Well, the first weekend of Aug. Ken and I had a wonderful weekend in Como, Italy to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
July 09
This will actually begin with the last Sunday in June. My friend Angela and I were sitting on the terrace of the fancy hotel across the street, overlooking the lake and the mountains where Swiss and France meet. We were having a drink to celebrate my birthday, and we got talking about this little town in Italy just over the border that we pass on the way to Milan, but have never been to.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wonda's birthday(s): Locarno, Bellinzona, Lugano, Luzern
Well, it is the time for my birthday and I wanted to explore somewhere new. The weather forecast for Montreux was rain, so we knew we would get out for an overnight somewhere. The area of Switzerland that borders on Italy used to be Italy until some battle in the 1500’s. Still looks and feels like Italy too. Everyone speaks Italian, the houses are in a different style, the climate is Mediterranean and the vegetation is tropical! So is the weather, and that is exactly what I was looking for!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Glasgow
Arrived here in Glasgow on Sunday. I'm spending the week with my 4 DBA colleagues and learning more about research and discussing my research direction (or lack thereof).
I'm enjoying what little I've had time to see in Glasgow. The air, the light, and even some of the grotty old buildings remind me of Halifax. Last night our professors took us to Ross Priory, an old manor house an hour's drive from Glasgow belonging to Strathclyde. We walked along the shore of Loch Lomond and through the gardens before sitting down for a wonderful supper (saddle of lamb for me). Later back in the city I went to a nearby bar, the Nice-n-Sleazy, to watch open mike performances... some excellent musicians and original tunes.
Only 1.5 days left before returning to Montreux... and Wondy!!!
I'm enjoying what little I've had time to see in Glasgow. The air, the light, and even some of the grotty old buildings remind me of Halifax. Last night our professors took us to Ross Priory, an old manor house an hour's drive from Glasgow belonging to Strathclyde. We walked along the shore of Loch Lomond and through the gardens before sitting down for a wonderful supper (saddle of lamb for me). Later back in the city I went to a nearby bar, the Nice-n-Sleazy, to watch open mike performances... some excellent musicians and original tunes.
Only 1.5 days left before returning to Montreux... and Wondy!!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A month of surprises!
APRIL
On the 16th, I (Wonda) flew to Canada. I went to Newfoundland to surprise my Mum for her 70th birthday. All of my brothers and sisters flew in from all over Canada plus a few of Mum’s grand-daughters, nieces and a nephew, sisters. It was all a big surprise to her - she just thought her local friends and a couple sisters would be there. There were 16 surprise guests in all. It was great fun, and we spent the next 4 days hanging out with each other and doing some site-seeing while looking for ice-bergs. I got to see a couple friends while I was there too, which I was very thankful for.
I then flew to Nova Scotia to go to our old homestead and see how it is holding up. I had arranged to see some friends and was thrilled to get a bit of time with a precious few.
There was so much for me to do that I didn’t get much time at home. Being at the old house is isolated because we don’t have a phone there. I did find a few things that I wanted here with us, but I didn’t even have the time to light a fire in the kitchen woodstove and sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the quiet. I did get a few nice visits with my grandmother though, so it was a good trade-off.
I never had time to call friends except one who I never got to see. This friend calls me ‘whirlwind Wonda’ and I certainly lived up to the name on this trip home! Obviously I need more time at home… or need to go home more often… or both! I enjoyed it all, and it was over way too soon. Then, for me, back to Switzerland to start the new month with a new French course, and to start back to work. Get into the groove.
Ken… on the other hand, has just been bounced out of his groove.
Ken’s job exists as agreed by Northwood University and the Swiss partner. The entire partnership was re-negotiated in March and April. Ken expected some changes, but nothing as drastic as what turned out. The MBA administration will be re-organized, which eliminates Ken’s position… It was a shock.
He will finish at the end of June and take his vacation days in July. We are staying here and Ken will continue with his doctorate program. He is already looking for the next position, so hopefully something will happen for him soon. Some uncertainty in his life, but he has a positive attitude (now that the initial shock is past) and sees this as an opportunity for something new and better!
early MAY
I just got back from Canada on May 1st in the A.M. after a sleepless night flight across the Atlantic. I fell into bed for a few hours sleep before getting up to enjoy the Friday afternoon and evening with Ken. We had a lot of news to catch each other up with. We had a leisurely walk along the promenade and enjoyed the warmth (22C), the sun, and all the beautiful spring flowers and trees. I am happy to be back with the man I love.
Saturday we had a nice brunch at home and then spent the whole afternoon at a wine festival. It was warm and sunny which made it even more enjoyable, we got our glasses and went from stall to stall, cellar to cellar. Towards the end of the afternoon, we bumped into 3 MBA students and spent the last hour with them. We had invited them to a wine fest in the fall, so it was nice to see them there, sipping and learning.
This weekend May 9th, we will go to another wine fest in the next town just east of us. We enjoyed that one last year, there were more food options, more music entertainment and there was more stuff for the kids to do (that means less whiny/bored kids). It is nice that these events are such family affairs and all ages attend. These festivals are the ‘first spring event’, so neighbours are out talking to each other and the atmosphere is friendly and laid-back.
