My parents left early Thursday morning for a vacation to Switzerland and France in honor of their 35th wedding anniversary. My dad served his mission in the western part of France and Eastern Switzerland, or the Geneva, Switzerland mission. He returned a year after his mission to work in France as a tour guide. They have always wanted to go back and see those places together. Hence, the whirlwind tour of France they are now embarking on.Consequently, we have grown up with a high regard for France - the language, the land, the people. My sister and I traveled in Europe before I got married and I felt such a connection with Paris (maybe it was the Éclairs.) I need to go back! I did everything I could to convince my parents that it was necessary that I accompany them on their trip. My dad was only slightly amused at my suggestions. Needless to say, I am still here and they are staying at a posh hotel in Geneva.
My father did however offer the use of his car while they were away. While it is not quite as good as walking down the Champs Elysee or eating Brie at an outdoor cafe across from Notre Dame, I'll take what I can get. I'll try to take care of it dad.
May parents flight was canceled and so they have been plane- hopping to Geneva. They spent the first night in Newark, New Jersey - a far cry from Geneva. I was asked to call the hotel in Switzerland, The Beau Rivage, to notify them of their delay. A male voice answered the phone in what is quite possibly the most beautiful French accent I have ever heard. I wasn't even going to try to embarrass myself, so I very quickly said, "Parlez-vous anglais?" His English spoken with a French accent was equally as beautiful. I can just hear the words "of course madame," echoing through my head today.
If my parents have half as good of an experience as I did talking to the concierge on the phone, the trip will have been a success. Now, I just have to figure out a way to get myself over there . . . C'est la vie!
