The Basilica of Maria Immaculata (Notre Dame) from Geneva, opposite the railway station. Compared to other basilicas a rather small building. Geneva also has more of a Reformation tradition at Calvin, more on that later.
first time I discover the long-awaited shell symbol as a guide. Now the St. James going to say a whole - even though it is not the St. James is. There are historic routes that have adapted over time to the needs and circumstances. As a fundamental way system of Camino was used on old Roman roads, as they were well designed and developed. At several places, especially in Spain, the original St. James has been expanded, now part even to highways.
The old town of Geneva. All is calm, it's Sunday morning.
In the old town.
In a large memorial park of the university is located. I speak to a passer-by, and receive a comprehensive presentation on the monument and the history of Geneva, which I am very pleased. The passer is then available as a guide, passed by the accident, he once again pleased to find an interested audience.
The Reformation monument consists of a 100m long, deliberately unadorned wall sculptures held in the Parc des Bastions attached to the old defensive walls of Geneva. The above-described reformers are Farel, Calvin, Beza and Knox. The foundation stone of the monument was laid on the four hundredth birthday of John Calvin in 1909.
Calvin, Jean Cauvin really (* 1509 in Noyon, Picardie, † 1564 in Geneva) was a Swiss reformer of French descent and the founder of Calvinism. Calvin's doctrine implies that the people on their ability to strict performance of duty could see whether they were predestined to salvation. Although Calvin said this his predestination actually the omnipotence of God and meaninglessness of the human will (inner religiosity), they favored in connection with the strict morality and church discipline (external religiosity) that Calvin introduced in Geneva, that work ethic, which is the basis for the development of capitalism was ( Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Calvin )
characterized by a long march through the suburbs of Geneva and then at last, that I soon left the City come out. According to the traffic light man, I must well run.
The houses are changing, the suburbs are to villages, which most suburbs some time ago were probably also.
L'ancienne de commanderie Compesières, an old castle of the Order of Malta. Originally the complex was built as a hospice for pilgrims, then used as a military hospital, later it housed a Salpeterfabrik. Today a museum is housed in it.
in the cemetery of the castle are personalities of the Knights of Malta.
Charrot, a small Place.
Unexpected station then Charrot. A box with maps, information, emergency numbers and a stamp for the pilgrims pass. Significant difference from the pilgrim service in Switzerland.
noticed without having it, I have crossed the French border. Where that was accurate, I could not find. Nice that the day is that simple. At other times would have cost the head, just across national borders or confession to go. The particular ruler was the kind of play before - cuius regio, eius religio-, which was often defended with the sword. The Calvinist Geneva and Catholic France have raked in this respect long and bloody.
mistletoe give an otherwise loose leaf tree green appearance in the middle of winter.
Lathoy, a small hamlet.
Neydens, in the French department of Haute-Savoie in the Rhone-Alpes. Since the Middle Ages was under Neydens the Geneva rule. Until 1754 the city came to Savoy and said from now on its fate.
Neydens intersection in the French cock. A Roman milestone was incorporated in the war memorial.
cross with the suffering of tools that were used in the Passion of Christ, nails, rod, scourge, crown of thorns, a spear, vinegar sponge on a cane, etc.
For me this presentation unusual, I will in the course of path, however, often see it again.
good overview table with the routing, altitude, and Icon. For me, now begins in France, a journey into the unknown. I'm from France for the first one hundred kilometers detailed maps and accommodation lists, while other pilgrims from the Internet, as well as a small guide in the Outdoor Series Stein Verlag. I have the route planned out but not strictly, and will sleep there (have to), where does it happen. This time of year will probably not be open at all Gites .
In the case of the time I had a thin mattress while (3mm, bonded with aluminum foil) and a good sleeping bag. However, without cover or tent. to lie in the open air will not work. Snow, rain or frost will weaken the sleeping bag and thus take the heat effect.
Lack of language skills, I'll replace confidently through gestures and facial expressions. But sooner had the farmers of Europe, not French or English language skills and are still millions of pilgrimage to Santiago. Quite authentic, then, the thing here.
From Lake Geneva, Lake Geneva to 370 Hm, I'm going today on the Col du Mont Sion to 785 Hm On the slopes of the Mont Salève (1350 Hm).
Unusual snow free for the days in Switzerland.
Beaumont. There are probably a Gite, affordable accommodation with bunk beds and so small kitchen, you can use. The Gite is closed, however, the hostel wardens are not present. What remained to be done, or go? There is 16h, it is too long no more waiting in the bright spot is also no fun - no cafe, no restaurant. And who guarantees that the Gite is still open today? I decide to continue the march. But then I have to tidy up the pace if I want to get halfway before dark to your next destination.
Church of Beaumont. In France, the churches are not heated to wait there for a key to the Gite would be no pleasant alternative.
Oha. I had not imagined me! Bare ice, it is also quite windy here at the height.
Col du Mont Sion, photographed against the light.
behind it goes back down into the village Mont Sion.
I run with long, quick steps on to Charley. There is no accommodation open. I ring a few houses, will my gentle hinting but no record on Sunday late afternoon, a strange, steamy pilgrims.
I'm happy to bring along the detailed maps. For Santiago, it is now too dark. Although I have a small flashlight while, but if I was to see one of the small icons I would be hopelessly lost in this sparsely populated region of the Haute-Savoie.
must therefore run on the road, fortunately I have the card here ( Carte de Promenade , No. 51, Lyon-Grenoble, 1:100,000 from the Institut Géographique National, IGN ). But that is no picnic. First, I have already properly kilometers in the tired legs without a break since the move-Geneva, on the other hand I have before but quite a few cars on the bumpy, narrow road often flee into the ditch. The drivers also have little chance to see me in time. They suspect a pedestrian here to open this year and time of day of course not.
Contamine-Sarzin, 20 clock. The sweat was running from the sleeves of the jacket. 1826km to Santiago? From Constance had it loud Directory 1950km, but consistency is 400km away ...
Running what is now probably no longer looks quite so sporty, I'm coming over to remote farms. Dogs barking then often terribly loud. Are farm dogs on leash in France actually good? Is there also wild dogs?
The wind freshens, and is now strong gusty. I walk through forests and open meadows, now off the major roads to small local connection paths. For hours, it is now pitch-black night. Suddenly a few feet away from me suddenly blazes out of nowhere a flash from the ground up, I troubled than ever before. The wind has probably sparked a fire that may have burned forest workers branches, then the remains were ignited suddenly. So I figured not necessarily the shock was decent. But on, on, I have to Frangy.
Frangy finally Frangy! 21.15Uhr.
reservations, accommodations, hotels, travel guide, according to all present. I will go nice food, drink a beer with and then off to bed well deserved. My feet are cooking in the boots, I literally evaporate. After
a miserably long access road to the city I go to the first pizzeria. Big eyes for the few guests. Then big eyes at me. Sundays, hotels, restaurants and guest houses and other dwellings are closed. The time now is but a joke, right?
No. The friendly host calls through the area to no avail. I leave the luggage, to knock on doors here and there to window shutters. Nothing. No door opens. I return to Humpl Pizzeria (more a collection station for the pizza service) and eat something before the close down too. Great compassion of the guests, they buy me drinks.
I thank you and make me to search for a sleep. But what even so bad from here, no barn, no scales. Then lie down on the outskirts in a basement entrance. Lee side, view-only tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, with the motion detector lights, with each rotation, it is bright After all, I lie, and that's not too bad.
The pizza and the beers are like stones in my stomach, the cycle is still running after hours at full speed. This is probably not my best night.
