Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Water anyone?

A very unique sight I see when traveling to and from and around the city of Kuwait.

I can’t help myself when I see one to point it out.  There are so many different types. One Friday morning, (that’s our “Saturday”) we were headed to the market when John took a different exit and headed into a neighborhood.  To my delight, he stopped at every one we found so I could take pictures…it was like a date.  Two hours later, we finally made it to the market.

 

 

I have inquired about them and found out, not only for the obvious reasons of the need of water in this city ( we have had temperatures at 125 degrees)but why I asked are they sporadically placed around and why are they all so different. These water coolers are donated by individuals or companies.  So it is usually built near

where the donor lives or works and they have a say as to how it looks.

 

We took about 60 pictures….and I have seen many since that are different yet.  John will have to take me out on another date.

Monday, July 12, 2010

And the journey continues

and the journey continues

“Life brings simple pleasures to us every day.  It is up to us to make them wonderful memories.” - Cathy Allenb

Many Doors

The old, medieval, ancient, antique designs  of the European architecture is something that truly stood out to me.  Murals painted on the exterior walls, carvings out of stone, stained glass windows, cobblestone streets,all so intricate and unique; I felt I would burst with it filling my head.  So as I have shared throughout this trip, a roof design or window ornament, here and there,

I also had some fun taking pictures of the many different doors I saw in the short time of touring Lucerne.

Lucerne

was our last stop before heading back to Basel and return home. Lucerne, we learned is just one hour from Basel or Zurich.  It is one of Europe’s most heavily toured towns.   And we could see why.   The river Reuss runs through the town into the lake.  The banks are clustered on both sides with ancient halls, churches and chapels and medieval houses.   The cafes were bustling with people.

clock tower 

bdlbridge 3

 

 bridge 2 steps

 ABQ12AHCACXCMN8CAYMZQ2YCA6YLWRGCA4RP1LVCAQUZD7BCAPWR2SJCAIHFZM2CA1P2RNXCAEJ87HZCAQAIXT2CACM14D4CAZS02TZCAQPBGTICATFDK8SCA3T4VD7CA6DWP2ACAS9GMPFCABUK4A9CAI8E6TD lake

We only had a couple hours here.  And quickly saw that it was hardly enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We drove back to Basel in the evening.  Now it was time to sort out our bags and see if all the souvenirs fit.pam packing 

We were given the gift of friendship many years ago.  This year we were given the gift of adventure, to explore, discover, to travel.  Our gift of laughter has always seen us through predicaments over the years, and it was no exception on this trip, Laughter is our friend that helps us find the bright side!!!  We laughed ourselves silly and had fun being….Lucy and Ethel one day, Thelma and Louise the next….but mostly being Pam and Deb: being ourselves, together…

 

goodbye

What could possibly be more Swiss…..

Yodeling (or yodelling, jodeling) is a form of singing that involves singing an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch from the vocal or chest register (or "chest voice") to the falsetto/head register; making a high-low-high-low sound. This vocal technique is used in many cultures throughout the world.

History

In Alpine folk music, it was probably developed in the Swiss Alps and Austrian Alps as a method of communication between alpine mountaineers or between alpine villages, with this non-musical multi-pitched "yelling" later becoming part of the region's traditional lore and musical expression.

( Wikipedia)

 

 

men yodelrs

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, our timing couldn’t have been better.Weeks before we had arrived, we had been told by so many, that the weather was horrible, cold and rainy.  Timing IS everything so it is said…and we had good timing….perfect weather to visit the alps garden, to skydive and even there on the right night for a yodeling concert!!!  So we arrived early for a good seat and before we knew it the little church was packed with locals.  We couldn’t understand a word said or sung but to partake in this cultural experience was so incredible.

Up up and away

picture taken from air

This is Pam flying…I took it just before I jumped off the cliff.

Skydiving 013 Robbie instructed me how to fly it a bit.

Skydiving 008 CRAZY FUN!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Skydiving

I guess you could say we were sort of dared, intrigued and then giddy with just the thought of our doing it…..one phone call by the concierge of our little hotel, and we were on our way   Pam getting ready

Pam getting ready to fly skydiving 2 getting ready for takeoff

Interlaken

I could fill blog land with the amount of pictures Pam and I took to capture the awe we felt driving in the Swiss Alps.  Our conclusion is:  you just have to DO something with those feelings of excitement and awe.  Words don't seem adequate at the beauty we have experienced.  Here are just a few shared with you.

us in hotel

 

PAM

                                        At Hotel Baren Wilderswilldeb eating fondu             pam eating fondu                               Eating Fondue our first night in Switzerland

Swiss Alps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BOTANICAL ALPINE GARDEN:

                 ALPENGARTEN SCHYNIGE PLATTE

Alpine flora found above the tree line in Switzerland grow in a natural environment.  The Alpine Garden displays over 560 species.  It was easy to reach, situated next to the summit station of the Schynige Platte Mountain Railway. 

It generally dosn’t open until June 1st.  Because of the glorious weather they were experiencing, the opening day just happened to be the day we were there!!!   We were so thrilled not to have missed the opportunity to ride the train up the mountain to this special tourist attraction in the Jungfrau Region.

tram

Schynige Platte

   BREATHTAKING

deb and pam on top

visitor sighn

 debon snow pathdeb feet in snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

flower in alps We did find flowers peeking out!pic taken sitting on ground

Mountains, fresh air and flowers…..Perfect Day!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Dijon

As we wandered looking for our hotel, we decided that Dijon was not a city we were going to leave undiscovered.

Dijon is a city in the heart of Burgandy and considered the best preserved medieval centers in France.

The old buildings took us back in time as we walked the cobblestoned streets.

There is a walking tour of the city guided by the bronze owl plaques.  As you follow the choettes you see the history of the town. We probably would have found it a little easier if we had walked in the direction it was pointing. Ah well, we saw some amazing buildings and fell in love with the city.