HOLA BARCELONA!!

Last weekend Maureen, Lisa and I visited Barcelona. What a cool city! You could easily hang out there for a month or two just chilling out... it's very relaxed and friendly, with a bizzare architectural twist thanks to Gaudi.

DON'T PUT OUT THE LIGHT!

Yesterday the Olympic torch passed through Paris. It was to go under the Eiffel Tower and make a picture - perfect moment. Only problem was that there was a whole lot of demonstrations about China's Tibet policies, and *SHOCK HORROR* the flame WENT OUT. 3 times! Now I don't know the complete significance but I thought the whole idea of the torch relay was to keep it burning the whole time...... Things got so out of hand that cops on rollerblades were brought in to keep the peace (only in France!).....

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BAG? LESSONS I HAVE LEARNT

My bag never arrived when I landed in Paris from South Africa 1 month ago. Apparently I am to be compensated (how much I don't know) but let me tell you its very depressing, not to mention frustrating when you lose all your favourite clothes, make-up, shoes, jewellery and all those notes I dilligently took on the course. And its not fun feeling like a smelly ugly loser wearing all the clothes you hate (you left them home for a reason!).....

This weekend I am going to Barcelona for 3 days, and I am applying all I have learnt since my ordeal began.
1. Carry on only! This way you can't lose stuff.
If you have to check bags:
2. Take your ugly clothes, or at least take only a few nice things. You don't know anyone where you are going so don't worry about it.
3. Anything you really like, put it in you carry on bag.
4. Don't take anything just in case! You probably won't need it anyway.
5. Put things that belong together, together. Eg. phone and charger. Camera and charger, iPod and charger...... you get the idea. Then if something is lost you aren't stuck with half a product.
6. Make your bag REALLY colourful. This will help the losers at the airline locate your bag if its lost.
7. Don't take anything of emotional value.
8. Don't take sporting attire and goods. You are kidding yourself if you think you are going to do exercise while on holiday.
9. Its VERY unlikely that there will be a freak snowstorm in the middle of summer (for eg.). Pack accordingly.
10. RE: makeup - the natural look is in!


Happy packing!

MARATHON MAN

Today was the Paris marathon, one of the biggest in the world. It was a balmy 2 degrees for the runners (bloody freezing if you were a spectator).... We watched everyone run past (we were searching for Benoit from my lab with no success), but the most memorable entrant was the guy who completed the marathon on stilts!
It was pretty cool because it went straight past the front of my house. We got up early and braved the cold to see everyone, although the band playing across the street helped to warm the air. The fastest guys finished in 2:06 hours.... Benoit did it in 4 hours! I cannot imagine running for 4 hours........ guess that's why I don't do marathons. On the other side of the globe Joanie (one of my bridesmaids) did an 11km trail run (think running up a mountain side) and came 1st in her age group and 2nd overall! The weekend before that Dazza did a triathalon! Somehow I am becoming surrounded by athletes and I don't like it!