Shoes on the Danube

I went to Budapest in March for a long weekend and we made a stop on the Danube riverside to gaze at one of the simplest, yet most poignant Holocaust memorials I've ever seen in Europe. Empty cast iron shoes. Just shoes. Lined up on the banks of the river. From a tourist point of view, there is not much to see here, and I think that is the point.

 

 

 

 

Visit Budapest

The Shoes on the Danube is a memorial to the Budapest Jews who were shot by Arrow Cross militiamen between 1944 and 1945. The victims were lined up and shot into the Danube River. They had to take their shoes off, since shoes were valuable belongings at the time.The memorial was created by Gyula Pauer, Hungarian sculptor, and his friend Can Togay in 2005. It contains 60 pairs of iron shoes, forming a row along the Danube. Each pair of shoes was modeled after an original 1940's pair. For more of an insight read 'One of Budapest's Most Moving Memorials: Shoes on The Danube'.

 

 

Oxford Canals

It's was a gorgeous spring morning for a run along the canal today. Lucky to live in a pretty part of town!

Name Game

As I've mentioned before, my name is a bit of an anomaly in the UK. And lately, I've given up on correcting. It usually takes a while for people to get it right, and some never actually catch on. I never thought my name was all that unusual, given I shared it with many girls in my classes growing up. So many, that we just went by our last names to avoid confusion. Kristin was a name of the 80s, no matter how you spelled it...

In the UK, Kirsten is more well known and I've taken to saying - "like Kristin Scott Thomas," who is the only English actress with my name to associate. I have an Irish client that I've known for over a year, and every time I see him and he's about to introduce me to someone he says, "is it Kirsten or Kristin?" Every. Single. Time.

Typical variations are: Kirsten, Christian, Christine, Kristine, Kirstin...

It's hard enough getting people I know well to say (and spell) it right. There's obviously no hope for Starbucks... Christine? Yup, always for me.

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?!?