It's a WIND! http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wind/The-Bise.htm
And it literally took me away today! On my bike it was so difficult it became ridiculous! The wind turned my tire while I held my handlebars straight... had to get off the bike and attempt running- but still was not making much headway! It was soooo funny all I could do was laugh! Luckally the laughter and stationary workout kept me warm in the otherwise BONECHILLING cold that the silly Bise produces...
We had the Bise in Lausanne back at IMD, but apparently it's MUCH stronger in GVA! That said I'm still loving it here!
Monday 25 October 2010
Monday 11 October 2010
Not the only one diggin' IceBreakers!
http://www.gengo.ca/style/wool-is-where-its-at/?ref=nf
A review on my latest FAV outdoor clothing line- from NZ... check it out!
No pics on this one, but last week Max and I were in Chamonix after a hike and strolled into the (one of like 5 in the WORLD!) IceBreaker brick and mortar shops.... he managed to walk away with a workout T-shirt and beaner, I walked out with a new sleeved (with thumb holes!) zip and tank (perfect for yoga, summer hikes, runs, sleep, lounge... about anything!)
Although it's not the cheapest on the market, after my first purchase of a loose tank and workout T, I'm now a total convert and LOVE this brand! Love even more that you can trace the wool blend in your individual piece (via the Baaaaa code) to the farms and surrounding areas your sheep live in! (see pic above)
Anyway, can't say enough about this brand. Yesterday we were putting our new gear to the test- Max had his T as a base layer under another sleeved hooded number, and I had my T as a base under my IceBreakers sleeves...
We ascended 500 meters total on the hike up to about 2400meters, a 4.5 hour hike that we decided to start at, oh, 4pm!
A well-known trail that leads to actual Dinosaur Tracks... That's right, allegedly there are Dinosaur tracks there- from when the Alps were the bottom of the ocean! Amazingly they survived, and even more amazingly, we missed them! Guess we should have checked out this link: http://www.summitpost.org/route/159722/Normal-route-from-Barrage-d-Emosson.html
Ended up trail running the flats and even after getting lost three times make it back to the car by 8pm- just in time for PITCH BLACK DARKNESS! Yes, we are a bit INSANE, but it was AMAZING!
At the highest point, around sunset, and we're estimating +/-3degrees C we were amazingly quite cozy in our IceBreakers gear. It really does the trick and is surprisingly breathable!
Two dams, great views, intense hike, and incredible gear- a great end to an otherwise lazy weekend!
Note: We seemed to forget all photographic devices! I've added some pics found on info sites for your viewing pleasure!
A review on my latest FAV outdoor clothing line- from NZ... check it out!
No pics on this one, but last week Max and I were in Chamonix after a hike and strolled into the (one of like 5 in the WORLD!) IceBreaker brick and mortar shops.... he managed to walk away with a workout T-shirt and beaner, I walked out with a new sleeved (with thumb holes!) zip and tank (perfect for yoga, summer hikes, runs, sleep, lounge... about anything!)
Although it's not the cheapest on the market, after my first purchase of a loose tank and workout T, I'm now a total convert and LOVE this brand! Love even more that you can trace the wool blend in your individual piece (via the Baaaaa code) to the farms and surrounding areas your sheep live in! (see pic above)
Anyway, can't say enough about this brand. Yesterday we were putting our new gear to the test- Max had his T as a base layer under another sleeved hooded number, and I had my T as a base under my IceBreakers sleeves...
We ascended 500 meters total on the hike up to about 2400meters, a 4.5 hour hike that we decided to start at, oh, 4pm!
A well-known trail that leads to actual Dinosaur Tracks... That's right, allegedly there are Dinosaur tracks there- from when the Alps were the bottom of the ocean! Amazingly they survived, and even more amazingly, we missed them! Guess we should have checked out this link: http://www.summitpost.org/route/159722/Normal-route-from-Barrage-d-Emosson.html
Ended up trail running the flats and even after getting lost three times make it back to the car by 8pm- just in time for PITCH BLACK DARKNESS! Yes, we are a bit INSANE, but it was AMAZING!
At the highest point, around sunset, and we're estimating +/-3degrees C we were amazingly quite cozy in our IceBreakers gear. It really does the trick and is surprisingly breathable!
