Back in Switzerland

Hello,
We finally made it to Switzerland. Right off the plane we drove to Trélex to celebrate one of my good friend 50th birthday party (we forgot to take pictures). Monday morning we went to jog in the woods outside Lausanne, then we walked to downtown and had lunch in a cheap but nice buffet restaurant. Later that day, Chris baked a pizza that we shared with my mother and sister on the balcony (picture 1). The weather is really nice, temperatures are in the high 60s or low 70s.

The next day the whole family went in the woods for more jogging, then we drove to Nyon to watch Portugal loose against Spain, what a disappointment. We spent the night in Geneva at Joshua's god parents (picture 2).

The next day we had a great time together and we went for a walk by the lake shore in Geneva (picture 3). Tomorrow we are planning on heading to the mountains, the Swiss Alps, to spend a couple of days there.
Phil

Today

Hi it's Rebecca,

This morning I went to a store with Mom, Dad, Bryan, and Joshua to eat at the Manor Resturant. I had a delicious meal with salmon  and lentils . Then we went home on the Metro (subway). When we got home  we watch soccer on tv. Now Chris is making a pizza and we're eating it with my grandma and my aunt. Then we are going to have fun and then go to sleep.

Arrival

Finally we're in Switzerland. Im so happy but sad at the same time to have left Portugal. Our flight was supposed to leave Porto at 8:20 am PT time because of fog in the morning we were delayed 2 hours. We ate breakfast at the aeroport. We finally started boarding thirty minutes before 10:20 we were again delayed in the plane because of air trafic. Then we took off. When we landed in Geneva we went to a party for my dads friend. Then we went home to my grandmas house

Big Change in Our Plans

Hello Everyone,

Major changes in our travel plans occurred as we were ready to fly back to Switzerland. When we got to the check-in lines at the airport in Porto, we learned about possible delays due to a strike in France. After a couple of hours we got the news that all the flights to Switzerland were canceled. So I went back to the rental office to get a car and we drove back to the village where I re-booked for Sunday morning. Instead of watching Portugal-Brazil in Switzerland, we did it in the village (see first picture). Unfortunately, a huge thunderstorm, very similar to the ones in OK, hit the area (see second picture, notice the difference between the flag behind us before and during the storm).

Moreover, we lost power with about  20 minutes left in the game, so we did not get to watch the end. Despite the adversity we are still enjoying our vacations.

Phil

Bad Turn

Hello,

So we were planned to take the plane back to Switzerland but unfortunately do to the French on strike we were unable to leave. There weren't enough people in France so they decided to only let the big airline companies to fly. Unfortunately that didn't include us. So our flight was canceled after waiting at the airport for a long time. We wont be able to fly until the strikes are over which are supposed to end Sunday. This means we will be here in Portugal for a few more days. I'm happy and not at the same time. Hopefully we are able to fly back Sunday. Unfortunately Switzerland was just eliminated from the World Cup. Luckily Portugal and the U.S are both still in. Now I'm just waiting for the next games to come.


Bryan

Hot Afternoon

Hello,
We are a couple of days away from returning to Switzerland. We are spending time with family and friends. As you can see on the picture, we are also watching the World Cup games with a renewed intensity in the village cafe as teams near qualification for the second round or elimination. It is summer like temperature with a nice cooling down during the night. This afternoon we even had a small wildfire start on a hill behind the village that prompted the intervention of an helicopter to put it out (Joshua took that picture).
Phil

Hello Everyone,
This weekend was placed under the sign of car races. Starting Saturday morning we could hear the engines throughout the city and the surrounding villages. Then, Saturday evening, we had music through loudspeakers for most of the night because there was a big party downtown for the occasion. Sunday engines were back on roaring. I attended with Rebecca several races featuring different types of cars. The temperature was wonderful in the shade but burning hot under the sun.
Phil

Hello,

The weather this week has been much better, sunny and warm, we are finally wearing shorts. Beside watching some exciting games at the World Cup 2010, we went this morning to the open market, which is located slightly outside the town. There we can find all the nonfood items, such as shoes and clothing. It is held every Tuesdays and Fridays under tent-like structures (left on the picture) that protect sellers and shoppers from the sun (or the rain). It is very lively with music through loudspeakers and sellers advertising their low prices with a loud voice. Joshua and Rebecca got some Portuguese gears for the next soccer game. At this point we do not have plans for the weekend, except that we will try to peak at the cars racing on the urban track. Qualifying rounds are scheduled for Saturday and races on Sundays.

Phil

Portugal

Hey,


So far this vacation has been lots of fun. I haven't been running as much as I should have though. The other day me and some family members went to a typical fair/celebration. It was to celebrate st john. There was a lot of typical food and a market. Me and my uncle went on rides. The only internet access we have been receiving is at wifi cafes. We've been watching every minute of every game of the world cup. Yesterday we bought a ball but now we have to find a field to play at. 8 more days in Portugal before the family heads back to Switzerland.

