Back

After surviving the first few days of jet-lag, I am back to work.
Last Saturday, as I was flying over Germany everything was white. The cold arrived. But Köln is still above 0C (for the most part) and fortunately it hasn't really rained. Its cold, but no more than expected. The hardest part is really not seeing the sun. I get out often before dawn and arrive after sunset.
The really good news is that my house is fully functional. The picture is from the view of my kitchen. I don't know the name of the church yet, but I will find out. In the distance you can see the big towers of the Dom.

Bye Bye California

Its been a great month but alas its over. I am returning tomorrow morning to Germany. Its been Spring/Summer weather here with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 20s.
Yes there was a fire near me, the Montecito Tea fire but no, I was not in danger. In fact it reminded me of Summers spent in Serra da Estrela where I would be hipnotized by the burning flames in the distance. Only the flames here were really tall.
Scientifically this place has also been great. I met a lot of people whose work I had read and others I did not know at all. Regardless, it was very productive and it was the relaxed environment that I needed after having no holidays this summer. In a sense, its like August was given back to me. I didn't enjoy it then but I enjoied it now. My only regret is not having brought my bathing suit.

bye bye Santa Barbara, hello Köln

Day 39

it has been a while since my last post. But there are good reasons for that.
I am now in Sunny California, and when I say sunny I really mean sunny. I always thought the weather here would be similar to Portugal but in fact its much more summery. Its warm most of the time, even at night. I am really having a good time here. The locals are very nice people and the science part has also been quite rewarding. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures yet but I am sure to do so soon. I have two more weeks of sun before I go back to dark Köln.

Day 19

Finally almost all the papers are done! But I only get my house in the end of November, when I return from California. After that I will start sending invitations to visit Cologne and if you don't come, you can't blame me!!
I spent the past days designing my experiments which is a good way to start but now I am looking forward to actually working and producing my results. I know that time will come soon but sometimes I wish it would be now. The trip to California seemed like a very good idea when I signed up for it. But now that is here, part of me would prefer to stay and finish the paperwork and start decorating my house ... Only time iwll tell if I made the right choice or not ...
Meanwhile, thank you to those that have actually read this and made comments. The rest of you have certainly forgot me by now. I don't blame you.

see you
Lilia

Day 9

I found a new hobby. Its incredibly simple and one may think its rather boring but its not. In the vening, after I leave the lab I walk around the city . Unfortunaqtely by camera is very bad for night pictures so I won't show them here but I discovered very interesting things about the city I might not have otherwise known. There is a Philarmonic Orchestra place (I am affraid I don't know the technical name for it). I passed by there and it was nice to see the locals all dressed up for the show. It was also very cool to see a guy with a xylofone. Not those colored things we all had as kids but a real one. And the guy was very good at it. I passed by him on the way to the river-side where I planned to have dinner. When I returned I wanted to drop him a few coins (which I rarely do) but the guy was already packing up to leave ... so he didn't get my 0.2€. Yesterday I took another walk but this time it was much closer and not-so-interesting (especially because it was raining). But for some reason rain here is not as annoying as rain in Portugal. Perhaps because its more constant. In Portugal we tend to have strong showers that make you totally wet. Here its just that chuva-molha-parvos. Even without an umbrella I managed to walk. But I do have one, a very pink one, I'lll have to take a picture of it sometime.
If nothing else these walks allow me to get to know the city and find my way arround. And before the sun sets I really get to see the city in a new light. The tress in particular are getting these lovely red colors. Of course I know this is a side effect from chlorophyll dying and we get to see the carotenoids

Day 6

Today was just another day. I learned that I have to wait yet another week to have the contract for my house (which is delaying just about every other paper I need) until Monday because the people from the agency had this brilliant idea of sending it to the university's international office, which in turn is on holiday till monday. Great ....
Meanwhile I am continuing to plan my experiments which is what I am here to do anyway. I am doing good progress in that i think, though I won't go to the bench for a while to come still. Now I am going shopping for food (always a small adventure)!

Day of the marathon

Viva a República!

aside from that, it turns out there is/was a marathon this morning in the city but it sounded more like Carnaval outside. People were cheering and making all sorts of noises with all sorts of props. there was even a drum band of some kind in one of the side streets. I was an interesting change of scenario for the day. Other than that I expect a dull Sunday.