Martigny, Switzerland

The front of the Foundation Pierre Gianadda musuem

     This past weekend, Nuno and I were dropping off his brother (Toni) and his girlfriend (Luci) in a city about two hours East of Geneva, and on the way back we stopped in Martigny to check out at art exhibition. The exhibit was at the Foundation Pierre Gianadda museum. It featured such artists as Van Gogh, Picasso and Kandinsky. One of my favorite artists is Van Gogh, and sadly they only had three of his pieces. One of my favorite pieces in the show, however, is the oil painting below by Kupka. The museum also had a really pretty sculpture garden behind the museum, as well as a special exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's journal sketches and models of his inventions.

Frantisek Kupka, Forme de jaune (Notre Dame) 1911

Please do not touch signs are hard to obey

Look at the green trees on the mountains!

The sculpture is exactly what you think it is

Love the colors

The original is so much smaller

    

                                                              

Lisbon, Portugal

   

The Monument to the Discoveries

     Our last major stop in Portugal was Lisbom, or in Portuguese Lisboa. We stayed at a swanky hotel apartment that was brand new. The apartment was very artistically designed and it had three rooms! The first night we ate out at seafood restaurant and had crab, and had a nice conversation with the couple next to us from Tahiti.
     The next day we took another double-decker bus tour like we did in Porto. After the tour, we went to the Oceanario de Lisboa to check out some marine life. It was interesting to see a Bacalhau (it is the most commonly ate fish there). It is said that there is a recipe for every day of the year. After looking at fish, we of course were in the mood for sushi.
     After seeing the sights on the bus tour, we decided to explore one area of important monuments and buildings. We first visited the Torre de Belem. It was a small castle at the edge of the Rio Tejo and it used to be a look out tower and military fortress. We then walked over to the Monument to the Discoveries, which is considered one of the symbols of Lisbon. We took an elevator up to the top to enjoy the beautiful view of the city. Across the way, we headed to a very famous bakery called Pastéis de Belém to enjoy their version of a nata (an egg tart). We then ate lunch of shrimp and clams (dessert first of course). We then walked over to the Monastery of Jeronimos, and then even had time to take a quick tour of the Museu Colecção Berardo (the contemporary art museum). That night we went to a nice restaurant and listened to Fado (a Portuguese style of live opera). I learned the next day on our walking tour that Portuguese men are said to instead of crying sing Fado.
     On our last full day we took a walking tour of the city with a company called Lisbon Walker. I highly recommend. We learned all about the city and its history. We got to take a cable car and ride the Elevador de Sta. Justa that overlooked the city and was designed by a student of the designer of the Eiffle Tower.
     The next day we left Lisbon and headed to Castello da Estrela, Portugal to pick up a puppy for Nuno's friends José and Lily who took care of Ryder while we were gone. We did the trip in two days stopping in Pao, France before finally arriving back in Geneva.

Lisbon's Main Square

In front of the Torre de Belem

Panoramic view from the top of the Monument of Discoveries

Overlooking the old part of the city of Lisbon

The most beautiful gelato I have ever ate

Inside the Monastery of Jeronimos

Nazaré, Portugal

View from the restaurant in Nazaré

     After Porto, Nuno and I traveled further south to a city called Nazaré. Our hotel, Miramar Hotel, overlooked the city and the ocean. The hotel also had a pool that so we immediately went swimming. That night we decided to eat at the restaurant in the hotel. We were presented with a set menu of the typical local food: duo fish soup, sea bass involving with past style coquillettes, dry mackarel with sweet potatoes, conger rice in ¨cataplana,¨ and custard flavored with cherry liquer and pear sorbet with wine. Simply delicious.
    In our stay in Nazaré, we took day trips to local cities heading East. Our first city was Tomar, which was about one hour away. In Tomar, we visited the Convent of Christ. It was built in the 12 century for the Poor Knights of Jesus Christ (the Order of the Temple) was a defense castle focused on religious and millitary order.
     The next day we visited two cities: Batalha and Fatima. Fatima is a religious city with many churches in a large central place that was inspired be a story of three shepard children who saw multiple visions of the Virgin Mary. There they have many mass services for the Catholic population that visit. One thing that I thought was interesting is the local vendors sold wax versions of different body parts that you buy if you have an ailment, and you pray and throw it in a massive fire pit.
    After Fatima, we headed to Batalha and saw the monastery there that had very grandiose architecture. It was included the joint tomb of King John I and Queen Philippa of Lancaster. The Batalha Monestary stood as a symbol of Portuguese independance. And as if our day was not impacted enough, we drove to Monte Real meet up with Nuno's mom and boyfriend for dinner.
    The next day we drove to the cliff in Nazaré overlooking the beach, and then headed to Obidos on our way to Lisbonne.

In front of the Convent of Christ in Tomar

The Manueline Window is an icon of ¨imperial¨

First time eating a barnicle!