On the 16th, I (Wonda) flew to Canada. I went to Newfoundland to surprise my Mum for her 70th birthday. All of my brothers and sisters flew in from all over Canada plus a few of Mum’s grand-daughters, nieces and a nephew, sisters. It was all a big surprise to her - she just thought her local friends and a couple sisters would be there. There were 16 surprise guests in all. It was great fun, and we spent the next 4 days hanging out with each other and doing some site-seeing while looking for ice-bergs. I got to see a couple friends while I was there too, which I was very thankful for.
I then flew to Nova Scotia to go to our old homestead and see how it is holding up. I had arranged to see some friends and was thrilled to get a bit of time with a precious few.
There was so much for me to do that I didn’t get much time at home. Being at the old house is isolated because we don’t have a phone there. I did find a few things that I wanted here with us, but I didn’t even have the time to light a fire in the kitchen woodstove and sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the quiet. I did get a few nice visits with my grandmother though, so it was a good trade-off.
I never had time to call friends except one who I never got to see. This friend calls me ‘whirlwind Wonda’ and I certainly lived up to the name on this trip home! Obviously I need more time at home… or need to go home more often… or both! I enjoyed it all, and it was over way too soon. Then, for me, back to Switzerland to start the new month with a new French course, and to start back to work. Get into the groove.
Ken… on the other hand, has just been bounced out of his groove.
Ken’s job exists as agreed by Northwood University and the Swiss partner. The entire partnership was re-negotiated in March and April. Ken expected some changes, but nothing as drastic as what turned out. The MBA administration will be re-organized, which eliminates Ken’s position… It was a shock.
He will finish at the end of June and take his vacation days in July. We are staying here and Ken will continue with his doctorate program. He is already looking for the next position, so hopefully something will happen for him soon. Some uncertainty in his life, but he has a positive attitude (now that the initial shock is past) and sees this as an opportunity for something new and better!
early MAY
I just got back from Canada on May 1st in the A.M. after a sleepless night flight across the Atlantic. I fell into bed for a few hours sleep before getting up to enjoy the Friday afternoon and evening with Ken. We had a lot of news to catch each other up with. We had a leisurely walk along the promenade and enjoyed the warmth (22C), the sun, and all the beautiful spring flowers and trees. I am happy to be back with the man I love.
Saturday we had a nice brunch at home and then spent the whole afternoon at a wine festival. It was warm and sunny which made it even more enjoyable, we got our glasses and went from stall to stall, cellar to cellar. Towards the end of the afternoon, we bumped into 3 MBA students and spent the last hour with them. We had invited them to a wine fest in the fall, so it was nice to see them there, sipping and learning.
This weekend May 9th, we will go to another wine fest in the next town just east of us. We enjoyed that one last year, there were more food options, more music entertainment and there was more stuff for the kids to do (that means less whiny/bored kids). It is nice that these events are such family affairs and all ages attend. These festivals are the ‘first spring event’, so neighbours are out talking to each other and the atmosphere is friendly and laid-back.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
March & early April Update… Spring has sprung!
The flowers are out in full bloom, the trees and shrubs are blossoming, the birds are singing, the leaves are budding and it is warm! The 0-5C degrees of Feb. are gone and now it is 10-15C and the sun makes it feel warmer still. Yaaay, we survived our first winter in 4 years!
With spring, there always seem to be ‘fresh starts’.
Ken has big news!
He is pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Strathclyde University (Glasgow, Scotland). The program is structured so that he learns research skills as he develops smaller research projects over the first year to prepare him for writing his thesis in years 2 and 3… Thankfully, the supervising professors hold a few intensive weekend sessions in Zurich – which is 3 hours by train from here. Ken has already been to one weekend where he met the 4 other DBA students.
Ken will have to travel for three 1-week sessions in Scotland before the year is out as well. Neither of us has been to Scotland before, and I am really hoping I will get a chance to join Ken on one of these trips – if we can tag on a few days once his program is finished.
The doctorate program should take Ken 3 years to complete. That means… we will most likely stay in Switzerland until he is done. So… Plan to visit!
It also means that Ken’s career opportunities will improve as well, which possibly could include a teaching position at a Nova Scotia university.
This choice also means that there are new expenses for tuition, flights to Scotland and hotels / food for Scotland and Zurich. So the only travel we will be doing will be for Ken’s studies. No trips home to Canada for us this year, I’m sorry to say. On the up-side, that means we will be here when you visit!
My news is much milder.
Towards the end of Feb., I started a one-month intensive French course. I enjoy the learning. Unfortunately it was over all too soon! I enjoyed meeting my international classmates. We are all here from somewhere else in the world.
The apartment search has stalled, because we’re waiting for official documents to arrive regarding our ‘living Visa’ status. Once we have the permit, we will start visiting apts again. We do check on-line to see what is available, and as usual… not much!
As for my job search, I have been talking with my previous boss and things are looking good for me to start again in May, and continue for the rest of the year. Actually, right up to the end of Jan 2010.
We had a brief, but good visit with our friend Fabrice, who had a break from teaching in France. He spent several months teaching in China last year, and had lots of photos to share. We got out for a couple good walks too.
