Geneva - Day Two

After waking to lovely Gaelle arriving back from the bakery with goodies for breakfast, we said our goodbyes for the day, as they had to work, and met Andrew’s old flatmate Sarah who is living in Geneva. Strolling around the city, we stopped for coffee in an older part of Geneva and then decided to grab some lunch. Bad service (well actually a lack of any kind of service altogether) made us leave a restaurant, and we ended up getting some nibbles at a lunchbar.

We had decided to cook Gaelle and Enguerrand a meal, and had decided that the only really truly New Zealand thing we could attempt without digging up their apartment floor for a hangi was to try a pavlova, even though we knew it could likely be a flop (Eton Mess could always be a back-up…). Skipping the ultra-expensive inner city supermarkets, which did give us some ideas if nothing else, we bought some ingredients and trammed back to the border, inviting Sarah along for dinner. Josh also tried the local drink Rivella which is a cola-type drink made from cheese… don’t ask. After struggling with the pronunciation of Enguerrand’s name, Josh nicknamed him Toblerone instead, which he loved since he was being likened to yummy Swiss chocolate.

Enguerrand’s sister kindly picked us up from the border, and was keen to practise some English. Sarah was still learning French too, so a bit of half and half conversation eventuated. When the others arrived home from work, the meal was in full force, and we had even surprised ourselves with our three courses. The looks of excitement on their faces to see Blinis with blue cheese, roasted pear and walnut, or smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives made them crack open some bubbly to join it all. Josh had taken charge of the most impressive aspect - the pavlova slowly cooking in the oven, which seemed to be holding its shape. After the entrees, and a meal of fish on the bbq and salads, Sarah and Enguerrand’s sister sadly had to leave before dessert was done.

The pav had started to crack on the top, and was sinking slightly, but eventually it cooled enough to take from the oven, and was definitely an amazing first effort! It also impressed our hosts who said they’d never tried such a soft cake before, and the traditional kiwifruit and strawberry garnish topped it off. After another screening of some Flight of the Conchords, which we left with our hosts, we bid our farewells as they had early starts in the morning. Such an incredible couple and amazing hosts, we were sad to leave them behind! We also told them all about couchsurfing, and days later they joined up, keen to host more travellers. We will be forever grateful to them.