On foot, horseback or by car
«Move on, there is no room available!» What
a surprise for certain staff members who
were not allowed inside the Palais des Nations
because the parking places had been rented to the
ILO for a maritime meeting. I would have understood
if boats had been forbidden to enter, but cars … «And it is only the beginning of it» say some
people. Tomorrow, for security reasons, there will
be even less parking space.
You might say that staff members can walk to
the office, it would be good not only for their
health but also for the environment. The only problem
is that on foot it takes quite a while to come
from Thonon, Gex, Annecy or even Annemasse!
One alternative would be to use atypical means
of transport – hot air balloon, horse, hang glider,
or even wetsuit for those who have to cross the
lake, and for shorter distances why not rollers,
scooter, or dog sledge in wintertime!
Of course the simple solution would be an
underground car park in the Palais grounds. But
that solution is too simple to for our administration,
which instead will probably in the months
ahead prepare a brand new questionnaire which
will end up like all the others in the trashcan of
history but will give the impression that something
has been done.
In the meanwhile, if you are unhappy at the
situation you can always live in Geneva. I know of
a small studio, 23 square metres, which would suit
a family with 4 children for only 6 322 francs per
month, service costs not included.
© 2006 UN Special |