Ken and I also spent an afternoon up in the mountains nearby. A friend from his French class owns a hotel so we went to visit him. We spent much of the afternoon on the terrace enjoying the view. While it may be spring down by the lake, just half an hour ‘up’ there was still about 2 feet of snow on the rooftops. You could see that it was quickly receding though.
early April
On the first weekend we got out to enjoy a local jazz festival in Cully. Our friend Scott joined us, and we sat on the wall at the lake-front sipping wine and catching up. We watched the ducks and swans and listened to the jazz performance from the marquis tent behind us. After sunset, we wandered through the town and ducked into several places to watch some live performances.
This is wine country, and many people have their own wine cellars. Local people open their cellars - which usually stores their wine and other things. But during the festival, there are several cellars ‘open’ with live music, and people just buy their bottle of wine, get plastic cups and go from place to place. Beer is also sold everywhere. And food stalls are in one area. The locals are all there with their kids, greeting each other and hanging out. It is very much a family affair. Around 10 or so, you see the sleeping kids in strollers being taken home, and by midnight you can see that some of the teens have had too much to drink (wine and beer at 16 yrs old in Europe), but being Swiss, they don’t get too disorderly… just loud and stupid!
Besides that, April has been mostly quiet so far. We have been trying to get out for a walk in the evenings around sunset. The sky has been clear and sunny every day so far, and the other night we couldn’t resist joining Ken’s colleagues on the terrace to share a glass at sunset. We never cease to be amazed at how beautiful it is here. We still dream of getting an apt with a view of the lake and mountains… but so far it seems that we’d need a car to get “up to” these places that overlook the town, the lake and mountains… or we’d have to spend at least $1800 a month to get a view! We are not willing to do that… so we’re looking, waiting, hoping to find a gem. We will let you know if it happens!
I have been doing some spring cleaning, tossing out paper and stuff that’s been sitting around, re-arranging furniture and sorting through, then packing away all the winter clothes. I have a fresh wardrobe to choose from, and there isn’t a wool sweater in sight!
I am looking forward to May, because in the mornings I will continue to take French classes and I will be teaching in the afternoons for the same Hospitality College. In the evenings I will be searching for a new apt. and studying my French! Ken will be continuously studying, of course.
With spring, there always seem to be ‘fresh starts’.
Ken has big news!
He is pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Strathclyde University (Glasgow, Scotland). The program is structured so that he learns research skills as he develops smaller research projects over the first year to prepare him for writing his thesis in years 2 and 3… Thankfully, the supervising professors hold a few intensive weekend sessions in Zurich – which is 3 hours by train from here. Ken has already been to one weekend where he met the 4 other DBA students.
Ken will have to travel for three 1-week sessions in Scotland before the year is out as well. Neither of us has been to Scotland before, and I am really hoping I will get a chance to join Ken on one of these trips – if we can tag on a few days once his program is finished.
The doctorate program should take Ken 3 years to complete. That means… we will most likely stay in Switzerland until he is done. So… Plan to visit!
It also means that Ken’s career opportunities will improve as well, which possibly could include a teaching position at a Nova Scotia university.
This choice also means that there are new expenses for tuition, flights to Scotland and hotels / food for Scotland and Zurich. So the only travel we will be doing will be for Ken’s studies. No trips home to Canada for us this year, I’m sorry to say. On the up-side, that means we will be here when you visit!
My news is much milder.
Towards the end of Feb., I started a one-month intensive French course. I enjoy the learning. Unfortunately it was over all too soon! I enjoyed meeting my international classmates. We are all here from somewhere else in the world.
The apartment search has stalled, because we’re waiting for official documents to arrive regarding our ‘living Visa’ status. Once we have the permit, we will start visiting apts again. We do check on-line to see what is available, and as usual… not much!
As for my job search, I have been talking with my previous boss and things are looking good for me to start again in May, and continue for the rest of the year. Actually, right up to the end of Jan 2010.
We had a brief, but good visit with our friend Fabrice, who had a break from teaching in France. He spent several months teaching in China last year, and had lots of photos to share. We got out for a couple good walks too.
Ken and I also spent an afternoon up in the mountains nearby. A friend from his French class owns a hotel so we went to visit him. We spent much of the afternoon on the terrace enjoying the view. While it may be spring down by the lake, just half an hour ‘up’ there was still about 2 feet of snow on the rooftops. You could see that it was quickly receding though.
early April
On the first weekend we got out to enjoy a local jazz festival in Cully. Our friend Scott joined us, and we sat on the wall at the lake-front sipping wine and catching up. We watched the ducks and swans and listened to the jazz performance from the marquis tent behind us. After sunset, we wandered through the town and ducked into several places to watch some live performances.
This is wine country, and many people have their own wine cellars. Local people open their cellars - which usually stores their wine and other things. But during the festival, there are several cellars ‘open’ with live music, and people just buy their bottle of wine, get plastic cups and go from place to place. Beer is also sold everywhere. And food stalls are in one area. The locals are all there with their kids, greeting each other and hanging out. It is very much a family affair. Around 10 or so, you see the sleeping kids in strollers being taken home, and by midnight you can see that some of the teens have had too much to drink (wine and beer at 16 yrs old in Europe), but being Swiss, they don’t get too disorderly… just loud and stupid!
