Travelog: In search of the Marcos' Swiss account

Nice layover in a very nice place! I was given 50 hrs layover in Geneve, Switzerland and I'm flying with a Filipina so I was very happy!

Whenever I ask my colleagues what to do in Geneve, they look at me, no, they just stare at me blankly. I know there's nothing interesting to do in Geneve like there's no Eiffel tower to visit nor world-famous landmarks plus it's super expensive there. But I like the idea that there's nothing much to do there because the city is so peaceful quiet and calm as if it was resigned from the world. You can enjoy the place on its own.

We arrived at 4:oo in the afternoon in Geneve and we just changed clothes and my colleague and I went out to chill. It was her third time to Geneve so she knows the place well. Walking across the bridge was scary, as I was taking picture, I felt it shaking! It was scary and fun! Hee!

Maxine and I had our early dinner at the golden arches, enjoyed their salad, chicken wrap and potato wedges. Yum! Then we continued walking around the old town. It was getting dark and I've noticed that the shops close too early, like 7pm! Max also told me that during weekends, all the shops are closed and you can count the people who are out in the streets. It sounds like they are home-buddies eh?

We decided to grab some booze in a mini market and drink at the hotel room and oh boy, I missed beer! I miss beer! Yes, I miss beer! :P

The epic Saint Omer! Wow!

Yes, we're drunk!

After our drinking session and exchange of funny stories, my head was glued on the pillow as soon as Max went to her room. I was beaten, tired, knocked out!

The next day,was the tour day. The weather was perfect, as if it was warmed up for us. It was sunny and cold at the same time.

Before we get to abuse our legs for walking :P, max suggested to eat at Le Relais de Venise – L'Entrecôte. It's the famous steak house which started in Paris. See, I'm not a steak person but when I saw that there's a line, yes, a line of people waiting to get in the steak house, I was curious and hungry as well and gave it a try! My stomach was in for it!

The best vinegrette salad dressing ever! Yummy lettuce and walnut salad!

Oh my, it's heaven in a bun! Crispy sides of the bread but the inside is tender and yum! One bite, and I'm in love with Entrecote!

My steak, medium well done, with the fries, in delicious chicken liver sauce. And oh, did I say that the fries was the best fries I've ever tasted?

I didn't regret spending too much in food because it was worth it! Yes, it was expensive and worth it! We were so full what we ate was enough for dinner. Lol!

After that very filling brunch, Max and I explored the town.

Bought some Swiss souvenirs

And lots of Swiss chocolates!

The conclusion: I haven't found Marcos' swiss account! But I have found how beautiful Geneve is!

Travelog: Bienvenue Paris!

My first Europe trip :)

Full load flight going to Charles de Gaulle airport and one of the managers of the airline was on board! Define pressure! Hee!

Upon check-in at the hotel, the crew had no plans of going out as a group, everyone has their own plans of enjoying the layover. It's a good thing I'm flying with Mona because if not I could have been the Asian version of the estranged tourist in Paris from the movie 'Taken' and unfortunately, I know my Father loves me so much but he's not as iron tough as Liam Neeson in the movie to find and save me. :)

I got knocked out when I landed at the hotel bed. We left Jeddah around 11 in the evening and I couldn't sleep before the flight perhaps because of excitement, haha! We arrved at Paris around 6:30 in the morning and it was frikkin' cold!

The view of the iron lady from my room, nice eh?

I slept until noon and woke up to fix myself and I tagged Mona along. We didn't have an itinerary for a day and a half and we just opted to go wherever our feet will bring us to but we asked the hotel concierge for a map anyway.

Love that everything is near the hotel- the metro, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs elysee, and if you really want to walk and savor Paris, you could walk all the way to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre!

Arc de Triomphe which stands at the middle of the busy street.

Too bad my friend is not a good photgrapher, hee!

I am in love with my new camera. I was like that (see picture above) far from the arc but it captures the details of the arc very well! Power shots!

The arc honors those who died and fought for France during the French revolution.

Beneath the arc lies the tomb of the unknown heroes.

We took the metro on our way to Eiffel Tower because we could have lost our legs if we walked around the city the whole day. :)

The Iron lady stands tall and still

By the Seine River

After the long walk, we ate chocolate crepes while resting our dead tired legs. Just sitting by the bench while eating and looking up on the Eiffel tower is love. It's somehing I've been just dreaming before and now it's right in front of me. God, thank you for I am blessed.

We continued walking, rode the metro, and reached the Musee de Louvre. I wanted to actually see the museum (because of Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo) but they said whole day isn't enough to finish the tour. Also, Mona wanted me to tour to other places so I decided to skip it because it won't be my last trip to Paris. We just strolled around the museum, and even if I tried getting in, the line was crazy! Here are some sneak peaks anyway!

Our next stop is the Notre dame de Paris or most known as Notre Dame Cathedral, the home of the fictional character Quasimodo. Not only that, it's the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris.

Playing with pigeons outside :)

The Notre Dame

I didn't expect I was going to be emotional when I went inside the cathedral. The music. The French Gothic architecture. The stained glass. The holy spirit. God, I felt divine and I cried.

It's when a painting or any work of art,

so beautiful it overwhelms the viewer.

It's a form of shock. Almost fainting from joy.

People feel rapid heart palpitation.

They get dizzy. Looking at great art makes you

forget your own name, forget even where you're at.

Amnesia. Panic. Heart attack. Collapse.

Stendhal syndrome- Diary, Chuck Palahinuk

Okay. I did not faint nor collapse. But I was in awe and I cried inside and Mona was comforting me until we got out of the Cathedral. I will always go there whenever I have Paris flight.

Another place that I loved is the Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral). It's a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of the city of love. The cathedral is located uphill, you either take the steps or wait for the train-like vehicle to take you all the way up. You can see the whole city and the skyline of Paris when you reached the top. Parisiens are lounging at the stairs with their friends and amores and artists are singing their hearts out fillig the air with romance.

I was dead tired when we reached the hotel at night. I slept the moment my back felt the soft bed and I woke up late the next day. I just shopped Longchamp bags before we left and got my detax. Hooray for that!

I fell in love with Paris! But I know that the second time would be lovelier!

See you soon, city of lights!