Up the Jura.

A friend from work had told me about a drive her and her boyfriend took up the Jura.  She said it was uuuhhhhmazing.  So, we took the little blue wildcat mobile and went.  Rocco found a new road trip spot.

There are two main mountain ranges in Switzerland:  the Alps and the Jura.  One obviously a little more well known than the other.  

We didn't plan ahead for this trip.  It was close, so there was no need for us to plan our route.  Plus, we had Genevive.  Our GPS.  Yes we named it.  Genevive sounds like Geneva.  Clever huh?  I know.  You're amazed.

We should have planned.

The red dot below is Geneva.

The orange dot is destination.

The red line is the route we took (white area being France).

The black 'angle' is the view.

A 30 minute drive took us an hour and a half.  It's ok though.  We didn't have anything better to do besides cry over not being home for Thanksgiving.  

And I digress...

The first thirty minutes was mostly highway driving... not interesting.

Off the interstate and into the countryside.

Then we crossed the border into France.  I have a feeling France doesn't give a hoot who comes and goes from Switzerland.  We've seen the French border patrol like maybe twice out of the twenty times we've crossed over.  Swiss are a little different.  Anyway, we drove up this mountainside road and then came to a field, a gravel path, and a sign that said "don't come in here" in French.  Awesome.  The picture below is the view of this little area, but the road got narrow.  Very narrow.  

Que the 28-point turn around similar to Austin Powers.  No guardrails.  In a manual car.  At one point I was sweating, had goosebumps, and was sure I'd need a fresh pair of underwear.  Did I mention we took the fur kids?  I think they were even scared we'd fall off the edge of the mountain.    

  

Now time to cross back into Switzerland.  WHAT?!  We didn't even need to go through France?  Thanks Genevive.

Don't ever cross into another country unless you have your passport.  EVER.  We got stopped by the Swiss border police and were reprimanded for not having them.  We had our Swiss permits, but forgot the passports.  Thought it would be ok.  We won't be doing it again.  This induced another episode of sweating and anxiety for me, while we waited and they confirmed we weren't terrorists.  All I kept thinking about was that they were going to confiscate our homeless looking mutts and we'd never see them again.  

We got back in.  

Next up?  A cute little town called Le Pont (Loo Pohn).  We got out and walked around the lake with the boys.  Rocco LOVES water.  He is the weirdest dog.  He's the only terrier I know that is obsessed with swimming and chasing ducks/swans/water creatures/people... while they're still in the water.  He got his legs wet, but no swimming.  We weren't interested in shuttling a wet pooch around.  The town was tiny and adorable.

Back on the road... look at this cute house!

Such a pretty day.  The reflection on the lake was amazing.

Time to start going up.  We needed to be above the clouds for the view apparently.  "Go little wildcat! Go!"

The road was flanked with stone walls for about 10 km.  It was so weird... and pretty.  

Aaaannnnd.... we made it.  Oh my.  It was totally worth the hour and a half drive.  

Ladies and gentlemen, the Alps:

Mont Blanc is the highest one you can see below... and the highest point in Europe.  It's on the border of Italy and France.  We can see the tip of it sometimes (if it's a clear day) when we walk the dogs, but not much else.  Geneva is sort of tucked in a little valley and has limited Alp views.  This is also where we'll be skiing soon. Adventurous?  Or overly confident about our ski skills?  I'd say both.  This isn't Paoli Peaks or Perfect North.  I'm predicting at least two broken bones in the Hughes family before we move back.  Probably both from me.    

The pictures don't do this justice at all.

 It was above the 'fog line' and you could see forever.  So beautiful.  I wouldn't mind waking up to this view.  

We also saw some crazy mountain plants.  

 God does some pretty good work, huh?

Time to go home.  At least we have a few Fall colors still around...

And that's why we went up the Jura.  Great little trip.  

Au revoir!

Video How To: Make a dentist appointment. In French

This one's for you Ali.

If you have 7 minutes to spare in your busy life... here's how much fun it is to make an appointment in French.  

Caution: extreme boredom may result if you watch this video.  If you don't have anywhere to immediately fall asleep, then wait until bedtime to watch.  It's that entertaining.

3 things I learned about myself after making this video: 

I say 'ummmm' too much.

I have a lazy eyebrow.... or a crazy high one.

