Easter Ski Weekend

I've been getting outdoorsy a bit lately.  For my 3-day Easter weekend, I joined a university group and headed to the mountains.  

Beautiful day skiing in the Alps! Photo courtesy of K. Heidrich.

On Saturday morning, I arrived bright and early to join the bus traveling from campus to les Deux Alpes.  After sleeping most of the way up, we arrived at the resort, dropped off our bags, and headed for the pistes (slopes).  It was a beautiful, sunny day and quite warm out.  The skiing was the best at the top of the mountain on the glacier.  I took things a little bit easy since I'm still recovering from a twisted ankle, but everything went just fine.  We met up with more friends for lunch, which we enjoyed with some vin chaud sitting outside under the sunshine.  Towards the end of the day, the sun was getting quite strong and the snow was becoming a bit too slushy.  We stopped skiing for a while and went to hang out at the apres-ski destination, which was a party on top of the mountain, complete with DJ and people dressed in silly outfits.

Pano Bar on top of the mountain

Our ski day was coming to a close, but our evening was only beginning.  A group of six of us decided to save a little money and make dinner together at our rented apartment.  It was great to sit and hang out over dinner.  Our evening continued with some card games, and eventually we decided to join the crowd for a night out.  It was very fun and we ended up dancing the night away.

The next morning came early, and looking outside we discovered the mountain was covered in a blizzard.  From our little apartment, we couldn't even see the slopes just across the way.  Research told us that the intense weather would continue all day, so we decided to call it and not ski.  Instead, we ended up watching Friends (in French) and exploring the ski village.  Towards the end of the day, the whole university group was invited out for ice skating.  That was lots of fun, with people dressing up, showing off, and learning how to skate.  It was another fun night.

Ice skating! Photo courtesy of P. Briggs.

The next day was our last, so we headed back onto the slopes, stopping for an afternoon BBQ, before joining the bus back to campus.  We got the perfect seats at the front on the top of a double-decker bus.  There were beautiful views the whole way.  

Grenoble looking good.

I really enjoyed my weekend.  I feel like I got to know my friends even better and made some new ones along the way.  Grenoble and the people here are great.  I'm really feeling at home!

Day Trip to Vizille

Day Trippin! Today, I took a short excursion to Vizille, a commune south of Grenoble.

I was feeling like getting out of Grenoble and exploring something new for the day.  Being in France, there is so much history to learn everywhere you go.  Well, I didn't really know where to go, and I hadn't gotten any great suggestions, so Google was my friend.  After Googling "chateau near Grenoble," I found this perfect opportunity.  It was a castle, museum, park, and animal reserve all wrapped into one!

My friend Katie decided to join me for this excursion.  We met at the bus station around 1pm to hop on the express Grenoble - Vizille bus.  A quick 40 minute ride dropped us off at an empty bus stop in a place we didn't know.  We got a bearing of our surroundings and decided to walk towards what looked like the center of the village, and quickly figured out we were heading the right direction.  A map showed us heading towards a big castle and park.  We continued along, spying a castle tower along the way and soon arrived at the castle gates.  We went right through and were welcome by a beautiful site of green, grassy lawns stretching out towards the far mountain.  People were strolling around the grounds, a couple boys were kicking a soccer ball back and forth, and swans and ducks were waiting for bread being thrown by an older couple.

We decided to first explore the free museum located inside the castle.  It was a museum all about the French Revolution.  There was a lot that I didn't understand or remember from my history lessons, but it was very cool.  We saw sabres, wall-sized paintings depicting battles, deaths, and liberty, busts, extracts from films depicting the arrival of Napoleon in Grenoble and more.  

This funny painting shows a joker.  He's enjoying himself.

Parts of the museum also showed the history of the building itself.  It was owned by a rich family by the name of Perier, but was also famously the home of several French presidents, the latest being Charles de Gaulle.  I can understand why a president would enjoy this castle and grounds; it was a very peaceful and beautiful place.  

