I first visited Geneva when I was 12, and I fell in love with the city. The fountain, Jet d’Eau, was immediately captivating, and I remember the flower clock and the mountains. Now I am fortunate to have my sister living here again, after being away for a long time in South Africa. The lake is warm and perfect for swimming. It is expensive here, and now the traffic in Geneva seems much worse, but overall, I still feel a strong affinity for Geneva.

For my birthday, we visited Annecy, a short drive away in France. This was my first time here; another beautiful city in the alps. Just walking around, finding a vegan restaurant, and swimming in the lake made it memorable. I am so privileged, and I feel somewhat ashamed to be experiencing these opportunities when so many people are suffering. Geneva is a wealthy part of the world, with villas overlooking the lake, and fancy watch ads plastering the airport walls. It is hard not to get caught up in it, and I recognize how easily people are manipulated to buy Rolexes by the incessant advertising, and our phones and our computers. I see the Mont Blanc, which has been inspiring awe in people for centuries and that’s enough.

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