tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88153408164578844322024-03-05T20:03:15.842-07:00Going Solo with Michelle PontoTackling the bucket list one project at a time. Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-72961793416318166972017-11-16T18:08:00.002-07:002017-11-16T18:08:30.320-07:00Announcing: New Go Solo blog site!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1098" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfcmZ1gtjXDyxKz15ebxXqvLgzfryBsKlWTsWS70cndl_Rga6aFvbLW8odM1NXc9kksBWEfSqJZ_ukDyWspC7GwKaPxhCJ_u2Yp3Atp8ZRMGg-_OA2giL8614308x4S-OZcwGWKkC4exu/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-11-17+at+4.05.32+AM.png" title="" width="400" /></div>
Hi everyone!<div>
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Just want to let you know that I'm still writing, but I changed to Wordpress for a more updated look.</div>
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You can find me at: <a href="https://michellepontoblog.wordpress.com/">https://michellepontoblog.wordpress.com</a><br /><br /></div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-71396818045062972962017-02-19T07:50:00.002-07:002017-02-19T07:50:16.299-07:00Partaking in History at Saudi ComicCon<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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Did someone say ComicCon? They did…and I was there. This past weekend marked the first ever ComicCon event in Saudi Arabia and it was pretty amazing. <br /><br />It took place in Jeddah and the guests included Charles Dance and Julian Glover from “Game of Thrones”, Giancarlo Esposito from “Breaking Bad” and one of the world’s best creepy baddie, Mads Mikkelsen. I admit I was surprised at the caliper of the guests who came all the way to Saudi for the inaugural event.<div>
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<br /><br />Saudi ComicCon was fairly small as far as ComicCons go, which also meant that it was really crowded inside the venue. I think the organizers underestimated how much the people here are into entertainment, gaming and fantasy. Plus, according to one guy running a video game booth, it was one of the few events where men and women could attend together. He said there are other gaming shows in the country, but they are men only.</div>
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<br /><br />That being said, even with the crowds, everyone was very respectful. There were separate lines for men and women as well as separate areas in the speakers’ area. The Cosplay area was also kept separate. Women could dress up and compete in the Cosplay contest, but only in a special female-only area – so they could still have fun without being photographed. Of course, you would see a few of the guys wandering around the exhibit hall in their superhero suits.</div>
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<br /><br />The exhibits were also treated with respect. In the US, there would be no way that the Star Wars figures would be left unguarded for fear that someone would steal or damage them. No such case at Saudi ComicCon. People took photos with the life-size figures (including me), but that’s about it. <br /><br />Even though it was small, it had enough cool things going on to keep the curious people like me entertained for more than a few hours. With the success of this one, I’m sure the next Saudi ComicCon will be even bigger and more amazing.</div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-32636171896451729182017-01-29T05:36:00.001-07:002017-01-29T05:36:40.509-07:00The Strange World of Old Jeddah<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Walking in Old Jeddah (also known as Al-Balad) is like going
back in time, but strangely that time really isn’t all that long ago. While parts of it were built in the 7<sup>th</sup> Century as a route for the
pilgrims on their way to Mecca, other parts were built just a 100 years ago.</div>
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The harsh weather and sea air in the area has left many of
the buildings in ruin, but they are still charming in their own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them were constructed out of bricks
of coral showing how the people of the time used what was available in the area
– or in this case, the sea – for building supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The shutters also were constructed in such a
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homes to keep them cool during the hot summers in the area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Jeddah grew in size and in wealth, many of the residents
moved out of the old town and into the newer homes in the North. But still
Al-Balad is bustling with life in the late afternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
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The mosque is the oldest one in the city and still widely
used, and the bakeries, fabric shops and other stores are also visited by the
locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And many of them have been there for
generations and carrying on the traditions of the ancestors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-69306670591209840912017-01-13T22:21:00.001-07:002017-01-13T22:21:20.884-07:00PHOTO MOMENT: Prepping for a creativity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS5WmVH_HyiZ9oaM3Yf05JcW8kyJvTR4BC5zuppjd9WrOiPdJzIgcl1Vbegmdk_nGoY80LLBlBoJUiXPnwONjZjrJ73iLoO6dZPBgOh8xsPDcVZiL9ys4S-Ayqs7FaYvd1iDGz7OZBdbT/s1600/FullSizeRender-104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS5WmVH_HyiZ9oaM3Yf05JcW8kyJvTR4BC5zuppjd9WrOiPdJzIgcl1Vbegmdk_nGoY80LLBlBoJUiXPnwONjZjrJ73iLoO6dZPBgOh8xsPDcVZiL9ys4S-Ayqs7FaYvd1iDGz7OZBdbT/s640/FullSizeRender-104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Library at KAUST set up for a workshop in Calligraphy during WEP2017.Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-79504141462639542542017-01-13T22:10:00.000-07:002017-01-17T05:55:02.480-07:00Contemporary art in Saudi Arabia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People always seem to be surprised that art (and really good art) exists in Saudi Arabia. There may be certain restrictions due to Muslim religion, but art can still bloom within restrictions. And often what comes out are powerful and memorizing images that speak to you.<br />
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This was the case of the Maïmouna Guerresi's Solo Exhibition entitled, "The Journey Of The Sparrow Hawk & Other Stories." You can see more of her work on her website: <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artist/maimouna-guerresi">https://www.artsy.net/artist/maimouna-guerresi</a><br />
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Her work is currently being shown in the Hafez Gallery (<a href="http://www.hafezgallery.com/">http://www.hafezgallery.com</a>) in Jeddah and the work is haunting with images showing the emptiness hidden under the abaya of the women and the isolation. And yet in each piece you sense the quiet strength within the women.</div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-24217125306913660192017-01-12T06:06:00.000-07:002017-01-17T05:56:02.872-07:00Mesmerized by the art and words of Qin Tian<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qin Tian's exhibit at KAUST in January 2017</td></tr>
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Writing has always been a part of my life. I wrote my first novel when I was 6 about an Irish Setter named Cinnamon and his adventures living with a koala bear in New Zealand (it wasn’t very good). All my life, I have always jotted down lines of poetry, movie plot ideas or the first couple chapters of a book whenever inspiration hits.</div>
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But it was art that I focused on throughout university. My art went on hold when I became a journalist over 20 years ago, but my artist’s soul is still there.<br />
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This week I had the honor of having dinner with Qin Tian, one of China’s national artists. His work is incredible to see, but when you hear him talk about his passion and the vision behind the paintings, they completely come to life.<br />
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The talk he gave at KAUST during their WEP2017 lecture series was in his native dialect from his area China, but I asked his interpreter to send me the English version so I could share it with you.<br />
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These are his words:<br />
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<i>I'm Qin Tian from China. <br /><br />I have long been yearning for an opportunity to pay a visit to your esteemed university ever since I gained my understandings of it via internet. Today I am so much thrilled with joy to personally visit here, and I am overwhelmed by your hospitality and I am really honored.<br /><br />This visit to your university has been greatly supported and assisted by my friends in China and the leaders of the university. I hereby extend my sincerest appreciation to them. Also, I appreciate your attendance to my speech. Hopefully, may all of you have a general understanding of Chinese calligraphy and painting arts through my academic lecture and exhibition of my works, and may you be benefited in this wonderful visual feast. </i><br />
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<i>The following is what I am about to share with you:</i><br />
<h3>
<i> 一、书法作品</i><i> </i></h3>
<h3>
<i>1. Calligraphy works</i></h3>
<i><br /></i>
<i>My calligraphy works are mainly divided into two categories: Modelled calligraphy -- including the regular script structure and the structure of Jiucheng Palace of Ouyang Xun; the Hundred Rhyme Song in cursive writing by Wang Xizhi; and the Memorial before Battle in cursive writing by Yue Fei.<br /> <br /> Painting elements are added in my calligraphy works so that the writing and painting are perfectly blended. In addition, the artistic compositions and forms are diversified and go beyond limitations. These works are not only spiritual sustenance and implied with spiritual connotations but also revelations of the state of mind.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Jian Zhou</td></tr>
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<i>My calligraphy works are mostly “freehand”, as in Chinese characters are used as the models of creation for integral and harmonious beauty. My creations are not limited to the traditional calligraphy expressions. Instead, painting and other classes of arts are often borrowed to express my aesthetic tastes to the maximum extent.</i><br />
<h3>
<i> 二、中国画作品</i><i> </i></h3>
<h3>
<i>2. Chinese painting works</i></h3>
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<i>I have been looking for the appropriate status and development space of Chinese painting in contemporary cultural context throughout my artistic career, and never have I stopped my attempts of trying new patterns of expression so that Chinese painting can adapt itself to the development of times and be accepted and acknowledged by more and more youths.</i><br />
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<i>Autograph is not used as one of the fixed elements in my Chinese painting works, in which way not only the works are more pictorially tense, but they also happen to coincide with western paintings so that the paintings are illustrated in a purer way. I don’t have the habit of preparing drafts before painting. I am more inclined to improvisation as in the painting is created spontaneously along with my sensations.</i></div>
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<i><br />My Chinese painting works are mostly depictions of plum blossoms, lotuses and landscape.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0LNwRTy4uuskQ9iflLMN5yS7E1xvy2pA7gTS7jI1CnVFz7WeTWWHgRrPwGZvXU75TiRSFT0O6QmCcBig9vaaFOfbXAfeyQHI5kwBgVgBwg5CIK9zyPiYrCJfv5l9WGgx1axyiwZaMM51/s1600/IMG_5090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0LNwRTy4uuskQ9iflLMN5yS7E1xvy2pA7gTS7jI1CnVFz7WeTWWHgRrPwGZvXU75TiRSFT0O6QmCcBig9vaaFOfbXAfeyQHI5kwBgVgBwg5CIK9zyPiYrCJfv5l9WGgx1axyiwZaMM51/s640/IMG_5090.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><br /><br />Traditionally speaking, plum blossoms and lotuses are categorized as the bird-and-flower genre in Chinese painting. They are independently categorized in my works. Chinese literati are historically inherited with the habitude of making use of objects and landscapes to express their ideas and emotions. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio38CuHDDrHXPU7lXdDLZN-rfcnp9KiII_aHOIToAKXte8Eu8dEa3cI97rv0G-ppz3nJdbWmSjlBFi1ML3HZDO4aOx3ECrFh3-xDr_0t8JJYM_-GgqVpg2r7aRJKAFcKHTjE6S9CPE3tm-/s1600/IMG_5088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio38CuHDDrHXPU7lXdDLZN-rfcnp9KiII_aHOIToAKXte8Eu8dEa3cI97rv0G-ppz3nJdbWmSjlBFi1ML3HZDO4aOx3ECrFh3-xDr_0t8JJYM_-GgqVpg2r7aRJKAFcKHTjE6S9CPE3tm-/s640/IMG_5088.JPG" width="640" /></a><i><br /><br />Plum blossoms and lotuses are respectively featured with their own characteristics and endowed with unique spirits. When everything withers in the winter, plum blossoms bloom against the world, and they tend to be more vigorous when the weather becomes colder and fiercer.</i></div>
