Happy Passover!

Haggadah and Seder Plate

Haggadah and Seder Plate

Yes, as an inquisitive and spiritual person, I strive to know, learn and understand others’ cultures, habits, religions, way of life and existence. Passover is one of these things. I have heard of it, and like many, I was clueless about it. My lack of knowledge only made me wonder more but the information I got was not enough to beat my curiosity. I was not satisfied. I wanted to experience it, be there, be present at the ceremony, feel it.

20140401_192953I have a handful of Jews friends, many are non practicing, so the possibility of me being invited to the Judaic ritual, was this much, zilch, well at the present time however. So, the minute I got the chance to experience Seder dinner, I jumped right in. I canceled my previous engagement, hop on my car and to the supermarket I went to purchase some Kosher goodies for the occasion. And there I was with pals from the Bible studies, dining Kosher meal and learning about Passover. It was an humble experience I may add, one I won’t soon forget. One thing I remember, the holiday dinner can take up to a long time and consists of holiday meals, special prayer services, abstention from work, songs, sacrifices…

Passover began today at dusk.

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Boiled Eggs

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Romaine Lettuce

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Matzah and Horseradish

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Matzah

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Matzah

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Soup

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Sweet Potato

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The Wine

The Wine

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Holiday Still, Geneva!

IMG_9550I know, Christmas season is over and done with it but I thought I would share a few pictures I took of Geneva at the time. Although, it wasn’t Paris, Milan or New York City, synonymous to Christmas exuberance, there were still sparkles of light and decor around the city to utter holiday.

IMG_9526The decor at Hotel President Wilson, simple, elegant and beautiful.

IMG_9531Named after the former US President, Woodrow Wilson, and adjacent to the Palais Wilson, currently the headquarters of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, this refined property overlooks Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and boasts the most expensive suite in the world.

IMG_9543The Royal Penthouse suite costs SF75,000 (€58,000) (USD $58,000) per night and has had numerous Heads of State and celebrities enjoy its luxury. Opened in 1963, the hotel has been a member of the Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels and Resorts since 2000 and was extensively renovated in 2010. (Source http://www.businesstraveller.com)

IMG_9532Yeah, I can just imagine me paying (USD $58,000) for a hotel room per night.

IMG_9534Opposite side Lac Leman (Lake Geneva)

IMG_9536The tip of the building.

Happy New Year!

2013Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year full of Joy, Happiness and Health, Wealth will come later if you work for it. Many blessings in the New Year!

20130101_024939Geneva’s version of Time Square. The picture is a little grim. Taken from my cell but trust me, they party like animals. Never seen so many open bottles of liquor in my life. The police, however, made its presence known and everyone was on their best behavior.

Hope yours was beautiful and you had a great time. Let’s start 2013 in a great note. I promise to have fun. New and exciting things to come!