by Lea, age 8 from Lausanne, Switzerland, asks Santa about horse-drawn sleigh rides, Lake Geneva, and the city’s Olympic headquarters.
Dear Santa, my name is Lea, and I am eight years old. I live in Lausanne, Switzerland, where my grand-pere says the headquarters for the whole Olympic Games movement is based right here in our own city.
Dear Lea, a city devoted to sport and celebration deserves a very spirited flyover, your grand-pere picked a truly athletic hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is there a Santa sleigh ride? My tante wants to book one pulled by real horses this winter.
There certainly are sleigh rides out there, Lea, some pulled by real horses through snowy countryside, a lovely way to feel a bit of my own Christmas Eve magic. Your tante’s plan sounds like a truly wonderful winter outing.
My grand-pere says Lausanne sits right along Lake Geneva. Is that true?
It is true, Lea, Lake Geneva stretches along your city’s edge, one of the largest lakes in all of Western Europe. I always enjoy that shimmering, alpine-framed water on my way to your rooftop.
My grand-pere says the International Olympic Committee has its headquarters right here in Lausanne. Is that true?
It is true, Lea, Lausanne serves as the official home of the International Olympic Committee, earning the city the nickname the Olympic Capital. That kind of shared, joyful celebration of sport is really something worth admiring.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Lea Rochat
Lausanne, Switzerland
P.S. Will you race your sleigh against the Olympic athletes sometime?
Only in spirit, Lea, my sleigh prefers a more relaxed pace.
