Yes, I am attending events at the Olympics...yes, I am loving every moment of it...yes, I'm exhausted...yes, it's worth it...yes, I'm crazy...yes, I wish you could all be here with me...
[after the games are over i'll post more]
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Berlin
[p.s. I think I'm on a roll]
So, we arrive in Berlin and I'm excited to see a couple key things in my very short time in the city. Before travelling, I do a little bit of research on the city just to get an idea of places, streets, sites, monuments, whatever that I might want to visit once there. And then once I arrive, like I said in my Stuttgart post I map out the rest of my trip (literally) and take it from there. I like having a plan of attack.
Unfortunately the weather was cloudy and grey the whole time we were there, and while that made me feel better that the TV tower was closed due to construction, I still would have wanted to see more after waiting in line at the parliament in the crazy wind and cold (the doormen must have loved the people sneering at them as they kept the doors shut until the last possible second). Even though there were
no public tours of the parliament building itself, there was free access (would recommend if you visit) to the glass dome roof, in which you walked up in a spiral pattern and could get a great view (given clear weather conditions) of the city all around. I still enjoyed the cool architecture, and guessing where I should have see different things pop up according to my panoramic guide. I like seeing that sort of thing.
I did a little bit of shopping (naturally), and of course most the stores were the same as all over Europe, so I wasn't too impressed by anything. I went in the German equivalent of LaFayette (again nothing too different) and walked by stalls that were being set up for the Christmas markets.
I got the see remnants of the Berlin wall (one goal), visited Brandenburg Gate (again, a goal) both during the daytime and again at night, and saw Checkpoint Charlie (ditto).
Anyone else hear classical music?
I also went to a little museum called The Story of Berlin (on recommendation). It's a great set up. A really interactive museum. Well done. Lots of sounds, colours, lights, things to touch, move and feel...but when you're in the exhibition all by yourself (seriously, no one else was there), maybe it's the subject matter, but I was really creeped out. Hearing different sounds coming from different rooms and seeing flashes of light from my line of peripherery was really really scary. I walked through that place pretty fast.
I also tried my hand at riding the subway system, and ummm...are all the subways starting to look very similar to each other or what? Or maybe I was missing the TTC enough to think the Berlin subway walls were very similar to those in Toronto.
C'mon...imagine a different colour, font, and you'd think you're in another city! The subway sign for the Checkpoint Charlie stop, just steps away from:
A little bit more dingy than the other ones I've ridden, but depending on the line, there were some really nice cars.
errr...can someone help me out? Which TTC station is this?
I was a little disappointed with Berlin. I'd only been to two cities in Germany before this trip (Munich and Stuttgart), so that's the kind of expectation I had of a German city. Oh, and all that historical stuff about the wall too. Bottom line, I was expecting something rich with culture. Sure there was a lot of culture there, but it was a lot more
Americanized than I was expecting. I understand now that they rebuilt the city and tried to change a lot of it around, but honestly, I saw one too many Starbucks Cafes and Subway eateries.
After a tiring two weeks of traveling, I headed back to Neuch (via Charles de Gaulle in Paris) and resumed sedentary life...until my next adventure.
So, we arrive in Berlin and I'm excited to see a couple key things in my very short time in the city. Before travelling, I do a little bit of research on the city just to get an idea of places, streets, sites, monuments, whatever that I might want to visit once there. And then once I arrive, like I said in my Stuttgart post I map out the rest of my trip (literally) and take it from there. I like having a plan of attack.
Unfortunately the weather was cloudy and grey the whole time we were there, and while that made me feel better that the TV tower was closed due to construction, I still would have wanted to see more after waiting in line at the parliament in the crazy wind and cold (the doormen must have loved the people sneering at them as they kept the doors shut until the last possible second). Even though there were 
no public tours of the parliament building itself, there was free access (would recommend if you visit) to the glass dome roof, in which you walked up in a spiral pattern and could get a great view (given clear weather conditions) of the city all around. I still enjoyed the cool architecture, and guessing where I should have see different things pop up according to my panoramic guide. I like seeing that sort of thing.I did a little bit of shopping (naturally), and of course most the stores were the same as all over Europe, so I wasn't too impressed by anything. I went in the German equivalent of LaFayette (again nothing too different) and walked by stalls that were being set up for the Christmas markets.