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<i><br /><br />A lotus remains its pureness despite its origin in sludge, and it never becomes coquettish after being cleaned in clear water. Lotuses have long been favored and respected by people from of old since they stay elegant while being low key. Lotuses are indeed the role model of high moral character among flowers. They not only make a place more beautiful but also purify human heart.</i></div>
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<i><br /><br />Lotuses have to be depicted with soft brushwork. I usually use goat hair brush which tends to be more moist so that lotuses can be painted with more textures but their character also stands vividly revealed on paper.</i><br />
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<h3>
<i> 三、我的写意山水画</i></h3>
<h3>
<i>3. My freehand landscape paintings</i></h3>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Imitation of the reality world or subjective expression are the fundamental factors that determine the level of artistic tastes. I personally prefer the latter, as in turning objective images into subjective ideas so that the imagery expressions and brushwork may present abstract formal significance and vast aesthetic perception in an implicit and indistinct manner. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rlYcEUeqvOubVpf6jgquRr0N_E1_x9m8YXnVphx8i6y72k304ZmmnKRN_-M1Mvtm6Sh6WFiMRoIKvNPIMl2DVpEXsvrj2Jg-VQnpQwM4w4GM1Z8KByof-VvpSfvtZG08QwmGv5Tsz3Bg/s1600/IMG_5085.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rlYcEUeqvOubVpf6jgquRr0N_E1_x9m8YXnVphx8i6y72k304ZmmnKRN_-M1Mvtm6Sh6WFiMRoIKvNPIMl2DVpEXsvrj2Jg-VQnpQwM4w4GM1Z8KByof-VvpSfvtZG08QwmGv5Tsz3Bg/s640/IMG_5085.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>The ranges and peaks, and floating clouds painted in these works are all filtered and screened subjectively by souls without exception in order to manifest my unique spiritual sustenance. Naturalness, magnificence, grandeur, “luxuriantly green” in close distance and “boundless” in further distance, all of which are the significant features of my landscape paintings.</i></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOWk-ebAl-h5CI-2Gk-ZPSzid93fiNGTFx9tqCYxarQaoDO0DR48rtZ2LN3hJcT-6vnJDrNxew6L-nH7ajd9Gfgk9TAJwdnkCsmKEDCMlSHx5pebFS5ca0gWPBzfZx8NfWTqxPMr0VUIf/s640/IMG_5063.JPG" /><br />
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<i><br /><br />I learned from the nature predecessors to form my own style of landscape painting in combination of my own aesthetic orientations. My use of brush is succinct in creation and I use ink boldly. The lines in the paintings are interlaced and finished smoothly, demonstrating the charm of landscapes to the fullest.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LqjTI4G20GrL-9H5GOQp5tSWi9PD6SJZZGpSm7tUiTl8RiLT8Kc4fkOkEMcgpZLq7Y-HCYIVNJy8DWzj7KRiWFtdiq8-p6K-mv6T-fmXzEP6CLYYDFrFekcLkMwPGy-PbPhyphenhyphen3Yv0NWt/s1600/IMG_5064.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LqjTI4G20GrL-9H5GOQp5tSWi9PD6SJZZGpSm7tUiTl8RiLT8Kc4fkOkEMcgpZLq7Y-HCYIVNJy8DWzj7KRiWFtdiq8-p6K-mv6T-fmXzEP6CLYYDFrFekcLkMwPGy-PbPhyphenhyphen3Yv0NWt/s640/IMG_5064.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>四、我的抽象水墨画作品实验</i></h3>
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<i><br />4. My experimental works of abstract ink & wash painting</i></h3>
<i><br />惚兮恍兮,其中有象;恍兮惚兮,其中有物。<br /><br />——老子<br /><br />There are images and objects in absent-mindedness. - Laos</i></div>
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<i><br />Laozi’s discussion of “objective images” serves as the inspiration of my abstract landscape paintings. Intentional or unintentional scribblings totally follow the lead of my feelings during the creation of this series of works, and I was completely immersed in an atmosphere where I lost the senses of objectivism and subjectivism. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMmYwrTHoqZ5StUZsdILhecpbJ4xEBmNqlxL__lp6bM8MQL1ah_c9ecZIMPiLsUWx3xrU6HX3wW58UnT37XEnwMa8r1JkRJyRbrhpJG7CTTZatqqIV-ibkQyd3GMizFseM4NQL0NMgTiF/s1600/IMG_5094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMmYwrTHoqZ5StUZsdILhecpbJ4xEBmNqlxL__lp6bM8MQL1ah_c9ecZIMPiLsUWx3xrU6HX3wW58UnT37XEnwMa8r1JkRJyRbrhpJG7CTTZatqqIV-ibkQyd3GMizFseM4NQL0NMgTiF/s640/IMG_5094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><br /><br />I was allowed to create freely in my inner world, and the traditional context of Chinese painting has been completely overthrown. Emotions, colors, inks, points, lines, sides and spaces are intertwined in these works, making up exciting visual patterns one after another, which are indeed “lingering”. </i><br />
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<i>Good works not only catch the eyes of the audience, but are also visually pleasing. These works are not given names, leaving unlimited space and aftertaste for the viewers. This series of works breach the restraints of traditional Chinese paintings, and reflect the concerns and tolerance for different regions, ethnicities and cultural contexts.</i><br />
<i><br />Due to the limited space of the exhibition hall, there are only 45 works being exhibited, including: Chinese calligraphy works – semi-cursive writing. Chinese painting works – freehand bird-and-flower paintings, freehand landscape paintings; freehand plum blossoms collection, freehand lotuses collection, freehand landscape collection. Abstract ink and wash collection. All these works were created in recent years and represent my creations in this period, demonstrating my areas and academic concepts in calligraphy, painting art, research, creation and practices.</i></div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-67226887482857616072016-12-20T05:46:00.000-07:002017-02-14T06:01:26.722-07:00Surfing in Muizenberg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrgvUDCRkodybLghsWVe5tA9uzVAxIw8GCBs44G1DajTzv_QPg4iXlNWWjkQtVLJ4OggNh3NGOUfLC-WOVaY2QQe9tZHSs56atFV7jPpAB5M05esWq0PEyHMkthnk4IKY5wrz_lE1oO_9/s1600/muizenberg8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrgvUDCRkodybLghsWVe5tA9uzVAxIw8GCBs44G1DajTzv_QPg4iXlNWWjkQtVLJ4OggNh3NGOUfLC-WOVaY2QQe9tZHSs56atFV7jPpAB5M05esWq0PEyHMkthnk4IKY5wrz_lE1oO_9/s640/muizenberg8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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“Danger” is my middle name. No, not really. I’m actually more of an analytical risk-taker and what I mean by that is I know my limits and take risks that push them just a bit – like when it comes to surfing in Muizenberg.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46kiWQduCYdaQ-TG4l-8-xaFhPfhAuNthsbi05KALMmQmTTL_6ZedQ_0nVKK1rWKDkvRUkSp-5wa22ZRj0jLSBeadkceCsESiL7PoVzRJw6lwjIUJDBpGlBEtsZ1OJqA-New0Hj2LrtPj/s1600/muizenberg7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46kiWQduCYdaQ-TG4l-8-xaFhPfhAuNthsbi05KALMmQmTTL_6ZedQ_0nVKK1rWKDkvRUkSp-5wa22ZRj0jLSBeadkceCsESiL7PoVzRJw6lwjIUJDBpGlBEtsZ1OJqA-New0Hj2LrtPj/s640/muizenberg7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Muizenberg is one of the top places to surf in the world. On most days the waves are long and never ending which is why so many people are there surfing. What makes it risky for me is that I’m not the best surfer, I don’t really swim and the water is infested with sharks. Although, truth be told, I didn’t really factor in the shark part in my “risk” equation as it seems all surfing areas are infested with sharks. <br />
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Sure shark attacks happen, but Muizenberg beach has a shark warning system. This sounds all high tech, but really it’s a couple of spotters located at high lookout points who are supposed to sound an alarm if they happen to see a shark in the area. The problem is that on a lot of the days, the spotting conditions are poor so you are pretty much just hoping the sharks aren’t hungry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgremoiRRlwwhJ-3HJS0DXUlJAF8t0RFi8hdfa3vngaoDRmWjweeRWouNSwzF2VYLIGs0hgpcJOhDs_ZSUV3duhA7WkNou3517edRNRQU-e68oMo63_KC5u-zlw5yoRCkxcY2Fb8lSsBD-I/s1600/muizenberg4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgremoiRRlwwhJ-3HJS0DXUlJAF8t0RFi8hdfa3vngaoDRmWjweeRWouNSwzF2VYLIGs0hgpcJOhDs_ZSUV3duhA7WkNou3517edRNRQU-e68oMo63_KC5u-zlw5yoRCkxcY2Fb8lSsBD-I/s640/muizenberg4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, let’s forget about the sharks, and talk about the surfing – which was amazing. The great thing with Muizenberg is it’s all about the surf, but they know that tourists aren’t going to have all the stuff to pull it off. So you can rent boards and wet suits by the hour there for really cheap. And you will need a wet suit as the water was pretty chilly when I went in December. <br />
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You can also take surf lessons from the <a href="https://surfemporium.co.za/private-surf-lesson/" target="_blank">Roxy Learn to Surf </a>place in the Surf Emporium. I booked a 90 minute lesson for around $20 US and that included my board and everything. <br />
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I’ve taken lessons before, but because it’s always a few
years in between my surfing extravaganzas, I figure more lessons can’t
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each instructor has taught me
something new and the best part is that they push you into the wave so you don’t
get too exhausted with the paddling and just have to focus on standing -- which is hard enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN9gg6CEl4n2AjANjZFb0jCgjsGBKTC0JUIrTupq1Lc_XRqKqBpX2PX61eIrN75j_KR3UHSbeY77cVOFDK3mOiOnshfexkvexPW2Yn6c5ancNGUvv9HJ7kFdE6n5V7Y9wxTwQM13LjkKV/s1600/muizenberg5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN9gg6CEl4n2AjANjZFb0jCgjsGBKTC0JUIrTupq1Lc_XRqKqBpX2PX61eIrN75j_KR3UHSbeY77cVOFDK3mOiOnshfexkvexPW2Yn6c5ancNGUvv9HJ7kFdE6n5V7Y9wxTwQM13LjkKV/s640/muizenberg5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My surf instructor, Richard.</td></tr>
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I admit this has been my best surfing experience so far – even though I did drink lots of sea water and fell off the board 90% of the time. I was so hooked that I was planning to go back a second time – until I woke up the next morning and felt the soreness in my muscles. But I do see another Muizenberg trip in my future.Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-29320286367850959582016-11-06T06:02:00.000-07:002017-03-01T06:20:24.366-07:00Aloha Hawaii!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOMF5jg1BoJ8zt-zSQMn0XmWXsh170193INsY2rrPVQ0GOHMkaMGmgGjij7e6ODM33a29l6OC4KcE4jpe2VTIfcYpF5oH3tiUL1i4wh-3qF8e9ppLgx66u974VReg384U2qtUp4jvvy3B/s1600/hawaii2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOMF5jg1BoJ8zt-zSQMn0XmWXsh170193INsY2rrPVQ0GOHMkaMGmgGjij7e6ODM33a29l6OC4KcE4jpe2VTIfcYpF5oH3tiUL1i4wh-3qF8e9ppLgx66u974VReg384U2qtUp4jvvy3B/s640/hawaii2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Living in Switzerland in pretty sweet. It’s got mountains, lakes and hiking paths that lead to breathtaking views. But it doesn’t have pineapples…or coconuts…or palm trees. I like palm trees. I miss palm trees. I also miss drinking cheap Pina Coladas while looking at palm trees.<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUvIUYfpqVb7JEQrFdwXLnN8KH28Vov7GekE0sF2FP_yE8xajdRbNE6Ivpg3p_ZJfq_2hwR7pNuztuCS-iUJN5gnsvZhzsJHSqnZtH39RLt3fX7f6oY9INMDXVl8YWdL6uNfmDu5gewxZ/s1600/hawaii3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUvIUYfpqVb7JEQrFdwXLnN8KH28Vov7GekE0sF2FP_yE8xajdRbNE6Ivpg3p_ZJfq_2hwR7pNuztuCS-iUJN5gnsvZhzsJHSqnZtH39RLt3fX7f6oY9INMDXVl8YWdL6uNfmDu5gewxZ/s640/hawaii3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After nearly two years in the Alps, it was time for a real hardcore island vacation, and what better place to do this than The Big Island, Hawaii.</div>
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<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_SdOsRvltZLIgu92-P05NX00UQN8HxK6gJFjuRtIT7LfyJalV3fXK1fLVhDKUE_BQyQeST5NSlOb0l66m1GQxsEgZ1JrE0gID1ZZ6xeGuFfwbS57R9VR5zUWMrZRGIyJObWTZzw9KNdA/s1600/hawaii4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_SdOsRvltZLIgu92-P05NX00UQN8HxK6gJFjuRtIT7LfyJalV3fXK1fLVhDKUE_BQyQeST5NSlOb0l66m1GQxsEgZ1JrE0gID1ZZ6xeGuFfwbS57R9VR5zUWMrZRGIyJObWTZzw9KNdA/s640/hawaii4.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /></div>
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I’ve been to Maui and I’ve been to Honolulu before, but I’ve never been to the Kona. I’ve also never had to fly there from Europe, which is really, really far away from Hawaii. </div>