Besides that, April has been mostly quiet so far. We have been trying to get out for a walk in the evenings around sunset. The sky has been clear and sunny every day so far, and the other night we couldn’t resist joining Ken’s colleagues on the terrace to share a glass at sunset. We never cease to be amazed at how beautiful it is here. We still dream of getting an apt with a view of the lake and mountains… but so far it seems that we’d need a car to get “up to” these places that overlook the town, the lake and mountains… or we’d have to spend at least $1800 a month to get a view! We are not willing to do that… so we’re looking, waiting, hoping to find a gem. We will let you know if it happens!
I have been doing some spring cleaning, tossing out paper and stuff that’s been sitting around, re-arranging furniture and sorting through, then packing away all the winter clothes. I have a fresh wardrobe to choose from, and there isn’t a wool sweater in sight!
I am looking forward to May, because in the mornings I will continue to take French classes and I will be teaching in the afternoons for the same Hospitality College. In the evenings I will be searching for a new apt. and studying my French! Ken will be continuously studying, of course.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Fasnacht in Konstanz, then Susan's
Fasnacht -- What a crazy festival this is! It is a festival to scare away winter spirits and let spring begin. In old days people would dress up and walk through the darkness of night singing and playing their band instruments loudly. They were like a band of fools trying to scare away the cold of winter. Now it is still like a day that fools are in control, and everything gets turned upside down. Some men and women dress in opposite sex clothing, many people dress as fools and clowns, even the school kids dress up. There are some really creative costumes, and there were a lot of llittle pink princesses around! Some people dress all in white (like a snowman) and carry these noise-makers. They randomly run up to people and shout “Ho Narro!” which means ‘hey fool’! whilst clanging on their noisemaker. You are supposed to shout the same thing back, and carry on.
Well, this is an outdoor event, and it is February, so we bundled up in several layers, then costumed up in striped shirts and striped hats. All 4 hats were the same, so that helped us find each other… for the most part, although we encountered more of the striped hats and striped shirts during the evening.
There is a parade, and you can either join in or watch from the sidelines… or both , as we did. We enjoyed the marching bands on the street, and we popped into a bar occasionally to get warm, ‘pour-in and pour-out’ and listen to music. We met a few friends of our hosts during the evening, and I made friends with ‘Fred and Barney’ outside of one bar. They had gone back to their ‘car’ which was complete with a couple 45 gallon drums for wheels and had a large storage trunk (read ‘drinks cooler’) up front, and cup-holders! Something you only see on American cars! It was definitely powered by foot, and I was really surprised to see them quite a distance away an hour or so later. I’m amazed they got through the crowds! Ken and I had a great time with his friend Alex (and his wife) Christianne. We ended up at a Spanish restaurant called ‘la Bodega’ - the food was so tasty; it was a perfect way to end the night.
The next day we enjoyed their company and their baby, then later in the evening we shared a good meal and conversation.
... then Susan’s
Sat. morning we spent a couple hours on the train to get to my friend Susan’s. It was as snowy and cold there too. We walked around outside to visit the rabbits and the chickens, played with the kids, and spent a few moments in the warmth of the greenhouse. The warmth of the wood fires inside their old house drew us back in for cups of tea. Later after the kids were in bed, I had arranged for our friend Dave from New Zealand to call us.
In Oct., after we viewed all my slides from when Susan and I lived in Israel, we decided to send a letter to Dave (New Zealand) and Luiz (Brazil). After all these years, we didn’t know if we would find them. Luiz’s letter came back, but Dave contacted me by email. We decided to have a phone chat to catch up. Because of my broken toe, this was our first visit to Susan’s since then, and it was a real treat to get the three of us together on the phone , and to hear Dave’s voice. After so many years, we barely knew where to begin. A real flash from the past!
It must have snowed all night and well into Sunday. After breakfast we helped the kids build a snow-fort; then had a great snowball fight! We got some good photos too. The time always goes so quickly there, but the train ride home after seems so long.
... and next ...
Now this week I (Wonda) started an intensive French course, so I have classes in the mornings Mon.-Fri ‘til the end of March. Get my brain stirred up, and improve my ability to speak and write well.
Ken has two presentations to promote the MBA Program that he manages. The first is in France, west of Paris this week, then later this month he will present in Calw, Germany.
Stay tuned for more in March…
Well, this is an outdoor event, and it is February, so we bundled up in several layers, then costumed up in striped shirts and striped hats. All 4 hats were the same, so that helped us find each other… for the most part, although we encountered more of the striped hats and striped shirts during the evening.
There is a parade, and you can either join in or watch from the sidelines… or both , as we did. We enjoyed the marching bands on the street, and we popped into a bar occasionally to get warm, ‘pour-in and pour-out’ and listen to music. We met a few friends of our hosts during the evening, and I made friends with ‘Fred and Barney’ outside of one bar. They had gone back to their ‘car’ which was complete with a couple 45 gallon drums for wheels and had a large storage trunk (read ‘drinks cooler’) up front, and cup-holders! Something you only see on American cars! It was definitely powered by foot, and I was really surprised to see them quite a distance away an hour or so later. I’m amazed they got through the crowds! Ken and I had a great time with his friend Alex (and his wife) Christianne. We ended up at a Spanish restaurant called ‘la Bodega’ - the food was so tasty; it was a perfect way to end the night.
The next day we enjoyed their company and their baby, then later in the evening we shared a good meal and conversation.
