .A Ferry ride from the Swiss end, and you are in France at the other end of the lake!
At Vevey railway station Bharath met us and drove us down home 3 kms away at La Tour De Peilz , a very quiet and peaceful silent village where a pin drop can be heard even on the roads, ideal for meditation! What a contrast to Mumbai or even Secunderabad.
And so we were finally home with our darlings -Ranju, Bharath and Achyut