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This was something I didn’t consider when planning the trip, but think about how far away the island is from the US and then add in another 24 hours of flying and train travel – and you pretty much get how sore my butt was after sitting that long. <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkPQGwVJkm1qDHfSeK2kAirt3Lct7yzGKOzQGmZ_oeZRRPKVbADxuQd44YaANUbFEQXAzAy1vNeAU-xoUX1pAuviDekp2ZxwIYtXUw2U_Rydm1ttgHv9n0kO9MTa7smkVR4pqxj2_tEED/s1600/hawaii6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkPQGwVJkm1qDHfSeK2kAirt3Lct7yzGKOzQGmZ_oeZRRPKVbADxuQd44YaANUbFEQXAzAy1vNeAU-xoUX1pAuviDekp2ZxwIYtXUw2U_Rydm1ttgHv9n0kO9MTa7smkVR4pqxj2_tEED/s640/hawaii6.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />But once I landed and saw my friendly neighborhood palm trees, it was worth it. It really is a heavenly place.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ3sn3pP9u99v6pCS0W0TK7PzwuGCPLCbgf2bNxUbjKMhyphenhyphen5jy6PRBgXhpn4iBub68EE-3MFOAGCVmooHpCrsoXpxUAO7MU6p32LE7bW2SbMJH0DnbrgG6VDZLIHoOCHZMbCiYb62hlBro/s1600/hawaii7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ3sn3pP9u99v6pCS0W0TK7PzwuGCPLCbgf2bNxUbjKMhyphenhyphen5jy6PRBgXhpn4iBub68EE-3MFOAGCVmooHpCrsoXpxUAO7MU6p32LE7bW2SbMJH0DnbrgG6VDZLIHoOCHZMbCiYb62hlBro/s640/hawaii7.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The previous times I had been to Hawaii, I’ve stayed in hotels. This time I decided to stay with my trend of staying like a local in an AirBnB, and it was a blast. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hI3XYicjrhyaIOsd1-7rGgQl6u75F0xDFGCB4yL1DqhHISzPA5XM6xcnhL3Wbq0GwtlF5vCAJXtN13heA_H2H3mdZXZqWFdslyzLoP5of-KlvHXZGqlrLWspjVx39lB2wX9vKUMLZ3hS/s1600/hawaii8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hI3XYicjrhyaIOsd1-7rGgQl6u75F0xDFGCB4yL1DqhHISzPA5XM6xcnhL3Wbq0GwtlF5vCAJXtN13heA_H2H3mdZXZqWFdslyzLoP5of-KlvHXZGqlrLWspjVx39lB2wX9vKUMLZ3hS/s640/hawaii8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My private veranda at the AirBnB</td></tr>
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<br />My first few nights I stayed in this Sylvia and Karen's Balai Kona Tropical Paradise (<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/1699469" target="_blank">see listing here</a>) that had an outdoor shower. If you haven’t tried this, you need to consider it on your next trip to the tropics. First of all, it’s refreshing. And secondly, it totally makes sense as you don’t have all that extra humidity in your house (it’s already pretty humid there to begin with). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtXNaXlDm19GPM8-ISTeIvqCTHbkU-TGHbTsf1c2V61Tn6hdwaRhzVG8b-MfpuDlgf6C9Kjj5jHkF_ZevH2Rl5oCVfgeGcAsJuBEqoXUa5SM6eD_9dXxa96RUE1loJNuL6V47DSI1frs5/s1600/hawaii10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtXNaXlDm19GPM8-ISTeIvqCTHbkU-TGHbTsf1c2V61Tn6hdwaRhzVG8b-MfpuDlgf6C9Kjj5jHkF_ZevH2Rl5oCVfgeGcAsJuBEqoXUa5SM6eD_9dXxa96RUE1loJNuL6V47DSI1frs5/s640/hawaii10.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door to my outside shower</td></tr>
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My room had its own bathroom (inside) which is still a necessity for me when traveling. For some reason, I’m okay with sharing a living area, but like my own private toilet. And the hosts of the house were very helpful in mapping out my day for me. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qGfmuuLpktEs4zsY4VuEMR8q-sxHuxDOEXT5b_s0Mb-3qAy0rDz4ZD3eyVqwijrFRWUBo9tUExBRQR2my3gsyMhyTCEw1ME_bxGcWSK7VqE8_Rr2az-AkbGGSTgcV8cdes_2TACqUY59/s1600/hawaii11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qGfmuuLpktEs4zsY4VuEMR8q-sxHuxDOEXT5b_s0Mb-3qAy0rDz4ZD3eyVqwijrFRWUBo9tUExBRQR2my3gsyMhyTCEw1ME_bxGcWSK7VqE8_Rr2az-AkbGGSTgcV8cdes_2TACqUY59/s640/hawaii11.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the shower. They had little fairy lights for night showering. Much cuter in real life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I think I saw more of the island than I would have due to their suggestions – and also got the insider’s guide to the best happy hours, best place to run, best place to swim with dolphins in the wild (for free) and best place to sit and watch the sunset.</div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-4196722826529798472016-10-17T06:11:00.000-07:002017-01-18T06:16:38.406-07:00Strolling through Vevey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />With so many cool places to visit, you often forget about the amazing things in your own backyard. I too am guilty to this. Since moving to Switzerland, I’ve done trips to France, Italy, Prague and other places, but I haven’t really explored here. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFGR87SKlh0Ov6uOrV3l7TO5-tqhe8QSgoqGc7qEUYOx031BB5VOFvLld4fioPUXDBr9Q60sPU9PUgJHLZd3eTJrFaNoQMmNqm0UkyxggLX_1j0rTZCmHx2OPNdiEYiYI1UULEXVnz9_B/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B4%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFGR87SKlh0Ov6uOrV3l7TO5-tqhe8QSgoqGc7qEUYOx031BB5VOFvLld4fioPUXDBr9Q60sPU9PUgJHLZd3eTJrFaNoQMmNqm0UkyxggLX_1j0rTZCmHx2OPNdiEYiYI1UULEXVnz9_B/s640/FullSizeRender%255B4%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />With the My Switzerland App, I learned that you walk from the town of Vevey to Montreux – all along with the lake. I had been to Montreux for the Christmas Market, but Vevey was uncharted territory. And because they say it’s one of the “pearls of the Swiss Riviera”, I had to check it out.<br /><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c4joSt-ZRLGVpj9hGcDN9PiDO9KFt5hSf2clKkI4FNOAwEFlpmnCi136SnWR95KgCIAAHxSXQq2pqHLBs35zDEfaQSta0a01AqsV8XkRnjYDSj7UkLvTtsX19MOBud9omMFIbIQlFu8w/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c4joSt-ZRLGVpj9hGcDN9PiDO9KFt5hSf2clKkI4FNOAwEFlpmnCi136SnWR95KgCIAAHxSXQq2pqHLBs35zDEfaQSta0a01AqsV8XkRnjYDSj7UkLvTtsX19MOBud9omMFIbIQlFu8w/s640/FullSizeRender%255B3%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />It turns out Vevey is an unexpectedly interesting place. They weren’t exaggerating when they said it had a beautiful waterfront promenade. Lined with flowers and palm trees, you forget for a moment that you are in the Alps. <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA7MSR91_HruNHrCgZ3uaUBRZ8Wlqsh1xC7P3-02GOeiphfpMNstrrRmmwskHD3ilxZVgd9sB-G0ZOFu5hBfk5DwhXhTgP1pRIsvExTT_-N1K9FpoDv8_2GAxyAV3b6lgzF2p8EhXWAfo/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B6%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA7MSR91_HruNHrCgZ3uaUBRZ8Wlqsh1xC7P3-02GOeiphfpMNstrrRmmwskHD3ilxZVgd9sB-G0ZOFu5hBfk5DwhXhTgP1pRIsvExTT_-N1K9FpoDv8_2GAxyAV3b6lgzF2p8EhXWAfo/s640/FullSizeRender%255B6%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />Then there is the giant fork. If you’ve been there, then you know what I mean. The fork is…well it’s funny…and unexpected…and for some reason the humor of having it there, along with the chairs set up on in the rocks so you can relax while looking at it, feels very Swiss. <br /><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJqpBD6YvQaAyoZREVijLe9ck5lo-X7jO1Au5wPTIe_hb7fgXtz8olgRAoY_yocJo5ZtcsNm2KiZOuoGIH0X1-boEztbrpoihneUnKa-1zfpCepuYQhpJPGXyRbKosNwZJT_1S29w8F_B/s1600/FullSizeRender%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJqpBD6YvQaAyoZREVijLe9ck5lo-X7jO1Au5wPTIe_hb7fgXtz8olgRAoY_yocJo5ZtcsNm2KiZOuoGIH0X1-boEztbrpoihneUnKa-1zfpCepuYQhpJPGXyRbKosNwZJT_1S29w8F_B/s640/FullSizeRender%255B5%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /> <br /><br />The fork, like many other regular forks, is made of stainless steel. But unlike regular forks, it is 8 meters high and stuck in Lake Geneva. It is in fact, the world’s tallest fork. It was created for the Alimentarium, the world’s first food museum.Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-24901151623285778742016-09-15T03:40:00.000-07:002017-01-02T23:15:21.238-07:00Visiting the other Bellagio<div>
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This weekend it was time to visit the other Bellagio. You know…the one that’s not in Las Vegas; but
the one that’s in Italy on Lake Como.<br />
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Instead of taking the train, I decided that I would drive
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The pros include being able to drive around the lake
and staying in a little AirBnB outside of the tourist area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cons include having to drive on narrow
roads that are very winding and not being able to find parking in the
city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Actually, that is not true. You
could find parking if you park like an Italian. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they do it is they pull into an impossibly
tight spot and then back up and gently push the car behind them to make room. The Canadian in me could not pull this off. Purposely backing into someone's car and pushing it, just did not work with me. So instead, I had to park far away and walk into the heart of the village.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sleeping in an old convent</h3>
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Rather than staying in a hotel, I decided I wanted to live
like a local so I rented a place via AirBnB called <span style="background-color: white; color: #484848; font-family: "circular" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">L’appartamento Gloria (see listing here https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2745463) </span>. It was located just up the hill from Bellagio (all of Bellagio is
up a hill) and used to be a convent in the old days.<br />
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It was super cute and the little village it
was in was ancient and all made out of stone. There were few roads big enough for cars. Instead, the village was made up of narrow
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I admit there wasn’t much for eating out in the area – but that’s
what you get when you want to live like a local, but there was a little bakery,
grocery store, a pizza place and a fancy restaurant about five minutes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> These worked for me as I was only there for three days. </span><br />
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are looking for 5-star fare, then you would need to drive down the hill to Bellagio,
where you would have lots of places to choose from.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bellagio is as cute as the photos</h3>
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The Bellagio in Vegas is famous for its dancing fountains
and posh interiors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t find any
dancing fountains in the Italian version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But you won’t be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The village isn’t big, but it’s jam-packed with cuteness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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There are pastel-coloured buildings that line the lake,
steep narrow staircases that take you up the hill into the shopping and
restaurants, tiny cafes where you can relax while people watching and little
bakeries, butcher shops and wine shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
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It’s a maze of wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And because of its close-knit quarters, evening strolls would be
romantic – which could be why so many people honeymoon there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pace is slower than Rome and Milan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when the moon is out and you’re sipping
coffee under the stars at a sidewalk café, it’s easy to forget the rest of the
world exists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-58815443462633641192016-08-15T05:49:00.000-07:002016-12-15T01:11:09.249-07:00The Matterhorn really is impressive<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprLs0fcpvV76_OFlYihyphenhyphenJpTC4CBdbuyzlSKJCcaHaellC1qhGQ3Ub2eiVQMbcaMTPBv6CLatw-Ak-fA0BPfJE8Faux7_yvCCHpzGwwCHSr0G9dHowQJMA_t0JYE9Q4WSfCeKZqE4MPAJQ/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprLs0fcpvV76_OFlYihyphenhyphenJpTC4CBdbuyzlSKJCcaHaellC1qhGQ3Ub2eiVQMbcaMTPBv6CLatw-Ak-fA0BPfJE8Faux7_yvCCHpzGwwCHSr0G9dHowQJMA_t0JYE9Q4WSfCeKZqE4MPAJQ/s640/IMG_2902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626;">One of the great things of living in Switzerland is that you
don’t have to go far to see the Alps.</span><span style="color: #262626;"> </span><span style="color: #262626;">I
can actually see them from my balcony at home. However, you do have to get on a