This is a pic (not ours!) of the big lake formed by the new dam...
And here is a view of the view of Mont Blanc- truly breathtaking!
(must be in summer, as we didn't have any blooming flowers!)
This is the old, smaller lake formed by the original damn. This is where the trail running began- imagine running through broken pieces on slate and shale... that's the surface at the bottom, near the water!
But Max was crusin' in his Vibrum 5-Fingers he picked up on his trip to Boston a few weeks ago...
Two dams, great views, intense hike, and incredible gear- a great end to an otherwise lazy weekend!
Note: We seemed to forget all photographic devices! I've added some pics found on info sites for your viewing pleasure!
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Next up... Nice!
First, I'm proud to say that readership has increased over 60%! Yay, and welcome my new readers! :)
Another whirlwind weekend adventure in the form of a Hen party (that's what the Brit's like to call a Bachelorette!) in Nice! Alessandra (who just tied the knot last weekend- details to come!) celebrated her singlehood with me and our friend Laura for a girl's get-a-way.
What at first looked like a weekend that could have gotten off onthe wring foot, turned out to be a fun and relaxing time with great friends! The list of girls attending started out quite low as this was not the best we for most... but we went for this because it was the only we available to the girl organizing... who ended up bailing out last minute! I had found an apartment which I thought was centrally located in old town (picture cobbelstone streets, cafe's, steps from the beach) and after dropping off the girlfriend of one of the Best Men at her other friend's house (was she in this just for the free ride to Nice?) my faithful GPS began taking us down the maze of one-way streets to what seemed forever away from the beach! WHAt??? Was this for real? A dead area of town- we were thinking the worst....
Had the owner swapped our apartment for a different one after I so assertively negotiated the price down? Were we at the right place? We step into the dark entry and cram into the tiny elevator to take it to the top... Laura is a bit afraid of elevators and her optimistic attitude thus far begins to wean...
We make it to the top and can't seem to get into the door! Realizing it's the one across the way, we make it in and find a charming apartment... two bedrooms with doors opening to the amazing rooftop terrace! We can see the Sea and the tops of all the roofs of Nice! And best of all? The third bed in the Veranda! Since the other two are close-the-shutters types, I of course, being the sun goddess I am, took the open bed in the Veranda.
To kick off the weekend, Ale gave us our weekend mandatory attire- no not bunny ears, or penus necklases- a pair of killer stylin' Okley Shades!
Oh ya, we're lovin'em!
After a long trip, we chilled and had a quiet dinner in old town...
The next morning I was up bright and early! Off in search of an Italian style Cappuccino (the French coffee is all too Starbucksish- burnt!) which I must say, NEVER found... although I did manage to insult a few Frenchmen on my first morning, insisting that the Italian beans were my fav....
The hunt did provide me with a glimpse of local life. A luxury you don't get when staying in the more touristic parts of town (where I though we were!)... I shopped for our breakfast in the open market and local bakery and even managed to run a few errands, all in time to have breakfast (with Memosas!) ready when the girls woke up!
After breakfast- off to the beach OF COURSE! A beautiful, sunny, warm day in the S of France- who could ask for anything more????
Here are the tree Musketeers! Me, Ale and Laura all sporting our Bchellorette shades!
After several hours sunbathing and swimming in the salty Med we had an apperitivi on the roof-top of a fancy hotel with Roberta and her friend who is living in Nice but moving to Paris to attend cooking school...
And luck will have it Roberta's friend made reservations at an AMAZING local treat for dinner... we kicked off the night with dinner, drinks and started the shirt-signing!
Even the owner of the place joined in!
And a lovely French Threesome- not what you're thinking!- invite us over for a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the occasion! I got to practice my Italo-French and then we hit the road on mission for DANCING!!!! With the shirt-signing... well, let's just say Ale made some quic friends :)
I'll leave the rest to your imaginations... but the next day, we couldn't miss one last opportunity to hit the beach!
Ah Nice... Miss you already! Thanks again Ale for a great Girls Weekend!
Another whirlwind weekend adventure in the form of a Hen party (that's what the Brit's like to call a Bachelorette!) in Nice! Alessandra (who just tied the knot last weekend- details to come!) celebrated her singlehood with me and our friend Laura for a girl's get-a-way.
