wintry.spring.春.寒

the week in luxembourg.  it snowed in a day, heavy autumnal mist another day and finally the sky breaks clear with sunlight but cold.  this is the weather of europe and you can't wait for spring to finally arrive. 

這一週在盧森保經歷了冬雪、秋霧 和春寒。已經二月底了、歐洲的天氣還處於春寒期間。期待春天的來臨。

fifteen.of.cny 圆宵

the feast of the fifteen day of chinese new year, it's a day earlier when you friends host this gathering. each one bring a dish and that really adds up with the beautiful cheese cake made by the host.
this year you hardly feel the atmosphere of cny as you're on the road most time of the month.  and you celebrated with your good friend on just prior to the first day of cny and now you're celebrating the end.
now you'll wait for the next cny which you will definitely celebrate it differently.

cuisine. three. countries. 三.國.餐.藝

luxembourg is not a big country but when it comes to the choices of restaurants, they're plentiful if not spoil of choice. this is the summary of three nights stay in luxembourg, gourmet across three countries.
 盧森保雖然不大但餐廳的選擇繁多。

day one, you went to a portugese restaurant and had a hearty mediterranean seafood cuisine.  you had cod fish as main course and a flan as dessert. the restaurant is very homey, cozy to the extend it feels like going home to eat the home cook meal made by mama or grandma.
第一天去了里斯本的家庭式料理、充滿海鮮及太平洋風味的海產。點了cod 魚及flan 甜點。份量很大，真的很像媽媽或婆婆做的家庭料理。

day two, dine in the city center where you have a three course dinner starting with lobster soup, french beef stew and mango carpacicio with pineapple ice cream

第二天市區法國高級餐廳三部曲-微辣的龍蝦濃湯、法式炆牛肉、薄片芒果、鳳梨雪糕

day three, mexican restaurant, you're a little tired of eating out, so you opt for chicken salad.

第三天找了一家墨西哥餐廳、品嚐了異國風味的料理、只點了雞肉色拉、因為我真的不能再吃豐富的晚餐了、身體消化不了、向橫發展

hectic.忙裡偷閒

you love the last day of your business trip to italy, since you're not able to catch the last flight home the night before, you always have the opportunity to layover for a night in milan.  the day is usually less busy and today besides the call with india, the rest of the time is pretty much at your disposal.  that being said, you have not more than 3 hours of free time before you catch your flight home.

其實我最喜歡出差義大利的最後一天、因為無法在之前一晚趕飛機回去、所以會在米蘭逗留多一天。這一天通常都是比較空閒的。今天除了和印度的電話會議以外、其他時間就自行安排。其實電話會議後僅僅剩下三個多小時而已。

you went ot avril xxv, just a bit of strolling and window shopping, you drop by 10 corso como too, a very high end, luxury boutique that's too pricey for you. you love the concept and the two exhibition centers.

所以就去了avril xxv 附近诳诳、順便去了10 corso como 的專賣店。店裡賣的時裝很高檔、對我來說是高不可攀的。但我喜歡它的概念、有兩個展覽館.

this time there is a photography exhibition and a japanese photo coloring exhibition.  great space to transport you out of your hectic work situation.
今次有攝影展和一個日本攝影彩色加工技術類的展覽。

the cafe is like an oasis, it's very green, a little morocco patio style but lovely, cozy and inviting nonetheless.  the guests can truly enjoy the greenery amidst the coffee break or while dining.  some times little birds will fly to your table to beg for some food but they are not aggressive.  the berad and veg sticks is courtesy of the house, your lunch choice is a tad too healthy, just humus with vegetables, you like it this way to balance off the over eating in the past few evening.

 這裏算是城市裡的綠洲。地層的咖啡館很綠化、客人可以在一花一草的環境喝咖啡或用餐、小鳥有時會飛過來跟客人互動但不太激烈搶食物。今天我點了一個沙拉類的前菜、附前菜的麵包、蔬菜很新鮮、好好吃喔！雖然有點像兔子吃的食物、但我喜歡、夠健康。

the cappuccino is served like a finale with cookies and fruits.  how lovely, you wish to dwell longer but unfortunately you have a flight to catch!
再加上一杯義式卡布吉諾牛奶咖啡、送來時附了兩層式的小型甜點和水果。很喜歡咖啡館體貼的招呼。如果我不趕時間、我會在這裡消磨時光。可惜時間不多，又得趕飛機囉！

今天的米蘭有很濃厚的春天氣息！

back to busy life

the canteen at your client is no longer edible, the standard has dropped significantly after the tender renewal.  you went out with your client for lunch for the very first time.  the restaurant (il battiecco) has a peculiar setting but the food was great. simple down to earth italian cuisine.  you shared a bruchetta and had a plate of pumpkin ravioli, super yummy and sweet.
as it state, you're back to life, back to work, back to business travel and back to reality.
===

