Bains des Paquis

Good morning from the train!

I am heading to Paris this morning for my first customer meeting in my new role. It is very odd to say I’m heading to Paris for a customer meeting as it still seems so foreign and novel that I have the ability to take a train to Paris from Geneva! Bo and I were both up at 5am as he has a flight back to London this morning just 30 minutes after my train departs.

The main train station in Geneva is located near the city center and has 8 tracks leaving for destinations such as Paris, Lyon, Zurich, and Basel. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get to the station from our flat so we allowed plenty of time. Turns out I can make it from door step to train seat in 20 minutes!

As yesterday was a busy day at work and a fun filled evening, I am just catching up on your comments from yesterday’s post. Thank you so much for the positive energy and motivating thoughts. Some of you are right, I don’t have to run a marathon this year and realize that it is okay to take a break. For me, the benefit to running a marathon this Fall is the opportunity to experience it with my best friend Amy and other friends who have decided to come up to Hartford for a weekend of cheering, running and celebrating together. 

After work yesterday a few of us headed down to Lake Geneva for a relaxing evening at Bains des Paquis. Most of us went home first to drop off our things so it was almost 7pm by the time we met at the lake. Once again I decided to run down to the lake versus walking or taking the bus. It’s hard for me to do anything else when I know it’s just a 15 minute jog but it would take 20-25 minutes via public transportation or walking due to the location.

It was another gorgeous evening though a bit cooler than previous days due to the heavy rain that came through Sunday and Monday. In fact, Bo was the only one in our group who actually swam yesterday. It was his first time experiencing Bains des Paquis and swimming in Lake Geneva so he couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

Part of our group included two of my new girlfriends in Geneva, Sarah and Emily.

Sarah and I have met previously back in the States via work but never had the chance to get to know each other well as we worked in different cities and parts of the business. A co-worker reintroduced us via email before Bo and I moved over here. Luckily she and her fiance have been fabulous resources and friends while we were house hunting and now that we live in Geneva. While I love getting to know locals, it is nice to have an expat friend!

Emily and I actually met in person yesterday but have been talking via email for the past few weeks. She went to school with Derek, Meghann’s husband, and moved from Tampa just five days ago!    As you can tell by now this is one of my favorite spots in Geneva. In both the summer and winter months Bains des Paquis is a relaxing haven for sunlovers. During the Summer months there are floating docks, diving boards, roped off swimming areas for both lap swimming and leisure, along with a bar and cafe serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer live music as the sun rises each morning in the Summer! Unlike some of the other beaches and yacht clubs in Geneva, entrance is just 2 CHF!For the views of Mont Blanc and the city alone that price is a great deal! Their food never disappoints and is reasonably priced for Geneva.  After hanging out on the docks with our feet in the water and chatting for a few hours we ordered dinner and moved up towards the restaurant area where there are more tables and chairs. Our entire group ordered the Greek salad which is my favorite dinner option. Huge chunks of tomatoes are tossed with onions, olives herbs, and feta cheese then drizzled with red wine vinegar and olive oil.

We didn’t leave until past 10pm but it was a perfect way to relax after a long day and enjoy the Summer weather.