Geneva in the rear view mirror

There seems like no better way to start this vacation saga than in the middle. We are currently on a train leaving Geneva headed to Brig and on from there to Saas Fe. We are happy to be leaving Geneva. It is a drab, colorless place with a skyline dominated by monstrous neon signs advertising such common household items as Rolex and Phillipe Patek watches and Hermes. Apparently, it is a shopper's paradise if you are one of those people who can barely lift your wallet.
Personally, I fully expected to see Lee Marvin there in fatigues. The "Old Town" reminded me of a village in the old World War II movies - before the bombing-  picturesque but spookily Hollywood. Anyway, we had a lovely time walking around watching the people, who as a whole are quite the handsome lot.  What they aren't is warm. Helpful, cordial and competent yes. Friendly and engaging no. Very much like the first glass of Swiss red wine in Geneva. I recognized it and was thankful for it, but I could not form a strong opinion about it, either good or bad.
The highlight of our time in Geneva was spent with John and Rhoda Barfoot, a father and daughter from Ireland we met waiting for a table at a chicken restaurant- for which I would give an unqualified recommendation if I could remember the name. Rhoda is an accomplished violinist living in Geneva; John was there visiting her. They are a terrific pair and we enjoyed a terrific dinner with them and elicited an invitation to visit John's 250 acre farm in Northern Ireland sometime. Interestly, Rhoda is self-producing an album in Nashville which she describes as being an Allison Krauss Celtic music cross. She hopes to finish the recording this fall in Nashville and release sometime in 2014. Her band is made up of players from Emmy Lou Harris and Dolly Partin, and she should be touring to support the recording. So, if you see Rhoda Barfoot playing somewhere, go see her and tell her Leslie and Jim said hi.
So, we are now on a very pleasant train trip along Lake Lemain, through Lausanne and Montreaux to Brig where we will stay long enough to purchase some lunch and hop a postbus for Saas Fe. Back in 1980, I visited the village and remember it as the prettiest and most romantic place I've ever seen. 33 years later we are headed there again.