I really need to brush up on German

Last weekend in Berlin, I tried to order 3 of these: 

Drei Weissbier

 

And I got this:

Drei Weißwein

 

We drank them anyway.

 

Nobody believes I'm a German girl. Sorry Dad.

Skiing Madness

I'm cooped up in a chalet in Chamonix, France all week with a broken toe so I figured I'd take the time to share about the French skiing experience. About the toe, well lets just say that when you wake up in the morning with stiff legs from skiing you better hang on to the rail. Missed a step, broke a toe and hit an ankle the day after purchasing a 6 day unlimited ski pass. I wish I had a better story for you.

The only day I skied was arguably the best weather of the week, however. At least I have some pictures to prove I was here!

One of the most obvious compare and contrast in the French vs. USA ski custom comes to light as you try to get up the mountain. You must go up and the French lift line process is atrocious. If you've skied in the U.S. you know how it goes.. Everyone lines up in groups or single lines in roped off sections, if you are a group of 3 you are joined by a single and you take turns lining up to form one line of 4 across and in an orderly fashion take your place for the next chair.

"Lift Line" 1

 In France it is a free for all. If you are with a group it is likely you will eventually lose them. You need to be prepared for people to stand over your skis. To have their skis between your legs. To elbow you. To push so close on either side that your skis are practically on top of one another and then it becomes balancing act of trying to move forward and stay upright in this awkward position. Like a mass of cattle trying to fit through one gate you all move forward - may the strongest win. Of course, with the madness that ensues here, often times the chair goes up with only 2 people on it because people aren't with their group or in the right position, only compounding the crowding problem.


"Lift Line" 2

To be fair, it was particularly crowded this day, and some parts of this mountain were closed which meant it was excessively chaotic. It goes to show how ineffective the process is in dealing with the masses of eager skiers.

I just want to show them it doesn't have to be like this! We can make it better! Everyone will get to the top without bruises! It just requires some rope and some poles to string it on! If only...

"Lift Line" 3

Strobe Light Bathtub

In Paris on a business trip at the moment and I have just discovered the bathtub in my hotel room changes colors like a strobe light. Just in case I'd like to sit in the tub and get a headache. Only.In.France.

The Shopping Trolley

Sometimes, I bring it upon myself to introduce my foreign compadres to a little taste of Americana pop culture. The cheesier the better.

Last night my English colleagues were introduced to:

The Shopping Cart:

"A dance technique adopted by most white, male teenagers that requires very little rhythm and coordination. The shopping cart is peformed by placing one arm out in front of you, as if guiding an imaginary "cart," while with the other you branch out and clench a fist to any random area above your waist, as if "taking groceries off the shelf.""

Of course, before demonstrating this difficult dance move, I had to dub it - "The Shopping Trolley" to aid in understanding.

If you've never seen it - perhaps these guys on YouTube can help:

Last year, this move along with The Sprinkler and The Lawn Mower was busted out in front of some French friends and now they're all convinced that if you go to a club in America you'll see everyone doing these dances in unison like a scene in a 1990s teen movie.

And I ask you - What's wrong with that?!?

Another Very International Thanksgiving

I celebrated Thanksgiving this year with:

• 4 English
• 5 French
• 1 Ukranian
• 1 Spaniard
• 1 Italian
• 1 Australian
• + me and Jane, the American girls

I took a half day off work to make turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, green beans, butternut squash casserole, carrots, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and apple pie.

My homemade apple pie

Authentic decorations from my Aunt Marlene

 

 

What She Learned

I mentioned in my previous post that a friend came to visit me last month. As it was her first time to England and to Europe in general, I had the chance to see it all for the first time from a fresh pair of eyes. After being here for a year and half those things that were different no longer phase me and sometimes I forget that something would be uncommon for an American.

We had many moments where I found myself saying... "Oh, yeah I forgot to tell you that.... "

In no particular order - the things she learned:

1. Plug outlets have switches, you have to turn them on
2. Eggs are left out on the counter, everywhere in the world except USA
3. Hold on to your tube ticket, you need it to get out on the other end
4. Europeans didn't like George W. Bush
5. Mayonnaise comes on everything
6.  When given directions - turn left and then another left - this is literally the first place possible to turn left, even if its an alley... and not the next "city block"
7. Nobody talks about distances in terms of blocks
8. Bright clothing is not popular in winter
9. You have to ask for sandwiches specifically without butter on the bread
10. Nobody wears fleeces as everyday winter outerwear
11. Look right - better yet, look both ways - cars come out of nowhere
12. You have to pay to use the bathroom in public places
13. Say you want tap water, not still, otherwise you pay for it
14. If you don't love Harry Potter, you're apparently not American
15. Short skirts or jean shorts with tights are all the rage. Doesn't matter what size you are.
16. Gas costs twice as much as in the U.S.
17. Nobody talks about their feelings
18. Tax is always included in the price tag

I'll be back

Dear loyal blog followers,

I'll be back. I haven't forgotten.

November was a crazy month of business and personal travel taking me to Stockholm, Brussels, Dublin, Paris and Madrid in about 4 weeks.

Its not as glamorous as it sounds though. Lots of airports, conference rooms, hotels, planes, trains, buses, passport control lines and early morning wake ups at ungodly hours.

During the month of craziness I did have some down time and my highschool friend Susie came to visit.  We did some London touring and headed to Dublin for the weekend. Guinness just tastes better in Ireland. Fact.

Guiness Factory, Dublin, November 2012