Traveling Abroad

So, where to start. Talloires, the town where the LL.M. Capstone conference took place, is a very, very sleepy place. I'm sure it must pick up in the summer months, but while we were there it was *slow.* The whole town is only 1500 souls. It has a very quaint feel. Tufts lucked into some property there through an alumni bequest.

After Talloires, everyone split up. Some people headed back to the States, some people to Belgium job hunting, and a few of us went to Paris. TGV, the French train service, is the model of efficiency but is a bit expensive. I managed to book a ticket online, as well as a hostel near the Bastille in Paris. The hostel was actually a bit away from the action ... but had the benefit of being close to the train station (Gare de Lyon).

From my hostel, my first trip was down the Seine. Apparently it's quite the place to hang out because it was crammed with people. I walked past Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, which wasn't a bad way to start the day. The next morning I took the (very easy and efficient) subway system to the Arc de Triomphe and then the Louvre. And those were pretty much the big sights. The rest of the time I walked around and tried to get a feel for the city as it exists separate from tourists, which is no easy task.

Not speaking French was a bit of a hindrance, but most Parisians speak enough English to make transactions possible. If all else fails, there's always pointing.

Following Paris I took the train to Geneva and spent about a day there. Geneva, compared to Paris, is very, very small, but also has a more international feel. Hearing English on the street was common. It's also a very rich city--I don't think I've ever seen such a high ratio of suits and expensive cars.

More thoughts forthcoming.