I haven't put any photos of Geneva on the blog for a while so here are a few as I have no drawing today. This is the mayors office in Thonex (where I live). A few weeks ago when we filled up a load of bin bags with all the pruning and weeding we had been doing, we made sure we put it in re-cycleable bin bags. A neighbour knocked on the door to tell us (very nicely, I might add) that the bin men wouldn't collect the bags since they weren't the proper ones. Mark had noticed yellow bags next to the bins and suspected as much but we hadn't found them in the shops. It turns out that there are special bags available only from the mayor's office. I'm glad he told us, I would never have guessed!
Remember that lovely bus stop in Veyrier where we stayed temporarily? Here is our new local stop. Again, it's right on the border (under the blue signs) and the end of the route. The drivers in Veyrier had a lovely view to enjoy while they smoked their cigarettes which, with luck, gave you an extra minute or two if you were late but here on the main road there isn't much to see (slightly deceptive from this viewpoint) so the bus goes off dead on time or even slightly early. I'm late for everything so this is a bit of a struggle! Can you see the mountain in the background? You can see Mont Blanc on a clear day (I find that amazing, it's not something I thought I'd ever get to see).
A few weeks ago (before the horribly hot weather) I hopped off the bus in Geneva one stop too soon and came across these wonderful roofs.
This is one of the buildings. It seems to be an apartment block with shops on the ground floor.
Is there a touch of Gaudi about it?
Since I've been drawing so much in the last few days I've got to do some dreaded housework - the two activities just don't go together do they?! I have a few other things to do too but my mind isn't on them. In fact, I went to my French class this week and I couldn't get my brain into gear at all. If I'm drawing and someone speaks to me, it takes a few minutes to activate the language part of my brain (admittedly shrivelled and weak anyway - what hope is there for French when I'm still learning English?)* A day later and I'm still feeling the same - I must snap out of it!
*See comments!
12 comments:
Thank you especially for the photographs which you called Gaudiesque. I love these Art Nouveau decorations on buildings, even though I am thoroughly a Modernist at heart. They are such a distinctive non-British look, and I remember so many buildings like that in Salonica in the early 50s.
It's such a joy to share your part of the world, Felicity!! I just LOVE seeing the sites thru your eyes!!!! And such beautiful sites they are --!!! THANK YOU for posting these!
The photos are lovely!
a note on your note: I cannot remember the name of the hotel (was it called something daft like the Red Lion? No, can't remember) and all my documents from those days are long shredded. It was not a normal 'conference' hotel - very simple. From the sea it was to the right, whereas there was a Sandalls to the left on the way to Castries. We used to walk along the runway to get to Castries and Rain, our usual watering hole. But it was a long time ago - 23 years! - so has probably changed.
It seems like the swiss are as pernickety as the french about things - correct bags!
The buildings are beautiful - that's one of the things I most like about foreign cities - open topped bus rides, particularly on a double-decker are just the best for spotting details on upper floors
What amazingly beautiful photos! The rooflines -- wow, the rooflines ...
You're still learning English? It sounds perfect in print!
The building reminds me very much of the Gaudi buildings I saw in Barcelona. I loved the scrolling designs. Perfect for quilting design inspiration.
What amazing architecture and such interesting photos. It must be really different from your previous residence. Are you originally from Europe?
*I caused some confusion with this! I mean it in the sense that I'm still hopeless at grammar for instance when using words like whose, whom, that, which etc. I overuse words like this' and 'these' which annoys me. It's was just tongue in cheek! Sorry :)!
Omega, you are right, I probably read too much into the decoration of the building. At the time I took the photos I had seen a documentary on Gaudi mentioning an apartment block he had designed with the most amazing ironwork on the balconies - it was as if they had partially melted! This isn't really anything like it but just that it reminded me.
I'll try and post some photos of the beach at the hotel in St Lucia!
I could see the Gaudi influence in your photos. I love Barcelona and especially the Familia Sangrada (apologies if I've spelt that wrongly) which I would love to go back and see if it ever gets finished.
Oh those balconies! Imagine living there and looking out onto those gorgeous shapes each day. Actually I think the Swiss are more pernickety if anything than the French. I could not get over the amount of rules and regulations and the amount of red tape surrounding EVERYTHING. Some NZ cousins of mine lived there for a while and it nearly drove them crazy. Good thing the place is so stunningly beautiful. It makes up for it in a big way. :o)
what great photos!! beautiful architecture!
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