I suck at French even more than I thought.  When I get excited about understanding a sentence I respond with either "yes, yes, yes", "no, no, no", or "ok, ok, ok"... in threes. 

In case you have no idea what I was saying, here's the translation:

Note: I'd look much cooler if you didn't read the translation.

Hi ma'am, I would like to make a... (she put me on hold).

Hi ma'am , I would like to take an appointment for me and my husband.

Yes. 

Excuse me?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

We are new clients.

It first.

Yes. Yes.

We have bon (have no idea... Google translate told me to say it) BuyClub 

Le vouchers? (not French)

Yes. Yes.

I have 2.

Yes. Yes.

You have an appointment at February?

Sorry. Sorry. 

I speak a little French

Ok.

You have an appointment the three or ten at February? 

Ok. The three.

2.

For me and my husband.

Yes.

7 for me and .... seven... excuse me? (forgot my numbers)

Five zero (50)

My name? Hughes.

My name. Ashley.

Yes. 

Adam.

The telephone?  079..........

Ok.

The three Feburary.

At Seven & Seven fifty.

Also Acacias?  Acacias? Gabelle Street? In Carouge.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Ok. Ok. Ok.

See you soon.

Bye.

Ok.  (laughing because I know she thinks I'm so stupid)

Good day. Good day. 

Bye.

I'm sorry you watched this. 

Au revoir.

Hockey

This past weekend, we went to our first hockey game here.  It was the local 'Geneve Servette' team vs. some other crazy Swiss team.  The hockey stadium (slightly smaller than NHL stadiums) is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment, so it was kind of nice not to have to take a bus or drive anywhere.



We can't get away from the hideous maroon and yellow/gold combo.  ASU had it in Phoenix... now Geneva Hockey Club.  Guess it makes sense.  The city/canton (county) flag is red and yellow (right)

  


We saw this mean mug when we walked in.... he. was. HUGE.  I'm pretty sure he would've eaten anyone who got close enough.


I think the hockey team is "the eagles?"  It wasn't clear.  There was a giant bald eagle flying around the stadium and some people had eagles on their shirts, but it wasn't written anywhere around the stadium.  Go Eagles?  We did see these two as well...
  
Meet Calvin and Calvina.  Yes.  That's not a typo.  Geneva is know for John Calvin... a Christian reformationist from the 1500's.  Why not name your mascots after him!?



Look at this crazy beer/drink holder contraption!  Genius!

  

Crazy shirtless fans of the opponent.  They were secluded in a glass/boarded up area because it's a well known fact that games (fans) can get out of control.  They yelled and cheered the entire game.  

Geneva didn't win.  :(  Still fun though!  

Such a fun time, but all it made me want to do is go ICE SKATING!!!  I'm so excited!!!  Some of you are aware of the vivid figure skating dreams I have from time to time.  I wake up feeling like a truck hit me... sore from being such an amazing ice skater all night.  I feel that I could possibly be the next Michelle Kwan after these dreams... until I put on the skates.  I'm going as soon as I can find someone who will go with me.  Adam isn't such a huge fan of weekly trips and I have to babysit him on the rink and prevent injuries.

This will be me.  You can call me Michelle or Sasha... either one is sufficient.

  

and nothing makes me more frustrated while honing my skills than this...

Gets outta muh way people!  I'm practicing!

Au revoir!  

New Art

Our friend L, here in Geneva, is an amazing artist.  The first time we went over to her and her husband's apartment, I noticed all of the gorgeous paintings... all done by her!  This past weekend the women's club, that we're both a part of, hosted a 'Winter Market' where there were a ton of booths (art, jewelry, scarves, soaps, food, etc.).  L set up a booth with several pieces ...  

I'm excited to announce that we finally have an awesome painting of Geneva!  This one is now hanging in our entry way.  Love the colors and Jet d'Eau on the lake. 

"Lake Geneva from St. Peter's"

There were two others that we were crushing on, but decided to go with the Geneva one.  

"Amsterdam Canal" (from our trip last weekend!)... this one was huge and I still want it.

"Autumn in Amsterdam"

Our other friend L bought this one.

"Autumn in Geneva Old Town"

See some more of her paintings here.