train or rent a car is you want to see the really cool mountains close up.</span><span style="color: #262626;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626;">This weekend’s conquest was the Matterhorn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS2LopmycdXipTeukZr2vmeo58fVITE6AY0V_h0KMQRp7LGoZmXhK_kHBNHoqhOHCzuUdD0-RXSx-mv42hSCko5Q6ESmINjTv2bglL5HCYUr5ewMZvcbiAmSN6XMLc7EXBjjQGpzIOAtL/s1600/FullSizeRender-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaS2LopmycdXipTeukZr2vmeo58fVITE6AY0V_h0KMQRp7LGoZmXhK_kHBNHoqhOHCzuUdD0-RXSx-mv42hSCko5Q6ESmINjTv2bglL5HCYUr5ewMZvcbiAmSN6XMLc7EXBjjQGpzIOAtL/s640/FullSizeRender-93.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">With an elevation of 4,478 meters and a prominence of 1,040
meters, the Matterhorn is one of those mountains that are unmistakable – and
they always are covered in snow even in the middle of the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">To get there, you head to Zermatt, and then
the fun begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">During ski season, naturally, skiing is the thing to do, but in
the summer, Zermatt is still pretty busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are numerous hiking trails to pick from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In fact, t</span>here are over 400 km of marked trails around
the area. </span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I admit some of the trails are a little intense though, as you could be
walking straight up a mountain (great glute workout) and down again (not fun
for the knees).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others are more flat and will lead you through the valley, which is amazing in the summer as it’s full of
wild flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">What will amaze you though is that even if you are dying while walking up a steep path, some old couple in their 80s will pass you with their little walking sticks and knapsack full of cheese, bread and wine for their picnic at the top. Swiss genes are truly amazing.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKkgmXWCuBZVlaWZ424geP2KFYO6orvLicUIH-CCyrqsqETlZYnfJL8by5df9aaJ8iUS0u-XcB53WsT72oM2x2RLS0IZWX-DFDLx09GjNoVp2BB-kHyOjP-40N3v2YNmNmzalK3dmiQAw/s1600/FullSizeRender-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKkgmXWCuBZVlaWZ424geP2KFYO6orvLicUIH-CCyrqsqETlZYnfJL8by5df9aaJ8iUS0u-XcB53WsT72oM2x2RLS0IZWX-DFDLx09GjNoVp2BB-kHyOjP-40N3v2YNmNmzalK3dmiQAw/s640/FullSizeRender-95.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">If you are more adventurous, another way to see the area is to hike hut-to-hut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t done this yet, but maybe one
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">All over Switzerland, you’ll see
these little huts/houses in the middle of no where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have running water; some don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, you hike all day, spend the night
in one of these huts, and then continue hiking in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s a pretty civilized way to camp –
and you don’t have to lug a tent with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6v5jhMa7zaTKg0_lUo4SNRk02IOCpXh4uGRwYWXjJGrwDp3hx0T1SjF5dyGgM480kEEh4FVF7qhsQN8OTcYSXqIVdfp4rXmzcs64LPr6bWQp_-MONFTl3TkfLr0mKOkKH4DEeXQeJvGV/s1600/FullSizeRender-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6v5jhMa7zaTKg0_lUo4SNRk02IOCpXh4uGRwYWXjJGrwDp3hx0T1SjF5dyGgM480kEEh4FVF7qhsQN8OTcYSXqIVdfp4rXmzcs64LPr6bWQp_-MONFTl3TkfLr0mKOkKH4DEeXQeJvGV/s640/FullSizeRender-94.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">The good news is that it doesn’t matter which trail you pick, you won’t be able to
miss the Matterhorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its majestic peak
is high above the others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-31734444022862875212016-07-16T05:05:00.000-07:002016-11-13T08:11:02.631-07:00De-stressing amongst the Lavender Fields in Provence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite books is “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle. I read it in my early 20s and at the time, decided I would move to Provence at the age 35 and open up a little bistro from my home that overlooked my imaginary vineyard. As a back up plan, I would paint ceiling murals in homes (apparently, that trend only caught on in my dreams).<br />
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My 35th birthday has long come and gone, and I’m still working full time. My dream of a bistro has now evolved to opening a wine bar in my 50s (destination still unknown). In the meantime, I am continuing and quite enjoying my worldwide research on where their amazing wine bar will be.<br />
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But I still love Provence -- especially when the lavender is in bloom.<br />
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My favorite part is rolling down the windows of the car and letting the smell waif in as you drive past the fields. It puts me immediately at ease and I forget all the pressures I have. For those few minutes, I am completely in the moment and at the disposal of those purple blooms.<br />
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Did someone say road trip?</h2>
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One of perks of living in Switzerland is that Provence is no longer a once in a lifetime trip. It’s a 5 hour road trip, and sometimes driving 5 hours through the French countryside along really small and winding roads to meet two friends for a girls’ weekend is just what this adventurer’s soul needs.<br />
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The destination of this weekend:<a href="http://www.la-lauren.com/english.php" target="_blank"> La Lauren Bed and Breakfast</a>, which is located in the heart of France’s lavender area.<br />
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La Lauren is not your average bed and breakfast. It’s a 17th century farm house located right beside a field of lavender. The closest village is Ferrassières and the house is waaaay up a hill so your take in the whole Plateau de Sault. Basically, you get a spectacular view of the country and lavender fields in the distance.<br />
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Frankly, it’s magical.<br />
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I met my girlfriend and her sister there, and was blown away.<br />
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Immediately, I decided I needed to come back and do weekend of intensive writing or hold a yoga/creative retreat at this house. But a part of me wanted to be selfish and not tell you about it so that I could have it all to myself. Really. This place was better than having champagne and chocolate cake for breakfast. It was decadent. <br />
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There’s not much to do in the area, but sometimes that’s the point of a girls’ weekend. We drank French wine, took photos with the lavender (warning….the fields are full of bees and they don’t like you hanging out there), ate amazing food and talked until sunrise. <br />
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Because that’s what girls do.Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-26266197218199488012016-06-26T03:06:00.000-07:002016-11-13T07:57:53.263-07:00Hiking the Fiery Furnace in Moab<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiery Furnace in Utah</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #262626;">A natural labyrinth of narrow passages</span><span style="color: #262626;"> </span><span style="color: #262626;">-- that’s how Arches National Park in Utah
describes the Fiery Furnace. Other websites describe the 3-hour hike as an
extremely rugged scrambling area.</span><span style="color: #262626;"> </span><span style="color: #262626;">And
then there are the photos of the red sandstone walls and pillars that make up
the trail. For a desert lover like me, it’s irresistible.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8815340816457884432" name="OLE_LINK2"></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Then there is the whole limited access thing, which only makes
it more tempting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, they
only let 50 people into the area each day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And getting a permit is difficult as they do
sell out – so you can’t just wake up and say “hey, let’s hike the furnace
today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Secondly, there is a whole untouched aspect to the Fiery Furnace
– mostly because there are no marked trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is nothing like checking the “trail condition” and see the words
“nonexistent.” In other words, getting lost is extremely possible - and happens often.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Discovering the Fiery Furnace</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I planned to hike the furnace in June - naturally during a heat wave because that's how I roll and a little scorching heat has never stopped me from doing something. And I
had a 4 pm flight that day. Both these things meant that getting lost in the
Fiery Furnace was not a good option for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Plus, I read on forums that cell phone reception was a little sketchy in
the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Thankfully for people like me whose internal compass is not
always reliable, there are guides who will take you through the furnace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I hired a guy from Moab Hiking (<a href="http://www.moabhiking.com/">http://www.moabhiking.com</a>) to take me
around and he was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had me
jumping over crevices, scrambling up rocks and stretching myself over large
cracks so that I didn’t fall in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">We started at 7 am when the park opened and by 10 am it was already
110 degrees so I was happy for early start. The hike is not long in terms of
distance, and my guide said he customizes it based on the fitness levels of the
person – so less scrambling if you aren’t used to it and more intense if you have been training for a marathon like was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">However, regardless of your fitness level, the Fiery
Furnace is a beautiful hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">One of the reasons it took me so long to make the trek to the
Fiery Furnace is that it is in the middle of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Phoenix it’s an 8-hour drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Las Vegas, it takes 7 hours. And from
Salt Lake City it takes a little over 4 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Yeah... it's far no matter how you look at it. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I decided to do the Grand Junction option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">There’s a direct flights from Phoenix to Grand Junction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from Grand Junction, it’s takes just over
2 hours to get to the Arches National Park and the Fiery Furnace. It's a pretty drive. I did it at sunrise which made it spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Because I was arriving at Grand Junction at 9:30 pm and needed
to get up at 4:30 am to meet my guide at 7 am, I rented a room through
AirBnB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My host was Pat, a woman in her
70s who is an inspiration to all of us with adventurous heart – and those who
want to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">She’s been a ranch hand and a trail rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s also an author and a poet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who thinks getting old is boring needs
to spend a few days with her and you will be cured of that misconception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Especially when she tells you sh</span>e just
did a horseback riding trip in Australia and had a book published. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">I'm just saying, when I grow up, I’m going to be just like her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">Here’s her airBnB listing: <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1361015">https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1361015</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0Moab, UT 84532, USA38.5733155 -109.5498395000000238.52366 -109.63052050000002 38.622971 -109.46915850000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-89117084799918036842016-06-06T18:18:00.000-07:002016-10-29T07:50:17.854-07:00Stockholm Marathon: Known as that time I didn't train<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT71IWS-Bq-0zsXgcQzMJkQ3tZlaDPM5Y2-so446h1nbX0isgY5FgMewp991z4ewHQTM7Z2fVj-Pv2_vSClQYLca9JFayT9iTAxefIIuk8Ad3sx-U72H6rPFYpJtrY5wKVXgU0Eh4QAC_d/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT71IWS-Bq-0zsXgcQzMJkQ3tZlaDPM5Y2-so446h1nbX0isgY5FgMewp991z4ewHQTM7Z2fVj-Pv2_vSClQYLca9JFayT9iTAxefIIuk8Ad3sx-U72H6rPFYpJtrY5wKVXgU0Eh4QAC_d/s640/IMG_2182.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Stockholm airport bus to take me to the city.</td></tr>