... then Susan’s
Sat. morning we spent a couple hours on the train to get to my friend Susan’s. It was as snowy and cold there too. We walked around outside to visit the rabbits and the chickens, played with the kids, and spent a few moments in the warmth of the greenhouse. The warmth of the wood fires inside their old house drew us back in for cups of tea. Later after the kids were in bed, I had arranged for our friend Dave from New Zealand to call us.
In Oct., after we viewed all my slides from when Susan and I lived in Israel, we decided to send a letter to Dave (New Zealand) and Luiz (Brazil). After all these years, we didn’t know if we would find them. Luiz’s letter came back, but Dave contacted me by email. We decided to have a phone chat to catch up. Because of my broken toe, this was our first visit to Susan’s since then, and it was a real treat to get the three of us together on the phone , and to hear Dave’s voice. After so many years, we barely knew where to begin. A real flash from the past!
It must have snowed all night and well into Sunday. After breakfast we helped the kids build a snow-fort; then had a great snowball fight! We got some good photos too. The time always goes so quickly there, but the train ride home after seems so long.
... and next ...
Now this week I (Wonda) started an intensive French course, so I have classes in the mornings Mon.-Fri ‘til the end of March. Get my brain stirred up, and improve my ability to speak and write well.
Ken has two presentations to promote the MBA Program that he manages. The first is in France, west of Paris this week, then later this month he will present in Calw, Germany.
Stay tuned for more in March…
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Paris!
Friday Feb. 13th
We went to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our anniversary (of when we got together).
We saw as much as we could in the three days we had. Early Friday morning we took the train, and arrived and checked into our hotel before noon. It was cold and drizzling rain, so we ducked into a café to have a drink and make a plan for lunch and the day. We ate at a Moroccan restaurant – great flavours! Since the visibility was poor, we decided to skip the Eiffel Tower and go straight to the Louvre Museum instead. We walked around there for hours and even needed to stop for a cup of tea to rejuvenate and continue on. The collections go on and on… a person could go every day for a week before seeing it all! The highlights for me were to see the statue ‘Venus de Milo’, and the ’Mona Liza’ (though I had seen the original before in Victoria, B.C. in a Michelangelo exhibit in 1998). We were quite impressed by the “takes up the whole wall – larger than life” paintings. No wonder they are displayed in this old palace, they are too big to fit in a normal room. We will include a couple photos for you to see. There was also this painting of a lady floating in the water which was a bit eerie and peaceful at the same time. We walked through Napoleon’s apartments (part of one wing of this ‘U’-shaped palace). I don’t think he was lacking any material goods… what an extravagant lifestyle he led! When we felt that we were overloaded with art, we went back to the hotel so we could warm up, and I could put my foot up for a bit. (My toe is still healing, and that was a lot of walking!).
After an hour or so, we went out again. The skies had cleared, so we decided to go see the Eiffel Tower at night. It was worth the trip! Then we went to the ‘Latin Quarter’. What an interesting area; very lively, lots of places to eat and cafes and bars to have a drink. The narrow cobblestone streets were full of people just walking around and popping in here and there. Occasionally a car would squeeze past. There were people performing on the street too, some dance groups showing off the latest moves. It was fun to watch for a minute or two, but too cold to stand around. We couldn’t resist getting a falafel, from one of the many take-away places. It was the best falafel I had since I lived in Israel! Yum!
It was so easy to move around the city on the Metro (subway rail system) too. Many stops close to each other, it seems the easiest way to get around, and we took advantage of that. It also seems very safe even at night.
Saturday
We went for a walking tour around one of Paris’s old neighbourhoods (Marais). It was fun to learn about the history this way, and we walked through a lively little street market, ducked into two old impressive churches, saw some elaborate chateaux as well as ordinary homes from 400 years ago, and learned abut the role of the French officials during the 2nd world war.
They say it is almost impossible to find parking in Paris…narrow streets, no place to even accommodate a stopped car. Well, I observed first - hand how people ‘make do’. I saw someone squeezing their car into a parking place that was too small (even for a “Smart-Car”). They just kept nudging the car in front and then the one behind until they both were pushed tight against the vehicles in front or behind them. Now instead of 4 cars with a bit of space to manouver out of the spot… there were now 5 cars all with their bumpers touching! How would anyone get out?!
It was fun to walk through the streets and see the fruit and veg place next to the cheese shop, next to the meat shop, and a few doors down was the wine shop, and next to it the flower shop, and then a café. How very French!
The tour ended at Paris’s oldest Square “Place des Vosges”. We were frozen by then and popped in to a café to warm up. We went through Paris’s oldest outdoor covered market (1600’s) and had a hot mulled wine and a crepe before continuing on to the Picasso Museum. There were some paintings by Matise as well, which we enjoyed more than Picasso. Next we jumped on the metro to go to the Eiffel Tower. It was astounding by day as well. We had thought about going up to the top, but the line-ups were really long, and we couldn’t bear the thought of just standing around in the cold. So, we walked over the bridge to the Trocadero /Palais de Chaillot. This gave yet another perspective of the Eiffel tower, and after a photo, we walked to the ‘Arc de Triomphe. We walked around and the light was perfect. The line-ups to go to the top put us off here as well, (we can’t imagine what it would be like in the summer!). As the sun was setting, we decided to get in out of the cold and have an early dinner before all the “lovers” went out for Valentine’s dinner with their sweethearts. By 7:30 we were off to the Museum of Pompidou (Modern Art). Interesting, bizarre, creative and sometimes just weird! Then we walked around the city a bit more to enjoy the sights at night, and finally headed back to the hotel around 11:00. We figured if we subtracted the times that we sat down for ‘cuppa’ and our meal, we had spent eleven hours walking that day! We were tired!
Sunday
This A.M. we went to the Montmartre area. We went up to the top of a high hill to the elaborate “Sacre Coeur” (Sacred Heart) Cathedral and then walked around this very interesting area with a square filled with artists and their work. Most were ready to paint or sketch your portrait, or do a caricature. It was neat to walk through there. We wound our way down the streets to find the oldest windmills (moulin) in the city, and then stopped for a beer before heading down the hill to see the famous “Moulin Rouge”. We didn’t go in for a cabaret show, nor did we go to any of the many sex shops/peep shows that were on offer along the street. We jumped on the nearest metro, and headed off in another direction. It wasn’t nearly as cold today, so we picked up some wine and cheese and a bagette, then headed over to the “Place de la Concorde”. We shared our little picnic over-looking the “Obelisque de Luxor”, the park, statues, with palaces and the Eiffel tower in the background. Beautiful!
We went back to the Latin Quarter to go see Paris’s oldest church… well one tower remains from the original (get this) built in 578, and after a fire in the 1700’s, the St.Germain de Pres church was built. There was a ‘dixie-land jazz band playing outside so we enjoyed that for a few moments, then moved on to the famous “Les Deux Magots” Why anyone would call a café ‘the two maggots’, we’re not sure, but it became the favourite hang - out of artists and writers over the years, including Hemmingway. There was a bar near there called ‘Le Quebec’ but we didn’t go in. We went to local pub to experience a bit of that atmosphere. We walked around the area by the gardens of Luxembourg, saw the palace that now houses the Senat, and then headed off to another part of the city for a nice dinner.
The restaurant we chose wasn’t open yet for dinner, so we went a few doors down to a café to have a drink and wait. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together, and had a good time chatting with the waiter. All the people we met in Paris seem friendly. Not rude (as the reputation goes).
Early Monday we took our train back to Montreux.
We had a wonderful time in Paris, did half of what we’d like to, and are inspired to go back again and see and do a whole lot more!
We went to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our anniversary (of when we got together).
We saw as much as we could in the three days we had. Early Friday morning we took the train, and arrived and checked into our hotel before noon. It was cold and drizzling rain, so we ducked into a café to have a drink and make a plan for lunch and the day. We ate at a Moroccan restaurant – great flavours! Since the visibility was poor, we decided to skip the Eiffel Tower and go straight to the Louvre Museum instead. We walked around there for hours and even needed to stop for a cup of tea to rejuvenate and continue on. The collections go on and on… a person could go every day for a week before seeing it all! The highlights for me were to see the statue ‘Venus de Milo’, and the ’Mona Liza’ (though I had seen the original before in Victoria, B.C. in a Michelangelo exhibit in 1998). We were quite impressed by the “takes up the whole wall – larger than life” paintings. No wonder they are displayed in this old palace, they are too big to fit in a normal room. We will include a couple photos for you to see. There was also this painting of a lady floating in the water which was a bit eerie and peaceful at the same time. We walked through Napoleon’s apartments (part of one wing of this ‘U’-shaped palace). I don’t think he was lacking any material goods… what an extravagant lifestyle he led! When we felt that we were overloaded with art, we went back to the hotel so we could warm up, and I could put my foot up for a bit. (My toe is still healing, and that was a lot of walking!).
After an hour or so, we went out again. The skies had cleared, so we decided to go see the Eiffel Tower at night. It was worth the trip! Then we went to the ‘Latin Quarter’. What an interesting area; very lively, lots of places to eat and cafes and bars to have a drink. The narrow cobblestone streets were full of people just walking around and popping in here and there. Occasionally a car would squeeze past. There were people performing on the street too, some dance groups showing off the latest moves. It was fun to watch for a minute or two, but too cold to stand around. We couldn’t resist getting a falafel, from one of the many take-away places. It was the best falafel I had since I lived in Israel! Yum!
It was so easy to move around the city on the Metro (subway rail system) too. Many stops close to each other, it seems the easiest way to get around, and we took advantage of that. It also seems very safe even at night.
Saturday
We went for a walking tour around one of Paris’s old neighbourhoods (Marais). It was fun to learn about the history this way, and we walked through a lively little street market, ducked into two old impressive churches, saw some elaborate chateaux as well as ordinary homes from 400 years ago, and learned abut the role of the French officials during the 2nd world war.
They say it is almost impossible to find parking in Paris…narrow streets, no place to even accommodate a stopped car. Well, I observed first - hand how people ‘make do’. I saw someone squeezing their car into a parking place that was too small (even for a “Smart-Car”). They just kept nudging the car in front and then the one behind until they both were pushed tight against the vehicles in front or behind them. Now instead of 4 cars with a bit of space to manouver out of the spot… there were now 5 cars all with their bumpers touching! How would anyone get out?!
It was fun to walk through the streets and see the fruit and veg place next to the cheese shop, next to the meat shop, and a few doors down was the wine shop, and next to it the flower shop, and then a café. How very French!
The tour ended at Paris’s oldest Square “Place des Vosges”. We were frozen by then and popped in to a café to warm up. We went through Paris’s oldest outdoor covered market (1600’s) and had a hot mulled wine and a crepe before continuing on to the Picasso Museum. There were some paintings by Matise as well, which we enjoyed more than Picasso. Next we jumped on the metro to go to the Eiffel Tower. It was astounding by day as well. We had thought about going up to the top, but the line-ups were really long, and we couldn’t bear the thought of just standing around in the cold. So, we walked over the bridge to the Trocadero /Palais de Chaillot. This gave yet another perspective of the Eiffel tower, and after a photo, we walked to the ‘Arc de Triomphe. We walked around and the light was perfect. The line-ups to go to the top put us off here as well, (we can’t imagine what it would be like in the summer!). As the sun was setting, we decided to get in out of the cold and have an early dinner before all the “lovers” went out for Valentine’s dinner with their sweethearts. By 7:30 we were off to the Museum of Pompidou (Modern Art). Interesting, bizarre, creative and sometimes just weird! Then we walked around the city a bit more to enjoy the sights at night, and finally headed back to the hotel around 11:00. We figured if we subtracted the times that we sat down for ‘cuppa’ and our meal, we had spent eleven hours walking that day! We were tired!
Sunday
This A.M. we went to the Montmartre area. We went up to the top of a high hill to the elaborate “Sacre Coeur” (Sacred Heart) Cathedral and then walked around this very interesting area with a square filled with artists and their work. Most were ready to paint or sketch your portrait, or do a caricature. It was neat to walk through there. We wound our way down the streets to find the oldest windmills (moulin) in the city, and then stopped for a beer before heading down the hill to see the famous “Moulin Rouge”. We didn’t go in for a cabaret show, nor did we go to any of the many sex shops/peep shows that were on offer along the street. We jumped on the nearest metro, and headed off in another direction. It wasn’t nearly as cold today, so we picked up some wine and cheese and a bagette, then headed over to the “Place de la Concorde”. We shared our little picnic over-looking the “Obelisque de Luxor”, the park, statues, with palaces and the Eiffel tower in the background. Beautiful!
We went back to the Latin Quarter to go see Paris’s oldest church… well one tower remains from the original (get this) built in 578, and after a fire in the 1700’s, the St.Germain de Pres church was built. There was a ‘dixie-land jazz band playing outside so we enjoyed that for a few moments, then moved on to the famous “Les Deux Magots” Why anyone would call a café ‘the two maggots’, we’re not sure, but it became the favourite hang - out of artists and writers over the years, including Hemmingway. There was a bar near there called ‘Le Quebec’ but we didn’t go in. We went to local pub to experience a bit of that atmosphere. We walked around the area by the gardens of Luxembourg, saw the palace that now houses the Senat, and then headed off to another part of the city for a nice dinner.
The restaurant we chose wasn’t open yet for dinner, so we went a few doors down to a café to have a drink and wait. We enjoyed a wonderful meal together, and had a good time chatting with the waiter. All the people we met in Paris seem friendly. Not rude (as the reputation goes).
Early Monday we took our train back to Montreux.
We had a wonderful time in Paris, did half of what we’d like to, and are inspired to go back again and see and do a whole lot more!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Christmas, New Year's, & January
Christmas
Well, Ken’s sister and Dad arrived and we (even me with a bad toe) did as much as we could. We wandered through the Christmas market the first night, and experienced it again the next day. We tried the mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and lots of samplings of the local decadent fare. Even home-made candies!
There was a visit to the local castle (Chateau de Chillon), with Ken, Karen and Art walking along the lake-side promenade, enjoying all the greenery and the ever-changing views along the lake. The backdrop of the Swiss Alps to the East, and France straight across the lake. They enjoyed their stroll, and I took the bus and met them there.
On Christmas day after our brunch, we took a train to the mountain peak above Montreux called ‘Rochers de Naye’. We wandered around for an hour, had a mulled wine, and came back down in time to baste the turkey and open some gifts before our big dinner. Ken expertly roasted the turkey and I did the veggies, etc. Next day we went off to Gruyere, to visit the “walled city” and the castle. There was a lot of ice near the big stone gate that several people warned us about. I was told in French, German and English that I should not go there on my crutches. I was sure I could manage to get beyond that dangerous area and get into the old city to enjoy the afternoon with everyone else. It was worth the caution, and we did have a great day with a pit-stop at the cheese factory while we waited for our train back.
The next day we spent in Montreux, Karen and Art bought me a bright green push scooter and I left the crutches behind. In the afternoon we went through the market again. In the evening, Art treated us all at a nice restaurant at the Montreux Palace, and the scooter made it very easy for me to keep pace with everyone.
We all accompanied Art to the airport the next day and then met up with two friends from our Sri Lanka days.
New Year's
Scott – (USA) has just relocated to Geneva and our friend Bene – (France) came to spend 5 days with us. She and I had fun together, and Ken and Karen spent their time skiing. See the photos of them at the Matterhorn! They had a perfect day there. Bene and Scott joined them on New Year’s Eve for a day in the mountains. I stayed at home and rested my legs, and prepped for our ‘festive feast for five’ later in the day. Bene did lots of prep too once they got back. She had brought about a ton of extravagant food items from France. We put on the music and sipped on wine and ate our way through the evening ‘til almost midnight. We went to join Ken’s colleagues at a bar near-by to ring in the New Year, see some fireworks in the rain, then returned home for more fun with our little party of five. We said good-bye to both Bene and Scott the next AM, spent some quality time with Karen, and then she and Ken had one more ski day at Gstaad before she headed home. It was a really wonderful holiday, great to spend some time with these valued people in our lives.
