The Cutest Post Yet (Or At Least The Furriest)

Here, people take their dogs everywhere: into restaurants (you’ll see them sitting under the table), on buses/trains, etc.  They go everywhere, but there are rules.  Dogs must be registered, chipped and in some cantons, you pay taxed on them.

I have heard that you can make it a condition of your work contract to be allowed to keep dogs in your office!  It is not unusual to see dogs quietly resting under a desk at offices or shops.  They are welcome on the tram.  Usually they are extremely well-behaved.  Once, a friend did see two dogs scuffle on the tram.  Naughty puppies.

I guess it’s cooler to have your dog in the back of your 4-wheeler than carrying it because it can’t walk anymore.  We see this embarrassing sight frequently on the streets of Geneva.

You see dogs in bars and casual restaurants.  Dogs here have to go to obedience classes and pass a test, so most are incredibly well-behaved.  Often, I won’t even realize there was a dog lying under the table until its owners get up to leave.

As I said, there are rules.  Many places, dogs must be leashed.  There are places where dogs are prohibited from doing their business.  If your dog poops, you are supposed to pick it up.  Too many people in Geneva have problems with this last one.  If you visit, watch your step.    Someone let their dog do this right by the exit from baggage claim in the airport.   You cannot be serious!

Fete de Geneve – Aka It’s Summer in Geneva, Let’s Party

Switzerland is not exactly known for its warm, sunny weather.  As a result, they celebrate the few minutes of summer they have with the Fete (Party) de Geneve. They have not one, not two, but three different evenings of fireworks over the lake. They have three different stages with live music and other free entertainment. They have lots of food vendors selling food from all over the world. Last, but not least, they have carnival rides (he says Europe has way classier carnies). 

The last set of fireworks will take place tonight. It is supposed to be the best in Europe. It will be an hour long, take place over the lake and be coreographed to music. After the fireworks, on one of the stages will be, gasp, Johnny Hallyday. Some Americans may ask “who is Johnny Hallyday?” Not me. He is my host dad’s favorite singer so I have been a fan for almost 20 years. I can even sing some of his songs. Tonight, I am going to try to make him go with me to see Johny Hallyday.

Johnny Hallyday drank an 'incredible' amount of alcohol doctors said.
Photo from Getty Images*
Photo taken by Ed Alcock for the New York Times**

Johnny Hallyday is a French icon, but some things do not translate easily. For example, Americans have difficulty understanding the French love of Jerry Lewis. It was explained to me that he was, he is, the French version of Elvis. I only became a fan when he was older. He has been around so long I think of him more as the Wayne Newton or Tom Jones (with way more hits) of France (he now is worth so much that he has obtained Swiss citizenship). That could have something to do with the fact that he looks like he as had a bit of plastic surgery. In any case, he is very talented and it is probably my one and only chance to see him perform.  I must go.

see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7768014/Johnny-Hallyday-put-in-coma-because-of-incredible-alcohol-intake-report.html
** see http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/world/europe/16hallyday.html?pagewanted=all

Dogless

Old habits die hard.  Both of our dogs are living at our new homes.   Even though I know this, I still find myself heading straight to the back door to let the dogs out as soon as I wake, wondering whether I can take them with me when I run an errand and checking the waterbowl to make sure they have water.

We have spoken with their new mommies and daddies.  It sounds like they are both doing well.  Here is a cute picture of them out and about with their friend Dixie.  Whenever we walked the three of them together, we got lots of attention and more than a few stares.