Yesterday afternoon, after the boat trip, I took a nice walk along the waterfront until I got to the U.N. It rained a bit along the way, but nothing too serious. There I was able to take a tour. Security to get in wasn’t too bad, except I think they would have preferred if I had had a passport instead of just an Alberta driver’s license. The person taking my security had relatives in Wabamum, so I had some plausibility.
Before the tour, I checked out the giftshop. I usually like to buy a mug as a souvenir on vacations, and one with the symbol of the U.N. would probably be a good choice. But everything in Geneva is expensive, and I did not feel like paying $20 for a mug. I’ll be buying my overpriced souvenirs in Chamonix, thank you very much.
The tour was enjoyable. We heard about the terrorist attack on the place last month. It wasn’t really covered in the news, but a rogue fox made it past security, attacked and killed one of the peacocks. It even went so far as to eat the body. This is an wanton act of terror and I’m surprised that more people aren’t upset about it.
In one of the first conference rooms, we learned about how they arrange the countries, alphabetically. This immediately made me recall an old “Yes, Minister” episode, so I had to ask “Does that mean Iran, Iraq, and Israel all sit together?” I had it explained how they made exceptions for the first two during their war, and how they were each encouraged to use different, doors. Israel is saved by the presence of Ireland.
I also asked about the difference between Geneva and New York. Apparently the leaders meet in New York, but all the work is done in Geneva. “New York is the brains, and Geneva is the muscle.” So if one wants to present demands to the U.N., you can’t do it here.
After the tour it was raining. I can’t really explain it, but that seemed to make me happy. I guess I like being out, ignoring inclement weather, while everyone else scurries around trying to stay dry. I don’t know how my pictures of the outside will turn out. The fountains lose something in the pouring rain, but I did enjoy the man who had two kids on his bicycle, deliberately riding through the fountains.
The walk back home was long, and I’m starting to get concerned that I’m not giving my legs a good break before the ultra tomorrow.
2012-8-30 10:40