Madrid

Time for a short trip to Madrid, the highest capital in Europe - and for once it showed since it was unseasonally cold in the evenings. There is always some special event taking place. First, the Saint Isidore celebration, the patron of the city. A group of young men carry these huge figures through the city, stopping on main squares and doing traditional dances.
The next day, the capital was almost completely white and red, the colours of Atletico de Madrid, the second - and as a fan of Real Madrid, I emphasize this - football club of the capital. The team had just won the European Cup (against Fuhlam ... I mean: is that really an achievement??). They flew back, paraded through Madrid on a big open bus and hosted a party on one of the main square. The Masters tennis tournament hosted the best players, even though only two mattered. The last big preparation before Roland Garros. I must say that the vibe was not as passionate as in Paris - maybe it was because of the cold. At one stage, the whole public was shouting "Manolo, es frio. Cierra la ventana" (Manolo, it's cold. Close the window - in reference to the open rooftop. Manolo Santana is a famous ex Spanish tennis champion now the organiser of the event). Still we got to see Nadal demolish Monfils and Federer take revenge on his earlier loss against Gulbis. Some spectacular shots - these two are ready for Roland Garros. I think there is no need to organise the earlier rounds there, we all want to see Federer and Nadal in the final. Well, especially me since I have tickets.Madrid and Spain are also famous for their great food. I mean sportspeople need to eat well. So besides the tapas and the paella, there is no best way to start a day than with "chocolate con churros".
Lastly, Spain would not be Spain and Madrid would not be Madrid without the Plaza Major. So nice, lively and colourful. Viva Espana!

Washington - preview

Time again for the Spring Meetings in Washington. Although the Icelandic volcano almost derailed the whole event, we managed to fly safely.

Nice to see my future colleagues and my future office! Also very good to see that spring is coming earlier to Washington, than to Switzerland.And fascinating to experience the debates and to meet with high-ranking officials. Surely you recognised the famous man on the pic. No, no, not me. But the gentleman with the blue tie in the background. Yes, it is Thimoty Geithner, the US Minister of Finance. I will certainly spend enriching times at the IMF. In two months time...

Getting GOOD at maths!

After being a rookie at last year's competition (see entrance from March 2009), this time it was more serious. Firstly, because the maths competition took place at the "Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale (EPFL)" in Lausanne. It is one of the best technical universities in the world - they basically made the Alinghi boat (of the America's Cup) and are involved in a lot of applied research. Secondly, because this time there were around 700 people writing the exam at the same time, from primary school children to high competition contestants. Quite a lot of brains in action on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a beautiful view over the Lake and the Alps. The EPFL hosts now the new Rolex learning center, a top modern library and study area for students. Great design with its gentel curves and its light wells. A total contrast to Cambridge... I wished I would go back to being a student just to spend all my time in there. These days students have definitely no excuse for failing...At 2pm sharp the semi-final of the maths competition started. I was going from one question to the next, leaving for later the ones that I thought were a bit tricky. All in all, I felt better than last year and after 158 minutes handed in my copy. You also want to try your luck. Well here a question for you:
"We add 1/10 + 2/100 + 3/1000 + 4/10 000 + ...., that is 0,1 + 0,02 + 0,003 + 0,0004 + ... and so on until the infinity. We write this sum using the decimal system. In this sum, what is the 2010th number after the point?"
I guess you can see my brain in action there...

Then started the long wait, first to know the right answers and then to know the name of the qualified people for the final. So let me say it quite loud: I was ranked FOURTH best of 50 participants in the category "general public". On one side, I was very proud to have managed so well and to get some presents (including a great pizza from my friend who was as impressed as me from my performance - thanks !). On the other side, when I saw the mistakes I made (including not copying the correct answer on my answer sheet when I had it on my paper!), I could even have done better.

Our podium is a bit cliche with only men making it into the top spots (the woman is the organiser). But in the other categories, including primary school and secondary school children, it was good to see girls and boys as well as swiss and foreign-originating kids getting to the top of their categories. A good sign for the opportunities given by our school system.
So now, I am qualified for the SWISS FINAL taking place in May. Do not hesitate to wish me luck!

Excursions

A great thing about being in Europe is of course how nice this continent is, but also how easy and how close things are to experience diversity. Two recent examples.

First Alicante in Spain. While there were meters of snow here and the temperature barely reached minus 5, there a bit more than one hour away is this Spanish town by the sea with blue skies and nice temperature. Great to walk by the beach, to play tennis on clay, to eat tapas and sea food, to speak Spanish! Such a relaxed ambiance, such an easy place.
Second, Cambridge in England. Complete change of scenery. Of course it is bitterly cold - I have to admit that even a McDonalds is a better place than the cold british streets - and the sky is so dark. And do not get me started on their sense of humour...
At least, what is nice about the old town of Cambridge is how they manage to keep things as they have been for centuries. Tradition, I guess. Sometimes, it really feels like in the Harry Potter movies.
So there you have it - the rich cultural heritage of Europe, the change in climate and the different vibes. I am definitely a European! I have to do more of these excursions and make the most of my long week-ends.

Snow !

Most of my friends have been wondering if I am totally allergic to snow. It is time to reassure them!There a few pics of my snow-shoe walking tour in Les Paccots. Nice view and nice weather!
And when I do things, I do them well. So I also went skiing to Les Carroz, in France. A lot of fun. Do not get carried away: I am not going to be turning to a real swiss anytime soon. You will still hear me complain about the cold and the snow!

Zambia - nature

There is a first for everything. Well this time it was my first safari on foot, in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Ok, there are no big cats, but we did get so close to so many animals. An experience to repeat!
The giraffes could see us from far, whereas the rhinos did smell us. So impressive to be less than 20 meters away from this huge animal. I have to admit that our guide and our armed escort were not too worried at us coming close to this particular white rhino, but that is a story I will tell only if asked.
Another must-do is a cruise on the Zambezi. From our boat, we could see elephants grazing on one of the island. I even saw two elephants crossing the river. These animals are indeed strong.
And then we also came accross a group of hippos. So funny to see their ears emerging out of the water.

Zambia - Victoria Falls

No need to write too much about the Victoriall Falls, on the mighty Zambezi River. The local name of the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya - the water that thunders - tells it all. Fantastic to fly over the falls. At this time of the year, the waters are low and fall only on the Zimbabwe side.
As can clearly be seen from above, the erosion of the river makes it possible for us to see the Falls from the opposite side. It gets a bit wet in the edges!
To finish then two videos to enjoy - with the sound it is even better.