I got the see remnants of the Berlin wall (one goal), visited Brandenburg Gate (again, a goal) both during the daytime and again at night, and saw Checkpoint Charlie (ditto).
Anyone else hear classical music?
I also went to a little museum called The Story of Berlin (on recommendation). It's a great set up. A really interactive museum. Well done. Lots of sounds, colours, lights, things to touch, move and feel...but when you're in the exhibition all by yourself (seriously, no one else was there), maybe it's the subject matter, but I was really creeped out. Hearing different sounds coming from different rooms and seeing flashes of light from my line of peripherery was really really scary. I walked through that place pretty fast.
I also tried my hand at riding the subway system, and ummm...are all the subways starting to look very similar to each other or what? Or maybe I was missing the TTC enough to think the Berlin subway walls were very similar to those in Toronto.
C'mon...imagine a different colour, font, and you'd think you're in another city! The subway sign for the Checkpoint Charlie stop, just steps away from:
A little bit more dingy than the other ones I've ridden, but depending on the line, there were some really nice cars.
errr...can someone help me out? Which TTC station is this?
I was a little disappointed with Berlin. I'd only been to two cities in Germany before this trip (Munich and Stuttgart), so that's the kind of expectation I had of a German city. Oh, and all that historical stuff about the wall too. Bottom line, I was expecting something rich with culture. Sure there was a lot of culture there, but it was a lot more
Americanized than I was expecting. I understand now that they rebuilt the city and tried to change a lot of it around, but honestly, I saw one too many Starbucks Cafes and Subway eateries.After a tiring two weeks of traveling, I headed back to Neuch (via Charles de Gaulle in Paris) and resumed sedentary life...until my next adventure.
Paris
Continuing on my marathon trip, after going to Nice and Monaco, I ended up in Paris. If you didn't already know it: I love Paris. It may be cliche, but it's true. There's so much about that city I love...the language, shops, people, sights, crowds, sounds, smells, of course the metro...
So, we arrive on November 11th (way back in 2005), and after eating sushi for lunch (I'm proud of myself for building up the courage to eat Asian in Europe again after the mishap of New Year's dinner last year - year of the Rooster...should have been even better because it was my year) I took some time to wander down the Champs-Elysees.
Everytime I visited the city last year, Louis Vuitton was under construction. I don't know if this was just because it was open again, of it it's a normal thing, but there was a line up to get in the darn store. Laugh all you want, but I wanted to know what the big deal was, so I joined the line. Once inside (the line did move rather quickly) I was in a little bit of shock. Sure, I've been in LV before, but this is the megastore, so forgive me if I was a little bit overwhelmed with all of the choices. I made my way through the tourists splurging and rode the escalator up to the second floor. There were some beautiful shoes, but I have to say that most of the clothing isn't really for me. After walking around the whole store, I have decided that the LV monogram (and most of its designs) are a little too tacky for me. I would much rather pay for Hermes. Speaking of Hermes, I forgot to say that before LV, I took a detour to Hermes. FABulous. I went there to try to look for that hat that I saw in Monaco (strangely enough, I couldn't find it) and even though there was no line up to get into the store, it was pretty packed on the inside. It was plenty pretentious inside, and the clientele was a lot more up-itty, but for good reason. Now that stuff is nice. LV just seems so tacky to me
now (HA! Listen to me trying to sound like it's all beneath me or something). So yeah, now I'm thinking that if I invest in something, it'll be from Hermes. I know I can't have a Birkin Bag, but there were a lot of other things there that I wouldn't mind looking into. Plus the combination of orange and brown is go much better than gold and brown. Whatever.
After seeing all of the necessities (even though I've seen them all before), you know: Sacre-Coeur, Tour Eiffel (it sparkles!!!), Le Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Bateau Mouches, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe I had to return to the Cafe Deux Moulins. Yuppers. Happy thoughts...
Taken from the "tabac counter"...which actually doesn't exist.
