From the hotel close to the gas station, we took rue du Mont Blanc to Lake Geneva. When it reaches the lake, it becomes Pont du Mont-Blanc, a wide bridge that spans the lake. If there was any doubt that Geneva is the most expensive city in Europe, or that it is a destination for the rick and famous, an exposure to the area around the lake and the Pont du Mont-Blanc quickly disperses any doubt. Lamborghinis, Mercedes, and Lexus queued each other to cross the bridge. From the right bank, you can see the Swiss signature, its watches, as exemplified by its most expensive, world-famous labels of the Patek Phillippe, the Piaget, the Bucherer.
The Old Town is picturesque, with narrow cobbled streets, with pretty fountains dotting the streets, and colorful flags adorning buildings. Buses can't go there, and even though some streets may accommodate the passage of motor vehicles, the heart of the Old Town is so free of traffic that one can imagine oneself in old Europe itself. Once in a while, a vespa passes by, reminding us that we are indeed living in the 20th century. However, invariably the gear would be shifted down, as if the driver is mindful of the peace and tranquility that this part of town has managed to preserve. One quickly forgets the modernity of Geneva, and imagine oneself lost in any old small town in Europe. That's one experience I never thought I would get in the midst of one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe.