Yesterday, we took a trip with friends to see the Fortress Saint-Maurice, the Grottes aux Fees, and then the Grande Dixence Dam. It was a really long day, but very interesting, to say the least. The majority of the time was spent underground in very cold temperatures. I brought my hat and gloves and two light jackets and they were all used. Yikes, nothing like feeling like Christmas in July! Where is the eggnog?
Nicholas was chosen as the volunteer to help get the cannon in the right position.
view from inside fortress
This seemed important- maps, and such.
Off to the Grottes!
There was a waterfall at the end! It was gorgeous!
Then, when we got outside and over to the Dam, there was snow!!
Hey America, can you spread the summer love this way, please?
After quite a long delay (poor Ships) she finally arrived to GVA Sunday afternoon. I amused myself for a few hours by enjoying these sounds :
Unfortunately, Sunday was all rain and grey and the normally amazing luggage storage at the train station was full/broken/unavailable. So we had to roll her bag for a quick "tour" of the town. By town, I mean, a walk to the lake and back after an obligatory shot of the water fountain :)
We came back to sunny Lausanne and hung out, walked the town at night and rested up for a busy day of sightseeing here in the L. Today we head to Z for a couple of days before she heads back to the States.
So... remember my earlier post about how I thought a couple of my friends would be a perfect fit for the Month at the Museum in Chicago? Well, one of them decided to go for it!!
Stacey and I on Lake Geneva from her visit last year :)
Stacey applied to live at the Museum for a month and has submitted her application, along with her video. Now, the museum is going to take it to the public for a vote, but in the meantime, we are trying to get her video as many views/likes/comments as possible! If you have a second, check out the video here and if you feel so inclined, like/comment on it and/or pass it along! (just no Facebook at this point.)
I do not know anyone who would be a better fit for this type of role. Stacey is extraordinarily personable, curious and positive. She has a zest for life and is open to trying and learning all sorts of new things. Not only that, but selfishly, I know we all will learn something from her if she gets this chance, because she is soo good at sharing!!
For fun, check out her great video and if you love it, share it :)
If you live in Chicago, think how cool it will be when you visit the Museum of Science and Industry in October and get to see our friend. Because, as Stacey says, strangers are just friends we haven't met yet!
We finally made it! Despite the forecast for rain and cold, we headed to Montreux for the final night of the '11 festival. We had some good food, listened to Shoestring Trio perform in the street and then to the Music in the Park performance of 77 Bombay St. It only rain for about 5 minutes and the rest of the time the night was simply perfect!
We broke in our new table last night and ate on the terrace and enjoyed our view ;)
Cranes in background
We have discussed what a pity it is that when they built the apt they did not put the terrace on the other side with a view of the beautiful cathedral. Instead we get to watch the very slow process of construction here in Switzerland. C'est la vie. We were so lucky last year with a lake and mountain view and at least here we are able to enjoy the beautiful, mild summer weather!
Here in Switzerland, I have come to enjoy a refreshing lemonade when meeting someone at the cafe in the summer. I liked that it tasted so different from what I was used to. I liked the sweet taste and that it wasn't too lemon-y. After I ordered this a couple of times, I realized the taste was familiar. Something I had definitely had in the past... but what was it? In fact, I realized, it didn't actually have much citron at all...
The delicious lemonade turned out to be Sprite with a slice of lemon. Ha!
Yesterday, I had to go to Geneva for a brief meeting which made it a perfect opportunity to show Lala and Marta the city.
I took them to one of the most beautiful parks in the city, Parc La Grange. Wow! It was the first time I had been inside. I was searching for a kid-friendly park with a playground and this place has it all! An enormous playground, a small wading pool for the kids, funky chairs to sit on, rose gardens, open patches of grass to run around on, and benches in the shade for the slightly older crowd who may not want to hop into the foot of questionably warm water :)
After my meeting, I gave Marta a break and played with Lala. Then, Nicholas made a guest appearance before he had to head home and work more. From there, we did a quick tour of the old town, the longest bench in the world, and the Parc des Bastions.
Sunday, we went off to Nyon and then Yvoire, France. Nicholas and I have been wanting to check out Nyon as a potential place to move in the fall, so took advantage of the trip to do just that!
Roman Columns in Nyon
Gorgeous promenade above lake
Nicholas y Tia
The city is really beautiful, although if asked to identify an unattractive city in this gorgeous land, I would fail. We both really liked it and it is Lala approved.
We have a fan!
Then we took a boat over to Yvoire, France to check out the medieval city. Nicholas has a colleague who lives there and was invited for a working dinner the other week. Ever since he went, I wanted to go! It was a good opportunity to show Tia and Lala and also give them a chance to get on the water!
Neither is my English! I just read through a couple of my posts and found glaringly obvious grammar and spelling errors.
Not to go and toot my own horn, but I never had trouble with spelling. Ever. Test me, I am excellent. Grammar has not always been my greatest strength, but jeez, recently it looks like I could take a few English classes myself.
This reminds me of one of my favorite jokes that Nicholas found when he first moved to the US and goes something like this:
(Kid in Switzerland on phone with parent in US* ) Kid: Mom! I am losing my English and I can't speak French. Mom: Well hurry up and come home before you go mute!!!
That is how I feel right now. I cannot speak French and I am losing my English. Everyday, while typing I notice obvious errors in my English and I literally stare with wide-eyes that I could have just made that mistake. ME?! Here's hoping I am not going mute!
*Changed locations to make applicable to my life :)
