After a lovely boat trip from Travemunde to Helsinki (Vuosaari harbour), we are finally home. It has been an intense but rewarding two weeks, but I feel very happy we did it. I had never done anything quite like this trip! I am looking forward to the second leg of the trip in the autumn,… Continue reading Home sweet home
Month: June 2010
Arrived in Hamburg
Safe and sound, the ICE caught up the five minute delay and we made it to the Hamburg-bound train in Göttingen without any trouble. They announce World Cup football results in the German trains, that I call service. Spend the morning awaiting for Germany-Serbia game by sorting email. Tonight, or technically tomorrow morning 3 AM… Continue reading Arrived in Hamburg
Freedom of the Interrail pass
Lectures finished for now, and as a celebratory move, instead of staying the night in Frankfurt, we decided to make the epic “Ticket to ride” -journey from Switzerland to Hamburg in one go. We’ll see how tight the change at Göttingen proves to be, but there is always the next train. Frankfurt Hbf structures impressed… Continue reading Freedom of the Interrail pass
Forest, bisquits and football near Zürich
Amazing how students come up with surprising questions and also answers time after time. The biscuits -especially the coconut ones- at the coffee break are delicious here. This is hopefully compensated by the the fact that the forest around provided lovely opportunity for a run, topped with trees cut by beavers and other wonders of… Continue reading Forest, bisquits and football near Zürich
Arrived at PSI
After a long day of lecturing (9-15) and traveling by train (Cologne-Mannheim-Basel-Brugg) and a bit by taxi too we arrived at PSI. I was impressed by the size of the institute! It really feels like we are in the south now – the wind is warm. I hope we have a good day tomorrow, as… Continue reading Arrived at PSI
Full day in Cologne
Lectures of day one done, local organiser Judith prepares brilliant tea. Climbed to the belfry of the famous cathedral, BTW the most visited tourist attraction in Germany. I might prefer the Hohenzollern railway bridge next door, but it is a close call. Girls’ night out with asparagus, hard talk and ice cream. Italy drew with… Continue reading Full day in Cologne
Arrived in Cologne
Just in time to watch Germany-Australia, have some Kölsch and peppermint tea. Street party still going on outside the hotel accompanied by beeping and honking everywhere- it is a pleasure to be amongst the winners for once in the context of football- though I hope to get some sleep at some point.
Light conditions- not only in Paris
Fellow scientists, has anyone measured the difference in natural light properties at different locations in the world. I mean, even at noon on a clear day the light is quite different in say, New York and Leeds. What does it depend on? Aerosol content yes, but we are speaking enough about those little bastards this… Continue reading Light conditions- not only in Paris
Non-lecture stops at London and Paris
London offered a milder, mango-based seafood curry, not that brilliant world cup football and meetings with good friends, moreover a strong need to go there for a longer time. I am grateful for scientific career providing me (so far:) with 1.5 home cities and home countries. What I feel most acutely now is however a… Continue reading Non-lecture stops at London and Paris
Preparing for the kick-off at Leeds
With yesterdays curry still invigorating my body and mind, heading to give the Leeds lectures. Must keep the schedule in shape to finish well before the kick-off of the first world cup match at three o’clock this afternoon. Lots of English flags in cars and on balconies both here and in Manchester.