We left the group.
I smile and reply with the sweetest accent I can muster, "Bonjour". In my head I'm hoping she doesn't pick up even the slightest foreign accent. Clad in a Ben Sherman leather jacket and ripped jeans I make my way into Longchamps. Expensive bags decorate the metal racks, as the Swiss people bustle about the busy store. I make eye contact but speak little. I don't want to stand out. They probably can tell I am American anyway from the fur covered Nike dunks on my feet.
Everyone around me is suited in the latest European fashion. Only a taste of what the New Yorkers stomping down Manhattan streets can hope to imitate.
Five Americans, loudly touring the streets of Geneva looking for the bus back to Collonges. "Uhh how to le uhh ou est la.." sounds my weak attempts to parle français. Only to the familiar response of "Je ne comprend pas". Blah blah blah, I get it, you don't understand us. So just a bit unsure, we cross the street tracks, dodging motorcycles and make our way to the pay station to purchase a tram ticket.
"Go ahead", I tell the two guys with me. They quickly push the button 'Geneve' and slip in 3 swiss francs. A thin, white slip spits out of the machine. The tram is approaching almost too fast now. I push my coins in only to have them fall straight to the slot and return to me.
"Alana, hurry!" I turn my head just in time to see my two friends mounting the tram. Ah! No time for me to buy a ticket, so I run straight into the crowded bus and squeeze my way through crowds of people.
I run on the tram without buying a ticket. Aha! c'est la vie?
I think so. Fortunately, it was rush hour and no one was checking to make sure tickets were purchased.
Advice: When visiting a foreign country, the best experience is that in taking risks.
Of course, be smart and cautious along the journey ;)