After a couple hours in the well-maintained and interesting museum, we ventured out of the castle for some fresh air.  I really came to understand why a friend had told us to bring a picnic.  It would be the perfect place on a sunny day.  The grounds were really large and varied.  There were perfect pyramid topiaries, large expanses of closely cut grass, and various trees lining the paths.  Our path took us back to an area where animals were kept.  Unfortunately, we were running out of time before everything closed, so we didn't have enough time to explore all the way, but we did see some interesting deer (if that's the right word) with large antlers.  Also on a separate path back towards the entrance, we glimpsed some carved wood modern statues.  

This is a place to which I'm sure I'll return.  I can't wait for the perfect sunny day with blue skies to return with a picnic of wine, cheese, and bread to lounge in the sun with my friends.

A last picture from Vizille (not the castle or grounds but the small city itself).  I came across this painted on the sidewalk... It's a play on words to say "walkway NOT poopway" or simply, "This is a place to walk, not to leave your dog poop."  It's a really problem in some places in France where people let their dogs poop all of the sidewalk and streets since there's not as much grass in cities, but here it was quite clean!

Lille: A Short Escape

I love traveling.  I know -- that's quite obvious.  Sometimes I enjoy traveling for long periods of time and other times a little getaway is all I need.  

Well last week, I decided to take a little, one-night getaway to explore a new city.  I went to Lille.  Lille is in the very north of France, near Belgium.  It has a bit of Flemish influence, which can be seen in Vieux Lille, the oldest part of town.  

Upon arrival after my train delay, my boyfriend and I checked into our AirBnb apartment (very convenient to the train station) and went out to explore.  Rather than set specific destinations our first day, we decided to simply walk.  I think that exploring a place on foot without an idea of what a place is supposed to be is great.   We walked ourselves in circles a few times - the city is NOT in a grid pattern.  We discovered a cathedral.  We found a grassy area surrounded by various architectural styles.  We sat for tea.  We headed towards the citadel, only to turn around at the entrance since it was closed and actually used by the military.  We strolled through a park as the sun set.  Really, we just enjoyed being together. 

After a while, we decided it was time to eat.  We ended up at an Italian inspired restaurant and I chose a delicious spinach and ricotta ravioli with a creamy veggie and pumpkin sauce.  It was great!

Deciding the night wasn't quite over, we headed to the movies before finally calling it a night.

The next morning, we started by going to the art museum (Palais des Beaux Arts).  It was huge (actually the second largest art museum in France outside of Paris).  Our tickets came with audio guides so we played the part and walked around the museum with our headphones, learning about some interesting pieces.  My favorites were the statues and the Impressionist paintings.  

By afternoon, the rain had arrived. My little umbrella couldn't hold up to it, so we ended up jumping from one place to the next for lunch, tea, and shopping.  I also tried a delicious little treat (too bad I forgot to take a picture) that was a fluffy poof with whipped cream and hardened meringue inside covered by chocolate outside.  I would definitely have that again!

We spent our last hour at a large shopping mall where we were protected from the rain.  We got into a little mischief at the Lego store and I made a mini-me.  It may not have been a very "Lille" afternoon, but at least we enjoyed ourselves!  It was a perfect little vacation.

Skiing: Les Deux Alpes

Grenoble is a place that keeps growing on me.  I feel really at home and comfortable here.  That being said, I also feel that I've passed another milestone to being a part of Grenoble... I bought skis! A friend and I made an outing to check out skis at a second-hand shop, and we both walked out with our very own skis.  All together, my skis, boots and poles cost around 78 euros.  Not too bad, eh?  Well they're not the fanciest skis, but they work!

I tested them out for the first time last weekend when we went to a nearby ski resort called les Deux Alpes.  We arrived in the parking lot on our student bus (we both got student ski cards despite not being students this year haha!) and were quite confused... there wasn't a single patch of snow in sight!  With a slight feeling of hesitation, we decided to see what we had gotten ourselves into for the day and we took the gondola up the side of the mountain.  Our gondola took us to the base of a village, which we walked up through to find ourselves at the ski resort.  The snow ended up being ok, not fantastic, but it was a great day out nonetheless.  The ski resort is on a sort of plateau at the top of the mountain and we found some nice views the further up we went. 

We also met a group of friends for lunch and again for drinks at the apres-ski party, complete with live DJ on top of the mountain.  All in all, it was a wonderful day with great people and absolutely incredible views.  See for yourself.