客戶的餐廳已不能再吃。食物真的咽不下口。今天跟同事去了一家純天然的餐廳。點了一客南瓜ravioli。南瓜的味道很甜、好好吃。

一大清早就跟客戶討論了一大堆的需求，我的頭都大了，但還是得應付下去，客戶還是合理的，這點我很感恩。來義大利的次數越來越少了，目前還有三趟，而我已慢慢習慣了這裡的一切、城市、客戶、環境。。。

::estepona::

another township nearby your resort, about  15 min drive away.  you did went out for lunch only the restaurant that you want to try is closed on the day, so you opt for  a local bar, rustic in the decoration with a lot of local congregate, chatting away. you ordered some tapas, simple and no fuss, down to eat. it's tasty.

::valentine's::

 you decided to stay put in the resort today, after all you should enjoy the facilities...

 the common area, with fountains, water and lots of sunshine ^^

 the outdoor pool, it's still a tad to cold to take a punch

 the beach, it's still a tad quiet this time of the year

 the gym and the indoor pool where you swam and sweat.  a much needed sports after frequent feasting and heavy meals

 your apartments, a bit classic look but it's luxurious and comfortable

the balcony with a view and the seasonal fruits your favorite strawberries

 another gym session, pilates to sweat further

you could cook in your apartment, but decided to dine in the in house restaurant since it's valentine's day.  the restaurant is full house with a lot of balloons to touch up the "love is in the air" atmosphere and live band performing.  you're here for the food. while you take only starter (octopus) and dessert, he had a three course meal including the fiduea.
seriously if it's not because of the campaign of the resort, you will not be able to stay here. it's such a luxury and you're thankful for a teeny price, you have the maximum indulgence in a 5 stars resort.  God is good.
happy valentine's
===

今天決定做個大宅女、留在渡假村院裡。陽光、沙灘、椰樹、大風、下雨、該有不該有的都全來了。海邊雖然陽光纏爛但不宜久留、畢竟氣溫不夠高、不宜戶外活動。結果在室內游泳池積極進行了30分鐘蛙式泳、終於揮汗了、這段日子、農曆新年的餐聚、加上出差的大喝大吃、沒太多機會做運動、胖來兩公斤。有機會度假、難得有時間活動筋骨。 揮汗了就對的起自己的身體。

渡假村是五星級、我很感恩、因為這是一個連鎖酒店的促銷優惠、用了很少錢就有三夜四天的兩房高級豪華海景公寓、留在公寓裡就很舒服。運動回來後、也許累了、也許公寓太舒服了、不知不覺就睡了一個很長的午覺。也太久沒有這樣睡午覺了、超級享受。。。

::alhambra::

 it has been long in your travel bucket list. since you're visiting andalusia area, you decided to cross alhambra off.  it's a distance away from where you lodged, so all you need is to wake up a little earlier than using for the 2 hours car ride to granada.

 as expected, it's a huge monuments and major tourist attraction. you're got a group ticket and entrance with a guided english tour guide.  nearly everything is moorish!

 colorful tiles, interesting architectures and details

 you loved every details you see here, the tiles and the patterns, the imprint on the wall, sometime with both christian, islam and jewish influence

the ceiling or the cupola is quite awesome, almost fantasizing and captured your attention for a very long time. the guide was very thorough, explaining the history in details, so much that it's too much for my absorption.

the jewish influence fountain

 you visited the main sites, main monuments and also the garden.  although this time of the year the garden is still quite barren with nothing interesting blossom, but the idea on how the garden is constructed already worth the visit, let alone the outlook of alhambra

moorish has a very good use of water, so often water is the key element for garden or courtyard design.  the water normally flow from four sides which symbolizes water, milk, honey and wine.

it's a lot of walking let alone the temperature is at the lower side.  it's tiring but definitely worth the visit. there are many tales in every palace, courtyard and garden. that's something you need to find time to absorb, and unfortunately time is scarce this month.

久違了阿蘭布拉宮。今天終於參觀了壯觀的它！就算經歷了兩個小時的車程、上山坡、沿路下雨、降溫、最終在10點前抵達。

阿蘭布拉宮很大、若不跟團可能無法體會到當時的輝煌歷史古蹟。我喜歡宮裡的一切、當導遊解說是我的腦海不斷想像當時的情景。猶太、伊斯蘭教、基督教和睦相處在格拉納大山區城市。

在宮裡、伊斯蘭教的建築風格很明顯、擅長利用水來規劃庭院、閣樓和噴泉。 來自四方的水代表水、牛奶、蜜糖及酒。

今天雖然很累、氣溫很低但我的腦海、思維卻不斷蓬勃、太多資訊要好好消化。雖然入門團票很貴但仍然覺得物有所值、很感恩有機會到此一遊。

::malaga::

woke up early to catch your flight, the only difference is this is not a business trip but a long weekend away and on a budget airline.
今天又一天清早趕飛機、唯一不同的是今次不是出差公幹，還有是坐廉價航空的喔！

