I had been craving a Frappuccino all morning. Walking around Geneva Lake, past the beautiful Parc du Chateau Banquet and La Perle du Lac, passing several small cafes that served wonderful European cappuccinos, and all I could think of was the Starbucks I had passed earlier on, and my Frappuccino. Damn Starbucks!
So instead of lounging around like the Swiss were, enjoying their day by the lake, I headed to Starbucks. I took my order, grabbed my Frappuccino and a raspberry muffin to go along with it and headed to one of the tables outside. At least I was going to sit outside in the little square!
I saw the only table left and headed towards it. As I was putting my tray down, this older woman with beautiful chocolate skin said to me ‘oh, I was just thinking of moving to that table for it’s in the shade.’ Hmm, shall I insist on the table since I was there first? Aghh, let’s try something new, I told myself. Do you mind if we share the table, I said to her. Absolutely not, was her reply with a big smile.
And then all of 3 ladies moved to ‘my’ table!
So there I was, sitting amidst three wonderful ladies who ended up being from Jamaica. They were visiting their younger brother who lived in Geneva. They came from a family of six. Girl - boy - girl - boy - girl - boy. How, I said, did your mother work that one out. That to me seems more like a technique than probability.
Yes, they all chimed it. Their mother told them that immediately after making love, a woman has to turn to her right if she wants a girl and left, for a boy. And lie on that side for at least 30 minutes. Invaluable!
I ended up spending an hour with them, yacking away, laughing and enjoying the Jamaican care-free spirit which is just so wonderful. Everyone was looking at us for they all saw how awkwardly this story started.
The gals were in their sixties, early seventies, and looked wonderful with big smiles. When your heart is big and your smile as well, it’s amazing how youthful that makes you appear.
Surprisingly, they also knew my little country Slovenia. As soon as I told them where I’m from, they said ... Merlene Ottey. Do you know her?
Who?
She is a top-level international sprinter that now lives in Slovenia and competes for my country. Who knew! We had made a connection.
I walked away completely joyous. Thank god I insisted on my Frappuccino.
HOTEL:
> Mandarin Oriental: This is the old and venerable Hotel du Rhone, that has now become a Mandarin Oriental. As you walk into the lobby, you’re thinking, this is a rather small entrance for a Mandarin Oriental hotel. At least by Asian standards. And then you take the elevator and it’s tiny. But as soon as you walk into your room, there it is, Mandarin Oriental quality and superb taste.
The suites on the seventh (top) floor are very large, spacious and very classy. They’ve renovated the rooms beautifully. Best of all you have a big terrace overlooking Geneva and the Rhone leading into the lake right below.
Stunning and very luxurious property, with fantastic service!
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