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As you know, I run many half marathons and am addicted to Ragnar Relays. But I've only done one full marathon and that was in January this year while in Dubai (<a href="http://michelle-ponto.blogspot.ch/2016/03/running-with-my-tribe-doing-dubai.html" target="_blank">See blog post on Dubai Marathon</a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv-K0ypD3NMbWmpCWutdD_wISnEMnWe-5fBfJSHd654irpj5b5D4IBqFXyVqbCIq72kmOMhGSzlYkguU68FLh8LGVJD71m1uiOgnvJIEYAcaCwnd1sqo-UO1SYRq5dkU8rzvUw2qaR6Le/s1600/FullSizeRender-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv-K0ypD3NMbWmpCWutdD_wISnEMnWe-5fBfJSHd654irpj5b5D4IBqFXyVqbCIq72kmOMhGSzlYkguU68FLh8LGVJD71m1uiOgnvJIEYAcaCwnd1sqo-UO1SYRq5dkU8rzvUw2qaR6Le/s640/FullSizeRender-71.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Outside Karolinska Institutet's</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> new lecture hall complex - the </span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Aula</span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Medica</span> where we set up the Tinnitus interview.</td></tr>
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That one was surprisingly easy.<br />
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Well...maybe not super easy. I'm not going to say that I sailed through it, but I was able to get up the next day and go sailing without feeling any pain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93m5_e2c1FGkLQRNiopm1IvOPA09WpFN8O9NEmymevm1AgNINnOMdyfKwC7tdL17mIi_FUHJQ5m7M9ThQzlbuW7HDrmJv9KR8QF9gRFXPQdaB5OaB-SWU_N-uYl9uOY3Yd8d3SmCnUJNN/s1600/FullSizeRender-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93m5_e2c1FGkLQRNiopm1IvOPA09WpFN8O9NEmymevm1AgNINnOMdyfKwC7tdL17mIi_FUHJQ5m7M9ThQzlbuW7HDrmJv9KR8QF9gRFXPQdaB5OaB-SWU_N-uYl9uOY3Yd8d3SmCnUJNN/s640/FullSizeRender-67.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockholm </td></tr>
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So when I went to Stockholm to interview a scientist on the latest tinnitus research on the same weekend as the Stockholm marathon, I thought, "Why not?"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhp1PD4FvnOD6sNNlp3ou32wY4DUmWyhIUxzHf0as7B5g9LrSjtiEf_ab7v0Dw3JXhpDNchNHEO6VuS2-Sri80BV4hZSkYmCtQ04FKSx4UhS-GJ1bW62LbNz9HJqLdLrdjt01CU7GeQDz/s1600/FullSizeRender-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhp1PD4FvnOD6sNNlp3ou32wY4DUmWyhIUxzHf0as7B5g9LrSjtiEf_ab7v0Dw3JXhpDNchNHEO6VuS2-Sri80BV4hZSkYmCtQ04FKSx4UhS-GJ1bW62LbNz9HJqLdLrdjt01CU7GeQDz/s640/FullSizeRender-70.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many bridges in Stockholm</td></tr>
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Yeah...now that it's over. I can tell you "Why not." I didn't train. <br />
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Apparently, training for a marathon is really helpful. And you know how they say your muscles will remember? Ha, ha, ha, ha...I think my muscles did remember -- and instead of running, they were thinking "hell, no!".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7ni_i5_p0ftFaShS21U7lmO5zNlwNgTkZSi93spVuj7PgkofQJEE4ke3UtJp4F8LNXF-bTCqfJbGrXR0ID70lB8D1XmfcVv7ze9Q0EJsU13hyphenhyphensHlnEwrKhCvxqrw06AJ2PBcDzxXjIJP/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7ni_i5_p0ftFaShS21U7lmO5zNlwNgTkZSi93spVuj7PgkofQJEE4ke3UtJp4F8LNXF-bTCqfJbGrXR0ID70lB8D1XmfcVv7ze9Q0EJsU13hyphenhyphensHlnEwrKhCvxqrw06AJ2PBcDzxXjIJP/s640/IMG_2196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the Stockholm Marathon</td></tr>
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So did I complete it? Absolutely!<br />
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In Dubai, my time was 4 hours and 29 minutes. So I figured this time, I should run with the 4:20 team.<br />
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Remember, I have not trained as it's been a rainy spring in Switzerland and I've been traveling for work a lot. But, I am obviously a little delusional about how fit I am.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdhroVsBAONxoiqy7b9pNpJb4sPh0ohkAnGm13j2Ch6fRbWxoZKlWpoUo3i7nffi1UXCyM-PMQUzvN98EJmsljoT3t6CY-56nm0-Uk4jP_WxhhGO7306Xg8pU_0lhdMwIOz4rnctIt17R/s1600/FullSizeRender-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdhroVsBAONxoiqy7b9pNpJb4sPh0ohkAnGm13j2Ch6fRbWxoZKlWpoUo3i7nffi1UXCyM-PMQUzvN98EJmsljoT3t6CY-56nm0-Uk4jP_WxhhGO7306Xg8pU_0lhdMwIOz4rnctIt17R/s640/FullSizeRender-66.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were people who were still running after I was done. They look as miserable as I felt.</td></tr>
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So off I went. <br />
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I'm going to tell you straight off that the Stockholm course is a little harder than the Dubai course. First of all, it's not at sea level. Secondly, they have hills and bridges. Thirdly, they have wind. All three of these are excuses for why I sucked, but I'm sticking to them.<br />
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Surprisingly (maybe it's because I'm too stubborn to admit defeat), I did keep up with the 4:20 pacer until about Mile 18. Then my legs decided they were done with this and I had to slow down to the 4:30 pacer...and then at Mile 23 to the 4:40 pacer. <br />
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By then, I no longer cared about my time. I just wanted it to be over...but wait... what was that coming up? Another stupid bridge with a hill? Man.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5odHwSX5DC1lgBNriHCSohyphenhyphenHskvjBu9MBiEaNuvZ8bcM9GkzL7c4FJQYK3AjvcvlBdS_XC6eDssPLHLWmb9BQFsoTioqattWkUgdJtKQqbxUpFUEf5n9IsgFFWuVR90mtxPenrbQb32k/s1600/FullSizeRender-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5odHwSX5DC1lgBNriHCSohyphenhyphenHskvjBu9MBiEaNuvZ8bcM9GkzL7c4FJQYK3AjvcvlBdS_XC6eDssPLHLWmb9BQFsoTioqattWkUgdJtKQqbxUpFUEf5n9IsgFFWuVR90mtxPenrbQb32k/s640/FullSizeRender-65.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also a can of beer which I left at the pick up area and a protein shake which I drank hoping it would miraculously take away my pain. Nope. Just loaded with empty calories.</td></tr>
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I finished the race, but barely. <br />
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Then I had to walk the 2 miles home which were the longest two miles in history. Really. You know those stories about how your grandpa had to walk 2 miles in the snow, dragging 50 pounds of books with him? Well, this was harder. I had to drag my tired butt home AND a bag of free race goodies. <br />
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My only condolence was that I got to walk past all the runners who were still running (suckers!!!). They looked as bad as I felt - thankfully. I really do love company when miserable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDaw8hXaJGS1Aj2FKnM4x00slqYQ-o3sL4pnm8Jey0bFnVCgu9yqmtLe-HBS7ZTOVTx9XQLe9vk-fE13i36Di6HjcdlIfEZyKV00hGTm1j135sbteKDveoPYi05q-zrVWd7r-IJAlo23v/s1600/FullSizeRender-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDaw8hXaJGS1Aj2FKnM4x00slqYQ-o3sL4pnm8Jey0bFnVCgu9yqmtLe-HBS7ZTOVTx9XQLe9vk-fE13i36Di6HjcdlIfEZyKV00hGTm1j135sbteKDveoPYi05q-zrVWd7r-IJAlo23v/s640/FullSizeRender-68.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, Stockholm is a great place to sit and watch people - when your legs no longer want to move.</td></tr>
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The next day, I was still feeling the marathon. I could barely walk and when trying to jaywalk across the street, I told my legs to run, and they refused. Running was no longer an option. I didn't just hit the proverbial marathon wall; it collapsed on me and pinned me down. I was going to have to move in painful slow motion if I was going to move at all.<br />
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On the bright side, my interview with Chris Cederroth and his returned turned out fantastic. See below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/179047724" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<br />Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-5481135991474033842016-05-14T07:00:00.002-07:002016-10-29T08:02:48.780-07:00The Gaudi Weekend in Barcelona<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaXwsjP9LZQSHxrs6JSs2MOqk_jPlXlJDQuAHaNbyu1FcjdWvu4YB8PKkabweeqdN6NKW-FaRaYfRt-yKRoSy5FFh02MG0lN8newTwVHcCcKUztld7nuXcImtFNqF6R1LuVJ63TdB16I1/s1600/IMG_1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaXwsjP9LZQSHxrs6JSs2MOqk_jPlXlJDQuAHaNbyu1FcjdWvu4YB8PKkabweeqdN6NKW-FaRaYfRt-yKRoSy5FFh02MG0lN8newTwVHcCcKUztld7nuXcImtFNqF6R1LuVJ63TdB16I1/s640/IMG_1956.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Le Pedrera</span></td></tr>
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I’ve been to Barcelona a few times and each time I go, I try to see a different area – or a different aspect of what the city has to offer. I’ve already exhausted the Rambles and Gothic Quarter. And I’ve done the whole shopping thing. What I hadn’t done yet was see all the amazing Gaudi architecture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VeDF0jTHqQyHdtIIvNKaNjRwSC50GtjQoBs_3v1vOOZ5cqaur0iuJl14JkVGq7_IxRo4SHPaKLxoD1bNvWIb0pa_vCnFrJkZNL_GO4DvpTnhUZ9uwMEsGt4JHgha-9AodQkpy1lBD5Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VeDF0jTHqQyHdtIIvNKaNjRwSC50GtjQoBs_3v1vOOZ5cqaur0iuJl14JkVGq7_IxRo4SHPaKLxoD1bNvWIb0pa_vCnFrJkZNL_GO4DvpTnhUZ9uwMEsGt4JHgha-9AodQkpy1lBD5Lb/s640/FullSizeRender-49.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the ironwork on Le Pedrera.</td></tr>
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When my girlfriend said her parents were visiting and asked if I was free for the weekend, I had to say “yes.” I’ve been wanting to meet her parents for a while and hanging out with them during the their first visit to Spain would be a blast. </div>
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This time instead of staying in a hotel, I chose to rent a room through AirBnB that was located in the Paseo de Gracia area (<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5533930">this is the listing link</a>). This is Barcelona’s biggest shopping street and has all the designer shops. There are also a bunch of great cafés and restaurants along the side streets, which make it fantastic location for those who want to be in the heart of the city without being a whole load of tourists.<br />
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However, I didn't know any of this. I booked this spot because it was beside the Casa Mila (aka Le Pedrera) - one of my favorite Antoni Gaudi buildings.<br />
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This unique wavy building was designed by Gaudi between 1906 to 1912 and is still as surreal today as it most likely was over a 100 years ago. I had studied this building during my art degrees, but nothing comes close to seeing it in real life. <br />
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When I was searching for my AirBnB room, and saw it, it was seeing a celebrity. You think you know it, but you never really think it would be that amazing in real life.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SXwGvr0XZ4kqhVYW5PKG-gt_IM8c025_G9PK6doMlLH4WnNpbp0t_w1UQPzo9BQRU4vtiWQ0XwQ8rM5gJjwTSFMkciO0-VyjE_b0IC7lXDo8MZiAqkMjRqDWrfNTZr4mg4jcJWzvC1XT/s1600/FullSizeRender-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SXwGvr0XZ4kqhVYW5PKG-gt_IM8c025_G9PK6doMlLH4WnNpbp0t_w1UQPzo9BQRU4vtiWQ0XwQ8rM5gJjwTSFMkciO0-VyjE_b0IC7lXDo8MZiAqkMjRqDWrfNTZr4mg4jcJWzvC1XT/s640/FullSizeRender-56.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">outside the Sagrada Familia</span></td></tr>
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This was the beginning of my Gaudi Weekend – and a bonus Gaudi addition to the agenda.<br />
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Once I met up with my girlfriend and her family, we started our true adventure into his architecture beginning with la Sagrada Familia - another architecture celebrity wonder. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f7746tD1feqntRGKE9vtSQNf3Ch50nqNqnTkCvXSz6DOjJRXWE80gwiqVV8_isffrssrlDNGDGCh7EPhd3H-uTgD4ALgjIyrb5E3zDIDgdQmYJZratFbkABc9CCg1acDThJKQCVMV6zK/s1600/FullSizeRender-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f7746tD1feqntRGKE9vtSQNf3Ch50nqNqnTkCvXSz6DOjJRXWE80gwiqVV8_isffrssrlDNGDGCh7EPhd3H-uTgD4ALgjIyrb5E3zDIDgdQmYJZratFbkABc9CCg1acDThJKQCVMV6zK/s640/FullSizeRender-55.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the church. Does it not look like a futuristic forest?</td></tr>
