A transitionary home for my soul stuck somewhere between the Swiss Alps and Parisian chic.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
November 21, 2020
April 13, 2020
Life goes on with a lockdown routine
It has been four weeks now since the lockdown began and it seems like a lifetime has passed. Looking back who would have ever believed we could all be ok with staying inside and - if some governments have their way - even have our every step geo-tracked?!? How fast plans can change and how adaptable human beings can be?
We have been confined to our flat in Paris for a month and the city has never seen sooooo much sunshine and blue skies.....EVER!
It is also eerily quiet. For a country that receives 91 million tourists a year going out for a jog before 10am or after 7pm - with my justification approved by the state - is like running through a Woodie Allen movie set... surreal!
During this period of confinement, many a moment gets stuck in my mind and I am sure they will remain with me once all this is over. Hearing Andrea Bocelli singing from an open balcony window while running past the Eiffel Tower last night was definitely a magical one.
Parisian attitude has shifted tremendously... people are friendlier and actually smile and talk to each other. We are still allowed to go out during the day to shop for essentials at supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and.... the wine shop is also open! This tells you about the country's priorities... if we go under it will be in style as always!
The highlight of many kids are the nightly applauses at 8pm when Parisians step out onto their balconies paying tribute to the health workers in a collective act of solidarity. During this nightly show of appreciation the little ones get to bang pots, blow horns and make as much noise as they can.
In general people are respecting the rules and regulations also due to salty fines handed out by the police who are all over the city. Many road checks have been set up before Easter to make sure Parisians don't escape to the countryside taking the virus with them and spreading it.
So far, we have cancelled a trip to Ibiza, one to Lugano and Semana Santa in Madrid... but not a person prone to regrets, I am planning my next suntanning session on my parquet floor in front of the window... because desperate times require desperate measures!
We have been confined to our flat in Paris for a month and the city has never seen sooooo much sunshine and blue skies.....EVER!
It is also eerily quiet. For a country that receives 91 million tourists a year going out for a jog before 10am or after 7pm - with my justification approved by the state - is like running through a Woodie Allen movie set... surreal!
During this period of confinement, many a moment gets stuck in my mind and I am sure they will remain with me once all this is over. Hearing Andrea Bocelli singing from an open balcony window while running past the Eiffel Tower last night was definitely a magical one.
Parisian attitude has shifted tremendously... people are friendlier and actually smile and talk to each other. We are still allowed to go out during the day to shop for essentials at supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and.... the wine shop is also open! This tells you about the country's priorities... if we go under it will be in style as always!
The highlight of many kids are the nightly applauses at 8pm when Parisians step out onto their balconies paying tribute to the health workers in a collective act of solidarity. During this nightly show of appreciation the little ones get to bang pots, blow horns and make as much noise as they can.
In general people are respecting the rules and regulations also due to salty fines handed out by the police who are all over the city. Many road checks have been set up before Easter to make sure Parisians don't escape to the countryside taking the virus with them and spreading it.
So far, we have cancelled a trip to Ibiza, one to Lugano and Semana Santa in Madrid... but not a person prone to regrets, I am planning my next suntanning session on my parquet floor in front of the window... because desperate times require desperate measures!
April 4, 2020
Paris all to myself
After five and a half weeks the cast has finally come off and I feel liberated. My wrist is still sore but I can now go for a run.
Armed with my "attestation de déplacement dérogatoire" and with the excuse of going grocery shopping I took a deep breath of fresh air and stepped into the sunshine.
Sticking within the 1km radius that the government allows and keeping track of the one hour limit I crossed the Bir-Hakeim bridge, ran passed the Eiffel Tour, traversed the Champs de Mars came back over the passerelle Debilly and across the Trocadero with 20 minutes left to shop in Marks&Sparks!
My world is back in order, at least for today. Paris is eerily empty but hearing your own footsteps pad the cobblestone roads and the birds singing in the blossoming trees with the sun beaming out of a deep blue sky is absolutely priceless.
Even though the self-confinement has its bad sides, the little exceptions are all the more appreciated... and Paris will never ever look the same again!
Armed with my "attestation de déplacement dérogatoire" and with the excuse of going grocery shopping I took a deep breath of fresh air and stepped into the sunshine.
