I am currently laying amongst the cloud-like pillows of the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland. Along with journalists and members of the media I will be spending the next 4 days exploring Switzerland, learning about the country, and even how it will be represented at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Our flight was long (and held-over in London) so we arrived at night and haven’t been able to see much of our surroundings. Luckily we were greeted by Dr. Sibylle Ambühl, from Presence Switzerland (the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) who gave us a crash-course in everything Swiss. She amazingly managed to explain all the basics of the geography, political system, military, electoral process, education, and health care infrastructure during the ride from the airport. She said that many other countries have lakes, mountains, snow, agriculture, and metropolitan cities however Switzerland has all of that packed into 41,000 square kilometers (which is about 25 times smaller than British Columbia).
Tomorrow will kick off our expedition as we say goodbye to the Beau-Rivage and head to IOC Headquarters and the Olympic Museum. From there, we’ll take trains and buses across the entire country — exploring and uncovering all that makes Switzerland tick.
This will be my first night in a 19th century hotel (where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed) so sleep is the first part of my adventure.
When the sun rises I’ll be able to look out the window and truly get a grasp on my surroundings. Over the next few days, I hope to share all of the elements of Switzerland that make it much more than a nation of cheese, chocolate, and finely crafted watches.
You can view the rest of my photos from my media trip to Switzerland in this photo set, and read all posts here.
I am currently traveling to Switzerland on a media trip although I’ve come to a halt at Heathrow in London. My first flight to Geneva has been canceled due to weather (or as the pilot said “wind so fast it’s bound to turn your umbrella inside out.”)
As such, I thought it would be a good time to prepare a blog post since I’m currently 9 hours ahead of Vancouver and likely to pass out upon arrival in my Swiss hotel. I’m not sure when I’ll wake up or what day it might be but please enjoy this next installment of the “Then and Now” photo series.
1924
Davie at Thurlow
Photographer: WJ Moore, Item #: Bu N324
2009
1928
10th at Hemlock
Photographer: WJ Moore, Item #: Bu N252
2009
1936
Tudor Manor, 1311 Beach Avenue
Photographer: Stuart Thomson, Item #: CVA 99-4913
2009
1940s
Cambie at West 23rd
Photographer: Jack Lindsay, Item #: CVA 1184-1939
2009
Sources: The older images are courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives and the 2009 images have been screen-captured from Google Street Views.
This is my second “apartment” theme but if you have any suggestions for a future “Then and Now” series please feel free to drop me a comment.
This weekend the National Yoga Challenge will take place at the Olympic Oval in Richmond and the Yoga Sanctuary in Toronto. This 3rd annual event will run November 20th until the 22nd to support UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign.
The National Yoga Challenge is presented by Yoga4Kidz as it encourages instructors, health enthusiasts, and those passionate about contributing to a cause to join in this weekend. Thousands of men, women, children and their families across the country and beyond will come together to practice yoga, and to observe compassionate living.
Participants are encouraged to collect pledges, like you would for a fun run/walk, and can either fundraise on their own or as part of a yoga team. You can register online or pledge to support a participant. You can practice as much yoga as you like throughout the weekend, whether it’s just for 30 minutes or a full 24-hour period (as they have a yogi sleeping area). However, the “challenge” part is that the team that raises the most donations will get free yoga classes for a month.
Find the National Yoga Challenge on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr for information and updates or drop by the Olympic Oval this weekend to participate.
Cornucopia, Whistler’s yearly food and wine festival kicked off their 13th year tonight with a ”House Party” at the Whistler Conference Center.
Many local beer and wines were on offer along with some amazing cheeses and even local (Pemberton) Vodka.
We’re looking forward to taking in some events tomorrow and Saturday including everything from the Chef’s Challenge and the Chef’s Trip to the Farm, to Flatbreads & Wines along with Bubbles & Oceans at Araxi.
We got lucky this year and the mountain is opening early which will allow us to enjoy our first tracks of the season on Saturday before attending more festivities in the afternoon and evening.
It’s not too late to head on up for some food, wine, beer and snow at Cornucopia 2009. If you can’t make it though, we’ll have more information posted here throughout the weekend so be sure to check back.
Jennifer is on location in Whistler covering Cornucopia for Miss604.com this weekend.
L’Arche Greater Vancouver is ramping up for a community art showcase fundraiser and they are putting the call out to local artists who would like to participate.
Seeking Artwork Inspired by Community L’Arche Greater Vancouver is seeking submissions by emerging artists for “The Art of Being Together”, an upcoming juried show. Ten finalists will be chosen whose work best reflects the theme of community, sharing life, friendship and inclusiveness. Their work will be purchased by L’Arche for $250 and displayed at the March 6 show where judges will announce their top choice and the public will be invited to vote for the people’s choice.
An additional prize will be given for the People’s Choice and the Judges’ Choice Awards. The judges may also choose additional work from submitted art to be on display in the ‘Honourable Mention’ category but those works would not be purchased by L’Arche. This show will also include a gallery of L’Arche art.
L’Arche is an international organization that assists and supports those with developmental disabilities. They have been based in Greater Vancouver for over 30 years and run community homes, day programs, and are involved in an array of community outreach programs. They are a Christian-based society however they assist and support members from a rich diversity of religions, races and cultural backgrounds.
I’ll be involved with the Art of Being Together show which will take place Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre in Burnaby. If you are interested in helping out or being a sponsor, please visit the L’Arche website for contact details and specifics for the artwork.
Update: L’Arche now has a blog!