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Construction started on this basilica in 1882 and when Gaudi died in 1926 (he was hit by a truck), it was only a quarter complete. Construction has continued slowly throughout the years, but with Spain not exactly bursting with money, even today it’s still not finished. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUeDqoF5yPgNimRWzgN4SbEc4bRfg-eGth_A_JlsYpXEyXGdHdjpsfSOPivelmbOJowtXn_bIwgzxxzgtTifvTw2Uoa2gHG6b0NnN9Vga-R3q_mlInHZ6PoBEnVuDYtcm40KD6W0c5efw/s1600/FullSizeRender-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUeDqoF5yPgNimRWzgN4SbEc4bRfg-eGth_A_JlsYpXEyXGdHdjpsfSOPivelmbOJowtXn_bIwgzxxzgtTifvTw2Uoa2gHG6b0NnN9Vga-R3q_mlInHZ6PoBEnVuDYtcm40KD6W0c5efw/s640/FullSizeRender-53.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So full of light and color - amazing.</td></tr>
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The Sagrada Familia really needs to be seen to be appreciated. The outside has Gaudi’s unique style to it, but inside, it will blow you away. It’s highly futuristic and when you consider it was designed in the 1880s, you will be in awe of his creativity and vision. <br />
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It's like it should be in a Doctor Who episode or scifi flick. It's not like any cathedral you have ever seen. And when you consider that Baroque was the rage in the rest of the world, this church would have been highly risky. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKqN8SPwOs_rjK9DkW1lu29j572wrNWxIMOKrqa9x5h6jJ8VUnohBYHrAGk4jFoFkmEUnynmN-H1rLH-1LX5zsiGjEu0xvMmAjMzOL88C8vIHTrmpDxZMsI72qH4q_fhIOHUFzH2Sf8VG/s1600/FullSizeRender-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKqN8SPwOs_rjK9DkW1lu29j572wrNWxIMOKrqa9x5h6jJ8VUnohBYHrAGk4jFoFkmEUnynmN-H1rLH-1LX5zsiGjEu0xvMmAjMzOL88C8vIHTrmpDxZMsI72qH4q_fhIOHUFzH2Sf8VG/s640/FullSizeRender-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't comprehend why he had these leaves until I was inside and realized he was trying to convey a heavenly forest canopy.</td></tr>
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What amazed me was how he wanted the inside to be like a forest leading up to the heavens and when you look at the structure of the columns and the designs within, you do feel like you are in a type of forest. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR8-s3YrAR9mZhM0MOjV9oRVIDRjnEZhux0NaorTMKPrhyHM7Ht0CiKWTxZHqebr1UiLFpteXV8Nlq-Nosdeq-rdTznC-kntuBHx_sTPW5gLLDYxlpDM3WgjiREjIW-HwRr_RpUGQa6VM/s1600/FullSizeRender-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR8-s3YrAR9mZhM0MOjV9oRVIDRjnEZhux0NaorTMKPrhyHM7Ht0CiKWTxZHqebr1UiLFpteXV8Nlq-Nosdeq-rdTznC-kntuBHx_sTPW5gLLDYxlpDM3WgjiREjIW-HwRr_RpUGQa6VM/s640/FullSizeRender-58.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Guell - another dreamland of Gaudi's mind</td></tr>
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From there, our weekend of Gaudi continued as we took a taxi to Park Guell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr126x-0XDdNcse0TI04ggKkx5R8AtxE8id7EB3JdNalf4-iRTmrL_PMdWOllWZ7zZy4ZwBKRewX7x0CWEHFWElooxUJYI2YU8jxHCIzgEzBjxPWAujOYJz2G8TzQI5pgC8T-uZI8EpRRa/s1600/FullSizeRender-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr126x-0XDdNcse0TI04ggKkx5R8AtxE8id7EB3JdNalf4-iRTmrL_PMdWOllWZ7zZy4ZwBKRewX7x0CWEHFWElooxUJYI2YU8jxHCIzgEzBjxPWAujOYJz2G8TzQI5pgC8T-uZI8EpRRa/s640/FullSizeRender-57.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House in Park Guell</td></tr>
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Park Guell's construction began in 1900 and like the basilica it was never completed. It was designed to be a neighborhood for the affluent in the area, but again money ran out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gZegDQ1PXbtOGhB8EnhpCO4a4wLiDXrHIRiHXuEraC3GponWn12tSBvgkvIKqVl8re3HLXGCsISiHCrmdLyl7cW2C-MHQkUcSVsuFJdOwcPa5iBbjrRAuOrEPEFKXfehgmE_IfcZvLB/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gZegDQ1PXbtOGhB8EnhpCO4a4wLiDXrHIRiHXuEraC3GponWn12tSBvgkvIKqVl8re3HLXGCsISiHCrmdLyl7cW2C-MHQkUcSVsuFJdOwcPa5iBbjrRAuOrEPEFKXfehgmE_IfcZvLB/s640/IMG_2077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The one home that was built is incredible and looks like something from a Dr. Suess book. I think the Who's of Whoville would approve. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLcZ2k03rpqrTqW7JRiNwo6ufOB-ORtLP1EeEp35UZ0fY-ySa3WgAzEOKtvhgawav_6YrsHV0iQH6v2YCD1NrwwgOHTmjZJJ55lJntDPIk13BpfNy4ehrLUeNdZlek3_9AtvB6vGOo41g/s1600/IMG_1976-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLcZ2k03rpqrTqW7JRiNwo6ufOB-ORtLP1EeEp35UZ0fY-ySa3WgAzEOKtvhgawav_6YrsHV0iQH6v2YCD1NrwwgOHTmjZJJ55lJntDPIk13BpfNy4ehrLUeNdZlek3_9AtvB6vGOo41g/s640/IMG_1976-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flamenco show in Barcelona</td></tr>
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There are more Gaudi buildings, but on our one day tour that's all we could squeeze in. <br />
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Could this mean I need to go back to Barcelona? Maybe. Never can say "no" to Sangria and tapas!</div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-20750565081174907482016-04-11T04:16:00.000-07:002016-10-29T08:16:28.791-07:00The beauty of Prague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnczJTngMW25v30RmYs_aCH1czmhvsYA9P3KrG0msxia61B4hwPDCQj2MpjJZWDBB1G2PIClpwDknOTtJO8AwjHBqf_YmotX0l0GzS8m9Xbw4LCGznwsWtrpDX5r35lvTFA-AWOysnOsj/s1600/FullSizeRender-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnczJTngMW25v30RmYs_aCH1czmhvsYA9P3KrG0msxia61B4hwPDCQj2MpjJZWDBB1G2PIClpwDknOTtJO8AwjHBqf_YmotX0l0GzS8m9Xbw4LCGznwsWtrpDX5r35lvTFA-AWOysnOsj/s640/FullSizeRender-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main square in Prague</td></tr>
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Prague is everything people say it is and more. When I visited it, I didn’t expect it to be so modern and trendy. In the James Bond film, “<a href="https://jamesbondlocations.blogspot.ch/2013/03/the-venice-hotel-prague-national-museum.html" target="_blank">Casino Royale</a>,” the shots with their red carpets and old hotels, made the city feel like it was stuck in time in the 1940s. But you'll find its a trendy and sophisticated mix of the classics and modern architecture, food and style. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKo9vBVgn_vuHEwWdfQ9PUdVbs2sEC4OmX9BeaBe9akRCzB5vh_m8MNCj98fWCqLA4s66uNUbCuAvktS1l4EY3Y5_gLdFS0GOVyCiCxLDMA-R1YMuz3yk8nRB_TU0yX4lyKz9Z9n8AsQe/s1600/FullSizeRender-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKo9vBVgn_vuHEwWdfQ9PUdVbs2sEC4OmX9BeaBe9akRCzB5vh_m8MNCj98fWCqLA4s66uNUbCuAvktS1l4EY3Y5_gLdFS0GOVyCiCxLDMA-R1YMuz3yk8nRB_TU0yX4lyKz9Z9n8AsQe/s640/FullSizeRender-41.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo crashing a wedding. She was so beautiful in the early morning in her gown.</td></tr>
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Prague has somehow managed to take the best of the modern world while still keeping its charming old world appeal, which made it even better than what I expected. <br />
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It was also safer, cleaner and friendlier - although the taxi drivers will pretend their credit card machines don't work, but that also happens in Miami and Paris.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE8LIoqO5459jA8j57SrgjZXypHVZqXfybyS4I2DfHLvJabCmKM-0qPrStHDmwyzLXMW7bakZf5B-3TwGBryt8ZT7CnO5KboLRiCwjuZAiFu1gEPrJkN_ss8DWMB9aoChUc4FK4oA6cdv/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaE8LIoqO5459jA8j57SrgjZXypHVZqXfybyS4I2DfHLvJabCmKM-0qPrStHDmwyzLXMW7bakZf5B-3TwGBryt8ZT7CnO5KboLRiCwjuZAiFu1gEPrJkN_ss8DWMB9aoChUc4FK4oA6cdv/s640/IMG_1923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Lennon's wall</td></tr>
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<h3>
Random wanderer or guided tour?</h3>
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So do you need a tour guide? No…not really. You can wonder the streets, the old Square and most of the sights quite easily. As mentioned earlier, it's also pretty safe. However, in the Old Square, you will find a lot of restaurants geared toward tourists and shops full of souvenirs. Not much else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga5pW-MrStJnoeqtlqD7PyI8iUBN9R5pPHyyNICopAn6jcblhq7Xt1tkVSoOR3BdWWkkudIen6ZwtmIrCJNWFzttaKCn1-OaX_7cvfkiVECxNtnuzQj2V53VJOf9dNBBZ4dexgF3-47P6/s1600/FullSizeRender-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga5pW-MrStJnoeqtlqD7PyI8iUBN9R5pPHyyNICopAn6jcblhq7Xt1tkVSoOR3BdWWkkudIen6ZwtmIrCJNWFzttaKCn1-OaX_7cvfkiVECxNtnuzQj2V53VJOf9dNBBZ4dexgF3-47P6/s640/FullSizeRender-48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many arched streets in Prague</td></tr>
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But you will also find amazing architecture.<br />
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I recommend going early in the morning (before 9am) if you want to get good photos and have the Charles Bridge to yourself. After 9am, the square and the popular tourist sights are packed – really packed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYSMK7xq1lBBXOjOz1-d_IsPhPjxTFSEFZ9wA-dacemgIjk8CVHN7zm1YClFiqFz7cIVmY5D7VMjGVTFGp2oJ6xyTn23BjLGlzX6zQZE6q72nIX00H53kEzv86TQDafBqCdcZ9CHzQTUU/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYSMK7xq1lBBXOjOz1-d_IsPhPjxTFSEFZ9wA-dacemgIjk8CVHN7zm1YClFiqFz7cIVmY5D7VMjGVTFGp2oJ6xyTn23BjLGlzX6zQZE6q72nIX00H53kEzv86TQDafBqCdcZ9CHzQTUU/s640/IMG_1854.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the lack of people. I was up at 7am and had the place to myself. Also note the English on the wall. You know this is going to be tourist haven.</td></tr>
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That being said, Prague has a lot of history and that is where a tour guide can come in handy. Unless you read up on your own beforehand, you’ll miss details and the importance of some of the buildings and statues. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKa1DEgOejR_rox7UzheNufKKe929XrR5YR4Iotj1kq5s0PSMkFkE6qSYEdCEA8dz_T_FJY4rmUtHl3Hxaz4qpeKIIXMSxxtK-Ua0uHE7IHbsu1xaLBIPgs4JHhbKmPK2t_gNyKimoF_V/s1600/FullSizeRender-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKa1DEgOejR_rox7UzheNufKKe929XrR5YR4Iotj1kq5s0PSMkFkE6qSYEdCEA8dz_T_FJY4rmUtHl3Hxaz4qpeKIIXMSxxtK-Ua0uHE7IHbsu1xaLBIPgs4JHhbKmPK2t_gNyKimoF_V/s640/FullSizeRender-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">The medieval </span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">astronomical clock</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> located in Prague's Old Square. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest </span><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">astronomical clock</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> in the world and the oldest one still operating.</span></td></tr>
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Getting a tour is easy. There are two free walking tours a day (the guides are paid in tips) that start in the Old Square, and then there are numerous other tours – from Segways and bicycles to bus tours. <br />
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<h3>
Food and beer in Prague</h3>
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Speaking of tours…there are a number of beer tours available. These can range from pub crawls to visiting and beer-tastings in nearby breweries. There is even a monastery that makes its own beer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-G4wI6epADs9AGt6DELNMTzscQOpVIr06-QyIbRBUqz_W4-p-fkQLgBl8XX0P9w1Jhn7taJwuzOa4uvvy19eUrQON74ts_k2uSKTcZ15YHChp_v4VwtOBXnDT1PDGUWbau8N1Gpuqv8I/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-G4wI6epADs9AGt6DELNMTzscQOpVIr06-QyIbRBUqz_W4-p-fkQLgBl8XX0P9w1Jhn7taJwuzOa4uvvy19eUrQON74ts_k2uSKTcZ15YHChp_v4VwtOBXnDT1PDGUWbau8N1Gpuqv8I/s640/IMG_1883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato pancakes</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, I’m not a beer drinker so these were wasted on me. I did try local wine and must admit, it was not fantastic (the server did warn me, but still I had to try). </div>
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What I did try and what was fantastic were potato pancakes with sauerkraut. These were soooo incredible. I normally don’t like potato pancakes. My mom used to make them for us when we were kids and I always felt like we were being punished for something when they appeared on my plate. I ate them, but they sucked. I now know that not all potato pancakes are the same. They can be great. (sorry, Mom.)<br />
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<h3>
Prague at night</h3>
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Prague transforms into a different city in the evening.<br />
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The castle, which looks like so many other castles during the day, becomes magical. It in the moonlight it could be home of Dracula…or a Disney Princess. It dominates the square and sets the mood that you are in for an amazing evening.<br />
