Thanksgiving from Switzerland

Oliver Philippe Nadine Janine Francois JerryAs we approach Thanksgiving, I have so much to be grateful for.  As I think about family and friends throughout the world, I am touched by how warmly we have been welcomed by so many in our village of Lutry, colleagues at IMD in Lausanne, and in the larger region of Lake Geneva and the Jura Alps.  Last weekend we went to a house warming party for Nane and Kofi Annan where we saw old friends and met new ones.  We had dinner with our neighbors Christiane and Jacques-Andre Conne civic leaders in our community.   This weekend, we spent a wonderful day with the entire extended family – Janine and Rancois Foucher, Regine, Olivier, Camille, Estelle and Clement Rouge, Marine, Tessa, Nathalie and Phillipe Pilet – from whom we are renting our apartmentat at their vineyard of the Rouge family for four generations sharing fondue, wine and conversation in French and English. 

Earlier, our friend Ambassador Betty King, who  represents the US at the UN in Geneva, held a dinner party to welcome us to which she invited our friends Konji Sebati, Youssef Dib and Anne de La Rochefoucauld.  Shortly after that we visited my IMD colleague Jacques Horowitz at his winery La Maison du Moulin Reverolle.  We recently watched a parade with the children of the Lutry, especially looking for Helena and Jessica, the daughters of other neighbor/friends Philip and Ulla Schneider

New friends Eli de Frand and Joyce Miller, who lead the Capacity Building Resource Exchange CAPRESE had us for dinner at their home in Aubonne.  Before that we so enjoyed sharing with many of our neighbors Lutry’s wonderful Fête des Vendages  and the Lausanne Marathon that went right through our street.  And several of our friends from different parts of the world already have visited us here, most recently Daisy Khan.  

From the personal to the professional, we are living a rich life, including having just participated in a terrific IMD CEO Roundtable with 70 CEOs from around the world. One of my friends Ping Fu, Geomagic CEO, did a webcast from the Roundtable that will be available soon.  With each experience, I come to more fully appreciate how utterly interconnected all of us are and how critical it is for us to nourish and cherish the bonds of trust we create. Janine Camille ClemontMcKayla, Aime, Erin, Ulla, Helena & JessicaBands & marchers at Fete des Vendanges LutryJerry Betty Konji Anne YoussefJessica & friends in evening paradeYannick shows Jerry grapes at Jacques Horowitz vineyard La Maison du Moulin Reverolles

{ 7 comments… add one }
  • Theo Dunfey November 21, 2010, 3:29 pm

    How wonderful that you are seeing old friends and meeting many new ones in such a relatively short time period. I love seeing the photos of it all and especially seeing McKayla and her friends included!

    We’ll miss you on Thanksgiving when we’re at Sean and Kim’s, but we’ll be thinking of you and sending our thanks to you for being such an important part of our lives.
    Love, Theo

    Reply
  • biking grandaughter November 21, 2010, 7:09 pm

    Hi Grandma, We made it home! Our bikes came a day later with a few things missing, but all in all, we were happy to make it home after our grand adventure. I’m so thankful for having been the first grandchild to visit you in your beautiful new home in Lutry. Thank you for everything. love, McKayla

    Reply
  • jerilyn Asher November 22, 2010, 5:10 am

    Beautiful pictures, beautiful words…it is wonderful to hear you sounding so joyous and celebratory. I can feel your excitement and joyful energy across the ocean! We will miss our traditional Wednesday night and early Thanksgiving day with you and Jerry. It won’t seem the same. But we WILL be there next year with you–in Switzerland. Also planning Passover in Lutry, if it works for you! We’ll send you pictures of the children as we gather here–they have gotten so big, you’ll hardly recognize them. And Craig and I send you hugs and megawatts of love.

    Reply
  • pat flynn November 22, 2010, 6:16 am

    Nadine

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how connected we are. Enjoy the blog.

    Reply
  • Susan Weliky November 22, 2010, 5:53 pm

    So good to share thankful wishes with you,especially highlighting the universality of our humanity. I will be traveling to Croatia in December and look forward to learning about a part of the world I know nothing about, unless you you count the first century B.C. Big hugs. Susan

    Reply
  • Brian Fix December 5, 2010, 5:56 pm

    Nadine,
    Glad to hear your news. Not surprising that you submerged in meeting and greeting so quickly. While Geneva is often considered too sedate for New Yorkers, I have always loved the vibrancy of the diplomatic community there and the usual strolls in the Veille Ville. Sorry we werent able to connect before you left la Grosse Pomme, but look forward staying in better touch along the way. Will probably be in Geneva en route to Chamonix at Easter time, and hopefully we can meet up then.

    All the best for the holiday season and enjoy!
    Brian

    Reply
  • Ennis M. Mittman January 20, 2011, 8:28 pm

    Dear Nadine,

    Best wishes for your continued success.

    Sincerely,
    Ennis

    Reply

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