What at first looked like a weekend that could have gotten off onthe wring foot, turned out to be a fun and relaxing time with great friends! The list of girls attending started out quite low as this was not the best we for most... but we went for this because it was the only we available to the girl organizing... who ended up bailing out last minute! I had found an apartment which I thought was centrally located in old town (picture cobbelstone streets, cafe's, steps from the beach) and after dropping off the girlfriend of one of the Best Men at her other friend's house (was she in this just for the free ride to Nice?) my faithful GPS began taking us down the maze of one-way streets to what seemed forever away from the beach! WHAt??? Was this for real? A dead area of town- we were thinking the worst....
Had the owner swapped our apartment for a different one after I so assertively negotiated the price down? Were we at the right place? We step into the dark entry and cram into the tiny elevator to take it to the top... Laura is a bit afraid of elevators and her optimistic attitude thus far begins to wean...
We make it to the top and can't seem to get into the door! Realizing it's the one across the way, we make it in and find a charming apartment... two bedrooms with doors opening to the amazing rooftop terrace! We can see the Sea and the tops of all the roofs of Nice! And best of all? The third bed in the Veranda! Since the other two are close-the-shutters types, I of course, being the sun goddess I am, took the open bed in the Veranda.
To kick off the weekend, Ale gave us our weekend mandatory attire- no not bunny ears, or penus necklases- a pair of killer stylin' Okley Shades!
Oh ya, we're lovin'em!
After a long trip, we chilled and had a quiet dinner in old town...
The next morning I was up bright and early! Off in search of an Italian style Cappuccino (the French coffee is all too Starbucksish- burnt!) which I must say, NEVER found... although I did manage to insult a few Frenchmen on my first morning, insisting that the Italian beans were my fav....
The hunt did provide me with a glimpse of local life. A luxury you don't get when staying in the more touristic parts of town (where I though we were!)... I shopped for our breakfast in the open market and local bakery and even managed to run a few errands, all in time to have breakfast (with Memosas!) ready when the girls woke up!
After breakfast- off to the beach OF COURSE! A beautiful, sunny, warm day in the S of France- who could ask for anything more????
After several hours sunbathing and swimming in the salty Med we had an apperitivi on the roof-top of a fancy hotel with Roberta and her friend who is living in Nice but moving to Paris to attend cooking school...
And luck will have it Roberta's friend made reservations at an AMAZING local treat for dinner... we kicked off the night with dinner, drinks and started the shirt-signing!
Even the owner of the place joined in!
And a lovely French Threesome- not what you're thinking!- invite us over for a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the occasion! I got to practice my Italo-French and then we hit the road on mission for DANCING!!!! With the shirt-signing... well, let's just say Ale made some quic friends :)
I'll leave the rest to your imaginations... but the next day, we couldn't miss one last opportunity to hit the beach!
Ah Nice... Miss you already! Thanks again Ale for a great Girls Weekend!
Been a while! Let's start with Romania!
Hello dear readers! Been a while... lot's to catch up on!
Although the summer in Zurich was essentially non-existent, I've managed to somehow maintain my tan through my various travels... been much of a weekend + warrior this summer with so many activities going on!
The first big event was one that I may have already mentioned- the Christening of my Godson Lucian in his mom Daniela's home town in Romania! Was such a pleasure to see her family, meet her best friends and see where she grew up! The cermony took place in a beautiful little church built in the Translvania style that apparently doubles as a SAUNA in the summer- at least judging from the amount I was sweating!
Yes, that's sweat... I think the little man was hot and sweaty too!
But in the end, we cooled back off and then had a great party in a Beach House, on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea...
A 4.5 hour drive each way from and to the airport, family dinners, beach, ceremonies, and parties! A whirlwind weekend to kick off many more this summer!
Stay tuned for more to come....
Although the summer in Zurich was essentially non-existent, I've managed to somehow maintain my tan through my various travels... been much of a weekend + warrior this summer with so many activities going on!