New Year's in Moab

This year, I did something a little different over New Year's... I went to Moab, Utah!  Now I had heard good things about Moab, and it seemed like a fun place to go, but I was also a little hesitant to see what the weather and opportunities would be like in winter.  I have to say that IT WAS PERFECT!

Canyonlands National Park

We took a long, but nice, drive from Denver to Moab in about 6 hours, with a stop for lunch in Glenwood Springs.  The drive was interesting and varied as it went through the Rocky Mountains and winded through canyons before opening up to rocky, weird hills with mountains in the distance in Utah.  Once in Utah, we stayed at a fancy-schmancy condo complete with hot tub and beautiful kitchen found on VRBO (a site similar to AirBnB and the like). 

Canyonlands National Park

The day after our arrival was our first real adventure.  We went into Arches National Park (which is only one of the 4 parks in the area).  We were all excited and impressed by the scenery of red and orange rocks, spires, arches (duh!) and snow-covered mountains in the distance.  My brother was overcome with excitement... Once in the park, we found the first pull-off stop to overlook Arches.  My brother and the rest of us got out of the car and cameras in hand, went to take our first stunning pictures of the trip.  Well it wasn't until we returned to the car that we all realized just how excited my brother was... he had left his car without even thinking to close the driver's door, simply jumping from the car and running to see the view.  Needless to say, we all had a good laugh!

Balancing Rock

Arches is really a magical place.  The sun lit up the rocks with the most beautiful colors.  We enjoyed being tourists and stopping at all the overlooks and main sights, including the 3 Gossips and Balancing Rock, before heading to the start of our hike.  Our hike took us to see 5 or 6 different arches, each unique and awe-inspiring.  There was some snow on the ground, but thankfully we were prepared with extra traction to attach to our shoes.  That allowed us to scramble up some icy bits of rock.  It was the perfect introduction to Arches and Moab.  

Top of the world in Arches National Park

The next day we had met up with some friends and made our way to Canyonlands National Park, also a 15 or so minute drive from Moab.  With the recommendation of the visitor's center, we went to the most incredible overlook hike, where we walked along the cliff edge that overlooked the expansive canyons.  From up high, we could see the layers of rocks that had been formed into canyons and spires in the distance.  After that shorter hike, we had enough time before the sun went down to go to the other end of the park and see a mysterious place, almost like a crater but with piles of different colored rocks from the surrounding area.  The informational signs couldn't give a sure answer, so we're left to wonder how it could have happened. 

Petroglyphs

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park - Can you see who's hiding underneath the rock?

Day 3 (New Year's Eve)'s adventure led us not to a national park, but along the Colorado River.  Driving through the canyon next to the river, our attention was directed to the rock wall where petroglyphs, some as old as 2000 years, were casually placed.  Without the information sign saying "Indian Art," we probably would have missed the experience entirely.  The first petroglyphs were a little hard to spot, but once we saw them, more kept popping out.  They were incredible.  Just think of all that history!  After the petroglyphs, we went to hike to Corona Arch.  This was another beautiful and unique arch with an interesting hike where we had to climb a ladder and walk past hundreds of cairns (rock stacks).  Even after all this excitement, my brother and I were still ready for more, so we separated from the group to go spend the last couple hours of daylight in Arches to see a couple more areas we hadn't previously experienced.

Corona Arch

Adventurous hike to Corona Arch

Turret Arch in Arches National Park

After a game night for New Year's Eve, we celebrated New Year's Day with a delicious brunch and mimosas, complete with champagne brought from France (ok, from the duty free shop in France).  My mom and I decided to take it a little easy and hike at our own pace.  I decided that I really wanted to see Delicate Arch, probably the most famous arch as it's on the Utah license plate.  So, the two of us drove into Arches and took this hike.  I was an interesting hike across large expanses of rock, with interesting people such as the older Asian man with 3-inch cramp-ons.  This hike was the perfect way to end our last day in Moab.  It really brought forth the awe and wonder contained in such a magical place.  I know that someday I'll be back; it gave me such an indescribable feeling of magic that I get when I'm in the heart of nature looking at the world's wonders.

Delicate Arch with mom

 

 I wish everyone a Happy New Year full of adventure, health, happiness, friends and family.

Delicate Arch - the symbol of Utah

Year in Review: 2015!

