Author’s note: This post is a continuation of my series on trekking La Tour de la Vanoise in the French Alps. For previous post, click here.
Lovely, quaint Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a mountain town located in the heart of Savoie in the French Alps.
After our unexpected afternoon in Geneva(for post click here), we returned to the airport to meet our guide Mark along with the other two guests joining us on our trek through La Tour de la Vanoise. Our group would be small, only four trekkers along with our own, personal mountain guide, France-based Brit, Mark of Simply Savoie.
Isn’t this what you envision a French Alpine village to look like?
This month, Shot@Life (a global campaign that provides life-saving vaccines to children in developing countries) has launched something spectacular: Blogust.
Every day throughout the month of August, Shot@Life will feature a post on why comments matter and how they build community and work to promote social good. An anonymous donor has generously agreed to donate $20 per comment. That $20 is enough money to provide four life-saving vaccines to one child and vaccinate him or her for life.
One in five children do not have access to life-saving vaccines. Shot@Life is working to change that number by reaching that fifth child. Photo Credit: UN Foundation
Since the launch of Blogust, fellow Shot@Life Champions including myself have done everything possible to spread the word through social media and get more people to comment. So far, it has worked in unimaginable ways and has been an unbelievable success. Over the weekend, we reached our first 1,500 comments meaning 1,500 children who would otherwise not receive these life-saving vaccines will get them. We have raised $30,000 reaching the initial donation commitment from our donor and we are only on Day 5 of the campaign!!!
I recently spent five days in our nation’s capital, Washington DC for a conference, and had the interesting experience of staying in nearby Crystal Cityan “urban village” as it is called on Wikipedia that is located south of Washington DC in Arlington, Virginia.
I had spent some time there at a week-long conference years ago and that trip did not leave me with good impressions of the urban-suburban-feeling place. In fact, I hated it. Fast-forward ten years and I could not believe how much it has changed.
“May I never miss a sunset or rainbow because I am looking down”. –Sara June Parker
One thing I’ve learned is there is nothing like a gorgeous, undisturbed, peaceful sunset. Sunset has always been a celebrated, magical event. For who doesn’t love a beautiful sunset?
I believe, to witness a sunset in a place where no one else is around makes it even better. To indulge in the beauty of our planet and its inexplicable wonder never ceases to stir a wondering soul.
Yesterday was the first day I could finally ease into that Adirondack chair and relax. The kids were off playing games in the morning and I indulged into one of my favorite pastimes. Reading. I completed a beautiful book that I need to add to my Worth a Read page called “The Memory of Love” written by a Sierra Leone woman named Aminatta Forna. As you can probably guess by now, I don’t read anything too light and fluffy.
Yet the book truly made me think deeply about so many things in life. How fast time goes. How much we take for granted. How love is everlasting. The cruelty of war, rape and death. How hope and resilience rises above it all. The beauty and power of the human spirit.
The last week has been the most crazy stormy summer weather imaginable in Minnesota. One moment the sky is blue and then without warning enormous, black thundery clouds sweep in and take over the sky leaving us in a downpour of electric lightening and roaring thunder. It has been so wet that I haven’t even had to bother watering my garden (one bonus) but so wet that I can almost see the millions of super sized mosquitoes (which we often joke are the State Bird) breeding in its wake.
In honor of father’s day, I thought I’d do this next post on my dad. I made a promise to him that it wouldn’t be sappy or a tear-jerker like the one I wrote for my mom. You know how us women can be! We love to be emotional, don’t we? So, I will try my best to make this post light and fun, ok dad?
Picture of my dad and I on top of the world at the highest point along the Annapurna Trek in Nepal in November 2010.
Picture of my dad and I on top of the world at the highest point along the Annapurna Trek in Nepal in November 2010.
Remember back in early and mid-Spring, I did a series of posts on the perennial gardens over near Lake Harriet? (click here to see most recent post). I found some delightful surprises that captivated my soul and I’ve gone back several times since to see what new has come up.
The biggest attraction of all of course is the Rose Garden which blooms each summer in hundreds of colors and types of roses. When it is in full bloom, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the city.