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The streets are still full of people at night, but the vibe is different and less crowded. There are a lot of jazz venues and live music places. The bars come alive and the people - local and tourists open up to conversation. <br />
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With a castle like this and the moonlight, you know it can only lead to a night to remember.</div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-84457584910296355692016-04-10T03:36:00.000-07:002016-08-28T03:49:34.123-07:00Running in Prague<div style="box-sizing: inherit; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Lennon's Wall in Prague</td></tr>
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Last year I got really lost in Madrid while on a run. I mean really lost. The first 90 minutes were great. I was running through the streets in the early morning and thinking it was a beautiful city. The only people I saw were drunk people walking home from the bar (it was 6:00 am) and there were hardly any cars on the road. Then I realized I had no idea where I was.<br />
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I had no money on me, my hotel key was so “cool” it was black with no words and I couldn’t speak Spanish. The next two hours of running while lost were not fun.<br />
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I need a running guardian angel</h3>
The problem with European cities is that they are old. Most of them aren’t built on a grid system like the cities in the US. Instead the roads are tiny and spiral out from the main square or cathedral. And for people like me who don’t have an amazing internal compass, chances are we won’t get far before we don’t know where we are.</div>
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_258" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender-2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-258" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender-2.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Charles Bridge in Prague seen on my running tour</figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: #6a6c6e; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">T</span></span>hankfully, running has become so popular, that some cities have running guides. Until now, I have only read about these guides in Runner’s World but I had never tried one. The reason for this is that I’m a little embarrassed at how slow I run and I’m not really a great conversationalist when running. Once I’m in the zone, my mind kind of drifts off and does other things which may explain why I get lost so often.</div>
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_260" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender-5" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-260" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender-5.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Getting out of the tourist zone with Running Tours Prague</figcaption></figure><br />
This past weekend, I was in Prague — another old and not built on a grid city. Before I arrived, I looked on the map to see where my hotel was and to see if I could map out a running route. Nope. It was going to be complicated. Plus, I don’t like running on cobblestone so I would need to find a path that was paved or dirt. It was time to try a running guide.<br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_262" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender-7" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-262" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender-7.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Devil’s Creek in Prague</figcaption></figure><br />
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Running Tours Prague to the rescue</h3>
I found <a href="http://www.runningtoursprague.com/">runningtoursprague.com</a> through google and they had everything I wanted. I wanted to run for about two hours. I wanted to see some sites, but mostly I wanted to run in the parks and non-cobblestone areas. And I really didn’t want someone to talk to me as I was staying in the Old Square and could get a history lesson on the city from one of the walking tours in the area later on.<br />
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Oh…and I wanted them to get me from my hotel instead of me trying to find them somewhere in a city I didn’t know.<br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_265" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-265" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Me with Andy my Prague running tour guide</figcaption></figure><br />
Andy, my guide, was there to meet me exactly at 7 am on Sunday morning. I told him the plan and off we went. He took me along the river, through parks and around the outside of the city through all the green spaces. We climbed hills to see the city from above and then weaved our way back to my hotel. He let me stop and take photos when I wanted and never made me feel like a turtle. It was wonderful.<br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_259" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender-3" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-259" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender-3.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Prague from the top of another hill</figcaption></figure><br />
In fact, it was so wonderful that I ran with him again the next morning. This time we started earlier and he took me on a completely different route that was still away from the tourists.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Creek in Prague</td></tr>
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He asked me what I had seen the day before on my own and when I told him, he made sure we ran past a few of the cool things I had missed like The John Lennon Wall, the weird giant babies, Devil’s Creek, the upside down horse statue, the monastery where they brew their own beer and a couple other places.<br />
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<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_261" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #6a6c6e; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 640px;"><img alt="FullSizeRender-6" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-261" src="https://runwithmichelle.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/fullsizerender-6.jpg?w=1000" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;">Weird baby statues in Prague</figcaption></figure><br />
The miles passed by quickly. For those two hours each day, Andy was my running guardian angel leading me through the maze of streets so I could relax and just enjoy my run.<br />
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I’m telling you, seeing Prague through the eyes of runner is the only way to do it.<br />
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-62619014625130551362016-03-28T06:45:00.000-07:002016-08-21T06:55:24.121-07:00Tea by the Irish Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ireland with all its ruggedness always calls to me. It’s cold, rainy, windy and the sea is always angry when I visit. But they do make the best scones and there is nothing like a hot pot of tea to take the chill off.<br />
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This March I had the chance to see Ireland through the eyes of my friend who grew up there.<br />
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I only had a weekend, but we covered a lot of ground, and visited all of his favorite old haunts from his college days.</div>
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Naturally, we hit all his favorite pubs. But also did a bit walking along the sea in between rain showers. </div>
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He took me to Trinity College where he did his PhD and then gave me his tour of the some tourist things I’ve been trying to see but hadn’t got around to such as the Long Hall and the Book of Kells. </div>
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Sometimes all you need to rejuvenate your soul is a change of scenery...and catching up with a good friend.</div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-47449369549430624982016-03-08T05:43:00.000-07:002016-08-21T05:45:32.400-07:00Sailing in Dubai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />My friends will tell you that I’m not very good at sitting still. I love hiking and the outdoors, but sitting in a campground or camping sounds horrible. My idea of a picnic is standing at the summit, eating a protein bar while enjoying the view for 5 minutes and then going on my way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />But for some reason, I’ve always loved the beauty of boats, so when my buddy in Dubai said he was planning on spending the day on the boat with friends, I had to say “yes.” </div>
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<br />Really, there is no other way of seeing the city than from the sea. It’s breathtaking and relaxing. </div>
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-37154075918670276972016-03-07T05:25:00.000-07:002016-08-21T05:29:56.184-07:00Running with my tribe doing the Dubai Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dubai is one of my favorite cities that I have been to so far. I love the mix of East and West, I love the whole bigger than life sleek skyscrapers and I like that it’s still slow-paced, unlike Shanghai and other modern cities.<br />
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I admit that it is expensive there for eating and drinking out, but that’s how it is in Vegas and other tourist-based cities. And compared to Switzerland and the high prices there, the dining out costs are a deal.<br />
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I’ve already been to Dubai of number of times, but this time I had a special reason for going. I was going to run the Dubai 2016 Marathon. I have run numerous half marathons in the last 3 years, but I’ve never run the full 26.2 miles. <br />
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I figured if I was going to be pain after, then I should do it in someplace beautiful that has luxurious spas and a great view. Another reason for doing it was that I knew the route would be flat and at sea level. This was a big deal because I would be training in Switzerland during the cold and rainy season – which meant that I was barely training. I needed to do an “easy” marathon if I was going to do one at all.<br />
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But even knowing this, I still debated and it took three things to finally say, “Let’s do this!” Number 1, was I was asked to give a three-day communications workshop at KAUST in Saudi Arabia. They agreed to fly me home from Dubai as part of my speaking arrangement. I still had to fly from Jeddah to Dubai, but $200 ticket is much cheaper than a $700 ticket.<br />
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Number 2 was that I had read a study that runners and cyclists who wanted to compete in mountain sports could use heat training as an equivalent to attitude training. I was training in altitude, but running someplace where it was going to be considerably hotter. I was hoping the reverse was also true.<br />
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And Number 3, was that I convinced another girlfriend to run it as well and I knew her training was going as badly as mine. Misery loves company! We decided to run our hearts out and then celebrate with sparkling wine –even if we couldn’t walk afterwards. <br />
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Having her join also helped me financially as I wanted a hotel room walking distance from the finish line as I knew getting a cab would be impossible with the roads closed. Of course, this being Dubai and me waiting until the last minute, the cheapest rooms were $600 a night. Might more tolerable knowing it would be split between the two of us.<br />
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The race was fantastic. We started running at 6:30 am as the sun was just rising and I was done in 4:29. The route was flat and smooth, and with the view of the Dubai skyline in one direction and the famous Burg when getting close to the finish line. I also loved the runners. Half marathons are always so crowded and I can’t seem to get my pace until mile 7 or 8 as I’m dodging people or slowing down until there is space to go around them. <br />
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The marathon was different. No one was racing out of the gate and by mile 4 or 5, people had found their long-distance pace and just kind of stayed in it. Plus, even though I was slowing down from mile 18 onwards, I was motivated to keep going because everyone around me was also hitting the wall – or had already hit it and were limping slowly forward. I was with my tribe of fellow non-Olympians who just like to run and it felt good.
