Zurich

Yesterday we rode the train from Geneva to Zurich for an overnight trip, it is a little over three hours and quite enjoyable to sit back, read, listen to music, play cards and watch the countryside fly by.  Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, one of the wealthiest cities in Europe and has been voted best quality of life in Europe in recent years.  Similar to Geneva, it also sits on a lake and has views of the alps on clear days.  We didn't have an itinerary and did what many Swiss do on warm days, we strolled around the lake.

Our current reading material

Scott pondering where we should walk

Couple shot

The swan lady

Rock stacks, it's all about balance

Stepping stones

The view from the lake

Happy Birthday Kyle

Friday evening was spent celebrating Kyle's special day.  We had dinner at Ole Ole, which has the best cheeseburger and service in Geneva and then off to a neighborhood bar to toast the birthday boy.  We are very proud to say that we lasted longer than him!  The Bullochs are known for being the first to call it a night some evenings.  Plus, we had a train to catch for a weekend trip to Zurich, more to come on that.  Happy Birthday Kyle!

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Weekend Trip: Zurich

We are heading to Zurich Saturday morning for a quick weekend away.  It is only a three hour train ride away, so we have to take advantage!  I haven't done much research on what we should do yet, so please feel free to leave suggestions.  The current forecast is showing 47 degrees with sun on Saturday and only light rain on Sunday, this is a blessing since I left my precious heavy winter coat in Portland last week.  Staying warm here has always been a priority for me.

Portland: Lots of Highs

I have returned from my wonderful trip to Portland.  The opportunity to see family and friends was just what I needed to recharge my batteries.  Strangely, I didn't take many photos.  Here are some of my favorite parts about visiting Portland.

1.  Family - Mom, Dad, Colin, Hilary, Joey and Zezo (next time I hope to see Walker & Amy)
2.  Food - Typhoon, Mio Sushi, McMenamins, American Dream Pizza, Lair Hill Market, Por Que No, Nordstrom Cafe, VQ and many more
3.  Shopping - no need to say more
4.  Friends - Lots of quality time with my besties and their babies

Thank you to:  Ryan, Gwen, Ellie, Dave, Erin, Ben, Inkeri, Santeri, Joonas, Jared, Haley, Ashton, Andrew, Tia, Lily, Jesse, Hilary, Bob, Sarah, Steve, Lisa, Liz, Russ, Molly, Tara, Liza and Mandy for taking time to see me!

With my brother Colin - there was a rain drop on the lense, typical rainy day in Portland

Dad, Zezo, Me and Mom

McMenamins Burger with cajun tater tots, oh so yummy

A cake from Lisa

My current crush, Lily Over, what a fun little girl
Close second crushes include Ben, Ashton, Ellie, Santeri and Joonas

From Full Beard to Handle Bars

Scott's look now includes a handle bar mustache.  One of these days it will all be gone, maybe tomorrow?

Before:  Scratchy Beard

After:  Handle Bar Mustache (and a new tough guy look)

Chamonix Weekend

I was fortunate enough to take a trip up to Chamonix France last weekend to hang out with some American friends. After successfully seeing Heather off on her trip home I welcomed Greg Gorski and Summer Day on a short trip for snowboarding the alps!

I arrived after work Friday and was immediately greeted by 9 other Americans! Some were friends of Elyse and Andy from Amsterdam and then Kyle and Ashley, as well as, Greg and Summer for a total of 10 people. We had a nice big fondue and racellete that night as a group in our rented chalet.

The next day we ventured out as a group to ski the Chamonix valley. Here are some of the better shots! As you can see if was incredibly clear and a really nice day to be outdoors.

Looking southeast towards Le Grand Monte

Solo shot... 

Andy and Elyse the epic skiing duo!

Summer, Greg, and Michelle (from Amsterdam) with a nice view of the mountains!

Snow, snow and more snow...

Dear Mother Nature:

Please stop snowing in Geneva, Switzerland and Washington DC, specifically around Dulles airport.  I would like to fly back to Portland to see my family and friends.

Thank you very much.
Heather

Dear United Airlines:

You better not give my seat away!

Thank you,
Heather

Amsterdam: Day Three - Bike Ride

On our last morning in Amsterdam we rented bikes as a group and followed Andy through the city, by Amstel Park and along the river to Ouder Amstel for lunch at Eetcafe Loetje.  It was a chilly four hour bike ride, but a wonderful way to experience the city and countryside.  I also enjoyed that it is flat there!  It makes riding a single gear bike quite enjoyable.

It was a common sight to see a Mom riding her bike with two kids and groceries in the bucket around the city.

Us in front of a real windmill that also happened to be someone's home.

Amsterdam: Day Two

Lots of snow!

FEBO

I couldn't resist taking some photos of the FEBO we walked by last Saturday.  FEBO is a chain of Dutch walk up fast food restaurants where you buy your savory item out of a vending machine.  I learned their motto translates as "The Tastiest", however, we did not eat any of their food to see if it was true.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Happy Birthday Dad!  I can't wait to celebrate with you next week.  Lots of love ~ Heather

In the News

"L'Homme qui marche I" or ''Walking Man I" by Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti sold at Sotheby's on February 3 for $104.3 million, setting a world record for the most expensive work ever sold at auction. The previous record was held by a Picasso painting, "Garçon à la Pipe".

The statue was sold by German banking firm Commerzbank AG, which acquired it when it took over Dresdner Bank in 2009. Dresdner acquired the sculpture in 1980.

The record was reached in just eight minutes of "fast and furious" bidding, according to Sotheby's, with at least ten potential purchasers battling it out for the rare work in a hushed sale room.

Sotheby's did not identify the buyer, saying only that it was an anonymous telephone bidder.

From swissinfo.ch

Can you imagine spending $104.3 million in less than eight minutes?

One week until I leave for Portland!

I am going home!  I am so excited to see my family and friends, it has been seven long months since I have been stateside.  I have had a countdown in my head for weeks and it is now officially in the single digits.

Disco Taxi

Only in Amsterdam can you find a disco taxi that has flashing lights on the ceiling, a disco ball twirling and a karaoke machine with a very loud microphone!  We sang Madonna and Phil Collins, only the classics for us.

Flashback: Tour of our Home

We first shared this video one year ago today.  Amazingly, our home looks the same, we have not spent much time or money on decorating besides investing in a guest bed.  This just means I get to spend that much more on decorating and furniture on our next home in Portland.  Right Scott?

Amsterdam: Night One

The evening started with drinks and bitterballens at a pub by Andy's apartment.  Bitterballens are basically fried balls of minced meat with a little gravy inside and then served with strong mustard.  I enjoyed them, but then again I enjoy most things fried.

Ashley did not enjoy them...

Next up was a very late Italian dinner with some of Andy's American friends.

Lauren, Colin and Andy - We ordered a family style feast and the food just kept coming and coming.

Kyle, Andy and Scott enjoying our dessert.  It was a mixture of lemon sorbet, champagne and something else.  I kept looking around the restaurant wondering why everyone was ordering milk in wine glasses.  Silly me.

And finally, no meal is complete without pretending it is someone's birthday.

Amsterdam: Day One

First stop was the Van Gogh Museum to view the more than 200 paintings

You can see the Rijksmuseum in the background covered in scaffolding

Bikers are everywhere!  The bike lanes looked as big as the car lanes on some streets!  Always look before you cross in Amsterdam!

It was chilly!  We wore lots of layers and were always moving to keep warm.

Kyle and Ashley enjoying complimentary drinks in our hotel lobby before dinner.  I love the floor to ceiling collage of photographs and paintings.

The best travel buddy a girl can ask for!