Paris and Roland Garros

We loved Roland Garros so much last year that we decided to go again this year! So, this past weekend we hopped in our trusty Daewood and headed to Paris. On the first day of the tournament, Monday, we roamed the grounds and were able to see some good matches and lots of great players practicing (including Roger Federer, Jelena Jankovic, Andy Murray, etc!). But it was Tuesday for which we really had to warm up those neck muscles! With tickets to Court Suzanne Lenglen (the second biggest stadium court), we were in store for an amazing day of tennis starting with Fernando Verdasco. The second match of the day had the entire stadium on the edge of their seats with the 39-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm finally upsetting former #1 Dinara Safina. The match of the day, however, was Rafeal Nadal. The score did not reflect the battle between one of the world's greatest and a young Frenchman appearing in his first Roland Garros. It was truly amazing to watch one of history's most talented tennis players in his element. The fourth and last match of the day featured Maria Sharapova. Wow, is she intense! In between all those great matches on Suzanne Lenglen we also caught a parts of a few other great matches on the outside courts. With so much tennis happening throughout the grounds, our senses were on overload the entire two days!

While we did go to Paris mainly for Roland Garros, we did have some free time to re-visit the city that is quickly becoming one of our favorites. We enjoyed some sushi in the lively Latin Quartier and joined millions of others to check out the agriculture fair on Avenue Champ Elysee. If you want have a craving for some delicious, authentic Napoli pizza while in Paris, we know where to send you! Jignesh is also now in love with the business district and the Grand Arche. Despite the fact that we drove home in the middle of the night and arrived back in Geneva after 4am, it was well worth it! What a weekend!

Au Revoir.

Roland Garros Pictures

Maria Sharapova playing her first round match

If you look closely, Roger Federer is sitting down after a practice session

Dinara Safina practicing



I love Roland Garros!

Rafeal Nadal playing his first round match

Jelena Jankovic practicing

US's newest tennis sensation, Melanie Oudin

Just Plugging Along...

I know it has been a while since I have posted but not much as been going on here. We have been winding down from my parents visit and just plugging on with daily life...life in Europe is not always fulls of thrills and adventures!

Today, Thursday May 13, is a random holiday in Switzerland so Jignesh has a much needed day off from work. We hope to use the time to plan our summer trips (States in late July/early August and a bunch of other smaller trips!) and just relax. On another front, I joined a nearby tennis club and love playing on red clay! We will be seeing the professionals play on the stuff next weekeend when we go to Roland Garros (i.e., the French Open) in Paris. Aside from tennis, I have been running and swimming quite a lot and hope to add some cycling to mix as the weather improves...maybe I will even find a triathlon to enter. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, you can still find Jignesh and me sitting in French class pretending to understand the teacher (ok, I think Jignesh is getting it but I am still waiting for that moment when it all clicks).

What about Schlopy? Our "son" is doing great. He loves that I am home more to take him for long walks and enjoys making friends at the nearby dog park. On the rare occassions that we eat out, he loves to come along. He also has found a love for shopping as he often accompanies me when I need to run errands (except for the grocery store, dogs are welcome just about anywhere!).

So, that is a short and random update from the land of chocolate and cheese. Stay tuned as the summer kicks in and we set off on some more adventures!

Au Revoir.

Gone as Fast as they Came!

My parents, that is! Although they were here for a little over two weeks, it seemed like they were only here for a few days. I am not sure if it is because we had such a great time or if it is because we stayed incredibly busy the whole fortnight. Regardless, it was hard to say goodbye (ok, maybe not so hard for them as the are now in Alicante, Spain sailing with good friends!). After our trip to Italy we stayed in Geneva for a few days and visited the picturesque town of Annecy, France and gave our legs a test hiking the very steep trail of the Saleve (a mountain just 15 minutes away with great views of the Swiss/France countryside). It did not, however, take us long to hit the road again. This time we headed to Interlaken. A small mountain town meaning between two lakes, Interlaken is true paradise for hikers, cyclists, skiiers, and adventures seekers. On our first day we discovered the village of Wilderswil (pictured above) and fell in love with the old, wooden chalets and a small hotel set against a babbling brook. On our second day we had planned to take a train up the mountain and hike down. However, our plans were altered with heavy snow. So, despite Mom's hurting legs from our hike up the Saleve, we hiked a trail in the valley and found ourselves ascending a tough trail once again. At least we had plenty of amazing views to use as excuses for rest breaks. After returning from Interlaken, we FINALLY had a rest day where we relaxed and did absolutely nothing (ok, we did stuff ourselves with chesse fondue)! However, with only days before my parents departure (despite the volcano), we spent each day researching and then exploring nearby towns in the French and Swiss coutryside (including Rolle and Nyon). Despite the volcano (no, we could not see ashes in the sky), my parents got lucky and their flight to Madrid left as scheduled (well, a few hours late but were not complaining). It was definitely hard to bid them farewell and the flat now feels quite empty. I guess we will just have to make plans for our next visitors. Any takers?