L and I went painting by the lake recently and I realized why I haven't painted in a while.  "Kindergarten-ish" is the word that comes to mind when I look at my work.  Hahaha.  I haven't painted in a while, but she's inspired me to try again.  I forgot how fun it was.  

Au revoir!

Do we need a smaller car?

I'm led to believe that my mom is currently 'grandma nesting.'  My parents are in search of a bigger car right now because our family will grow by one soon... my sister is getting married! :)  I think that it's really because she thinks that there will be babies on the way soon.  Hmmmm... not from this branch.

While my parents are considering a bigger car, we are considering something a bit smaller.  Our bright blue VW Polo is just too big.  With it's giant back seat, ample leg room, and space to turn your head.  What were we thinking?!  We could be parking in motorcycle spots!

There are two black Smart cars on our 'block.'  Both park like this ALL the time.  I couldn't be more jealous.  Even though I still can't drive our stupid manual car, I want Adam to be able to park like this.

Just in case you forgot... remember that modeling shoot with our car?  Bahahahahaha!  I doubt this would be possible with a Smart car.

Au revoir!

Amsterdam

Wow.  I'm finally finished with this post.  It's kind of long.  Enjoy!

This past weekend we traveled to Amsterdam with our friends L&G... and fell in love with it.  Before we went, I was envisioning a city where we'd have to share the streets with drug dealers, prostitutes, and other weirdos.  Totally not what happened.  Although the Red Light District exists (with said weirdos), it was limited to a very small part of the city.  The other 99% was amazing.  The four of us decided we could definitely live there.  Here's the rundown of our trip:

Our first time flying Easy Jet.  Oh. my. goodness.  Talk about anxiety.  There is no order to their boarding process.  Whatsoever.  It's a first come, first serve seating philosophy.  Boarding announcement = swarm of people crowding at the gate, cutting, pushing, and breathing on each other.  Savages.  My sister would have commited a murder if she were there.  I prefer having some sort of order.  I miss Southwest.  I'd even go for the smaller groups like Continental does.  Heck, I'd love an assigned seat.  Guess that's what we get for 60chf round-trip tickets. 

An hour and a half later... touchdown in Amsterdam.  Hello weekend.

We stayed with a friend that used to live in Phoenix, but now lives in Amsterdam (kind of like our deal here in Switzerland).  Thanks R!

First thing on our mind?  FOOD.  Geneva has a somewhat limited food selection.  Well, I'll just say it:  Geneva's restaurant selection sucks if you live here.  It's fine if your visiting, but ex-pats experience restaurant-variety-depression and shock from outrageous prices.  We go out maybe once a week.  

Indonesian rice tables at Long Pura.  Surprisingly, this cuisine is 'very Dutch'... and very good.  We were also introduced to Heineken Brown.  It's really sweet and one was enough.  We ran through these rice tables like hyenas.  NOM NOM NOM.  You would think we hadn't been to an amazing (and reasonably priced) restaurant in a while... oh wait...

 Drinks at Van Zuylen... and a tiny car.

Buildings looked a little unstable.  Some looked like they would fall forward and others leaned sideways.  Notice Adam & G standing straight up.  Crazy.

Breakfast at Sara's pancake house (Dutch pancakes).  Again, hyenas.  It. was. delicious.

Left: Beautiful architecture! 

Right: cat hanging out at the pancake house.

 

Left:  Flower market.  Holland remains the head of the flower industry.  Wish we could see all of the fields in bloom.  I'm sure it's beautiful.  

Right: Westerkerk church

  

There are over twice as many bikes in Amsterdam as there are cars.  You can't live in Amsterdam and not own a bike.... unless, of couse, you are physically incapable of riding one.  Even then, you probably still have one to fit in.  Everyone rides bikes.  Everywhere.  Although there were multiple near-death experiences for us (obliviously stepping into the bike lane), we enjoyed watching, and participating in, the bike culture.  Amsterdam has separate streets for bikers, unlike Geneva where it's really dangerous to bike in certain areas.  So... we rented bikes and channeled our 'inner-10-year-old.'    