I’d been watching the Rose Garden often during my daily runs around the lake and nothing had transpired since the last time I’d checked. However, Monday was entirely different. Sophia and I set off on a bike ride along the lakes and on our way home I noticed a blur of color as we passed by the Rose Garden. I wondered out loud….is it ready?
To my friend Lucy, who showed me her world in Antigua and how to love the art of photography. I will forever be grateful for your kindness and friendship. May our paths meet again!
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”- Flavia Weedn
I always find it hard to say goodbye to a place. I found it especially true with Guatemala. Over the last week I’d been as immersed as possible with the culture. I lived with a host family, took intensive spanish courses, climbed a volcano at the crack of dawn, took my first chicken bus and learned to slow everything down and take things as they come. All in all, you couldn’t ask for a better journey than that.
As Sunday morning came and went, I felt a sadness about leaving so soon. I could hardly believe how much I’d done and seen in only a week. Perhaps more than many people ever experience at all. I honestly believe that immersing oneself as much as possible in the culture you are visiting, is the greatest reward ever when it comes to traveling. It was no vacation, that is for sure. Every day I rose exhausted beyond belief and wondering how I’d gather the energy to make it through another long albeit exhilarating day. But one thing I’ve come to learn and understand about myself over the years is that this is how I like to travel. I would do it no other way. A vacation? No thanks. Sitting on the beach? I’d be bored in two minutes. Running around a country and trying to see and learn as much as possible in only a week with never taking a moment to sit still? That is what I do. That is what I crave. And most importantly, that is what I love.
Sensational, cloudless view of Agua Volcano on Sunday morning, the day of my departure.
I know that many people find my way of traveling absolutely crazy. They don’t understand me one bit.
But as I always love to say and quote my parents for reminding me “The world is your oyster”. With those encouraging, motivating words….there was no time to sit aimlessly in my room checking emails. I had to take advantage of every moment and opportunity I got to explore, learn and see my surroundings. For how else would I get a sense of compassion for Guatemala? It certainly wouldn’t be gained from laying on my bed reading a book.
“I cannot rest from travel; I will drink life to the lees”.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Ulysses
After full day of non-stop sightseeing and picture taking (over 400 each!) Lucy and I were exhausted and ready for some rest and relaxation. It was time for a drink. Lucy knew just the place, the Sky Bar, which had a great selection of icy cold beers and drinks yet best of all, a rooftop deck with a view to the world.
The sun was beginning to set and cast its lovely shadows across the brightly colored terra-cotta buildings of Antigua. I could hardly stand the urge and temptation to forego the drink and keep taking pictures. Yet my camera battery was really dying down as was my energy. It was also well past five o’clock happy hour.
By supporting and fundraising for Shot@Life, with the help of my friends we have raised over $1500 and counting which will be enough funds to vaccinate 72 children in developing countries for life.
I am not finished. There is still much work to be done and more money to be raised.
I won’t give up.
I have miles to walk before I sleep.
The number of children dying around the world due to lack of life-saving vaccines is equivalent to the half of the children in the United States entering Kindergarten this fall.
We are going to change this fact.
Here is a priceless video of Sophia’s practicing her song for yesterday’s preschool concert. Click on link below to view.
We are the ones who make a brighter day so let’s keep giving.
There’s a choice we’re making. We’re saving our own lives.
It’s true, we’ll make a brighter day just you and me.
Stay tuned….this wraps up my series for the UN Global Immunization Week and the launch of Shot@Life. I will still be working hard to advocate and raise money and awareness for this amazing program. It has been quite an experience. I’m heading back to my regular posts ASAP. Thanks for your continued support and comments! Nicole
When I was planning out my travel schedule this year, it never occurred to me that I would have the fortuitous opportunity of experiencing three Springs. Spring is one of my favorite times of year. After a long, cold, brutal, colorless winter suddenly there is a huge rebirth of color and everything comes to life. This rebirth of life brings so much joy to me that at times I find myself engulfed in absolute spring fever madness.
I can’t concentrate. I can’t stand to be indoors. My heart and soul are bursting with energy to be outside and to be alive once again. I want to run faster. I want to breathe freer. My soul is begging me to be outside, experiencing the thrill of mother nature at her finest.
Photo of tulip bursting with color and brightness and growing towards the sun…