Bryan

Better Weather

Greetings Everyone,

We finally had some sun over the weekend. Here is a picture of the village in the background, the town begins on the right (not shown). In the foreground there is an old, abandoned monastery with a flight of stairs going up to the cemetery where I took the picture.
Part of the city street start to be blocked in preparation for the upcoming car and motorcycle races, fortunately we do not use the car a lot.
Yesterday Bryan and Rebecca went with Gina to a city festival with booths and rides in some streets and plazas. They brought back some delicious cheese and ham.

Phil

portugal

Hello,
chris here and this is my first post. Portugal has been fun. I enjoy it here, the culture the people it is alot of fun. To my surprise the weather has not been as nice as you would think. Cold and rainy throughout the day with a chilly wind blowing quite often. The little town were staying in has a good atmosphere. There isnt much to do besides visit the family but in the city there are plenty of things to do and explore. The world cup has started which is very exciting. I cant wait untill portugal plays because i will get to experience the atmosphere and passion. Im very excited!!

First Few Days in Portugal

Hello Everyone,

We have no luck with the weather here in Portugal. Friday has been another cold day in the low 50's, fortunately with less rain. It is supposed to clear up for the weekend with temperatures back in the 70's for Sunday afternoon. We are in the northern part of the country, in a small village next to the town of Vila Real. It is in the mountains, some as high as 1400 m. The city has about 50,000 people and has an altitude of about 500 m.
With the Soccer World Cup that started today, it is getting more exciting. The best place to watch the games is in the coffee shop of the village where they have a decent screen, although not very big. There is no Internet but in the city. This morning we drove south about 30 km to Lamego, which is in the middle of the Port Wine production area. It has very steep hills and the Rio Douro in a valley. The highway has very tall bridges and tunnels to go from one place to the other. At this point we have no specific plans for the weekend. There is supposed to be a city festival in town. We are eating a lot of fish and seafood.

Phil

Portugal

Today I went to the cafe to watch the game Mexico vs. South Africa Republic (1-1) that was fun. Now I'm drinking a 7 up

Portugal

My trip to Switzerland went fairly well, I had no major problems. Both flights to Chicago and London were on time, the last one to Geneva had only a minor delay. In London I got to see the new double-deck plane, Airbus 380, taxiing behind mine. I slept most of the time and got to Switzerland almost refreshed. We are staying in my mom's one-bedroom apartment, the children sleep in the living room. Saturday we walked to the open market downtown and did some shopping. In the evening we watched Switzerland vs. Italy (1-1) on TV. On Sunday my grand-mother came over by train and we ate outside on the balcony. The weather has been really pleasant with temperatures in the 70's. On Monday Bryan and I went downtown to buy a 40-inch TV for my mom, which we transported by bus. Later that we packed to be ready for Portugal. I had a hard time finding a rental on the internet but managed to get a station wagon at the last minute.

The next morning we got up at 4 am to get into a shuttle to catch our 7 am flight to Porto, Portugal. When we arrived the weather was cloudy and with some sprinkles. We had breakfast at the airport before getting the car, a Skoda Fabia, and driving for about an hour to Vila Real. We had lunch at Gina's mom, before going to the coffee place up the hill in the village to watch Portugal defeating Mozambique 3-0. We got some groceries before going back to the old house that belongs to one of the uncles. Nobody lives there so it is very bare. This  morning it was pouring rain with temperatures around 50 for the day. We definitely needed our jackets. We are driving the short distance to the mall to get a few more items to settle in for our 2-week stay. It's been raining most of the day.

Phil

Switzerland

Saturday we went to the Coop which is a super market like walmart. We tried to buy the TV but something wasn't working. So we bought the TV monday. Now Dad and Bryan are setting up the TV. I don't have anything more to say. But I cant wait to go to Portugal.


-Joshua

Good Week

Hi it's Rebecca,

So our grand-mother was here today. From the apartment we can see the mountains. So we are shopping all the time because Saturday and Wednesday they have "le marché", which is the open market and that's where we go shopping for fresh produce and the price is lower. We went to the book store and we buy books and that is what we did. It is Monday and  bought a new tv and Tuesday we leave for Portugal and we going to see our other grand-parents and our cousins, aunts, and uncles. My uncle always has flowers for me when I go there. They are fresh from his garden.

Bye

First Week

So today is Sunday. We've been in Switzerland for a week. So far we've been basically shopping and getting used to all of the public transportation methods. Today me and my brothers went to church via train. We took the metro down to the train station then took the train to the station by the church. It was great. It made it really easy for us. We got to see old friends and make new ones. So far my "training" hasn't been going exactly as I had expected. Instead of running at a local park or trail I've been getting a workout from walking up and down the city from one place to the next. The people here are very friendly. The workers are stores and shops know what they are doing and how to help. So far it has been very enjoyable. Tuesday we leave for Portugal and we are gonna stay there for 2 and a half weeks. I can't wait.