Sticking within the 1km radius that the government allows and keeping track of the one hour limit I crossed the Bir-Hakeim bridge, ran passed the Eiffel Tour, traversed the Champs de Mars came back over the passerelle Debilly and across the Trocadero with 20 minutes left to shop in Marks&Sparks!
My world is back in order, at least for today. Paris is eerily empty but hearing your own footsteps pad the cobblestone roads and the birds singing in the blossoming trees with the sun beaming out of a deep blue sky is absolutely priceless.
Even though the self-confinement has its bad sides, the little exceptions are all the more appreciated... and Paris will never ever look the same again!
The sky has never been so blue!
The Jardins de Trocadero all to myself
Spreading the love
Place de Trocadero is unrecognisable without the flow of tourists
Missing the newly weds on the Bir-Hakeim bridge
Just a distant memory!
December 22, 2019
A little Swissness
Visiting Expat Boy and his housemates is always a pleasure. Their friendship forged during the first year at uni and now a soft-spoken Brazilian, an audacious Bulgarian, a self-confident Luxembourger and my diplomatic boy are sharing a rather cool abode in the Swiss countryside. They might have a TV in the kitchen, however, they are not protected from water leaks... gosh, this is just like Paris... encore une fuite d'eau?!?
So what, if the wallpaper is coming apart, some improvised deco will do the trick.
A little jog through the Swiss country side is always a good idea. After all, I cannot spend the entire day cooking and cleaning for the boys! ;)
A true Swiss invention: the Vita Parcours. A fitness trail/path through the woods with outdoor exercise equipment or obstacles installed along its length for exercising and promoting good health. Invented in 1968 by Swiss architect Erwin Weckemann with support from Swiss life insurance firm Vita.
The latest Swiss phenomena: little free libraries built in garden sheds or old telephone booths. A cabinet which may be freely and anonymously used for the exchange and storage of books without the formalities associated with libraries.
Welcome to the insect hotel! Also known as a bug hotel or insect house, is a manmade structure created to provide shelter for insects. It consist of several different sections that provide insects with nesting facilities – particularly during winter, offering shelter or refuge. Their purposes include hosting pollinators.
I can smell the cows!!!
What a wonderful Swiss scene. Unfortunately these kind of barns are dwindling in numbers as modern construction along with technology takes over.
Nothing beats a Swiss Birchermüesli with berries and a banana smoothie for breakfast!
October 14, 2019
Falling in love with Paris again...
Sunday morning, 7am and I am wide awake... and... I had decided it was time I fell back in love with Paris. I can tell by the number of photos I have taken lately. I dare say I have a fair amount more of Ibiza than I do of Paris year to date!
After breakfast I took hubby by the hand and started strolling down to the Seine determined to make the most of what would no doubt be one of this year's last glorious sunny Sundays. With camera in hand we reached the river banks which to our surprise were closed to traffic due to Paris' 20km run gathering 30,000 runners from 100 countries in the streets of the French capital.
This was just the ticket, no were else does true French solidarity shine through more than in the form of associations. Faithful to its historical convictions, each year, the race's voluntary organization committee supports charitable associations in health and welfare... and the runners as well as the spectators were all in!
The onlookers had turned out in huge numbers - all enjoying a taste of the Indian summer - they were cheering, chanting, singing, dancing, clapping even howling at the participants. Home-made banners, printed posters, colourful flags, megaphones and bands lined the 20km course. Young and old, able bodied and disabled, men and women, all facing the challenge for a good cause. Now if that doesn't warm you heart... I am convinced Parisians are a different race on a sunny Sunday!
Hubby and I walked our usual route up and down the riverbank, following the racecourse for some miles, enjoying the blue skies and the sunny weather, but what warmed our hearts most on this day was feeling the city's solidarity and all the people that had turned up the show their caring side.
It was a good day to fall in love with Paris again!
After breakfast I took hubby by the hand and started strolling down to the Seine determined to make the most of what would no doubt be one of this year's last glorious sunny Sundays. With camera in hand we reached the river banks which to our surprise were closed to traffic due to Paris' 20km run gathering 30,000 runners from 100 countries in the streets of the French capital.
This was just the ticket, no were else does true French solidarity shine through more than in the form of associations. Faithful to its historical convictions, each year, the race's voluntary organization committee supports charitable associations in health and welfare... and the runners as well as the spectators were all in!