The first big event was one that I may have already mentioned- the Christening of my Godson Lucian in his mom Daniela's home town in Romania! Was such a pleasure to see her family, meet her best friends and see where she grew up! The cermony took place in a beautiful little church built in the Translvania style that apparently doubles as a SAUNA in the summer- at least judging from the amount I was sweating!
Stay tuned for more to come....
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Thursday 29 July 2010
Thunderstorms and clouds...
So it's been a while since my last blog. I think it was fireworks... and in fact I heard more going off tonight. Maybe in celebreation that the skies have finally cleared? Although it's been raining and overcast most of the week, I've managed to stay on track with my fitness regimine!
A hike on Mon and a chilly swim on Tues (that's right I've been swimming a mile each session!)... Wed after working all day in the clouds- literally and figuratively- I hiked into the clouds- literally! Today I took it easy after the torturous drive home from the office with a literal downpour and settled for yoga...
My good friend Zina had reccomended a great site that I've come to love mainly for the convenience factor, besides the fact that it pushes me out of my "typical" yoga routine check it out! www.myyogaonline.com
I've been inspired to do a lot of thinking the last few days.... on my hike in the clouds, one of the things I realized is how infrequently I've come to communicate- really communicate- to my dearest friends and family. Admittedly, I'm much more of an "in person" communicator, but skype can work wonders.
It seems the beauty and beast of the ever increasing technology at our fingertips is also creating a bit of a gap... you are constantly seeing everyone's facebook pictures and updates- it's almost as if you have a glimpse into their lives. Yet, we loose the specialness of a call, a chat over coffee, or even just sitting silently next to eachother while watching a new movie.... it's the intimacy that's been stripped. Facebook has given us so much, but taken something so valuable.
Now I'm blaming Facebook for my own issues. Projecting onto an application that is there to be used how we see fit. So, it's up to ME to bridge the techno gap. And I do love seeing the photo updates :)
Enough of my pndering... let's get onto much more EXCITING news! Drumrolll please............
I found the most FABULOUS pair of sunglasses EVER! Seriously, no seriously... MADE my life in this hell-hole of a drab city Zurich so much brighter! Also lucky that there was sun that day...
Ok, no more suspense- check out the photo...
SIMPLY FabUlous, no?
Yes, that's right, just when I'm about to leave this dead-zone I find it perking up to life! It's ALIVE!!!
There is this great Monday Market at a fun little bar on the river called Rimini in the summers:
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=82701426757&share_id=128014300556087&comments=1#!/group.php?gid=82701426757
Although I may have slightly freaked Roland (the owner of URBAN Eyewear) out by telling him he made my YEAR for having these... it seriously made my summer- or should I say lack there of...
Even though his site is in German (Laura, maybe an opportunity??) the concept is so great I must share. He is on a mission for cool shades... so he goes to all these little glasses shops (for you Americans, they sell sunglasses mainly at Optical sores) around Europe and asks if they have any OLD stock. The result is a goldmine! From global name brands to was at one time a brand he finds BRAND NEW, OLD glasses!
So my search for the vintage shade with the earpiece on the bottom has finally come to an end....
Good thing I never antyed up to purchase those LV Gina's I've been drooling over for years.... Saved a whopping $500!!!! Whoohoo!
New shades in hand I had yet another jet-setting weekend... this time to somewhere I never in a million years thought I'd go... and a good reason too! To the Black Sea in Romania for the Christening of Lucian Duncan McKinsey. Max and I had the amazing honor of being the little man's godparents and I got to hold him through a beautiful Orthedox Christening ceremony.
Would have gone off without a hitch... if only I could have known to wear a breathable dress! Silly me, I thought I needed to be propper and cover my arms.
Nedless to say, the beautiful wodden church that was fashioned in Transylvanian style turned into soming much like a SAUNA with the lack of circulation and pleathora of hot bodies, humidity and torching Summer temps.
We all got through it and only damage to the family pics with the godmother looking a bit drenched :) Lucian (or as Dana's dad likes to call him, Duncan) did an amazing job and even got a tour of the church in the process ;) The we was amazing- a true glimpse of life in Romania, and the Black Sea was refreshing and more than I could have expected!
This weekend I'm off to a HEN party (AKA Bachelorette) in NICE!
Yes, another box to check off the old list of places to go! Alessandra will be tieing the knot with a fellow IMDer this Sept so she, Laura, and two of her friends are hitting up the sea for a girls-weekend get-away.