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Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-70632009122609018402016-02-22T05:51:00.000-07:002016-08-20T05:53:51.021-07:00PHOTO MOMENT: Morning run along the lake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OqigXr79xvk6agSqPYge2F0ZRUkMQ_iT6UgVs-67U9oWUMzP_y_IdkeDLQ-PAT8SFJ1YBzU7ef3vAUKJdeVxYFie0wjYz-33L60gafmNEIjwY8UuEj3FtixWwHHU4giZnVjaInI2P5Q4/s1600/FullSizeRender-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OqigXr79xvk6agSqPYge2F0ZRUkMQ_iT6UgVs-67U9oWUMzP_y_IdkeDLQ-PAT8SFJ1YBzU7ef3vAUKJdeVxYFie0wjYz-33L60gafmNEIjwY8UuEj3FtixWwHHU4giZnVjaInI2P5Q4/s640/FullSizeRender-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Leman in Switzerland</td></tr>
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Getting up early for a Winter run is worth it when you have sunrises like this.</div>
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<br />Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-63182872591352307132016-02-21T05:09:00.000-07:002016-08-20T05:15:31.332-07:00The unsexy side of traveling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMFcYeGVLZTCZyvqFg5p1vG3JfNWucEPWa-bp9-uzULCug4TbJ9qF9qomV-j6G28kaVuglAoAkVK4BNpmUz5JLXMxfLOxNHZ0FidgB98D66zjDvoyASp_-9ES6-9Whqd5i28p-b8GHHzQ/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMFcYeGVLZTCZyvqFg5p1vG3JfNWucEPWa-bp9-uzULCug4TbJ9qF9qomV-j6G28kaVuglAoAkVK4BNpmUz5JLXMxfLOxNHZ0FidgB98D66zjDvoyASp_-9ES6-9Whqd5i28p-b8GHHzQ/s640/IMG_0418.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Visiting Cambodia was amazing. I got to run a race with temples in the background, I got to eat some amazing food and I got to see a country that I’ve wanted to check out for a while.<br />
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I also got sick.<br />
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It started suddenly. I arrived in Thailand and my stomach was feeling a little off but not too bad. But then that night the fever, vomiting and diarrhea started – and wouldn’t stop. Sometimes both were happen ing at the same time. The next morning was even worse. The fever was still there and my stomach still wasn’t up to eating. In addition, my muscles felt like I ran a marathon. I was physically exhausted, and the back of my legs also felt like I had massive bruises on them, yet I couldn’t see anything.<br />
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Day three, I still wasn’t better, and the pain in the back of my legs was worse. However, now giant mystery red welts had shown up. Did I go to the doctor? No. I decided to try to sleep it off as I was still so tired and having hot and cold flashes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamauFxsscvKrsr3r3pukRujgHSKZgpi6oA-QiALptmZIYg2wNYFjxUkVnPuAbmnE723h01hyphenhyphenpIApIXSX78L2VsK_Yi0CwYvbrI6i19a_I1WbmIsz9pyx79UYyzmOKpVgwOptdROcNCWif/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamauFxsscvKrsr3r3pukRujgHSKZgpi6oA-QiALptmZIYg2wNYFjxUkVnPuAbmnE723h01hyphenhyphenpIApIXSX78L2VsK_Yi0CwYvbrI6i19a_I1WbmIsz9pyx79UYyzmOKpVgwOptdROcNCWif/s400/IMG_0484.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mystery red welts that really, really hurt</td></tr>
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Day five, the fever was finally gone and so was the pain in my legs. The welts? Well, they were still there, but they were changing. The skin on top of them was peeling off and underneath was a weird bruise. They looked like reverse sunburn. <br />
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It was now I decided to go to the doctor as this was beyond weird. The good news was that I was now back in Switzerland where I know everything is clean. The bad news was that I don’t speak the language very well and it turned out the doctor had never seen anything like it. I tried to explain that this started in Cambodia and that I thought it was food poisoning or the flu. The doctor brought in two other doctors. It was a mystery – but it definitely was not the flu and I didn’t get these bruises from the bad food.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The welts now peeling</td></tr>
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After an hour of prodding and looking up things in books and online, they concluded some sort of spider or bug had bitten me and all the symptoms were my body’s way of killing off the poison. They said they looked like they were starting to heal and weren’t infected. <br />
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Basically, because I had no idea what had bitten me, they couldn’t do much except give me some lotion to make them less crusty. <br />
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Deadly bug bites. Stuff you don’t think about when traveling.</div>
Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-75587341856590786552016-02-15T05:26:00.000-07:002016-04-07T01:44:54.666-07:00A Culinary Journey in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Curry, lemongrass, spicy broths and seafood…I’m drooling already. The food in Thailand is so flavorful. The last time I went, I decided to learn how to make some of my favorite things.<br />
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My culinary journey began with a visit to the local market with the chef from the Anantara Hua Hin Resort in Thailand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46jFI0a7r2kMHUvh-_J4xsYH0qUI-11h0sDFaTuvzfwDSeD6znpL8eUlBpFevcyUXM0GglD3iLHN6ENR-UKGiwvBGT5VPAEOhM00IiaoRu1zFGpGqTfCcgt5tDUgAxcGbsG8gyATGMbxG/s1600/FullSizeRender-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46jFI0a7r2kMHUvh-_J4xsYH0qUI-11h0sDFaTuvzfwDSeD6znpL8eUlBpFevcyUXM0GglD3iLHN6ENR-UKGiwvBGT5VPAEOhM00IiaoRu1zFGpGqTfCcgt5tDUgAxcGbsG8gyATGMbxG/s640/FullSizeRender-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Taking me around the tables, she explained what each of the spices were (they look different fresh than they do ground up and put in a jar like you would find in the US) and the different types of fish that were indigenous of the area. Sea bass and prawns were both ingredients that I would need that day.<br />
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She also showed me the different types of curry and how they buy it. For some reason, I didn’t expect curry to come in a past that you buy by the ounce. I always thought it was powdered. She asked the person selling to the let me smell each of them so I can see the differences between them all and how each of them would compliment certain dishes.<br />
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From there we went back to the resort to start cooking. On the menu were Green Papaya Salad, Spicy Prawn Soup and Steamed Sea Bass, and this wasn’t one for those “watch the chef” do it journeys. They actually let me cut, dice and even de-vein my jumbo shrimp for the courses. For me the hardest part with removing the seeds from the little chilies and mincing everything together. <br />
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Everything was made from scratch including the broth. And the number of ingredients that went into everything was an interesting learning experience. All ingredients were fresh and in most cases it was the combination of sugar, fish oil and different chilies, onions and lime juice that transformed the dish from bland to amazing. <br />
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It also didn’t take much to make a dish too spicy to enjoy (lesson learned – little green chilies are killer spicy).<br />
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It was truly a great experience and half day of learning.<br />
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<br />Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-87627985156567655652016-02-11T00:55:00.000-07:002016-03-25T01:05:53.110-07:00There’s just something about Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite trips to date has been Thailand. I spent a week in the Golden Triangle last year and the energy in Bangkok is fantastic. There’s just something about this country that I love. It may be the people, the food, the weather, the tropical plants…or maybe it’s the elephants. Whatever it is, Thailand always leaves me in awe. (<a href="http://michelle-ponto.blogspot.ch/2014/09/glamping-with-elephants-in-thailand.html" target="_blank">read my blog post on Thailand's Golden Triangle</a>)<br />
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This time I thought I would try the Hua Hin District. It’s about 200 km South of Bangkok but it takes 3 hours to get from the Bangkok airport to the area. Although it took nearly 4 when I arrived as the traffic was crazy. But it’s worth the long ride, and the scenery along the highway isn’t the best, once you get off them and towards the coast, you will be blown away by the beauty.<br />
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The beaches in this area are absolutely enchanting. I stayed at the Anantara Hua Hin Resort in early December, which I was told is good time to go as the hotel rates are inexpensive at that time as the holiday crowd hasn’t arrived yet.<br />
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All you can tell from the photos, the resort was lovely and the perfect place for me to unwind and rejuvenate myself for 3 days before going back to work. It was so beautiful that it was sad to say goodbye to this view from my balcony. But I'm sure I will be back to Thailand one day. </div>
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<br />Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815340816457884432.post-51307103793502573872016-02-10T05:50:00.000-07:002016-03-19T06:17:11.282-07:00From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I admit except for running the Angkor Wat half marathon, I really didn’t have any concrete plans on what I wanted to do in Cambodia. But I figured while I was there, I should go visit the capital Phnom Penh and check it out.<br />
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It’s about a 6 to 8 hour drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh mostly because the roads are full of holes so you can’t speed along at 100 km an hour like in can in other places. But the drive is interesting as you pass through a bunch of villages and get to see some of the landscape. A really cheap why to do it is on the sleepy bus. The bus picks you up at 10 pm in Siem Reap and you arrive at 8 am in Phnom Penh. The cost was around $15 a person and we saw a lot of backpackers doing the trip that way. <br />
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But my friend and I took a more luxurious way. We asked the hotel how much it would be to hire a car to drive us there and the cost was $75. We thought about it and considering we would be recovering from running the race, the car had air conditioning and could stop whenever we wanted if we needed bathroom breaks or photo moments, we figured splitting the cost between two people was more than worth it. <br />
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The choice was the right one. The driver let us know when we were coming up to villages that had clean restrooms. And I one of the best soups of the whole trip at a little café he knew along the way. <br />
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Plus, when we got to this one area of the country, a little town called Skuon, where they have these giant black spiders that they fry and eat, he pulled into a market so I could see them.<br />
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The spiders are bred in holes in the ground and the spider-getter reaches into the hole and snatches them out. They were big and the live ones were more than a little scary. But still I was fascinated and had to get a close up of them. Did I eat one? I was tempted, but then figured they were out in the sun all day and probably not the freshest choice – and I was really trying to be safe and not get food poisoning too early in the trip. Turns out, it didn’t matter. I got sick anyway, but more that in a later blog.<br />
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Anyway, back to Phnom Penh. Let me start by saying that it takes a couple of days to get used to it. Siem Reap is cute and touristy with just enough exoticness to make you feel like you ventured out on your own. <br />
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Phnom Penh is fast-paced, crowded, noisy, smelly and everything a city of 2.2 million in a hot tropical country is expected to be. They use their sidewalks for selling stuff, but walking on the street is an adventure as there are so many mopeds and motorbikes, you feel like you are in a video game.<br />
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Crossing the street as pedestrian is a feat in its own. You can spot the expats in their big SUVs and we were amazed at how they could park those things in city made for bikes and Tuk-Tuks. Someone told us they are a hazard as you can’t see around them when on a moped and after being there for a few days I had to agree. <br />
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Traffic rules and passing lanes seem to be made based on “space”. In other words, if you think you can fit, then you can go. So passing happens on the left, on the right, and anywhere in between. What totally amazed me was how many people they could fit on their little motor bikes and the stuff they carried with them. I saw someone with live chickens. I saw someone with stuff strapped on the back, front and on their head. It was fun just watching them and seeing what would drive by next. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ckMPWQdr0ZCPX9FihCiza6UPL3dSVz7utxQovFOKPh5r9FrVYZ3iES5rLB10vmQD4fHKxS5NzSWLmCJ18nXb_lKKgpOAy6PwOEdYITegnjBNRK0E8brfO3cbRwmVhep3gldcu_8XkPJo/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ckMPWQdr0ZCPX9FihCiza6UPL3dSVz7utxQovFOKPh5r9FrVYZ3iES5rLB10vmQD4fHKxS5NzSWLmCJ18nXb_lKKgpOAy6PwOEdYITegnjBNRK0E8brfO3cbRwmVhep3gldcu_8XkPJo/s640/IMG_0354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing I can say is that if you look, you can find anything and everything in Phnom Penh – from gourmet restaurants to sex-for-hire bars. And they may be located within a few feet of each other. Narrow dirty alleys are really streets and there are people everywhere. People are creative with their businesses. We saw a guy set up a chair in a little side alley and give people haircuts and shaves. Hotels, food and massages were a little more expensive than in Siem Reap, but still very reasonable compared to Western prices. <br />
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By day 3 we had the city under control. We even found an aerial yoga class held in a little building that was taught by an Australian expat. The cool thing, is once you find one expat, they can give you tips about the city that only an insider knows. She let us know which hotels you could visit during the day and for fee or for a drink, you could hang by the pool to escape the heat.<br />
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Phnom Penh is bizarre combination of poor and rich, modern and traditional, and all of these things are mixed together in a way that works for them. It’s really worth a visit.
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<!--EndFragment-->Michelle Pontohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02223779379553992472noreply@blogger.com0