Happy Women's Day

To all my girlfriends across the globe - most of whom I have not seen in a very long time - stay strong, knowing you are unique and beautiful, that your voice is powerful, your heart compassionate and your ambition always welcome.

The time will come when we can travel again and fall into eachothers arms, tears will flow and many new memories will be made. For the time being, take care and stay in touch. I miss you!

Closed until further notice

As of last Tuesday all of the capital's bars have been closed as Paris upgrades the alert level to the maximum due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Restaurants and bistros will be allowed to stay open if they put new sanitary measures in place, which include registering the contact details of customers and closing at 10 pm. 

Some of us still venture out to have lunch with our closest girlfriends or dinner with couples whom we are close to, sitting on the terrasse tucked up in woolen sweaters and winter coats as to avoid eating inside. However, the insouciance of enjoying un flûte de champagne during Happy hour has definitely disappeared and the sad thing is we don't know for how long.

Food is memories

 

Celebrating Friendship Day

She's got my back, she's always good for a laugh, and sometimes I swear she can read my mind. We've been through ups and downs together as kids, as teenagers, as young adults and as wives and mothers. She knows my history like no other person does. She has been by my side for 50 years. She is the family I have chosen, she is the sister I never had, she is my polar opposite. 

We recognize the individual qualities both of us possess that make us strong and different. We each have our own special energy, and we feed off each other to make us stronger.

They say a friendship between a Cancer and a Leo is one in which both friends could understand and provide for each other. The best aspect of a friendship is their desire to maintain an intense, deep, and earnest relationship. Cancer and Leo complement each other, and could assist each other in several ways. Together they make a wonderful pair, and their common desires and goals call for a harmonious relationship.

With our two vibrant, eclectic, volatile, interesting halves of a friendship, we never get bored. We might be very different, but it only makes our dynamic that much more interesting. The rare days we get to spend together are very special and always a beautiful adventure.

Most importantly, we are always complementary, never in competition... never have been, never will be. The two of us are yin and yang, we rely on each other, and it just works.

I've been busy

Remember, back in March when we thought the whole Covid-thing would be over by summer? If we could just get through to July and hopefully go on holidays somewhere beyond the borders? As the days went by these possibilities seem to slim down until the Parisians started frantically searching for affordable places to rent in France over the summer. 

I followed the French and Spanish news every day to see when we could skip the border towards the sunshine. June 21st - after a few false alarms - we were finally allowed into the Iberian peninsula.

Since then I have been busy... busy reuniting with my friends, busy catching up with neighbours, busy enjoying the sunshine, busy sipping pink cava, busy with my online fitness classes, busy with paperwork (I never get around the boring stuff), I even managed a quick trip to the Corte Ingles, Spain's one and only iconic department store which survives despite its humongous stocks of every item under the sun!?!

I've celebrated my birthday with friends and family, had reunions and girly get-togethers, all while trying to keep my distance because as my lovely friend paraphrases the Covid situation: "It is not the places we go to it is our behaviour!"

Celebrating in Madrid

A place in the sun

Feeling very energetic and thrilled to have rediscovered my love for city biking I resuscitate my 20-year old Rossignoli bike which had transported me with little Expat boy far and wide across Milano back in the days. 

So, I might have been a bit ambitious wanting to bike from the 16th arrondissement to the Bois de Vincennes but luckily I have girlfriends who hurl me back to earth.

Bringing out the car for the first time in two months I followed a lunch invitation by a dear friend and drove myself the other side of the city. Boy, it feels good to get around town again. I missed flaneusing the streets of Paris and although it's not quite the same in the car it was nice to salute Notre Dame Cathedral all wrapped up in scaffolding, drive along Ile Saint-Louis admiring the 17th century building in the sun, navigate around the Bastille in the bus line by mistake and admire an empty, very pristine looking Place de la Nation.

What I did not expect after our lovely walk around the Lake Daumesnil was the enchanted garden that welcomed us at my friend's house. Clearly a great deal of time, dedication and passion had turned this little green patch into an English garden complete with Laura Ashely patterned deck chairs... and much to my delight in PiNk! This is definitely my place in the sun for today.

This is real...

You know your world is out of sync when you are Whatsapping your best friend abroad and we realize that her highlight of the day is having a flat tyre changed at the local garage and mine is popping down the road grocery shopping at Marks and Spencers! This cannot be our real life?

There is always a silver lining...

We have successfully completed out first week under lockdown. We have established our little family routine and if I am honest all family members are working diligently in their rooms on their respective projects. We might get up at different times but we always gather for lunch and enjoy our dinner together as a family. Definitely the best silver lining in this dire situation.

The French have not taken to singing as much as the Italians but every night at 8pm we stand on our balconies to applaud all the hospital workers for their heroic work in saving lives. It might be the unusually cold temperatures but the Parisians are not hanging around on their tiny balconies or open windows...

... rather a habit of virtual happy hour has taken over the daily routine. Be it via House party, Skype, FaceTime or Zoom it has not taken long for most to get organised online. Tele-travail happened pretty instantly since it has already been a coming trend in this country but since we have just skipped into virtual reality - or so it seems - rather than just sharing a screen with your work colleagues why not switch to your friends at the end of the day?

