23-OCT-2006
Reunion!
Note: This is obviously not my picture!! Thank you Yuri for letting me steal it and put it up on my POD blog. This is a shot of the three clowns that met up in Dusseldorf, Germany over the weekend. When I found out Yuri (with his co-worker and fellow motorsports-freak Vinnie) were coming to Germany for business, I jumped on the chance to go see him. Originally, I was hoping to have my car delivered and registered by this weekend, so that I could drive the Autobahn all the way up. Instead I took the rail system - which was surprisingly efficient and clean. The interior of the trains here in Switzerland and Germany are nicer than those of commercial airplanes. It was a bit of a long ride, but well worth it to spend time with Yuri (and Vinnie too!).
22-OCT-2006
Düsseldorf, Germany.
Well, to be honest this city wasn't on my "to see" list, but when I found out Yuri was coming there for a business trip at the end of October, I just had to go and see him. The town is very quaint, with an "old city" area in the middle filled with many beautiful churches, buildings and monuments. The people are very polite, and surprisingly warm. Many outdoor cafe's and bars line the banks of the Rhine, and they stay open quite late (even on a Sunday!). Too bad I couldn't stay there longer, but for the time we had, it was well worth it. I'll be making an album of the city pictures sometime soon.
21-OCT-2006
First breakfast.
The first meal in my new place, isn't it wonderful?! I have absolutely nothing, no forks or knives, plates or napkins, no pots, no pans, no cups... it's like a little camping adventure. I'm not in a hurry to go and buy everything at once, since I prefer to shop around and get the things I like. The advantage of living close to the main rail station is that they have two shops that stay open much later than all of the others in town. And, one of these shops is a bakery with some very fresh and delicious bread. I walked down there last evening and picked up a freshly baked, steaming warm Baguette around 20:30!
As I start to acquire the basics (plates, cookware, etc) I'll start making more elaborate meals. But for now I'm making do with the produce and breads and yogurts. This coming weekend I'll do some shopping.
20-OCT-2006
Three blocks away...
..From my new apartment. The main rail station in Geneva is directly to the left in this picture. If you were to travel further on up the road another 200 meters, make a right, you'd reach my place. I went to a friend's housewarming party on Friday evening, and as I was coming home (make that early Saturday morning) it started to rain a bit, making the light reflections quite interesting.
19-OCT-2006
Nature.
So, when I was back living in NJ, a 40 minute road trip would get me to the shore (which, don't get me wrong, I love to visit)... or to Philly, or almost to NYC. In Geneva, a 40 minute road trip gets me here: the Chamonix / Mont Blanc area of France.
This past Sunday morning, a few of my new friends decided to take a day-trip for a little hiking in these mountains, and this pic is just a teaser of better things to come. I snapped an album's worth of shots, and I'm currently working on processing some of the better ones (hope I have some good ones), and I'll try to post the gallery by next week.
This was the first Sunday that it didn't rain since I've arrived here in Switzerland. The weather was absolutely beautiful; high 60's and sunny. We hiked for a few hours, taking in as much of the scenery as we could. I hope to return here often throughout the year, and as ski-season starts, as often as possible on the weekends.
18-OCT-2006
Chess.
There is a great little park, not to far from the University, filled with many cool things. Last Sunday two of my friends and I decided to go and try to get in a few games of chess before the sun went down. We found an available playing board, and the cool part is that these boards are about 3 meters long! The chess pieces are freely available (honer-system) and there aren't any fees associated with playing here in the park. It was quite pleasant to see so many people (mostly older guys that seemed to take their chess a bit too seriously) walking around these boards, carrying pieces as large as an 4-year old child! I really enjoyed the time we spent there, and to be honest it was challenging playing chess with a perspective like this.
Near the chess boards, there is a nice restaurant and bar - and of course I had a 50cl beer in my hand while I walked around the "battlefield". Many locals were hanging out inside the restaurant, listening to the live piano music and chatting away in various languages. I think this will be my new autumn hangout!
17-OCT-2006
More of the view across the lake.
With the meaning of 'across' being somewhat subjective, I would like to mention that the picture was taken while standing on "my" side of the lake (where my new place is) looking toward the side where my lab is.
...In other news, I was able to secure a parking place within my little apartment building area. So now, my two Hondas will be safely hidden from those that tend to get jealous of vehicles such as these and try to take closer looks. More pics of the new place as the weeks roll on.
16-OCT-2006
My Place.
Yesterday, on the day that marked the completion of my first month here in Geneva (Can you believe it, one month already?!) I 'closed' on my new apartment. Of course I must give much credit to my friend Omar, who has been kind enough to act as my personal French translator during this entire process. So the two of us went to the final inspection yesterday, I signed some papers, and got a handful of keys.
I'll wait a little while to put up some pics of my place. Although it is in great shape, I still want to paint a little bit and get things organized first (and even buy some furniture). It is located in the heart of town, not far from the lake, and is surrounded by many nice shops, restaurants and cafes. There's even a Honda motorcycle shop right at the base of my building (it was meant to be!). The apartment is a decent size, the kitchen can hold a regular sized table with four chairs, the bedroom large enough for a bed and possibly even some tiny tables and a couch, or a few chairs (space is rare thing to find in Geneva). The balcony spans the length of the apartment; both rooms have large glass doors that open onto the balcony. And, the most important thing... There *might* be an available parking place for my car and bike right along side of the building, INSIDE a lot that is hidden and locked by a garage door.. I'm waiting to hear if there is a place available.. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
15-OCT-2006
Two wheels.
This is a nice example of the various modes of 2-wheeled transportation around here. Everything from old slow blue bicycles, to fast new red superbikes.
Cool.
14-OCT-2006
Horizon.
If your eyes get tired of looking at the beautiful architecture around here, you can always lift them a bit higher to see the French Alps in the distance. It is like something out of a storybook.
13-OCT-2006
Banks. Hotels.
Not sure if there is really any other business near the lake. There aren't any tall buildings, most are the size of the few in this picture. Having the size limit makes the entire neighborhood 'aura' quite pleasing to the eye.
12-OCT-2006
Downtown.
At the edge of the lake there is a small network of bridges connecting both sides. This area seems to be where all of the tourists hang out (where most of the sightseeing boats are docked, etc).