The glass that she writes on actually doesn't exist either.
Anyway, I already know that I'll be back to Paris before the summer again. Just walking around that city rejuvenates me.
I also got a haircut while I was there. Strangely enough, during my time in Europe, I haven't gotten a haircut in Neuch. Right before arriving, I chopped off my hair (very short - different and not horrible, but a little boring) and let it grow out until the end of the year (don't forget, I think of years ending in June, not December) when I went to Paris, and decided to splurge and cut my hair. Like, really really splurge. He ended up cutting my hair just like how they usually do it. Layered to frame my face and blowdried to perfection. Too bad I don't know how to blow dry my own hair, and I don't have a curling iron here to cheat. So when straight, it looks pretty much like nothing. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that while in Europe, seems like I end up going to Paris to get my hair done. (Kind of like going to Milan for shopping - ridiculous.) This time around, I spent a lot less money, and ended up with a cut that I really liked! I emphasized my need for something that looks good without any product or styling, and he actually listened! Finally! Months later, I'm still happy with the way it has grown out. I thought about going back to the same place when I go back again, but I'm thinking that if I go back to Toronto sometime, I might just wait until then and try the Vidal Sassoon school. I've heard interesting things (it's just hair...I'm not too picky). Who knows though. I might go back to the same place in Paris or try a new one!
What else different did I experience in Paris? Nothing that stands out (at least right now) it seems. I hit up all the shops that I really wanted to visit, did all of the things that I was waiting to do...and rode the metro lots and lots.
Paris is definitely my favorite getaway. It's like going back to Toronto for a weekend while I was in Kingston. Something familiar and metropolitan just for a little while. A breath of fresh air.
After Paris...flying to Berlin (another new experience)...
So, we arrive on November 11th (way back in 2005), and after eating sushi for lunch (I'm proud of myself for building up the courage to eat Asian in Europe again after the mishap of New Year's dinner last year - year of the Rooster...should have been even better because it was my year) I took some time to wander down the Champs-Elysees.
Everytime I visited the city last year, Louis Vuitton was under construction. I don't know if this was just because it was open again, of it it's a normal thing, but there was a line up to get in the darn store. Laugh all you want, but I wanted to know what the big deal was, so I joined the line. Once inside (the line did move rather quickly) I was in a little bit of shock. Sure, I've been in LV before, but this is the megastore, so forgive me if I was a little bit overwhelmed with all of the choices. I made my way through the tourists splurging and rode the escalator up to the second floor. There were some beautiful shoes, but I have to say that most of the clothing isn't really for me. After walking around the whole store, I have decided that the LV monogram (and most of its designs) are a little too tacky for me. I would much rather pay for Hermes. Speaking of Hermes, I forgot to say that before LV, I took a detour to Hermes. FABulous. I went there to try to look for that hat that I saw in Monaco (strangely enough, I couldn't find it) and even though there was no line up to get into the store, it was pretty packed on the inside. It was plenty pretentious inside, and the clientele was a lot more up-itty, but for good reason. Now that stuff is nice. LV just seems so tacky to me 
now (HA! Listen to me trying to sound like it's all beneath me or something). So yeah, now I'm thinking that if I invest in something, it'll be from Hermes. I know I can't have a Birkin Bag, but there were a lot of other things there that I wouldn't mind looking into. Plus the combination of orange and brown is go much better than gold and brown. Whatever.After seeing all of the necessities (even though I've seen them all before), you know: Sacre-Coeur, Tour Eiffel (it sparkles!!!), Le Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Bateau Mouches, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe I had to return to the Cafe Deux Moulins. Yuppers. Happy thoughts...
Taken from the "tabac counter"...which actually doesn't exist.
The glass that she writes on actually doesn't exist either.
Anyway, I already know that I'll be back to Paris before the summer again. Just walking around that city rejuvenates me.
