PHOTO CREDIT
After spending close to ten hours with my boss, I'd had enough. As we arrived at the hotel, I faked a yawn and mumbled something about going straight to bed. I ran up to my room, waited for the coast to clear, then headed straight back down. It was time to explore Geneva!

The weather was grim and drizzly, it was quite late at night, and I was genuinely pretty tired. Nevertheless, I was determined to make the most of my 24 hours in the city. It was a business trip, and the next day I would be stuck with the boss, actually working, so this was my only chance to see the sights. I quickly checked my map and headed towards the lake.

Wandering around the streets and staring gormlessly at some of the pretty building, my thoughts seem to be going round in circles, a little something like this:
I'm so lucky to be in Geneva. This is cool. That building is pretty. It's raining. I'm bored. I'm lonely. No, I'm making the most of my time here! Oh look the lake. I'll take a photo. This is fun. I'm bored. What should I do now? I'm tired. Cannot go back to the hotel, must see Geneva! Those swans are cute. I'm lonely. I'm cold. It's raining. I'm going back to the hotel...
So, after forty-five minutes of wandering around aimlessly, I head back towards the hotel. I'm walking along, minding my own business, when a young man passes by, and tells me that I'm beautiful. I smile politely, keep my head down, and carry on walking. A couple of minutes later, I'm in my own little world, when I look to my left...and there he is! Walking right next to me. At this point it should be noted that he was initially walking in the opposite direction. He had literally walked right past me before deciding to turn around and completely change direction, just to walk with me. It looks like I've got a stalker. 

I must have looked visibly alarmed, as his first words were "Don't worry, don't worry". I assess the situation. It's a busy, well-lit street. I'm lonely. It couldn't do any harm to make conversation. It didn't look like I had a choice anyway, as he continued to walk right next to me and ask lots of questions.

Here are a few snippets from the conversation that ensued:

Him: Where are you from?
Me: York, in England.
Him: Where?
Me: York, in England.
Him: Oh England. From London?
Me: Nope, from York.

(It was at this point that we also established he was from Palestine)

Him: Why are you in Geneva?
Me: With work.
Him: So, you are a student here?
Me: Nope, just here with work.

Him: I think you are very beautiful. I really like you.
Me: Thank you.
Him: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: Yes, I do.
Him: Oh. So I am just second choice then?
Me: Erm...something like that...

And then there was my personal favourite. Let me just set the scene. It was of no relevance to anything that was said before or after. It actually followed a couple of minutes of silence, where he still walked right next to me, step-for-step.

Him: In my country, I am a royal.
Me: Oh, that's nice.

So, there you have it. I went to Geneva and I met a Palestinian Prince. And that is the only remotely interesting thing that happened the whole time I was there.

Have you ever been to Geneva?