It's all a big game

Chess Board Geneva
Originally uploaded by AliChen

"So then, do you know who won?"

My mouth is full of smoked salmon and I didn't fully understand what he said because the thickness of the accent takes a minute to process.

But the minute passes. I swallow and say "Obama."

"Oh? You're from the United States?"

"Yes."

We continue to discuss politics. The English are very, very with it when it comes to world politics. They are even more interested in the results than many of the Americans I know. And their news had an Obama slant from the beginning. The newscasters all hoping that the Americans choose Obama. It was very odd since every channel is very much like that and I'm not used to it from the States.

The London City Airport is unlike any other airport I've every encountered. There are no announcements. All boarding and flight information is on the monitors. If your flight is on last call the flight is in red. Really, to have people responsible for themselves. The airport is really, really, quiet too.

One hour and 30 minutes later I'm in Geneva. Somehow I missed getting off the train in Geneva and kept going to Nyon, Switzerland which is far...so far that when my friend realized where I had ended up she said if I had headed East instead of North I would have ended up in France.

And they won't stamp passports in Switzerland unless you're a Swiss Citizen. I asked. Bummer! No proof on my passport that I've ever been there.

It was a great day of touring around with my friend Celeste. I got to hear all about the reality of Swiss Bank Accounts and see the city of Geneva. We walked all over and it was great. The giant chess pieces made me think of Wei Qi and I wondered how that would work if there were really big Go pieces to move around.

Geneva was not what I expected but it was still cool. And I'm very happy that French was my second language in school. :) It was fun to speak it again. No matter how rusty.


I came back to London in the evening to see fireworks along the DLR on my train ride back to the heart of the city. It was beautiful and a nice welcome. Of course, it was also Guy Fawkes Day.

Remember, Remember, the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason, and plot.

I know of no reason,
The Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Here's to you Mr. Fawkes.