More interesting bike facts:

• Bike theft is the most common crime in Amsterdam.  R's bike was stolen recently, but he got a sweet new red one.  
• There is a ginormous bike garage (bigger than this picture shows)

• "Time Travelling" - a term the locals use when one wakes up the next morning and is unaware of a biking incident that happened the night/day before (alcohol does not necessarily need to be involved).  Bleeding, bruising, and other physical ailments may be present.  Also, the person is more than likely unaware of where the bike is parked.  "Bro, I have a nasty cut on my leg and my face hurts.  Did I time travel last night?  Have you seen my bike?"
• Everyone has a cute bell.  Ding-a-ling-a-ling!  We may have misused them.  Several times.
• No helmets were seen... also no wrecks were witnessed.  We probably needed helmets.
• Very few kids were seen riding bikes.  Where are all the kids!?
• Typical Dutch bike (taller and just... bigger than American bikes, some without hand brakes)

• It's nearly impossible to do a wheelie on a Dutch bike.  
• This is a common sight:

Left: Bucket and driver talking on cell.  They're great at multitasking.

Right: Business suits and someone sitting on the front or back (or both)

    

• I may or may not have had severe bike-seat/tail bone pain on Sunday.  I walked like a cowboy for the first few minutes after we woke up.  I don't bike enough around Geneva.  

Bike ride through Vondel Park... then for several more hours through the city.

 

   

Our friend R met us in the park and showed us around the rest of the city...

    

    

Left: A is for Adam & Ashley

Right: Rijksmuseum (lots of Rembrandts)

 

 

   

L is an extremely talented painter and painted a couple Amsterdam's this week.

  

Next stop on our bike tour:  The Red Light District

I could only take a picture of the red lights.  Apparently you'll get chased down if you take a picture of the girls.  I didn't care for that.  So, made a picture myself.  

This picture couldn't be any more realistic.  I'm beside myself at how it turned out.  Amazing artistic talent.  My mom would be proud.  I did it using my SmartBoard software.  It's shameful to think that I created this with the software I used with my kindergarteners.  

The ladies couldn't be outside... it's illegal.  So, they show their stuff inside of red lit rooms trying to lure you in by dancing, pointing, winking, etc.  I'd be lying if I said I felt comfortable when they winked at me... weird.  It's also uncomfortable seeing all of the creepy men who are not there to walk through like tourists... there were there as customers.  The girls weren't naked, but there wasn't much left to the imagination. All were wearing bikinis/lingerie.  In my amazing drawing, you'll notice a girl reading, one upside down, and another charging her iPhone.  Those events actually happened.  I'd say most of the girls we saw did not show any enthusiasm for being in their little room... I don't blame them.  It's sad.  Apparently, the prostitutes make up to 500 euros a day (part of it going to rent the room), belong to a union, and pay taxes.  

I can't imagine being in a situation where prostitution was my only option.  Makes me appreciate my non-creepy husband, comfortable house, 'normal' job, etc.  

The red lights.

When you think of Amsterdam, the Red Light District and marijuana probably come to mind first.  Little known fact, but marijuana IS illegal.  However, it's not enforced.  At all.  So weird.  This results in  'coffee shops.'  Similar to Starbucks in regards to potency of the product.  It's not hard to find 'coffee shops', which are these establishments that sell weed and allow you to smoke amongst other enthusiasts.  Some of these coffee shops are cleverly named.  The Grasshopper is probably the biggest/most famous one and then here's Smokey's on the right... not obvious at all right?  Less uncomfortable than the brothels, but most of these shops are still in the RLD.    

   

Next stop on the bike tour: the Windmill Bar.  This is the only windmill left in the city.  There are some others around the Netherlands, but not many.  It was huge!  R said that families would build one of these and then pass them down through the family with each new generation... house and business all in one.  

       

  

Biking proved to be a bit more difficult/fun after the Windmill bar.

Next stop: Jenever ('yen-ay-ver') bar.  Jenever is a whisky-tasting liquor made in the Netherlands.  A long time ago it was exported to England by a British king who love it... the residents fell in love too.  War soon prevented jenever from being imported, so they tried making it themselves.  The Dutch say the Brits failed miserably and instead of creating jenever, they created gin.  So, if you ever ask for Dutch gin in Holland... be prepared for a chewing out.  They don't appreciate it.  It's jenever.  Not gin. 

    

    

Our cute bartender above.  She told us the history and taught us how to drink it.  Tiny little glass filled to the brim.  You don't move it until you sip the top layer off... prevents it from spilling.  It's my understanding that if you spill it then you get kicked out of the city. 