We are into our third virtual aperitivo in three days; some encounters are fun and silly others are more intellectual and even confrontational, either way, emotions are running high and there is clearly an urge to communicate with each other.

For the time being we are establishing a new routine and I am wondering how these "aperòs" will evolve? Is it just the novelty of the situation or are people more inclined to pick up the phone or switch on their digital communication tool to get in touch? Only time will tell... for my part I am very thankful to have a dear circle of friends who are staying in touch more than usual. Hang in there. We are all in this together... in the meantime... chin chin!

Happy International Women's Day

When I left Lugano nearly a decade ago, one of my local friends presented me with a Ticinese translation of Audrey Hepburn's quote: "I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

Today seems like a perfect occasion to share this unique version of the famous actress' quote. A big cheers to all my girlfriends across the globe but especially my Lugano ladies who are keeping a close eye on their neighbours down the road.... Lombardia!

Hang in there... “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart… I'll always be with you.”

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!!!

Love these guys...

... an intimate moment of friendship and conviviality...

November week in pictures

Taking advantage of all Paris has to offer and enjoying the vibes all while ignoring the agressive cars honking, the unfriendly waiters serving and the looming general strike ahead!

Friday morning breakfast on the Eiffel tower and the sun is shining...

Paris on its best behaviour!

Visit to the French National Library on a Saturday afternoon.

Discovering the art in Paris' metro stations.

A Sunday afternoon stroll with Paris dressed in autumn colours.

Monday night and I'd rather walk than take the metro.

A cultural evening out at the Grand Palais followed by ...

... un chocolat chaud entre copines at the bistro around the corner.

Wednesday evening the lights went out for a second in our arrondissement... that was a first!

Thursday is Thanksgiving and the preparations are in full swing

Friday at the Swedish Christmas market looking for goodies...

... and discovering new parts of town.

Saturday morning and Expat Boy brought back a Milanese panettone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

In love with the Eiffel Tower

Every once in a while a new intriguing site pops up in the city that simply needs checking out. This morning I was headed towards the Eiffel Tower - my absolute favourite Parisian landmark - for a giant transparent dome had been installed on the terrace on the first floor as an alternative to the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, closed for renovations until next spring.

Named the “La Bulle Parisienne” (Parisian Bubble) visitors are invited to enjoy different options for breakfast, lunch and dinner with unobstructed views onto the city.

Well, this calls for a partner in crime. My Southern Belle friend is the perfect match. And breakfast would be the best time to climb the tower.

9am and we are queuing to squeeze into the lift with hundreds of unsuspecting tourists who are heading all the way up to the top of the tower. We hop off at the second floor and take in the breathtaking views. After having taken enough photos in all 4 directions, we happily skip down the stairs to the first floor and head towards "La Bulle Parisienne" to delight your taste buds with a café crème and pastries created by chef by Thierry Marx.

Even the sun is out today and the tower is gleaming as if to convince me that this city is not that bad after all. It is on days like these that I fall in love with Paris all over again... and...

... I'll always have the Eiffel Tower to admire!

Looking up rather than down!

La Bulle Parisinne

Cosy little French bistrot 

The detail is mind boggling

View onto the Trocadero and La Défense

Looking down Champs de Mars and onto La Tour Montparnasse

Following the Seine river

Spot the Arc de Triomphe?

Beautiful autumn colours all around

Sacre Coeur in the distance

Beautiful examples of Hausmannien architecture

Standing under the Eiffel Tower

Back to where it all began...

A long weekend and we are heading out of Paris... of course! This time to catch up with friends and family in Geneva and Lausanne.

Geneva was home for nearly a decade, it is the place where I lost my heart and married my handsome Italian in the little Anglican church in the city center before we set off to travel the world.

Lausanne is where Expat Boy is now studying hard, having found his passion and following it with great dedication and determination.

It was also an opportunity to visit yet another University with Expat Daughter even though EPFL was not necessarily on her "wish list". The architecture of the Rolex Learning Center was definitely worth the visit.

Last but not least, we enjoyed a home-cooked Neapolitan family lunch at my sister-in-law's new flat with a view... and what a view!

Ah, it's good to be back!

Domaine du Château du Crest... and the scenery is magnificent.

Ready for a glass of local wine.

A typical Geneva autumn day... nevertheless I am happy to be back!

Lunch with an old friend at La Belotte, one of my favourite spots in Geneva.

The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a research institute and university in Lausanne, specializing in the natural sciences and engineering.

Its roots can be traced back to the foundation of a private school in 1853, 

which to start with only had 11 students. Those days are long gone though with student numbers in Lausanne now totaling over 10,000. 

The Rolex Learning Centre is the campus hub and library for the ÉPFL. Designed by the winners of 2010 Pritzker Prize, Japanese-duo SANAA, it opened on 22 February 2010

Archival Constellations of the Montreux Jazz festival. This installation called "Jazz Luminairies" is based on the UNESCO Memory of the World collection, digitized at EPFL cuts, remixes and replays 5'400 jazz greats and over 13'000 videos. The mind boggles!

A morning jog along the lake.

When a photo says more than a thousand words!

... and finally a quick visit to the new Platform 10 “arts district” in Lausanne brings together the Cantonal Fine Arts Museum, the Elysée Museum and the Museum of Design and Contemporary Arts.