In the center of Fatima

Inside one of the churches in Fatima, a very different looking Jesus

In front of the Batalha Monastery

The Balcony of the Unfinished Chapels in the Batalha Monastery

The cliffs overlooking Nazaré

Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal

     For vacation, Nuno planned this big trip for us to go to Portugal for 16 days. We left on the 15th of July and came back on the 31st. It took us 16 hours (with stops) to go from Geneva to Vila Pouca de Aguiar where Nuno was born, and now his mom has an apartment there. On our first excursion there, we went to an old castle called Castelo de Aguiar. It was up on a hill so we could look down on the city. We could see the new bridge they built, as well as the church where Nuno's mom got married. We also ventured to where his grandma used to live and her things were still inside! Vila Pouca de Aguiar is a small city, but it has a lot of history to the beginnings of Nuno's life before he left to Geneva at age 4.
     While we were staying at his mom's apartment, we took day excursions to Chaves and to Mirandela. At Chaves, we were able to explore the castle there and visit the weapon museum inside. We also went to a spa where the water is a natural hot spring coming from the ground that is suppose to be 73 degrees celcius and has natural healing qualities. In Mirandela, it got up to 40 degees celcius (about 104 degrees fahrenheit), so we did not stay long. However, this is the cheapest meal we got in Portugal, for 10 euros we got: Port, Beer, Water, Salad for two, and a coffee. And of course we had to get a ice-cream after. And that covers our first three days in Portugal.

16 hours in the car! Longest for me thus far...

At the top of the castle Castelo de Aguiar in Vila Pouca

In front of the castle in Chaves

The city symbolic shield

Ice-cream in Mirandela

The church where Nuno's mom got married

Further Explorations

     For my second weekend in Geneva, Nuno and I stuck close to home. We set up a bank account at the post-office. That is the most popular way people pay for items through a debit card from the post-office. Later that afternoon, we took Ryder down to Lake Léman (also known as Lake Geneva) for a long walk to enjoy the nice weather.
     On Sunday, we visited Nuno's mom and boyfriend at her apartment (about a 20 minute walk away). We sipped Port, looked at old pictures of Portugal, and visited her garden. She gave us lettuce, parsley, and mint. I used a little of my Portuguese on Nuno's mom's boyfriend.
     This week I continued to explore Geneva on my own. I went to the Musée Rath where they had an exhibition of Rousseau inspiring landscape artists. I also visited a local public pool to swim for exercise. Today I plan on going to the Musée d'art et d'histoire, and start packing for Portugal. Nuno and I leave on Saturday and sadly, we are leaving Ryder with Lily and José for three weeks. It will be my first time visiting Portugal, and I am looking forward to exploring a new country.

Nuno and Ryder playing near Lake Léman

Nuno and I by Lake Léman with the Jet d'Eau in the background

Nuno's mom's boyfriend in the garden

Nuno and his mom in her garden

Eating a Portuguese Melon

I am official

Look I match the color of the sign!

Nuno cooked a Portuguese dish with fish and black eyed peas

As of today, July 6th, I have officially been in Geneva for one week. Since Nuno had to work this week, I have been giving myself small missions to complete. Most of them revolved around getting everything settled at the laguage school where I am going to be studying French at the end of August. The school is called ELFI (Ecole de Langue Française et d'Informatique) and it is a 15 minute walk from the apartment. I bought my books, and since I am going to be started at the end of level A1 instead of the beginning, I am studying on my own everyday.
      This week was also 4th of July. Usually, I am in New Jersey with my mom's side of the family. This is my first Fourth of July out of the country, but sticking with tradition, I did make a key lime pie to celebrate. And of course, Ryder was festivally dressed in an American flag bandana. 

      One of the high lights of my week was shopping with Nuno's sister Isabel, and Nuno's brother's girlfriend Luchi. We went to downtown Geneva and checked out the sales at various stores. Later that night, Nuno and I went to his friend José and Lily's house so that they could meet Ryder because they are going to take care of him with Nuno and I travel to Portugal. They live in Archant, France and have three kids, two girls, one boy, one dog, and one cat. José and Lily prepared Raclette, a traditional Suisse dish where you melt cheese on a small pan in a little oven in the middle of the table and then pour it over meat, potatoes, and tomoatoes and top with various spices (ex. pepper, paprika, onion powder). It is delicious!
     This next week is mostly going to be focused on the countdown until Portugal. . . .8 days! We leave on the 14 of July.

                                                   One of Ryder's favorite places to sleep.

                                                       Decked out for the Fourth of July!

                                                   Isabel, Lutchi and I shopping downtown.

                                                                  Lily and Evans

                                                                 José and Céila

Nuno and Lauren

                                                    Window display  of Franck Muller watches.

                                    This is one of the stores for the watch company Nuno works for.

                                         At downtown Geneva, with the Jet d'Eau in the background.

    

First Few Days in Geneva

     After many hours of travel, Ryder and I finally made it to Geneva on the 29th of June. We were happy to finally make it to our destination. Ryder, and I spent the weekend settling in and meeting Nuno's friends and family. My brain hurts after a while trying to keep up with rapid French. The weather was really warm when I first arrived, but this week it is raining. So far I am fascinated with the differences between Geneva and home. For example, while we were driving we approached a sign that tells you your speed and if you are going over the speed limit. The difference between the ones here and home is that if you are going over the speed limit, then a sad face appears, and if you are going under the speed limit then a happy face appears. Then there is of course the quality and amount of choices in the cheese and chocolate selection I came to expect here. Also, the snails here are far much more exquisite looking than the plain brown ones in the United States.
       Ryder is adapting to his new home, completely ignoring his bed and sleeping on any rug in the house, or under the table or desk. Today, Nuno is off to work again and I have a meeting at my language school. I plan on spending the week looking for job opportunities here. Until next time, as they say in French "À tout à l'heure," which translates to "see you later!" 

                                         Nuno and his family, from right to left: Nuno,
                                         his older sister Isabel, his mom Miquelina, and
                                         his younger brother Toni.

                                         Nuno and his sister picking out cheese.

                                         Ryder under the living room table.

                                         Ryder on the rug in front of the television.

  

Cool looking snails!

                                          Nuno and I at his former co-worker Mario's house.