Until next time dear (3!) readers!
A hike on Mon and a chilly swim on Tues (that's right I've been swimming a mile each session!)... Wed after working all day in the clouds- literally and figuratively- I hiked into the clouds- literally! Today I took it easy after the torturous drive home from the office with a literal downpour and settled for yoga...
My good friend Zina had reccomended a great site that I've come to love mainly for the convenience factor, besides the fact that it pushes me out of my "typical" yoga routine check it out! www.myyogaonline.com
I've been inspired to do a lot of thinking the last few days.... on my hike in the clouds, one of the things I realized is how infrequently I've come to communicate- really communicate- to my dearest friends and family. Admittedly, I'm much more of an "in person" communicator, but skype can work wonders.
It seems the beauty and beast of the ever increasing technology at our fingertips is also creating a bit of a gap... you are constantly seeing everyone's facebook pictures and updates- it's almost as if you have a glimpse into their lives. Yet, we loose the specialness of a call, a chat over coffee, or even just sitting silently next to eachother while watching a new movie.... it's the intimacy that's been stripped. Facebook has given us so much, but taken something so valuable.
Now I'm blaming Facebook for my own issues. Projecting onto an application that is there to be used how we see fit. So, it's up to ME to bridge the techno gap. And I do love seeing the photo updates :)
Enough of my pndering... let's get onto much more EXCITING news! Drumrolll please............
I found the most FABULOUS pair of sunglasses EVER! Seriously, no seriously... MADE my life in this hell-hole of a drab city Zurich so much brighter! Also lucky that there was sun that day...
Ok, no more suspense- check out the photo...
SIMPLY FabUlous, no?
Yes, that's right, just when I'm about to leave this dead-zone I find it perking up to life! It's ALIVE!!!
There is this great Monday Market at a fun little bar on the river called Rimini in the summers:
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=82701426757&share_id=128014300556087&comments=1#!/group.php?gid=82701426757
Although I may have slightly freaked Roland (the owner of URBAN Eyewear) out by telling him he made my YEAR for having these... it seriously made my summer- or should I say lack there of...
Even though his site is in German (Laura, maybe an opportunity??) the concept is so great I must share. He is on a mission for cool shades... so he goes to all these little glasses shops (for you Americans, they sell sunglasses mainly at Optical sores) around Europe and asks if they have any OLD stock. The result is a goldmine! From global name brands to was at one time a brand he finds BRAND NEW, OLD glasses!
So my search for the vintage shade with the earpiece on the bottom has finally come to an end....
Good thing I never antyed up to purchase those LV Gina's I've been drooling over for years.... Saved a whopping $500!!!! Whoohoo!
Would have gone off without a hitch... if only I could have known to wear a breathable dress! Silly me, I thought I needed to be propper and cover my arms.
Nedless to say, the beautiful wodden church that was fashioned in Transylvanian style turned into soming much like a SAUNA with the lack of circulation and pleathora of hot bodies, humidity and torching Summer temps.
We all got through it and only damage to the family pics with the godmother looking a bit drenched :) Lucian (or as Dana's dad likes to call him, Duncan) did an amazing job and even got a tour of the church in the process ;) The we was amazing- a true glimpse of life in Romania, and the Black Sea was refreshing and more than I could have expected!
This weekend I'm off to a HEN party (AKA Bachelorette) in NICE!
Yes, another box to check off the old list of places to go! Alessandra will be tieing the knot with a fellow IMDer this Sept so she, Laura, and two of her friends are hitting up the sea for a girls-weekend get-away.
Until next time dear (3!) readers!
Sunday 4 July 2010
The coolest Fireworks EVER!
As you know, this weekend is Zurifest here in Zurich- it's an excuse for the ever-so-tightly-wound Swiss German community to come out of their shells and PARTY like it's 1999!
One benefit is the AMAZING fireworks display they put on both Fri and Sat nights... I had made a reservation at a Fish restaurant I'd been told by my former Roomie Ang was great- right on the lake and great food! This was originally for Max's B-Day dinner as he was trekking in the Alps on his actual B-Day last week. Then I was told that it wasn't the usual menu- they were having a BBQ party for the festival and there would be an all-u-can-eat Buffet for dinner.