The onlookers had turned out in huge numbers - all enjoying a taste of the Indian summer - they were cheering, chanting, singing, dancing, clapping even howling at the participants. Home-made banners, printed posters, colourful flags, megaphones and bands lined the 20km course. Young and old, able bodied and disabled, men and women, all facing the challenge for a good cause. Now if that doesn't warm you heart... I am convinced Parisians are a different race on a sunny Sunday!
Hubby and I walked our usual route up and down the riverbank, following the racecourse for some miles, enjoying the blue skies and the sunny weather, but what warmed our hearts most on this day was feeling the city's solidarity and all the people that had turned up the show their caring side.
It was a good day to fall in love with Paris again!
A glorious Parisian Sunday
A constant flow of human all running for a cause
The last kilometres...
Some pink cheering on the sidelines
When your associations' buddies run past everyone cheers!
Take a seat this is gonna take a while... and don't forget to cheer!
September 15, 2019
La Parisienne No.9
Fine, I need to get my head back into the game. La rentrée has begun in France and I am back in Paris. Yes, let's get real.
What better way than to kick-start myself into Parisian routine than a run around town with 25'000 other ladies? It's called La Parisienne. It happens every year and is considered the biggest female running race in Europe. Beyond the sporting challenge, La Parisienne is also a charity race, raising money for breast cancer research.
This year's theme for some bizarre reason was the American Far West.
Way back in 2011 it was the first activity I plunged myself into when we had just moved to Paris. I figured I might as well start with a bang.
I ran the race alone the first couple of years because I do prefer to run by myself. However, over the years it has become the perfect excuse for my girlfriends (who have since moved to their next destination) to return to the city of lights and visit. We make a girlie weekend out of it and it has become one of the highlights of my year... along with the rooftop yoga!
What better way than to kick-start myself into Parisian routine than a run around town with 25'000 other ladies? It's called La Parisienne. It happens every year and is considered the biggest female running race in Europe. Beyond the sporting challenge, La Parisienne is also a charity race, raising money for breast cancer research.
This year's theme for some bizarre reason was the American Far West.
Way back in 2011 it was the first activity I plunged myself into when we had just moved to Paris. I figured I might as well start with a bang.
I ran the race alone the first couple of years because I do prefer to run by myself. However, over the years it has become the perfect excuse for my girlfriends (who have since moved to their next destination) to return to the city of lights and visit. We make a girlie weekend out of it and it has become one of the highlights of my year... along with the rooftop yoga!
The Far West comes to the heart of the French capital
Early bird to register
Ready to go!
Iconic start beneath the Eiffel Tower
Mums and daughters this year... so chuffed Expat Girl is joining me
A few lost cow girls
A well-deserved Parisian lunch "entre copines"
January 24, 2019
Paris under the snow
This week we enjoyed half a day of winter wonderland in Paris. Just enough time to rush out for a jog and take some pictures before it all melted away...
Musée de la Marine looking romantic
For once the weather forecast was spot on.
Love those red berries under the snow.
Winter Wonderland at Trocadero Park
Musée de l'Homme
Too cold for a carousel ride
A grandiose shot of the Eiffel Tower.
Not a soul in sight.
Wall for Peace at Champs de Mars
No clients for crêpes but a hot chocolate sounds tempting.
Love it when you manage to get a palm tree and the Eiffel Tower in one shot!
September 13, 2018
La Parisienne 2018
Seven years ago I decided to start my Parisian Expat adventure with a bang by signing up for Europe's biggest female race La Parisienne. I dove into my new home city and have been immersing myself into it ever since.
The highlight of the year, however, must be La Parisienne when the city center shuts down for traffic and 30'000 women invade the streets... and all are smiling!!!
This year we were all particularly happy since the organization and coordination at the starting line seems to improve every time, going from 2 1/2 hours three years ago to roughly one this Sunday.
This year's theme was New York and even though we haven't really figured out why or how, having been born in the city that never sleeps I felt I belonged!
La Parisienne stands for a good cause and for many it is a yearly appointment with their girlfriends or lady colleagues. Some run, others walk but we all cross the finishing line after a 7km circuit. We are all cheered on by dads, kids, music bands and tourists. We all arrive exhausted but happy and we all receive a lovely rose along with our medal. Running for research never felt so good!
What a backdrop for a ladies' race?!?
Spot the intruder!
Lady Liberty at the Champs de Mars
Rallying under the Eiffel tower ready to go
Warming up with a view onto Trocadero
This view rocks!
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