Au Revoir.

Mama and Papa Osz Visit Switzerland (and Italy)

My parents are currently in town for a little over two weeks. Since their arrival, we have been going non-stop. Just a day after landing we packed into our small car and headed for Italy. With a quick stop in Milan to pick up Jignesh (who was there for work), we continued to Tuscany. Our first day was spent in Florence where we stayed at a small hotel set back in a stunning neighborhood full of old Italian villas. Since Jignesh and I were there about this time a year ago, we were able to act as tourguides and show my parents the sights. One our second day, we decided to leave the big city behind and head to the coutryside. Siena and San Gimignano are two towns that should be on everyone's list when visiting the area. They are both quaint little villages full of scenic alleys and quiet, undiscovered little spots. Yes, there are musuems and churches to visit but we just strolled and strolled (usually with Gelato in hand). Oh, I do have to mention Jignesh's wild goose chase for a computer power cord. Finding a computer power cord in small italian village on a Saturday afternoon is not easy but 8 hours and $120.00 later, we were successful! Day two in the countryside found us in the walled city of Lucca. Despite the dreary weather, we were troopers and enjoyed a walk on the wall and lunch at a casual pizza joint. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped in Pisa where dad took about 1,000 pictures of the Leaning Tower and then needed some V8 juice after climbing to the top.

From Tuscany, our road trip took us to Cinque Terre. Set on the mediterrian, Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 tiny villages connected by a 7 mile cliff hike. The only word that I can use to describe the area is stunning. The scenery is undescribable and villages are full of character. While Jignesh bailed on the hike after village #3, my parents and I trekked all the way to the end and were rewarded with an almost empty trail and unspoiled views. What a perfect way to end our Italian getaway. Stay tooned for more details of my parents trip to Switzerland including a hike up the Saleve.

Au Revoir

Another Italian Roadtrip

The Duomo, Milan

The Tuscan Countryside


Lucca, Italy

Tuscan Countryside

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Via dell' Amore, Cinque Terre Italy

Vernazza, Cinque Terre Italy

A Victorious high five after the 7 mile Cinque Terre hike

April Fools Day!

Happy April Fools Day! While I am no jokester, I do love April Fools Day! I love this day because, for me, it is the first real sign of Spring. Over the past few weeks, Geneva has seen both sunny and rainy days. We can finally go outside without the bundling up in multiple layers complete with hat and gloves. In fact, I have been able to run by the lake in shorts! Although I will miss being able to hit the slopes, I am looking forward to breaking out my bike and exploring the Swiss countrysides, discovering nearby hikes, and having lunch at an outside Old Town cafe. The best part, however, about April first is that it maks 5 days until our first Geneva visitors arrive and test the newly purchased guest bed! Starting Tuesday, my parents will be here for a little over two weeks. While they are here, we are going to take a road trip to Italy (Florence and Cinque Terre) and spend a long weekend in the mountains. If time permits, we might even hit Marsielles, France for a night. We cannot wait to show them a bit of our Geneva lives.

Aside from preparing for my parents visit, we have both been simply plugging along and still adjusting to living abroad. I am slowly making friends and contacts and may even join a tennis team! Jignesh is busy, as always, at work. We are looking forward to summer when the days are longer and we can take advantage of the beautiful lake just minutes from our front door. We also hope to pack the summer with tons of travel! So, Happy April Fools Day and enjoy the Spring!

Au Revoir.

PS. The above pic is of some of the hundreds of swans that call Lac Leman home.