January
Then on the 5th, it was back to work for both of us. I had just one month more to get the foreign students ready to start their hospitality education in Feb. It was a really intense schedule and then suddenly it was over. I really enjoyed the teaching, and they liked me too. I received some very positive feedback from the students, and their marks show that they were interested and understood what I was teaching. The other teaching staff are all native English speakers from England, New Zealand, Irish/Canadian. They were a good bunch of women to work with. So now I will have work there again in Aug. that will go to the end of Jan. again. I do hope to find something for the in-between time though.
Ken’s Jan. had him finishing up all sorts of things too. He even had to spend his Saturday birthday helping out with graduation! His boss from Northwood University was here for the grad as well, AND… it just so happens that his birthday is also Jan.24th, so I made dinner for them once all the ceremonies were over. Ken said goodbye to one bunch of students and then the next bunch started. The majority of his work is managing the MBA Program, but he does teach one class to the BBA group. He has been busy with the visiting professors from the USA, and last week the university had a ‘Staff Ski Day’.
... next ?
Now Feb. is here and I am looking for three things: a job, an intensive French course, and a new apt. to move into in the next few months.
This is going to be an exciting month for us, with weekend trips to Paris, and then Germany. I will write about it later.
Well, Ken’s sister and Dad arrived and we (even me with a bad toe) did as much as we could. We wandered through the Christmas market the first night, and experienced it again the next day. We tried the mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and lots of samplings of the local decadent fare. Even home-made candies!
There was a visit to the local castle (Chateau de Chillon), with Ken, Karen and Art walking along the lake-side promenade, enjoying all the greenery and the ever-changing views along the lake. The backdrop of the Swiss Alps to the East, and France straight across the lake. They enjoyed their stroll, and I took the bus and met them there.
On Christmas day after our brunch, we took a train to the mountain peak above Montreux called ‘Rochers de Naye’. We wandered around for an hour, had a mulled wine, and came back down in time to baste the turkey and open some gifts before our big dinner. Ken expertly roasted the turkey and I did the veggies, etc. Next day we went off to Gruyere, to visit the “walled city” and the castle. There was a lot of ice near the big stone gate that several people warned us about. I was told in French, German and English that I should not go there on my crutches. I was sure I could manage to get beyond that dangerous area and get into the old city to enjoy the afternoon with everyone else. It was worth the caution, and we did have a great day with a pit-stop at the cheese factory while we waited for our train back.
The next day we spent in Montreux, Karen and Art bought me a bright green push scooter and I left the crutches behind. In the afternoon we went through the market again. In the evening, Art treated us all at a nice restaurant at the Montreux Palace, and the scooter made it very easy for me to keep pace with everyone.
We all accompanied Art to the airport the next day and then met up with two friends from our Sri Lanka days.
New Year's
Scott – (USA) has just relocated to Geneva and our friend Bene – (France) came to spend 5 days with us. She and I had fun together, and Ken and Karen spent their time skiing. See the photos of them at the Matterhorn! They had a perfect day there. Bene and Scott joined them on New Year’s Eve for a day in the mountains. I stayed at home and rested my legs, and prepped for our ‘festive feast for five’ later in the day. Bene did lots of prep too once they got back. She had brought about a ton of extravagant food items from France. We put on the music and sipped on wine and ate our way through the evening ‘til almost midnight. We went to join Ken’s colleagues at a bar near-by to ring in the New Year, see some fireworks in the rain, then returned home for more fun with our little party of five. We said good-bye to both Bene and Scott the next AM, spent some quality time with Karen, and then she and Ken had one more ski day at Gstaad before she headed home. It was a really wonderful holiday, great to spend some time with these valued people in our lives.
January
Then on the 5th, it was back to work for both of us. I had just one month more to get the foreign students ready to start their hospitality education in Feb. It was a really intense schedule and then suddenly it was over. I really enjoyed the teaching, and they liked me too. I received some very positive feedback from the students, and their marks show that they were interested and understood what I was teaching. The other teaching staff are all native English speakers from England, New Zealand, Irish/Canadian. They were a good bunch of women to work with. So now I will have work there again in Aug. that will go to the end of Jan. again. I do hope to find something for the in-between time though.
Ken’s Jan. had him finishing up all sorts of things too. He even had to spend his Saturday birthday helping out with graduation! His boss from Northwood University was here for the grad as well, AND… it just so happens that his birthday is also Jan.24th, so I made dinner for them once all the ceremonies were over. Ken said goodbye to one bunch of students and then the next bunch started. The majority of his work is managing the MBA Program, but he does teach one class to the BBA group. He has been busy with the visiting professors from the USA, and last week the university had a ‘Staff Ski Day’.
... next ?
Now Feb. is here and I am looking for three things: a job, an intensive French course, and a new apt. to move into in the next few months.
This is going to be an exciting month for us, with weekend trips to Paris, and then Germany. I will write about it later.
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