早起的鳥兒有蟲吃、早機有早到的好處。抵達取車就前往馬拉加市中心。

you arrived relatively early at malaga and after collecting your rented car, you went immediately to the city center.  malaga is really warm and you're enjoying the weather here.  you went to a restaurant in the city center, a famous cafe in the square, seated at the terrace, ordered the local seafood and enjoy your food slowly. it's a bliss to people watching.
因為目的地並不是這裡、加上之前出差忙碌根本沒有時間之前做功課。既然來了就隨便看看。馬拉加今天好溫暖。去了市中心的一家餐館、坐在露天式座位、點了當地的海鮮料理、在暖洋洋的氣溫下慢慢品嚐、觀看廣場上的人來人往、小休的心情來了。

you wanted to be at your destination before the sun set so you have to forgo the picasso musuem and opt for the local monument. a fortress erected on a small hill in the city center,
因為要在太陽下山前趕到目的地、所以只好取捨馬拉加古蹟於畢家索畫展。古堡處於小山丘上.

 heavily moorish architecture, it should be similar to alhambra that you intend to visit tomorrow. perhaps the malaga's version is a little small in scale, but it is pristine, the view on top of the hill is superb, you have the bird eyes view of the harbor and the city.
穆斯林建築文化很強、應該跟明天要去的阿蘭布拉宮很相似、只不過馬拉加的小型一點。山丘上的風景好美、可以看到海港和市區的景色。

2.2 euro entrance fee is definitely value for money.
2.2歐元的門票物有所值。

goodby malaga, see you next time!

掰掰囉馬拉加、後會有期！

大年初四. milan layover

you could have sleep until you wake up naturally, but you're woke up by the television alarm set by the previous guest at 6am.  it's not funny but it happened.
原本可以睡到自然醒的，誰知道在我之前的住客預設了六點多電視鬧鐘，結果被搞醒了😂。

with that extra time, you have a glimpse of the quietness of milan early in the morning...

大年初三. lunch with client

another busy day, after a night of rest and this morning quiet time, your faith has increased and you told yourself you can manage today.
又是忙碌的一天！經過昨天的經歷和一個晚上的休憩！早上禱告時信心增加了，告訴自己可以應付今天。

you went out for lunch with your client, it's a restaurant that you never visited before. the interior design is a bit weird, italian fresco ceiling, renaissance style mixed with anglicant church or university's dean chair.

午餐時間跟客戶吃飯，去了一家我沒去過的餐廳，室內裝潢有點奇怪，義式天花板繪畫，典型文藝復興時期藝術，英國教堂或大學的長椅。

this is really the first time you dine out with your client, you ordered a homemade pasta dish, with 3 different type of fillings. the appearance is always rustic but the taste has multiple levels.  pumpkin being the best!

 這是我們第一次與客戶外出用餐。 點了自家製的義大利粉，很棒的料理。簡單，樸實但味道是多層次的。

you left in the evening with some unsettled matters but you really have no time to attend to them anymore. as such, you walk into the train platform, took your train bound for milan. you ate too much these two days. tonight you decided to skip your dinner. you plan to hit the gym but in reality your ended up dealing with your never ending emails and hit the sack.

旁晚臨走前還有一些事情沒有完全解決、但我已沒有時間處理了。

再度走上月台、坐上火車前往米蘭。這兩天吃的太飽、太膩。今晚不吃，原本想健身揮汗去，結果因為沒忙完的瑣事、住進了房間就瞎忙、搞到自己累昏了，倒頭大睡。

大年初二、事事順利

back to work. you don't know what to expect for today since the project is to the stage where yo're no longer on the driving seat.  but it feels like you're a fire brigade, rescuing fire without specific goals, just lots of questions and queries from different people, you can only take it one at a time, trying to resolve as many as you can. this is no fun!

you're really tired and insisting to dine at an earlier time (i.e. not at 8pm or beyond). and you went with your colleagues to a nouveau cuisine restaurant.  each of you had 3 course meals, cauliflower vanilla soup, cod fish warm salad as main course, and a dessert called "winter" with pine tree ice cream.   you ate your dinner silently, almost as if your colleagues were not around you, sorry, you're just battery flat.
上班囉！不知道如何期待今天、應為專案已到了我不主導的階段。客戶得主導事宜、我只在旁協助處理相關問題。

總結有點像救生員在救火、沒有固定目標、一直往前衝、解決問題。。。一點也不好玩。

今天累翻了、堅持早點用晚飯。去了一家新派式料理，吃了三部曲（不肥才怪）。椰菜花濃、cod魚溫色拉、還來了一個取名為冬季的甜點。

默默地吃、不好意思、我的電池沒了、無法和同事互動聊天、抱歉！