So, turns out that for Zuri-fest the Swiss do things American style- all you can eat buffets, free music concerts on the lake (when normally would charge an arm and leg!) and food stands and carnival rides, like a state fair. But they did show up ANY fireworks display I've ever seen.
Fri night we had a great view of the fireworks from the balcony of the restaurant, after a great buffet with our friends Matthieu and Alessandra.
Sat the IMD crew from Zug all came to Zurich for the festivities and I met up with M&A again as well as Paul, Aurily and her two friends that were in town from Pairs. We almost missed the start of the fireworks, but Ale and I (the shorties!) manages to squeeze our way to the front of the block and had a front-row view of the most amazing show!
Helicopters and little prop planes were even launching fireworks from the sky! A mix of Pop, Dance and Classical music was blasting and the fireworks were choreographed to each song. About 30 minutes of straight fireworks was worth bearing the hordes of drunk Swissies....
Alas, they go American style on the drinking as well, so late-nights aren't so pretty. But the Swiss clean-up crew is early and efficient and the town is spotless again by 6am!
Happy 4th to those in the US and hope you enjoy the fireworks!
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Inspiration...
After a recent purchase of a new Suunto watch/heart rate monitor/calorie tracker I've been super motivated to kick the workouts up a notch!
http://www.suunto.com
The first two weeks were interval runs- outside, or in the hotel gyms- this week I've hiked Uglyberg
our little mountain in Zurich 2Xs! Also, summer has FINALLY arrived in Swiss land, so yoga on the lake is BACK! Went to the Tues night class with Clive at Bady Enge: www.tonttu.ch
Burn about 520 calories on the 50 min hike up and down and 550 in the 1.5 hour yoga session... not too bad!
But today I think I'll have to take a rest- woke up with a terrible sore throat and want to be sure I'm in top form for the Zurifest this we...
http://www.suunto.com
our little mountain in Zurich 2Xs! Also, summer has FINALLY arrived in Swiss land, so yoga on the lake is BACK! Went to the Tues night class with Clive at Bady Enge: www.tonttu.ch
Burn about 520 calories on the 50 min hike up and down and 550 in the 1.5 hour yoga session... not too bad!
But today I think I'll have to take a rest- woke up with a terrible sore throat and want to be sure I'm in top form for the Zurifest this we...
ZuriFest!
Was just informed what all the major construction is that's going on down at Lake Zurich... it's for the ZuriFest! Every Three years there is a BIG festifal (ok, there seems to be a BIG festival every summer in Zurich, they just alternate themes!) Check out the link for photos from the last event back in 2007...
http://www.zuerifaescht.ch/fotogalerie/zueri-faescht-2007/
http://www.zuerifaescht.ch/fotogalerie/zueri-faescht-2007/
Tuesday 29 June 2010
Buddah Says...
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
And here we are in our formal Indian wear purchased in Varanasi where even I got to help one of the workers on the silk loom...
Believe it or not, we are getting ready to carry the Finnish bride into her wedding ceremony- since the bride's side was limited, she needed us to help with manual labor!
The tradition is the groom rides in on a white horse as his friends and family parade (or dance!) him into the event... and the bride is carried in to greet the crowd.
Amazing experience and we followed it up with the Finnish version this year!
A proper Finnish wedding in Helsinki, although the reception still had an Indian flair with Harsh's close family holding ground on the dance floor and a Finndian DJ manning the turn table!
First trip to Moscow
Speed in Deutschland
This is a pic from the FIRST time I drove on the AutoBahn in Germany... got the Audi much higher, but was unsafe to shoot a pic! :)
Welcome!
Welcome to my new Blog... a much requested (by my mom!) way to keep up with the comings and goings of my increasingly crazy life and a space for me to share some of the things I've found useful or great travel finds I've stumbled upon along my journey.
Hope to bring some smiles and spread a little joy and love of life!
Looking forward to your responses and hope you will be inspired to share your thoughts along the way.
Alesha
Hope to bring some smiles and spread a little joy and love of life!
Looking forward to your responses and hope you will be inspired to share your thoughts along the way.
Alesha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)