8 in a row....and a great weekend to match!

After a reasonably chill week at work (we just moved into our new building...not bad actually) Friday rolled around with a few plans on the agenda. Friday go out with Luis to dinner (he is a co-worker from Boston) Saturday go to Alex's BBQ and then go to Les 2 Alpes in the evening. Sunday go skiing in JUNE!

I noticed on Thursday that they were setting some stages up around Carouge so I thought taking Luis here would be cool...what I didn't know is that it was the Fete De La Musique in Geneva I arrived home at around 6ish on Friday and there was a party in the Marche. The street was closed off and there was a big-band playing Minnie the Moocher(sp). So that being said I called Luis and told him to come to Carouge for a few drinks in the Marche. He arrived to the party and we had a few in Carouge before heading to Bel Air for dinner. On the way there we noticed stages were all over town. Place Neuve, Parc du Bastion, Old town, etc...there was music all over town..and for Geneva, a place with marginal music scene, this was cool. We had some dinner and then off to watch some bands. We chill, saw a few friends, and then called it a night after getting our full share of tunes.

Saturday started slow with a relaxing AM in Carouge...actually the only stress was getting ready to go skiing. I had to carry all my gear through the Marche on a Saturday morning....people were thinking I was crazy...and they may be right. It was 80 degrees here and I was carrying my helmet, boots, and skis with shorts on. After loading the whip it was off to Alex's (my Director) for an annual Product Supply BBQ. Alex lives in France (near Segny) in a sick location with great views of the Jura. My plan was to arrive at 2 and stay until 5ish, but things got rolling and it was 7 by the time I knew it. Here is most of my team enjoying the sun and great food prepared by Alex and his wife:

The BBQ was cool, but my agenda got a little off schedule. I started to drive into the other side of France towards Les 2 Alpes and I decided that it was too late and I should head home. At least I got a great pic of the Saleve during my return to Carouge: (note most of the pics are now compressed, but with my new camera! Thanks MOM!)

I returned home at about 8 and a party was going on...so my detour back was not a bad one. I dropped in quickly to my flat and went out to experience the vibe in Carouge. "Ghost Gregor" watching the show outside:

I had some food from this guy. It was Somalian food...kinda a homemade crepe with Lamb and sauce...very good..and this guy rocked:

There was a ton of other food to...some Portuguese being prepared:

and of course music:


fun with exposure times:


After some food and drink I called it a night.

Sunday was finally here and I was up at 6AM ready to go skiing. I knew that it was going to take me 2+ so I hit the road early.

It was another great day..sun and clouds about 70. As always I left without a map because that is how you see cool things and true to form I got a little lost. I made it to Grenoble but after that I was going off a little reasearch I did pre-trip. There was a rotary and I stayed straight instead of going right so I ended up in a parralel valley...no worries it is the summer all the "cols" are open. I made a quick stop at a map and headed over this crazy pass to Les 2 Alpes.About half way I got a little lost again so I stopped and asked some guys who run a bunge jumping place. They were setting up for the day and headed me in the right direction. Here is the bridge you jump off!

U turn and I was going in the right direction. I say this always in this blog, but everytime I enter the Alps, French, CH, or AT I am just in AWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEE!

A little town on my little excursion:

So after a cool drive on a very curvy, steep road I arrived at Les Deuxs.

When I got there I was again in AWWWWWEEEEE and surprise.....this place was going off! There was a MTB comp and the town was filled....lucky I did not come on Saturday with no reservation..I think I would have been sleeping in the car! After parking I put on my gear, minus the boots (I learned from Zermatt) and headed to the lift. Again...AWWWWWWWEEEE...SNOW and it was time to ski. This place rocked....tons of terrain, a cool park, and quiet...I was stoked!




I skied for about 3 plus hours. I was thinking on one off the lift rides up...I miss this...the freedom, the mountains, the cold, the speed, everything about skiing. It was great to be out there. It was about 30 on the glacier and after a 25 minute gondola back to town I was in MTB land. I got rid of the ski gear and soaked in the atmosphere and watched some races:

After watching these guys I think that maybe downhilling in the summer maybe a cool alternative to skiing. Jay is going to take me soon so I will check it out (I will wear my helmet Mom :-) After the race I got a burger and frites and drove home. Another one for the record books...8 months in a row of skiing, music festival in Geneva, and the ability to keep experiencing new things everyday...I am blessed (as always thank you Mom and Dad for the love and support). More to come this week!

