xmas in london

Earlier this week, I was in London to review the restructuring changes put in place there this year, to agree on priorities for 2008, and to take in a Christmas party. Or two. Here is an orange scene from Zurich airport, my Swiss European Airlines equipment, the drive across London, and some scenes from the Tube.

I've skipped the business meeting scenes (yawn), but perhaps more interesting are the colour shots from the party. Merry Christmas.

IMD, the TGV, and the A-13

This week I am at the International Institute for Management Development, IMD, in Lausanne for an executive leadership course. Both IMD and a night shot of Lausanne are pictured here.

However, I have escaped tonight via TGV for a team dinner outside Paris. I met the rest of the core team in city center (see l'hotel de ville de Paris).

And now we're driving west on the A-13 into Normandie for dinner.

Looking out from Lausanne

A break in the clouds looking west southwest, over the yachts at le Quai de la Nautique, towards Geneva from the Movenpick Hotel in Lausanne. I am at IMD for a corporate leadership program.

There was a bombing in Paris today

Today a bomb exploded about 200 meters from where my meeting was taking place. The bomb exploded at 52 boulevard Malesherbes, in the 8th arrondissement, and in the office building of the former law firm of Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of the republic. By the time we emerged from our basement meeting room, from whence we had heard none of the commotion, the situation had reverted to normal. More details here.

In the evening, we drove through center Paris to take in the street scenes, which, heading into the Christmas season, are quite remarkable. Here are a few shots of l'Arc de Triomphe, la Tour Eiffel, les Champs-Elysees, place de la Madeleine, and some other scenes.

Grey, wintery Zurich

This is the view from my corporate perch, looking through the rain drops at the nearby SBB train station. This dark, wet weather seems perfectly suited for a Monday... Wait a moment, the sun is breaking through to triumph over the dreay day!

Holiday ice at Glattzentrum

The holiday fever is high in der Schweiz. Here is a view of the indoor sliver of ice at Glattzentrum - a major local mall. After 25 minutes looking for a free parking place, I just left my car in an unauthorized spot, and hoped for the best. It was shoulder to shoulder Weinachten shoppers...