Now for tasting.  Remember... I said it had a whisky-esque flavor.

Jenever types below (LtoR): Superior(oldest), aged-corn, aged, young

Jenever tastes (LtoR): hot lava, fire, McDonalds coffee, boiling water

Oh. my. gosh.  Sooo strong.  Lit my esophagus up.  I think it's a gentleman's drink.

  

Now.  For more biking.  Nighttime.  Dangerous. 

Cafe du Klos for ribs, baked potato, coleslaw, etc.  Heaven.  Delicious.

Done with the bikes for the day.  Now to R's apartment to get ready for Museumnacht (Museum Night) which is one night a year when all the museums are open, have dj's, bars, food, etc.  You purchase a wristband for about 18 euros and can go in any museum and ride the tram/bus for free!  Such a great time.

View from atop R's apartment.  He lives on one of the canals in a great location.

 

  

The Geneva Gang: G, L, Me, & Adam

I told Adam we needed a bike like this.  

First museum: Foam (photography).  Overrated.

  

 Onto the next.... ooooo look what I found.  Slight addiction.

Van Gogh Museum.  Amazing.  Bottom left: see the self portrait?

  

  

Here's some of the famous works we saw.  Although he was a troubled man, his art is so cool.  Love the colors and style.  See the musem and rest of his works (100's) 

     

  

   Adam and I also made it to the Rijksmuseum.  No pictures, but we saw several works from Rembrandt.  His look more like photographs.  Amazing.

Here are some from Google... The Night Watch (top right) was HUGE.  Floor to ceiling.

   

  

 Snagged a chocolate covered waffle on the way back to help us get some sleep.  Because that's logical.

Next morning.  Bagels and walking around the city.  Yum.  It's hard to find bagels in Geneva, but we have Pain au Chocolate (bread with chocolate in it)... not complaining too much.  

 

Onto the Anne Frank House... 

   

The Anne Frank House was a great museum despite the purpose.  It was well laid out and you actually got to go into the apartment where Anne, her family, and others were hiding from the Jewish-hating Nazis.  The pictures she pasted to her wall are even preserved.  It was a very somber, angering, and quiet tour.  I didn't take any pictures inside, but I found some online...

Left: bookcase hid the secret entrance.  Otto Frank's employees helped them hide during the 2 years.

Right:  Anne's room.  All of the windows were blacked out to prevent Nazis from finding them

   

Left: Anne

Right: model of the business and connecting house where they hid (two green floors & attic above)

  

The group was discovered and arrested in 1944 and sent to Auschwitz where her mother and sister both died.  Anne died from disease only a few weeks before the camp was freed.  Otto (her father) survived and eventually relocated to Switzerland.  Such a horrid and sick story.

After the museum, we grabbed some lunch.  Cauliflower soup, quiche, salad, and beer for the guys.

      

Onto the Heineken Museum!  It was kind of an overcast day, so being inside was perfect.

  

   

  

   

   

   

    

  

  

   

I have a new appreciation for Heineken.  Was never my favorite, but I like it a little more now.  

Night before we left: MEXICAN FOOD!!!!!  Oh my!  So exciting.  We miss Mexican so bad.  Tacos, Pacifico for Adam, and strawberry margaritas for moi.  Delicious.  

  

      

You might be asking "Ashley, where do these Dutch idioms come from?"  

"Going Dutch" (paying for yourself) - we were told that Dutch like to pay for their specific order.. no sharing/splitting

"Double Dutch" (jumprope) - I have no idea.

"Dutch Oven" (passing gas under a blanket) - my husband

 Three more random things.  I don't have the zeal of a professional writer to fit these in anywhere else.  

Outdoor urinals.  Smelly?  Or genius?  I say both.

 

XXX.  Doesn't just mean porn people!  Historically, Amsterdam went through three major disasters: flood, fire, plague.  Hence the 3 crosses/x's.

The XXX is everywhere... even on guard posts along the street and sewer drains.

  

I'm assuming that the XXX was translated to 'the industry' since prostitution in Amsterdam has been prevalent since the early 1400's.  

You learned something new huh?  You're welcome.  If you ever get the chance, go to Amsterdam.  You'll love it.

Bon weekend!