Defeat at the Oisan mountain range

We left Grenoble around 17.00 friday afternoon, we were heading for the Les Deux Alpes in the Oisans mountain range. The reason for our trip was that one of my expat colleagues (Johannna) sister was spending her vacation at the Les Deux Alpes ski resort and we wanted to join for some serious friday partying. We were also supposte to stay over the night, skiing on saturday. The Friday party team consisted of Johanna, Fredrik and myself. We stopped by Carrefour on the way buying 16 bottles of wine (!!?), cheese and snack . Btw the wine was really cheap ~8 Euros for 8 bottles, but then you have to buy at least 8 of them, so we bought 16. The drive started in the best mood, singing and revealing stupid or strange things we had done in our past. However while we were approaching the Oisan mountain range the weather conditions became worse due to heavy snow fall which meant that the road condition rapidly deteriorated. We were still quite cocky because we had a backup plan: snow chains. We stopped in a pocket next to the road, in the snowy cold and dark wheather we fumbled trying to figure out how to apply the chains to the tires. After some struggling we finally made it (at least that's what we thought). We started to drive again but we didn't came far, suddenly a strange noice was coming from one of the tires, we pulled to the side to check it out and realized that one of the snow chains were broken and we haden't even commenced the climb. We continued for some kilometers but the we were forced to make the tough decision to turn back, the risk was to high driving up the mountain. The drive back to Grenoble was bitter, the disappointment was obvious no Friday party and the saturday ski trip was in jeopardy.

When we arrived involuntarily in Grenoble (around 22.00) we had a car full of wine and skiing equipment so what do you do, one thing is for sure you don't ski in downtown Grenoble. That night ended around 4.30 in the morning after a swetty and quite scabby night club visit.

Before we went to bed we decide to call each other in the morning around 09.30 to decide if we were going for a second try up the Oisans.

French language studies

This week the French language studies kickstarted with three occasions with one
all participant session and two sessions in smaller groups (1 to 3 students per lecturer, we are a total of 6 students). The first session lasted 4 hours (!!?) just discussing about France, wine, cheese and Grenoble and what bars, restaurants to go or not to go to. I think this is the third time I have had a session like this since I arrived, and of course this is also what I discuss with my French colleagues. Therefore the session was perhaps not that rewarding. The two other sessions this week was more like common Swedish language training.

For some reason my fellow students became quite upset and felt that I knew more French than them and as a result of that accusing the teacher for proceeding to fast. (I don't really know any French, yes I studied for three years back in high school sitting in the rear of the classroom not paying attention)

Well anyway the french lessons will proceed twice a week from now on.

The Visit

Me and a Swedish colleague were invited to a French colleague's house this tuesday. One of the obvious reasons for the visit was that Mr. Druilhe is moving to Sweden next week and he wanted to exchange information. I was really looking forward to the visit, seeing an example of how a French family live. Perhaps I over dramatize the cultural differences because I realize now after staying here for three weeks that there are more similarities in living than differences. The Druilhe family lives in the outskirt of Grenoble almost at the foot of the mountains in a nice house with a garden. The evening went quickly and it was inspiring to see Mr Druilhe entusiasm about his upcoming trip, for example he had posted large posters on his walls with Swedish and their corresponding French meaning. We were invited to a excellent four-course dinner ranging from soup, chicken, cheese plate, apple pie, red wine, ending with a sip of vintage Chartreuse liqueur. You could say I was pretty full afterwards.

Thanks Druilhe family for a good evening.

Everyday life

So it is about time I write something of the everyday life here in Grenoble and not only about our weekend ski trips. You can see my office in the picture below neighbouring the European Synchotron Radiation Facility (the ESRF, ring on the picture). The ESRF operates the most powerful synchotron radiation source in Europe, however I'm not that sure that it is a good thing working so close to it?


I would say that quality of life is very high in this area of France, great food especially the lunches are more sofisticated with a greater variety of dishes to choose from. For example you can choose from a variety of appetizers, cheese plates, deserts and main courses and the price is good. What I have heard the healthcare is also excellent and the nearby mountains keep people in shape.

