Expat with Kids in Paris: February 2020

February 29, 2020

When things don't go as planned

A few days skiing with by bestie in the valley that we have been coming back to summer and winter for nearly fifty years. I know, I'm a lucky girl...

Every winter an eclectic bunch of friends with kids in tow (just like our mother's used to in the 70's) gathers at Mia's chalet to enjoy the Swiss mountains and each other's good company. It's like slipping your feet into those old slippers that despite the age are still your favourite! Those couple of days skiing together every year are magical... no matter what the weather conditions we always have fun.

Until the moment things don't go as planned... in 50 years of skiing... for the first time... I am wearing a cast. I wish I could say I was showing off snowboarding with the youngsters but truth be told I fell over standing on the slope while waiting for the others.

Yep, my wrist is fractured in two places and it will take patience. The good news is I do not need to operate, a cast for the next six weeks should do the job! Also I was smart enough to fall on my left hand; being right-handed you realize that is a big plus when you only have one hand to work with.

Last but not least, I got to extend my stay in the mountains for a week feeling more comfortable with a first important check-up in a public Swiss hospital where they have thousands of skiing accidents to take care of every year.

So, all is good, I cannot complain and the nurse promised me they would stock up on pink bandages for next winter!!!

February 28, 2020

Change of scenery

Going from the Arabian desert to the Swiss mountains is a shift that makes the mind boggle. However, it took less than 24 hours to feel at home again, especially thanks to the beauty of this countryside.

One day it feels like spring...

... and the next we are in deepest winter.

Who said there is no snow?

Feeling on top of the world

Bringing out the wild side!

Picture perfect Switzerland

A glorious day for skiing...

... with a scrumptious ending.

February 27, 2020

Revolving doors

After an exotic week in the UAE our family had a one-night pit stop in Paris before we all went our ways. Expat Girl joined her friend skiing in the French Alps, Expat Boy returned to university while I took off to Switzerland to ski with my bestie. Poor hubby got abandoned at home for a week!

Returning to dark, rainy, cold Paris was quite a geographic, climatic and cultural shift and even though we were slightly jet-lagged, we enjoyed one last family Sunday dinner before heading in different directions.

The past seven days in the UAE had felt liked weeks and even though the programme was packed with sight seeing, activities and a little shopping we decided we would plan a family adventure every year... go somewhere exploring, a place we had never been to, a country whose language we don't understand, a culture we could learn from every step of our journey.

Since our kids have turned into young adults - or maybe because of it - our family time has become very precious and we are grateful for every new experience we can enjoy together as the Expat with Kids team that travels continuosly between Italy, Spain, Switzerland and France.

However, there is so much more to discover! So, kids, where are we off to next year?

Local restaurant in Dubai

Parisian bistro

Swiss mountain chalet

February 26, 2020

Abu Dhabi in 36 hours

Although we all would had happily spent another day at the pool in the desert resort, Expat Mum was not about to miss the opportunity to visit the Abu Dhabi Louvre built on Saadiyat Island (the island of happiness), a natural 27-km² island a third of the size of Paris.

Oh, then there is Ferrari world, how could my Italian husband miss that experience? We had to see the Presidential Palace "Qaṣr Al-Waṭan" (Arabic for “Palace of the Nation”) that opened up to the public just last year. So many things to explore and such little time! Who said all you can do is shop in the UAE?

The next morning we were off to see the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque. Reminiscent of the Taj Mahal with its white marble domes, the building was completed in 2008 and combines Mamluk, Ottoman and Fatimid styles. We skipped the Wat Al Karama, the Qasr Al Hosn, the Emirate Palace and the Heritage village in order to catch our plane back to Paris at 1am in the morning... but I did need to buy at least one little item just before leaving the UAE!

Albeit my initial impression of this country being sterile and artificial, I came to enjoy the divers mixture of people, the soft climate and the lullaby of the Arabian vibes.

A comment I read made me smile: "Dubai is like a high school kid trying to hang out with working adults, it copies them but lacks the experience and similar goals and lifestyles to actually be one of them." However, the Emirates has a great potential, and I will always have a soft spot for it, as the standard of living was by many means OTT and the people heartwarmingly friendly.

Wouldn't it be nice if Paris' Louvre pyramid would be surrounded by palm trees?

A very happy Expat with Kids has made it to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi!

Now, if only I could read Arabic!

Change of gear... Ferrari World here we come...

... always with style!

Ferrari World looks much better from the outside if you want my honest opinion.

Qaṣr Al-Waṭan: prior to its opening to the public in 2019, the palace was used only for official purposes, namely hosting foreign leaders of states, and for meetings of the country's supreme council and federal cabinet.

Great photo ops

Breathtaking interior

This is what I call an Arabian sunset!

Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers reflecting the sunset

Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque, even for people with little interest in religion, this landmark building is worth visiting for the architecture alone.

Waiting for Aladdin to turn up on his flying carpet.

The one and only object I bought throughout my trip to the Emirates decorating my fridge in Paris

February 25, 2020

A day in the desert

A trip to Dubai would not be complete without a night the desert. It comes as no surprise that my boys flatly refused to spend the night in a bedouin's tent, therefore I decided to go all out... after all these guys know all about luxury!

An hour's drive from Dubai and we landed in a lovely location with 360º view onto the desert. The enchanting hotel architecture, courtyards with fountains, lush palm gardens, locally inspired rooms and the designer pool area had my gang smiling big time. No museum in sight...

We barely had enough time relaxing by the pool, however, when the great entertainment programme began: camel ride through the desert, fat tyre biking across the dunes and a complimentary family spa session.

At night an open-air desert restaurant with an exotic buffet offered us a unique Arabian experience, and albeit being touristy, was a pleasure to indulge in. Feasting under the stars, we enjoyed an evening of entertainment, live music, belly dancing and traditional instruments, topped off by a show of fire works. Not sure what the camels thought of that?!?

Welcome to the Al Qudra desert

Stone alley ways hiding secret nooks and crannies

Not a soul in sight

A mirage... no doubt

The camels are late!

Walking across the dunes...

... and heading nowhere.

Loving the experience

My new best friend

Quiet and stillness as far as the eyes and ears can reach.

Spot the bikers?

The local events arena at sunset... contemplating inviting my 1000 best friends!

Nature is a wonderful spectacle

Arabian dinner buffet under the desert sky

1001 lights in action

A detail that caught my eye

February 23, 2020

Instagrammable Dubai

Instagramable Dubai is definitely a thing... nearly 100 per cent of the UAE’s population uses social media – and one of the most popular platforms is Instagram. A quick search reveals Dubai is the 3rd most instagrammable city in the world after Sydney and Hong Kong. The popular 830m-tall Burj Khalifa tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline while traditional souks provide colourful photo opportunities.

Never have I seen so many people taking selfies as in this city. With its amazing architecture, colourful street art and plenty of record-breaking attractions, Dubai is a place that's perfect for selfies. I, however, prefer sticking to angles of everyday details that make me smile...