Showing friends the pleasures of CH/FR...

It has been awhile since the last update but life has been busy here in Geneva. KK came last Saturday on a biz trip. She arrived on a "il fait beau matin" at GVA. We proceeded to come to Carouge and decided a day in Geneva was on the agenda. We caught a tram into the city and did some shopping, relaxing, and took a little swim:

Swim spot:

On the way back to Carouge we saw a bagpipping fireman (I have no idea):

That night we had plans with P+H along with the Portuguese Mafia to have a BBQ on the lake and go to a Sindy party. The BBQ:



The night was very cool and the party was packed, so he headed home early and decided the next day we would go to Annecy. Sunday turned out to be another nice day with sun and clouds. After a nice brunch in Geneva we headed to a cool gorge outside Annecy for a walk:


After our walk it was time for a swim:

We returned Sunday night to have dinner at home and get ready for the busy week ahead....it went like this..
Monday: Busy day and dinner in Carouge (Italian)
Tuesday: Busy day and dinner with biz collegues (Steak and frites)
Weds: Busy day and K had dinner with the biz collegues (I had currywurst)
Thursday: Busy day and dinner in Morge on the water (Seafood)
Friday: Pack to move to GBC, out early, and Alex and Evan arrive in Geneva
So Friday Alex and Evan arrived (both Chicago biz school friends). both are very cool. Evan is from Australia and Alex is from the US but lives in London. We proceeded to eat Racelette, Fondue, and drink beer...a very chill night with some cool people. We woke the next morning to a packed "marche" and another sunny day. After some food we headed to the Col de Colombiere for a hike. We started at the Col 1600M and climbed to 2100M.



After the hike we were hungy so we headed to Chamonix. Still SICK in the summer too!!

That night we had drinks on the town. The next day we dropped Evan off at the airport early and then came back to Carouge for brunch. After brunch a little nap and then a short trip to Rolle to see where Alex went to summer school when he was 12. Alex left at 4 and that night KK and I had dinner at the Cafe du Marche. Monday came quick as KK had to be at the airport at 5:30. Overall a cool week where I showed my old and new friends some of the nice places in CH and FR. More to come this week (maybe even a little skiing).....

Playing in the CH trees.....

Another weekend passes in CH-land with Happy-Gregor enjoying life. Last week was the first back after vacation, so the 400 emails (yes 400!) needed to be read and I caught up with my team. Friday came around and it was time to go out for a few drinks with the boys. I met up with Paul, Nico, and Pedro at Lady Godiva. We watched the soccer game (a "friendly" between the UK and Brazil that ended in a 1-1 tie) and drank a few. After the game was over we headed to Ethno and then I called a night.

The next morning I woke up and did the normal shopping and chilling. In the afternoon I met up with Paul and played a little hoops. Paul's mad hoop skills:

Hoops was cool and we decided that a chill night was in order so I headed back to the flat to cook up my normal chow for the night. The ingredients:

A little oil:

And the finished product. Grilled Chicken with Paprika. Homemade Bruschetta and Buffalo Mozzarella. Zuchini stuffed with Parmigian Chease and fresh Basil. Pasta with capers and white wine sauce.:

The food was good,watched the Departed (cool movie), and called it an early night.

The next morning P and I decided that we needed to do something in the AM because both of us had work to do in the PM, so we decided to go climb some trees. P picked me up around 9:30 on a "Il fait beau matin" and we headed to Signal De Bougy where Parc D'Adventure is located. This was the same place that I went with my team last Summer, but they change the courses all the time so it was cool. This place is very fun and amusing...somethig that would never be accessible in the US due to liability and TOOOOO MANY LAWYERS!
Monkeys at play:




After to monkeying around we called it day and headed to Rolle for a nice lunch on the water:

After some good food and coversation we headed back to Geneva to dive back into work-land, but very satisfied that we took advantage of a chill day in CH. More to come this weekend....it looks like a nice one ;-) GG