Another year come and gone... but I'm happy and thankful to say that my life just keeps getting better!  My adventures keep evolving and I am excited to keep seeing the world from all different angles and places.  I usually like to sit down this time of year and reflect on what life has brought to me.  So here goes.  

In 2015, I...

• Started the year as a language assistant in the sunny south of France where I worked two whole days a week.  
• Watched the scenery as my mom and I did a loop around the Pyrenees in France and Spain.
• Stumbled across the best Carnaval celebration  in Huesca, Spain.
• Tasted 13 different wines in one go. 
• Made my own paella and creme catalana.
• Had the cops called after a potluck dinner got a little too loud.
• Felt grief in a nation I call home after attacks in Paris.
• Took my first trip to the UK and loved being the tourist.
• Didn't understand a word from someone speaking English (Liverpool!). 
• Drank tea and lots of it.
• Felt like I would burst with delicious cherries after the Cherry Festival in Ceret.
• Discovered the Via Domitia and Napoleon's route through the Pyrenees.
• Said goodbye to Perpignan.
• Reveled in the Colorado wildflowers.
• Went raspberry picking.
• Got my first restaurant job over the summer.
• Tried Korean BBQ and beef tongue with someone special in L.A.
• Said goodbye to the condo I considered home in Winter Park.
• Rediscovered the serenity of nature.
• Hiked in the Pyrenees, Rockies, and Chartreuse.
• Moved again and again.
• Applied to many jobs and study opportunities, and was offered the perfect one: teaching English at a university in Grenoble.
• Started my classes at the university with teaching English to masters students in IT, undergraduate students in urbanism studies, and a random mix of others.
• Founded a monthly pub quiz with 3 friends.
• After two years, finally went home for a white Christmas and some much needed family time.
• Brought in the new year in Moab, Utah where I was overcome with awe.

It's been quite a year, always with ups and downs, but I feel that I'm right where I need to be.  I'm proud of my accomplishments and look forward to seeing what life brings next.  I feel fortunate to call so many different places home, and I know one thing for certain... home is where the heart is.  I'll always have so many places to call home because so many people and places are in my heart and thoughts.  Of course, Colorado and my family will always be top of that list no doubt. 

To everyone that has taken part in my year, I am thankful for you and for the experiences I've had with you.  I wouldn't be where I am without you.  Cheers to many more adventures to come!

Grenoble

Cooking School in Barcelona

Wine Tasting at Mas Baux Winery in France

Snowshoeing with my brother in Evergreen, Colorado

Being the tourist in London

Ziplining with Dad in Omaha, Nebraska

Hiking near Silverthorne, Colorado

Family in Arches National Park, Utah

Happy 2016!

Loving the View

Work is still keeping me busy here in Grenoble.  There are two weeks of classes left and lots of grading to accomplish, but soon I'll be on break.  I'm excited to say that after being away from home for the past two Christmas seasons, I'll be returning to spend the holidays with my family in Colorado this year.  So I'll finish classes on Thursday the 17th at 5pm and prepare for my 10am flight the following morning.  I'll be back for two weeks.

Things are going well in Grenoble.  Teaching has had its difficult moments (and by teaching, I really mean just figuring out all the administration and grading), but I find it quite rewarding.  I've gotten some nice feedback from a couple students, and that sure feels good.  It's quite the change from my first day when a student looked me over and walked out of my class before even giving me a chance to speak! 

I feel like I've been able to talk about some exciting things this year, which keeps classes all that more interesting.  I enjoy being able to talk about advanced subjects like the street artist Banksy, short films, Buy Nothing Day (a way to protest Black Friday), and the Tiny House Movement.  I look forward to continuing to push the box next semester.  Next semester's schedule isn't quite finalized, but it looks like I'll be switching some of the extra classes I've taken on from IT students to students studying alpine geography.  I'm figuring out what exactly that is so that I can cater some subjects to their interests!

In other news, the snow has arrived around Grenoble and the ski resorts are open.  I'm waiting until after the holidays to check out the snow myself, but I had friends show me pictures of the beautiful slopes.  It's been cold and sometimes wet in Grenoble itself, but today was beautifully sunny.  Check it out for yourself! I snapped a couple quick pictures on the way into my office this afternoon.