Day Off in 'Le Valais'
published on Sat. Jun. 14th, '08 by Swami AtmaOn Sunday last weekend I went with a couple good friends on a nice outing in France next to the Mont Blanc and then in Switzerland.
St Gervais les Bains
The first Step was to visit little town St Gervais les bains. I spent a couple kids camps there when I was 8-9 years old. The views in and out of this spa town/ski station are gorgeous.
St. Gervais les Bains
Le Valais
Le Valais is a pretty canton in the heartland of the French part of Switzerland. Even though locals speak French, it's a very different culture than France. So it's fun for us French folks to visit. You've got to resist the strong tendency of French folks to make fun of the locals' accent. I know it's bad but it's in our genes.
Characteristics of the area are awesome sceneries as well as a wonderful micro climates. Therefore there are tons of orchards and lots of fine wine comes from there.
Picnic in Heaven
We had a great picnic in a very quiet spot in a valley. I could not stop taking photos. Little houses and chalets, wild flowers, small stream and of course jaw dropping mountains in the background.
La Vallée du Rhône
Our next plan was to go to Ovronnaz where there is a nice spa. This entailed a little over an hour car ride going down into the 'Vallée du Rhône'. Eye popping view.
The Spa in Ovronnaz
I did not take pictures there because I focused intently on relaxing. lol. Most foreigners don't know that in Switzerland you can find everywhere some spas with waters coming from the ground with lots of healing properties. Installations are first class and very hygienic of course. The kicker is you spend half a day in those places for barely more than the cost of a movie at the theater. Less when you count the snacks.
This particular one is located on the top of some mountains shown above on the left of the vallee so you've got views all around while you are soaking. The valley on one side and some high mounts on others.
Typical Restaurant
On our way back I wanted to eat in a typical Valaisan place and eat typical Swiss food - but no fondue for a change. So I had a 'mean' Rösti (pronounce RRRRRReeuuuuuSSSSSCCCCCHHHHHHttteeeeeeeee , but harder, with more emphasis, and a singing voice) with local cheese.
It was a lovely and worderful day.
Posted in: Traveling Journal - Nice Photos | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
On Getting to the Terrorists
published on Sat. Jun. 14th, '08 by Swami AtmaThis is a perfect analogy to the current situation.
For those who don't understand why the whole world is resenting the US, may be this will help in the comprehension department.
Contact Juggling Video
published on Sat. Jun. 14th, '08 by Swami AtmaThis is my first encounter with contact juggling. Quite mesmerizing!
The Way to Happiness Can Be Counter-intuitive
published on Fri. Jun. 13th, '08 by Swami AtmaHe who, casting aside the ordinances of the scriptures, acts under the impulse of desire, attains neither perfection nor happiness nor the supreme goal. Lord Krishna
Bhagavad Gita - XVI.23
Sushi Art
published on Fri. Jun. 13th, '08 by Swami AtmaSome original art made exclusively with sushi ingredients.
The Upside of Aging
published on Fri. Jun. 13th, '08 by Swami AtmaThis story will make you feel better if you belong to those of us who are over the hill.
It starts strong ...
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
... and it just gets better.
Posted in: Positive News | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
How to Become Powerful & Peaceful
published on Thu. Jun. 12th, '08 by Swami AtmaThe moment you turn your mind Godward, you will gain immense strength and peace. Swami Sivananda
Famous Vegetarians
published on Thu. Jun. 12th, '08 by Swami AtmaI feel ambiguous about this because I haven't checked whether this list is accurate but here it goes.
- The list includes
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Henry David Thoreau
- Martin Luther
- Vincent Van Gogh
- Carl Lewis and many, many more
Karma Yoga Baby
published on Thu. Jun. 12th, '08 by Swami AtmaYou've got to train them young ;-)
A bit the ideal of karma yoga. Combining fun and useful work without the feeling of agency.
Posted in: Jokes & Fun - Yoga | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Count the black dots
published on Thu. Jun. 12th, '08 by Swami AtmaNice illusion. Really tough to do. Try to count the black dots.
Thanks to Vivekananda for submitting it.
Psychological & Spiritual Health
published on Wed. Jun. 11th, '08 by Swami AtmaIt is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. Krishnamurti
In other words play the game of life in your own terms. Too many people waste their life trying to fit in and just follow the masses and the system.
The system is just there to take your money, not for your own good.
Posted in: Yoga - Jokes & Fun - Politics | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Christianity & Atheism
published on Wed. Jun. 11th, '08 by Swami Atma
Posted in: Yoga - Jokes & Fun | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Little Actions that Make a Difference
published on Wed. Jun. 11th, '08 by Swami AtmaHere is a great web site. Many of us want to make this world a better world but feel overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of the problems the planet faces. We tend to feel powerless on the individual level.
The we are what we do web site empowers its visitors to do small actions, which carried out by a large number of folks, brings about big results.
Suggested by Maria.
Posted in: Positive News | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
New Google Earth Video Demo
published on Wed. Jun. 11th, '08 by Swami AtmaI can't believe how fast the web technology is advancing. Many of these advances come courtesy of Google. Here we are actually talking about a desktop application but please check out this video demoing Google Earth 4.3. Very spectacular. And free on top of that.
Let's Connect with Twitter
published on Sat. Jun. 7th, '08 by Swami AtmaFor a long time I thought the whole twitter thing was just pure waste of time and I wanted to do nothing with it but this blog post video and this nice video intro convinced me to give it a go.
I still think it's waste of time though. ;-)
So if you'd like to be in touch via Twitter, get a free account and feel free to contact me through my profile page.
Security Alert
More and more social web sites ask you to give your email address and email passwords to look through your contact list to find whether some of your friends are there. You should NEVER give out your email password to such web sites and services. Too much sensitive info lies there.
