CRC

When I woke up this morning it was pouring rain outside. I also didn't feel very well. So I didn't think anything of not really putting on makeup or doing my hair. I just threw on a skirt and a long sleeve black shirt and made my way to work.

The second I opened the door, Claire, Soroptimist International's financial directory asked me "Did you talk to Suba?" Suba's my boss and since it was only 8:55 in the morning, I hadn't talked to her. I was immediately worried that I'd crashed the computer, deleted something on the website yesterday when I was editing it, or something equally disastrous. When I told Claire no she said "You're going to the UN today! Call Suba!" I was relieved and a little excited and a lot nervous. I mean, the UN is exciting, but also a little intimidating and I didn't really feel like I was dressed to be there. I called Suba and all she asked me was if I had my passport, which I did since I always carry it on me, and then told me to meet her at the train station in 25 minutes.

I ran out and caught the first bus to the train station--there was a little jay walking involved, but I really didn't want to wait in the rain! When I got there Suba and I went straight to the UN. Getting my pass wasn't all that hard but it was nice to have Suba there to walk me through it. It'd be even better if it had my picture on it, but I have to say, I like my badge a lot. If only I had a scrapbook or something to put it in!

Then we went to try and find the Convention on Rights of the Child,

which I'd be sitting in on and taking notes. Turns out it wasn't in the Palais de Nations where I got my pass, but a different building a few tram stops away and actually really close to the first hostel I stayed in! So we went to Palais Wilson (named after Woodrow Wilson) and had to stand out in the rain while we waited to get through security. At this point we were a little bit late so I was really nervous to walk into my first UN conference in front of everyone! But it turned out alright and I realized over the rest of the day that a lot of people come and go while delegates are speaking.

Today they were discussing Cuba's country report on children's rights. It was very interesting and now I know a lot more about Cuba. Since they have such an expansive social system, education and health-wise children are pretty well taken care of. The Cuban delegation brought up the US embargo on Cuba a few times and seemed to use it as an explanation for a few of its shortcomings. I won't pretend to know too much about that and the truth behind it. Things got pretty tense when the subject of child prostitution was brought up. Apparently, everyone outside of Cuba thinks its a problem, but Cuba maintains that child prostitution is minimal. I was just surprised at how long it was! I guess it was a regular working day (10:00 am to 6:00 pm) but it just felt so long and I wasn't even the one being grilled!

After I got out of there I went to a "language exchange" that I found on a website for expats in Geneva. Since I kind of have a phobia of speaking, I figured it'd be good practice to speak more. It would've been...if I'd been part of the group. All of these people were good friends and really just wanted to talk to each other, not hear about my internship and how expensive Geneva is if you aren't getting paid. I did meet one man from Farmington Hills and we talked about that for a little. Once I started speaking, it was a lot easier than I thought. Maybe I'll just have to get out there and speak more.

But what I've noticed is: the only people who speak ONLY French to me are Muslim men hitting on me. Everyone else will switch to English or put in words and phrases in English to make it easier. Today one man gave me a chocolate (I didn't eat it, don't worry) and told me I was "too pretty." But what was more surprising was that when I told him he couldn't walk with me, he stopped walking with me! He didn't try and convince me to walk for a few more blocks or get my phone number! It really caught me off guard, which I guess means I've changed a little since I've been in Geneva. Regardless, much better than the Algerian cop I ran into two weeks ago.

So I'll be at the UN for the rest of this week taking copious amounts of notes and being exhausted at the end of the day. At least coffee's free there.