I also got a haircut while I was there. Strangely enough, during my time in Europe, I haven't gotten a haircut in Neuch. Right before arriving, I chopped off my hair (very short - different and not horrible, but a little boring) and let it grow out until the end of the year (don't forget, I think of years ending in June, not December) when I went to Paris, and decided to splurge and cut my hair. Like, really really splurge. He ended up cutting my hair just like how they usually do it. Layered to frame my face and blowdried to perfection. Too bad I don't know how to blow dry my own hair, and I don't have a curling iron here to cheat. So when straight, it looks pretty much like nothing. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that while in Europe, seems like I end up going to Paris to get my hair done. (Kind of like going to Milan for shopping - ridiculous.) This time around, I spent a lot less money, and ended up with a cut that I really liked! I emphasized my need for something that looks good without any product or styling, and he actually listened! Finally! Months later, I'm still happy with the way it has grown out. I thought about going back to the same place when I go back again, but I'm thinking that if I go back to Toronto sometime, I might just wait until then and try the Vidal Sassoon school. I've heard interesting things (it's just hair...I'm not too picky). Who knows though. I might go back to the same place in Paris or try a new one!
What else different did I experience in Paris? Nothing that stands out (at least right now) it seems. I hit up all the shops that I really wanted to visit, did all of the things that I was waiting to do...and rode the metro lots and lots.
Paris is definitely my favorite getaway. It's like going back to Toronto for a weekend while I was in Kingston. Something familiar and metropolitan just for a little while. A breath of fresh air.
After Paris...flying to Berlin (another new experience)...
The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd
Another small and easy book to read, the blurb on the back of the book really didn't make me want to read this book (part of the reason why I find it hard to just pick up a book and read it - the blurbs never sound interesting), but many people had mentioned that this was a good book that I might enjoy, so one day, on the train, after having it sit in my bag for a good two months, I decided to finally give it a chance.
It wasn't too bad I suppose. At one point when I had nothing better to do with my time, I was actually quite happy to pick the book back up again and try to read as much of it as possible.
The story is about a little girl who is yearning to find out the truth about how her mother died. She has a tense relationship with her father, and after witnessing a heated exchange between her black nanny (the book is set in South Carolina in 1964 around the time the Civil Rights Act was signed) and a group of racist white men she runs away from home and spends the rest of the book with her nanny and some new characters in a completely different town and a different way of life.
I have to admit that I skimmed through certain parts of the book (but I think for almost all books, there'll be a part that my attention span sort of disappears and I just need to do it), but as a whole I really enjoyed the different ideas and characters that were presented in the book.
It had some serious issues, but as a whole, it was quite light and didn't make me feel depressed in any way. There aren't any surprises in the plot and I was happy with the way it ended. Everything made sense and carried out how they felt like they should have.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a simple, quick, positive read.
-picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Another small and easy book to read, the blurb on the back of the book really didn't make me want to read this book (part of the reason why I find it hard to just pick up a book and read it - the blurbs never sound interesting), but many people had mentioned that this was a good book that I might enjoy, so one day, on the train, after having it sit in my bag for a good two months, I decided to finally give it a chance.It wasn't too bad I suppose. At one point when I had nothing better to do with my time, I was actually quite happy to pick the book back up again and try to read as much of it as possible.
The story is about a little girl who is yearning to find out the truth about how her mother died. She has a tense relationship with her father, and after witnessing a heated exchange between her black nanny (the book is set in South Carolina in 1964 around the time the Civil Rights Act was signed) and a group of racist white men she runs away from home and spends the rest of the book with her nanny and some new characters in a completely different town and a different way of life.
I have to admit that I skimmed through certain parts of the book (but I think for almost all books, there'll be a part that my attention span sort of disappears and I just need to do it), but as a whole I really enjoyed the different ideas and characters that were presented in the book.
It had some serious issues, but as a whole, it was quite light and didn't make me feel depressed in any way. There aren't any surprises in the plot and I was happy with the way it ended. Everything made sense and carried out how they felt like they should have.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a simple, quick, positive read.
-picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
What the heck?
So the Torino2006 organizing committee says that you can't resell your tickets even if you're not looking to make any money. Fine.
Then what the heck is this?!?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Then what the heck is this?!?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Just a couple more days!
