Skiing in Zermatt

One of my friends, Martin, has a Go Pro and made a video about our ski group.  He gave me permission to share it here.  Enjoy!

A link to video in case it doesn't work:
http://vimeo.com/80939734

Christine

Christine in Zermatt, Switzerland

It's that wonderful time of year again--ski season!  And I finally saw the Matterhorn.  It is the mountain summit between Switzerland and Italia, at 4,478 meters (14,691 feet).  It is one of the highest peaks in the Alps.  The Matterhorn has a pyramid shape to it.  You may be familiar with it because it is on the Toblerone candy.  Yes, it is on the wrapper.  It is breathtakingly beautiful.  There is a Klein Matterhorn  across from the Matterhorn, but I didn't take a picture of it.  (I am working on my photography skills.  This is with my point and shoot camera not the fancy one.)

Matterhorn from Zermatt, Switzerland.

Matterhorn from the Italia side.

Matterhorn from the slopes, Switzerland.

You ski on a glacier.  And can visit both the Swiss and Italian Alps.  I recommend eating on the Italian side.  Not only is the food amazing, but it is cheaper.  The runs are fun and there are cable cars to connect both sides.  Though if the winds are too much, there is a T-bar from the Swiss side to the Italian side.  It is a long ride.  Ask me how I know.  But worth it.

What better way to spend Thanksgiving then on the slopes.  The Europeans try to do an American Thanksgiving.  But it is just not the same.  Something is always a little off.  Not bad, but not like home. Overall, the food at the hotel was quite good.  (You eat your breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch on the mountain.)  And the hotel was like 20 feet from the gondola.  Can't beat that.  At all.  Wake up, eat, and then a simple commute.

 And Switzerland has wonderful fondue.  You have to eat fondue if you visit.  I went with the group I skied with for lunch one day.

Zermatt is a wonderful town.  That you take a train to get too.  Since they do not allow gas vehicles of any time up there.  Only electric cars.  Kinda like golf carts on steroids.

And the church, with a unique fountain in the foreground:

Christine

Christine in Djibouti City, Djibouti

Work was kind enough to pay for one of my adventures.  I finally made it to the continent of Africa.  Visiting Djibouti.  Interestingly, Africa, well Djibouti, is exactly what we all thought it would be.  It was for me anyway.  During my visiting at the end of October and early November 2013 (yes I am super way behind and I apologize to you all) the high was in the 90s and it was SUNNY.  All.The.Time.  I loved this.  Hot weather.  (They told me in the summer it is in the 120s/130s and feels like a hair dryer blowing in your face all the time.)  The opposite of Germany at this time of the year.  It is also brown and dusty.

This is the best picture in Djibouti that I took.  At the airport.  After getting off the plane.

I worked the 10 days straight.  There really is nothing else to do.  The base commander was/is not allowing anyone to leave the base.  I did get some pictures from the car though.  And I didn't get to try the local food either.  So no food pictures.

Christine