The cost of living is also quite high, everything is more expensive than in Sweden however the exceptions are wine, cheese and Dijon mustard.

Everyday grocery shopping is done in Carrefour supermarkets, I have so far tried 3 different such supermarkets. My first visit was a nightmare but I'm slowly getting used to it, finding my way around.

Every wednesday is the official eating out day. All swedish expats in Grenoble meet and have dinner together, so far we have tried french specialities such as fromage fondue, côte de beauf but we have also tried Indian and Italian restaurants. Afterward we often finish with a drink on a nearby pub.

Another suprise is also that quite many of the Frenchmen actually can explain things in english.

Second weekend

Les Deux Alpes

My 2nd weekend abroad has been amazing

We started of early saturday heading for the Les Deux Alps ski resort. Of course I overslept again, same reason as last time (the flight to Geneva), that damn day setting were set on weekdays only again. Anyhow my fellow expats woke me up asking where I was.

Well the drive took longer than anticipated event though the roads were good. The drive from Grenoble took about 1,45h.

Once in Les Deux Alpes we were met by sunny wheather and a nice buzz around the town , you could tell that this resort was bigger than the other villages we previously have visited on our tour de ski through the French alps. This was also the day when I was going to try my new ski-boots (the skis will arrive next week).
The day was perfect, the slopes where prepared in a perfect way, the gear felt great, the sun warmed, the beer was good, we even ate our lunch outdoors. I peaked the lunch having a hot chocolate in a deckchair. We continued skiing until closing time.

Back in Grenoble we started up the sauna relaxing and drinking beer. I went to bed early cause we were going to Les Sept Laux the day after.


Les Sept Laux

Same procedure as saturday, early morning and a early drive today we were going to Les Sept Laux. The ski team were a bit decimated this day, some of the guys were in Sweden over the weekend, some had guests leaving for Sweden and some were still tired from the day before.
We were however temporary strengthened by a colleague from Sweden.

The wheather was great also this day however the slopes were quite crowded and icy, it was however still a great day for some sunday cruisin. We also found a nice place having lunch in the sun were I could improve my tan from yeasterday.

The day ended as the day before with a nice sauna, however without the beer this time.

First weekend #2: Chamrousse

Sunday started early (as all other weekends), today we were heading for Chamrousse. After yesterday´s mistake I went down to the restaurant to get a decent breakfast so that I would cope with the whole day.

The snow fell heavy on the Belledonne mountain range this sunday and it was foggy most of the day, not optimal for skiing. Chamrousse is perfect for sunday skiing not to many energy-consuming slopes exist here and you can relaxed cruise around the olympic slopes. As previously stated in this blog Chamrousse hosted the six alpine skiing events at the winter olympics of 1968.

Just before we were leaving the weather cleared and we could see the surrounding mountains, see pictures below.




Three confused ski bumps staring at the beautyful view.


The Chartreuse mountain range in the distant. Chartreuse is also a famous local liqueur brewed in the mountains btw it tastes very good .

Grenoble in the distance

First weekend #1: Alpe D'Huez

The weekend started with early morning, our plan was to catch the early ski bus to Alpe d'Huez.
However our plan was temperary dashed due to a damn long queue, we had not taken any equipment with us neither eaten any breakfast. We decided to drive, nothing was going to stop us this morning! The drive was about 1h on excellent but hair raising roads climbing altitude.

Alpe d'Huez, the village is on an altitude of 1860 m highest peak lies on 3330 m (Pic Blanc) you can actually ski here also in during Juli and August on the glacier.
Here also exit the French Alps' longest black run. From the top of Pic Blanc you can see both Switzerland and Italy. Alpe d'Huez is also a famous and mythical étape of the Tour de France starting from Bourg d'Oisans.



The skiing in Alpe d'Huez range from dead-easy to deadly which inevitably realized fast, in our desperation to ski we went up to the highest peak containing only deadly black runs with about 1 metre of mushy snow in the slope. All our energy was lost fighting us down and we never really recovered that day.