Olympics start on Friday! I'll be watching the opening ceremonies (hopefully I won't fall asleep in the mniddle of them - I'll take a nap during the athelete's parade probably) on the telly in convenient European time. (North Americans, are they showing it live in the middle of the day?)
Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for me sitting in the stands in total happiness during the figure skating events (you can ask me personally which ones specifically - you never know who's reading this). I'll be in section 210. No idea what that means, but I'm hoping that row 1 might mean that I'm right beside the boards! Too bad I don't have some extravagantly coloured coat to help me stand out, but I'm planning on wearing my red scarf instead of my black one to add some colour. I'm not planning to do any flag or sign waving to attract attention, but let me know if I make an appearance on international TV anyway!
Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for me sitting in the stands in total happiness during the figure skating events (you can ask me personally which ones specifically - you never know who's reading this). I'll be in section 210. No idea what that means, but I'm hoping that row 1 might mean that I'm right beside the boards! Too bad I don't have some extravagantly coloured coat to help me stand out, but I'm planning on wearing my red scarf instead of my black one to add some colour. I'm not planning to do any flag or sign waving to attract attention, but let me know if I make an appearance on international TV anyway!
Ha ha ha ha ha...
I am now the proud owner of big, bad, marshmallowy, shiny, black Moon Boots. I'm such a dork!
They have a story behind them of course. I wouldn't go out and buy such a thing without one! (Remind me to tell it to you in person...it's much more enjoyable!)
They have a story behind them of course. I wouldn't go out and buy such a thing without one! (Remind me to tell it to you in person...it's much more enjoyable!)
Prix de Lausanne and Zermatt trip 2006
Just like last year, I took a trip to Zermatt and tacked onto the beginning of it was the Prix de Lausanne.
The Prix was great (of course) and we had a Canadian make the finals which was nice. She had done really really well in the qualifying rounds and even did quite well in the Semis and I think she didn't do too badly in the finals, just that some of the other dancers really stepped it up and took advantage of their last opportunities to shine under the spotlight.
We didn't have any Canadians on the jury this year, but during the finals, I was sitting in the row just behind the section where all the "distinguished guests" were seated. So Karen Kain (jury member from last year) was there, along with a whole bunch of other really great dancers that I'm sure I would recognize their names, but unfortunately I couldn't not recognize their aged faces and fully clothed bodies.
One of my favorite parts of the Prix is the class on stage just before the finals. You really see the dancer's technique even in the simplest things. Amazing turnout, extension and arches galore!
I was a little disappointed that this year they got rid of the free variation and incorporated a second classical variation. It was neat to see the variety of pieces that the dancers brought to the competition, even though I can understand that it would be very difficult to judge.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the competition once again. It was a weekend to feel fat (only because I was surrounded by extremely thin dancers), old (lots of young dancers) and incredibly pigeon toed. Oh well. Can't win them all.
On to Zermatt. This week is fantastic. You can't go wrong when you're given the opportunity to go skiing in the alps. This time, I rented short skis for the week (no poles) and can a blast with them! They're lighter, you don't have to worry about carrying poles around and they're so much more fun! It really does make a difference...not skiing, but when you have to carry them while traveling 1h30m to get to the top of the mountain!
I went skiing in Italy twice (better food...cheaper too!) and stayed in Switzerland the rest of the time. I was pretty sore the second day, but continued to stretch well (and take really hot showers) and lasted the whole week without needing to take a break. I was pretty impressed with myself!
I finally found the spots where they take pics of you with the St. Bernard dogs and the Matterhorn in the background. Of course I got my picture taken, and of course I spent the rip-off price to buy them. They're cheesy and I love it!
So this is the town of Zermatt itself. Taken from the slopes...it really shows you how high up we went! This sure isn't Mount St. Louis Moonstone!
There was one day that we were skating on an outdoor rink. It was such an incredible feeling, doing something that I love, enjoying the moment and watching the sun set behind the matterhorn. I really wanted to take a picture of it to capture the moment, but couldn't bring myself to get of the ice and get my camera. I hope my memory will "last a lifetime". We kept skating until the moon came out and watched it travel across the night sky from one side of the matterhorn to the other. I didn't try any double loops or combinations, but in the altitude, wind, darkness (my eyesight's really going) and rutty ice, I landed everything else. I didn't want it to end. I was so happy.
