20 Minutes

United Nations Geneva
Originally uploaded by AliChen

The Swiss newspaper "20 Minutes" announced that it had been discovered that suicide bombers in Zurich had dressed as women. I only got that far on the article. It was in French and I was reading across a train car. Geneva's United Nations building is closed to the public for obvious reasons. It's line of flags is beautiful though and we took a look before moving on.

20 minutes can change your life.

I don't think that needs any explanation. Do you?

On the flight back from Switzerland I met an analytical chemist named Gregory from Cambridge. He had gone on a 9 hour interview and was flying back. We had a nice conversation and we wished each other well at the end of the flight. Those are the best moments of traveling. The random connection with another human being beyond surface "Hello"'s and smiles.

It reminds me to take a little extra time when I'm not harangued by busy schedules to take that time and connect. Travelers aren't as jaded so it's easier to make the connection there. I'll be kinder to tourists. Yes, I will. :)