Some pictures:

The apartment

Here comes a tour of the Grenoble apartment, all in all it's ok inspite the somewhat negative comments below.

Hallway: if you can call that a hallway it's practically a part of both the kitchen and the livingroom. Well there is also quite spacious wardrobe.

Kitchen: actually it's a disgrace to call this a kitchen, it's not well equiped (just some
glasses, knifes and forks no stove just a couple of hotplates) anything else than cooking noodles or boil an egg would be almost impossible to cook. You almost feel obliged to eat out.


Bedroom: Not much to complain about here, the bed is actually quite comfortable. But what was responsible purchasing manager thinking buying that bedspread. And what is it with those beige colors.


Bathrooms: at least there is a tub! Don't miss out on those beige tiles, yuck.


A honest old privy!

Last but not least some nice views from my breakfast window.

The trip to Grenoble

Early Sunday the tenth of Januari I started my journey that was going to take me to Grenoble.
The first leg was just getting to the airport for a flight bound for Geneva a fairly easy one but turned out to be the most troublesome, next leg was to pick up a car and drive to Grenoble
The positive side of the trouble was that I succeded to hit a new personal record. I simply overslept waking up approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before the flight departure. All This because of a feature in my cell phone where you can decide which day of the week you want the alarm to ring, of course my alarm was set to ring on weekdays only, bad luck for me. Anyway I made it standing at the airport 30 minutes before take off.

Once in Geneva I was suppose to pick up the car. See below for a picture of the monster, a brand new red Citroën.

Of course getting the car didn't go as smoothly as I wanted this took a hour discussing with a very confussed clerk. Anyhow the drive from Geneva to Grenoble went smoothly listening to some great tracks:

Doves - Caught by the river
Stone Roses - Waterfall
Ben Folds - Tiny Dancer
Razorlight - America
The Strokes - Someday
Van Morrison - Into the mysic
Joao Gilberto - Desafinado
Stan Getz - Corcovado
Mojave 3 - Breaking the ice
Wilco - Jesus,etc
Shout out louds - Normandie
Paul Simon - Heart & Bones
Pete Yorn - Strange Condition
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Windmills
Bob Dylan - I want you
Teenage Fanclub - Mellow doubt
Josh Rouse - It's the Night time

My new address

My new address as from 10 Januari is:
25 Avenue du Doyen Louis Weil, 38000 Grenoble, Isère, Rhône-Alpes, France
The apartement is situated in the central of Grenoble, check it out on the map below.


One can see the apartement on the left and the garage to the right on the picture below


Some services that comes with the apartement are:

• 24-hr reception.
• Daily cleaning.
• Relaxation area, lounge.
• Fitness room.
• Sauna.
• A large garden with ponds.
• TV with Canal+ Le Bouquet.
• Heating and air conditioning.
• Breakfast area open from 7.00 am to 9.00 am.
• Internet.
• Dry cleaning.

Below is a nice mountain view taken in the nearby vicinity of the apartement.

The intercultural awareness course

As previous stated I attended a course that was aimed to give me some preparation for my expat experience. The course was held by a company called Human Entrance a company whose whole business idea is to facilitate international relocation. I must admit that I felt somewhat suspicious at first since my previous experiences on courses dealing with cultural aspects has been based on catchphrases and humbug one word that will do justice to the speakers are buffoons. However even though this course also had its shared moments of catchphrases it turned out be quite refreshing. The speakers articulated good and felt reassuring, on the contrary to my previous experiences.

It was quite a while ago I attended a non-technical course and perhaps that's why this course felt bracing, I found myself immediately thinking in different terms. This could be something to think further upon, elements of social studies in the otherwise technology-laden course portfolio could be important to get a wider perspective and useful rethinking, cause all in all it´s all about people. However with the note of caution that one avoid the catchphrases, buffoons and fuzz and that one focus on innovation and rethinking, ofcourse the speakers are also always important.

Anyway below is an extract from the course:

• Perceptions from both french and swedish perspective.
• Social codes and norms
• How we communicate (non-verbally)
• Do's and don'ts in French business culture