On the last day, wanting to do something different (last year, I went paragliding), I decided to go ice climbing. The picture says it all. You're scaling a frozen waterfall. It was my first time trying it, and I've only ever rock climbed once before, so I was relying on my arms more than I should have. My muscles are still a little sore. But it's a good sore. I don't like going to the gym, but I love feeling sore after a good workout. I would highly recommend ice climbing to anyone who has a chance to try it. I still don't understand why people were surprised I wasn't scared about it though.
It was a great series of events that I would only even be able to do right here and now. It's incredible what I've been able to see and do recently, that's for sure. It was a great week to stand with perfect posture and push my body to feel some pain that it hasn't felt before.
The Prix was great (of course) and we had a Canadian make the finals which was nice. She had done really really well in the qualifying rounds and even did quite well in the Semis and I think she didn't do too badly in the finals, just that some of the other dancers really stepped it up and took advantage of their last opportunities to shine under the spotlight.
We didn't have any Canadians on the jury this year, but during the finals, I was sitting in the row just behind the section where all the "distinguished guests" were seated. So Karen Kain (jury member from last year) was there, along with a whole bunch of other really great dancers that I'm sure I would recognize their names, but unfortunately I couldn't not recognize their aged faces and fully clothed bodies.
One of my favorite parts of the Prix is the class on stage just before the finals. You really see the dancer's technique even in the simplest things. Amazing turnout, extension and arches galore!
I was a little disappointed that this year they got rid of the free variation and incorporated a second classical variation. It was neat to see the variety of pieces that the dancers brought to the competition, even though I can understand that it would be very difficult to judge.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the competition once again. It was a weekend to feel fat (only because I was surrounded by extremely thin dancers), old (lots of young dancers) and incredibly pigeon toed. Oh well. Can't win them all.
On to Zermatt. This week is fantastic. You can't go wrong when you're given the opportunity to go skiing in the alps. This time, I rented short skis for the week (no poles) and can a blast with them! They're lighter, you don't have to worry about carrying poles around and they're so much more fun! It really does make a difference...not skiing, but when you have to carry them while traveling 1h30m to get to the top of the mountain!
I went skiing in Italy twice (better food...cheaper too!) and stayed in Switzerland the rest of the time. I was pretty sore the second day, but continued to stretch well (and take really hot showers) and lasted the whole week without needing to take a break. I was pretty impressed with myself!I finally found the spots where they take pics of you with the St. Bernard dogs and the Matterhorn in the background. Of course I got my picture taken, and of course I spent the rip-off price to buy them. They're cheesy and I love it!
So this is the town of Zermatt itself. Taken from the slopes...it really shows you how high up we went! This sure isn't Mount St. Louis Moonstone!
There was one day that we were skating on an outdoor rink. It was such an incredible feeling, doing something that I love, enjoying the moment and watching the sun set behind the matterhorn. I really wanted to take a picture of it to capture the moment, but couldn't bring myself to get of the ice and get my camera. I hope my memory will "last a lifetime". We kept skating until the moon came out and watched it travel across the night sky from one side of the matterhorn to the other. I didn't try any double loops or combinations, but in the altitude, wind, darkness (my eyesight's really going) and rutty ice, I landed everything else. I didn't want it to end. I was so happy.
On the last day, wanting to do something different (last year, I went paragliding), I decided to go ice climbing. The picture says it all. You're scaling a frozen waterfall. It was my first time trying it, and I've only ever rock climbed once before, so I was relying on my arms more than I should have. My muscles are still a little sore. But it's a good sore. I don't like going to the gym, but I love feeling sore after a good workout. I would highly recommend ice climbing to anyone who has a chance to try it. I still don't understand why people were surprised I wasn't scared about it though.It was a great series of events that I would only even be able to do right here and now. It's incredible what I've been able to see and do recently, that's for sure. It was a great week to stand with perfect posture and push my body to feel some pain that it hasn't felt before.
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