Monday, January 14, 2008

Switzerland


On Friday, December 21, Gigi and I left Paris on the 8:00 A.M. TGV for Lausanne. The trip was delightful as we went through a fairy land landscape. There had been frost on the tress and they sparkled like diamonds in the early morning sun.

We arrived in Lausanne at noon and were quickly on the local train to Vevey. Charles-André met us at the train station and it was home for lunch with C-A and Claire-Lyse.

After lunch Gigi and I walked down to Vevey and then to Les Phares to visit Maman (96). She was her sprightly self and insisted on being taken out for a walk - we complied! Following hte walk we sat around until dinner time. It was the Christmas Dinner and each resident could have two guests - Gigi and I were the guests! The menu was delicious and Maman was ravenous. When it was all over C-A came to get us and we enjoyed the rest of the evening at home.

Saturday, Dec. 22, we went to the Market and saw the Christmas Serenader's, including Claire-Lyse on guitar, singing in the Market. We then took the train to Leuk and the bus to Leukerbad. The views are stunning. We were joined by Stef, Eric and Sam, and Marc. Also there were Chantal and Carlos and the 4 kids, and Francoise and Edouard. We were 14 for dinner on Saturday and once a day during the week.

I came down with and infection and spent most of the week in the apartment looking out the window while the others went skiing, snow-boarding, walking, and swimming in one of the thermal baths. Everyone had a wonderful time and a really different Christmas.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

After Hebron - Paris!



On Monday, December 17 I said Good Bye to India as I left from Coimbatore to Mumbai and then to Paris.

Tuesday, December 18 was an exciting day as I met Gigi around the luggage carousel at Paris -CDG and then on to the trains and the subway to our hotel which was just 2 minutes from the subway. After freshening up we were on our way to see the sights and sounds of Paris in December. The first stop was the Opera. Unfortunately the Nutcracker was sold out! Oh, well, there is always Les Galeries Lafayette. What lights! What colours! What a tree! What a crowd! After Ooty this was really bright, loud, noisy life! We managed to find a quiet (?) corner for afternoon tea. We had supper that night at a little Pizzeria just around the corner from the hotel. The food was delicious and the atmosphere very jovial.

Wednesday, December 19 saw us changing our return tickets for the TGV at Gare de Lyon. It was quiet easy to get there and we would have no trouble with our luggage. The Champs Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe and all the boutiques and other attractions took up most of our time before heading back to Les Galeries Lafayette to take pictures of the lights. We wandered the streets enjoying the sights and sounds before going for dinner in a wonderful restaurant with real table clothes and excellent service. Then it was on to the Tour Eiffel for some night time pictures. Everything was nicely lit up and gave a festive air to Paris.


Thursday, December 20 we went to Sacre Coeur and surrounding district before heading off to La Défense and hundreds of outdoor Christmas boutiques. It was fascinating to look at all there was for sale. We ended up in the shopping concourse for a wonderful afternoon tea and pastry! It was back to the hotel to freshen up before going for a Thai meal not far from the hotel. Again, the food was great. An early night was we were on the TGV at 8:00 A.M. Friday for the trip to Switzerland.