Any Excuse to Travel

Stories from travels in

Switzerland

Over-the-counter pot

I did a double take. I didn’t trust what I was seeing. I certainly didn’t trust my French. I stopped. I asked. And yes, I

A good day at the office

I find it hard to explain to people what it is I do to put milk in the fridge, to pay my bills, to keep

Come, my friends, ’tis not too late to seek a newer world

Sitting in a hotel room on a Sunday morning in Geneva last month, it seemed as if my plans for the day were doomed. To

True till the end

I’ve often wondered where the bitches and the bastards are buried. Those nasty people who beat their spouses, molest their kids, kill their mates. In

Voting mad

Legalised marijuana. Low gun crime despite the liberal gun laws. Life expectancy for men and women in the 80s. Switzerland is certainly full of surprises.

Sputnik and tomorrow’s living room

I’ve never given much thought to the evolution of modern telecommunication save to marvel at how clever my smartphone is (and I can safely say

Palais de nations

193 flags + 1

It wasn’t my first visit to Geneva, and I doubt it will be my last. And while it still hasn’t wormed its way into my

Taken for a ride

TripAdvisor has just published its list of the ten most expensive tourist cities in the world. I was surprised to see that Geneva didn’t rate.

Fishing in the city

I’m the first one to admit to a bad first impression. Mind you, I doubt my saying ‘You know, when I first met you, I

Old space, new ideas

I didn’t think there could be much more that would surprise me about Swiss efficiency. Having a tram where you can leave your Christmas shopping