Week 3
Short recap of my internship this week. I continued working on my Nepal project, which consists of scouring GSF’s internal documents to create a timeline of the organization’s work there over the last few years. Ultimately, I’m going to write a report on best practices/lessons learned from GSF’s work in Nepal. As I explained last week, GSF has partnered with local organizations both to provide interim reparative measures to survivors of CRSV and to influence reparations policy in Nepal. It’s a strategic time to reassess GSF’s operations there since the newly re-established Truth and Reconciliation Commission might shake things up on the transitional justice landscape. If things go as advocates wish, the government might offer some reprieve to CRSV survivors. I don’t sense much optimism on this front, but perhaps we will all be pleasantly surprised in the coming months.
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I spent the better part of Sunday wandering around Geneva by foot. I hopped from the Botanical Gardens to Parc des Bastions to a few other spots, alternating between reading and journaling wherever I landed. The weather was perfect.
Lucky for me, I got to do exactly the same thing again on Monday, a public holiday. This time, I meandered around Annecy, a medieval French city perched on the northern end of Lake Annecy. If you stand on the waterfront, you’ll see a spread of craggy green peaks fanning out across the south. That, and the blue lake and the pastel facades of the old city, leave a colorful impression.
Up the hill from the old city is the Château d’Annecy, a restored castle that dates back to at least the 13th century. Formerly, the Château served as the residence of the Genevese nobility. Today, the Château houses an art museum showcasing both modern art and historical works from the Haute-Savoie department of France.
Haute-Savoie’s artistic tradition reflects its alpine heritage. In the late 19th century, artists such as Paul Cabaud, Pierre-Alexandre Jeanniot, and Louis-Auguste Lapito produced idealized but nonetheless beautiful depictions of the French Alps. Grouped together in one gallery within Château d’Annecy, these massive works are definitely worth a visit.
After a round through the museum, I walked back down to the winding streets of the old city. The Thiou River runs right through Annecy, with bridges crisscrossing the banks. Some like to compare Annecy to Venice for this reason, but I personally think the city should be enjoyed on its own terms. Preferably with an ice cream from the iconic Glacier des Alpes in one’s hand.