Joyeux Noël - It's time to celebrate!

This holiday season was a whirlwind of celebrations and merry making... just as it should be! We had a blast, but there was no rest for the weary. In addition to the normal dinner and lunch dates, we had some special events to help ring in the holiday season.

First up was the big GenevaOnLine (Glocals) holiday party that took place in a giant tent on the grounds of the Geneva Welcome Center. So we were well protected from the cold and rain that was pelting us outside. There were all the usual party folks there and I was thrilled to see a few friends who I rarely see out and about on the Geneva social scene. We drank (well, I stuck to my current favorite, jus de pomme, or apple juice) and danced until it was time to go. Unfortunately that was well after the busses had stopped running (even after the special "Noctambus" late night hour busses had stopped running). So we shared a taxi home with our friends J & G - a wonderfully sweet couple I met when I joined the GoL "mastermind" group last summer. What a great night!!

The next day we decided it was high time we visited Lyon's old town. We have both been to Lyon before, but really only to shop at the huge American-style mall (a rarity in Europe) or to change trains. We had never been to the old town or tried the world famous culinary delights that the town boasts! It was still a bit gloomy outside, but that didn't stop us from a nice tour around the city and a very traditional 2 1/2 hour lunch! No one can do a meal like the French! :)

The next week there were three holiday dinners on the schedule; G's office holiday dinner, my netball holiday dinner, and our annual Toastmasters holiday dinner. G's office party was held at a local Genevoise restaurant with fantastic food and was just around the corner from our flat which made it even better. After dinner we split up into groups of 5 and were given 3 eggs to protect. Yes, you heard me right. There was an "auction" where we spent play Euros on various types of packaging to protect our eggs and after constructing a protective package we had to throw the eggs off the second floor landing to the restaurant floor below. Unfortunately only one of our eggs survived. But out of about 7 teams our team came in second, which wasn't so bad.

To top off all the festivities, the city of Geneva was hosting the annual Fête de luminaires à Genève, which is a light festival throughout the city that lasts for most of December.

Next we are off to the Maldives for a week of fun in the sun. We won't be back until after Christmas, so happy holidays and Joyeux Noël!


Having fun at the GenevaOnLine (Glocals) holiday party

The (almost) winning egg team at the Brocade holiday party

In front of the Geneva flag at the Brocade holiday party


The basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which overlooks the city of Lyon


G by the banks of the Rhône in Lyon


Keeping warm in Lyon


The narrow streets of Lyon


Fête de luminaires in Geneva - The Jet d’Eau fountain in red


Fête de luminaires - This shot is of Rousseau Island, just up the street from our flat!