a boat ride on lake geneva

We took a solar boat for a ride this afternoon, along Lake Geneva. Seriously, this place couldn’t get any more beautiful. Across the way are the French Alps. Here, France is just over 14 kilometres away from the Swiss side. And the mountains in Evian loom in the near distance. Unlike yesterday’s kind and moderate temperatures, today was cold again. But the brisk wind was the last thing on my mind when the captain asked who wanted to take the wheel. I jumped at the opportunity. He stepped aside and let me take over, not stepping in once to correct me or get me back on track when I overcompensated my turns and took us in an exaggerated zig-zag across the lake. The feeling of freedom and control was exhilarating and nothing could compare to the view I was gazing out on. The captain, who spoke only French, stood close and so I struck up conversation, relying on my intermediate level French. We did just fine, chatting about the beauty of the region and he told me that his work doesn’t feel like work when he sails the waters of Lake Geneva every day. He described a late-summer sunset to me, painting a picture of a darkening violet sky that gives the snow-capped mountains a pink glow. If I close my eyes, I can see it perfectly. Perhaps one day I’ll return and see it in person.

Another wonderful experience in Switzerland.