Sunday, June 29, 2014

Remaining France Pics because I'm in love with Paris

I must post these. I am obsessed with Paris and fall in love with the city more and more as I return. I shall live there one day, until then I always have fond memories of Paris!

Fountain/courtyard with Notre Dame in the distance

Notre Dame-up close and gorgeous. That architecture and detail is amazing

More Gargoyles!

The Pont des Arts Bridge: Where lovers go and place locks to symbolize love--Paris really is romantic except that the following week it collapsed under the weight of all the locks!

A down under view of the tour Eiffel

L'Hôtel national des Invalides (old hospital turned French 
Military museum) with Mansart's dome in the backdrop.

One last view of the grande Notre Dame

Place de la Bastille

Lingering photo of Chamonix

Saturday, June 28, 2014

And more from Geneva!

Here are some more pics from Geneva/UN:

United Nations Front Entrance

United Nations Flags

The Main United Nations Assembly Hall

Geneva Flower Clock-it actually moves!

Delicious savory crepe!

UN Courtyard

A Peacock-a little known fact is that the lady who donated the land for the UN building in Geneva did so under the condition that her pet peacocks be allowed to roam the property freely.

Rainbow at the fountain!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Europe Lessons Learned

(1) Climate change is real and if we do not do something to deter the rate at which we are destroying our planet we will be all gone very very soon.

(2) Eating well is very important to me. More important than any luxury or frivolity. You are what you eat!

(3) I'm big in Europe. I mean really big. I think my use of broken french was found to be endearing. Au revoir Geneve! (Clearly this is sarcastic, but lesson learned is that in a foreign country at least try to make an effort to use the language.)

(4) Traveling with different people and big groups of people is very difficult.

(5) Take responsibility to make things happen and get things done. I'm so glad that I avoided the stress of losing my luggage by making sure I got my things on my own.

(6) I'm excited to be a vocal person now. I'm glad I made lots of new buddies at the UN!

(7) WE are so lucky to be living in a country that has a stable infrastructure. Let's do our parts to make sure that we don't destroy this world.

(8) Some people are totally ok with not showering for 2 weeks. I cannot relate to this but had to live with the ramifications of this and it was smelly.

(9) If you want to do something, there is nothing in this world that can stop you. Take ownership of your own future and make it happen!

(10) Having the ability to empathize with people starkly different than me is something I pride myself in and treasure.

(11) Take responsibility for your own happiness!

(12) Paris is and probably always will be my absolute most favorite place in the world. Paris, I will return!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Swimming climbs mountain

Here are some spectacular views from Mont Blanc!

The Alps from a distance:

On the way up:

Ice Cave

Among the Clouds:

Beautiful town of Chamonix:

And one last Paris one for good measure,  we were there during the French Open! (Hence the obnoxious Roland Garros tennis ball hanging from the Eiffel Tower)