Bertrand Nocella

New Year's eve 2012 in San Diego

2012-02-05T20:17:00.001Z

Happy New Year 2012 !

Haboob or Sandstorm in Phoenix, AZ

2011-07-07T04:56:00.003Z

I was actually outside on my balcony with my roommate. Suddenly we heard people screaming and saw them running towards their home and looking behind them... a massive brown dusty and sandy cloud chasing them ! It was so impressive: in 30 seconds the sky went dark and you couldn't see 50 feet ahead. Really weird !

To understand what we experienced, look at the video below of the Haboob in Phoenix.

My Fitness Coach at Lifetime - Maximo

2011-04-02T00:19:00.003Z

Hello everybody,

after months and months without much exercise due to my overwhelming job, I decided to take actions and take care of my health. I subscribed to a local gym club in Phoenix, called Lifetime and took the decision to come regularly.

On top of that and to really force myself to a better health, I hired the services of a personal fitness coach, Maximo. Maximo is inflicting me pain twice a week and pushing the exercices to my limits so I can improve my heart rate, lose body-fat and obviously looking better ;-)

My personal goal and I want to make it public so I cannot get away from it, is to run the Phoenix marathon around January 2012.

Some to say I have plenty of time, but in order to achieve this goal, I needed to start slowly but surely. Therefore me along with other Maximo's clients, went to run a 5Km in the Phoenix zoo last saturday morning. It was my first race experience as a runner and I did enjoy it.

My next challenge is to run a 10km and improve my stamina!

More to follow....

In America, everything is possible !

2011-03-18T16:18:00.007Z

Yesterday, I went randomly to the gas station to refuel my car and saw a guy walking his pet with a leash then suddenly.... I realize: "In the US, everything is possible" ! ;-)

(True story and picture taken with my camera...)

Poor duck !

Japan - The earthquake, then Tsunami then Nuclear threat

2011-03-11T06:40:00.003Z

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write a quick note after the terrible earthquake that affected Japan, which was followed by a devastating tsunami. Consecutively to these two dramatic events, Japan is under the threat of a nuclear disaster from a plant that has been damaged.

Some pictures on this Website are really impressive as well as the video below:

I share all my hopes to this proud, diligent nation and I encourage everybody to help Japan as much as possible.

The Spy Cat !

2011-03-04T23:17:00.006Z

90 Years of Grand-Maman in 9 Songs

2011-02-12T00:56:00.009Z

Grand-Maman, my grandmother, has turned 90 this year.

For instance she has organized a party and the entire family has decided to celebrate this exceptional event by being with her on her birthday date. Despite a 50 hours flight and staying in France for only 48 hours (quite tiring I have to admit), I could not miss this extraordinary occasion... Also it gave me the opportunity to see my two nieces Josephine and Juliette, my entire family as well as some friends in Marseille.

To me, Grand-Maman symbolises smile, humility, forgiveness, respect and sharing with the others. All these human values are the ones that we should learn and apply on a daily basis. She is one of many who think that if you do good to others, others will treat you good too. I am amazed to see how unified is her entire family (around 40 people from different backgrounds and locations) and I am so proud to be part of it. And I will always thank her for that !

Along with the familial traditions, some of us have written 9 songs for her 90 years of life: one song per 10 years of her life. Then all of us, uncles, aunts, grand-children and grand-grand-children did sing the 9 songs for her (with a lot of emotion for me...). It was amazing to see that were all singing united to celebrate her life! I could see she was happy all of us being around her and I was too being with her ;-)

Happy 90th Birthday Grand-Maman ! (More photos)

Trip to Thailand

2011-01-21T23:39:00.003Z

As I didn't have any holidays during the Christmas period, I decided to go somewhere exotic in January. If there has been one country I always wanted to go back to, this country was Thailand ! So I went back and it was "sweetie".

"Same Same", my first stop was in Bangkok where I stayed one night before heading to Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands. Then I stayed on Koh Phi Phi for 5 days (Tohko Beach Resort), living in bungalow made of bambou without real walls nor window, without electricity with a spartan comfort such as cold shower BUT with a balcony and a hamac just over the clear blue sea! At night I was gently rocked by the noise of the sea hitting the white sand beach.

I can tell you that leaving on this side of the island is much more quiet and it is extremely relaxing. The only things that you do on this paradise are eating local seafood, snorkeling with many multicolor fish, singing Franck Sinatra's songs, laying down on the beach or chasing running crabs...

Except the fact that I missed my flight on the way there and that I had so many issues with my torned passport, my 9 days of holidays in Thailand were perfect! This country is so great and it's hard to go back to reality without bungalow, without the 4S, without beach, taxi boat nor tuk tuk. Thailand is such a beautiful country, where life is so cheap, people are so nice and you feel in paradise that I will go back again...

Happy New Year 2011 - San Diego

2011-01-01T18:43:00.002Z

Rahul, a colleague and friend from India, and I decided to "go west" and spend the new year's eve in one of the most popular city of California: San Diego.

It was a real surprise but pleasure to discover an amazing town: San Diego is particular because it mixes the American-Mexican cultures together and the meantime has an European touch.

San Diego is also known for its multiple bays and its harbor specialized in US Navy ships, such as the USS Midway we visited. One think that has to be mentioned about San Diego area is the number of seafood restaurants around us. I particularly recommend the Sapporo on Ocean Beach.

On top of all that the culture of sports is extremely developed: you can surf, bike, jogging, beach walking, swimming, kayaking to see whales, sailing... We finished our trip in staying in La Jolla, quiet and up market area to chill like seals and prepare the upcoming year.

I would like to sign off wishing you all:

Happy New Year and see you in 2011 !

Merry Christmas from Phoenix

2010-12-25T07:31:00.000Z

Being in the United States of America during the end of 2010 was really special to me as it is the first time I was away from my dear family. It was strange not sharing these Christmas moments with my parents and siblings as well as not opening the traditional Santa surprises with them.

I have been lucky to first of all celebrate Christmas at Vincent on Camelback with my entire team. Not only was it a pleasure to enjoy a sumptuous French dinner but most importantly I felt surrounded by friends or should I say a family...

Secondly, and this is where luck is intervening, I have spent the Christmas weekend with my 'local family' along with some of family travelling from France. Even the provencal tradition of the 13 desserts was brought in to Arizona... I'm thankful to François & Marlies Castaing, my cousins and the Castaing PhiPhi & Co for their hospitality, making me feel in my own family: it was a home away from home !

Merry Christmas to all of you and see you next year !!!!

California - Los Angeles

2010-12-14T05:11:00.001Z

How to describe the paradox of the California capital ?

Los Angeles is not only famous for its movie stars but mainly for its glittering neighborhoods such Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica. Some would insist saying Los Angeles is a "dirty city" even though everybody is beautiful and showing off.

Hence Adriano and I decided to play along: we bought sunglasses and rented a Ford Mustang convertible in a stand out blue ;-)

Being Sylvestre Stallone in LA is easy if you can afford to pay ten times the price of a standard french vodka. The Grey Goose certainly changed the color of my mood the next morning...

This weekend was clearly what I can call: "leaving my american dream!"

iPhone4 vs HTC Evo - I don't care!

2010-11-29T21:04:00.003Z

"I don't care" "I don't care" "I don't care" ;-)

Las Vegas !!

2010-11-06T17:48:00.002Z

I'm spending this weekend in Las Vegas: the city of lights and the city that never sleeps. They have reproduced the exact copies of Venice, Paris, New York and so forth. As if you would travel from one country to another simply by crossing the road. We've made a petty good deal staying at the Venetian hotel, in one of their most luxury suites.

Las Vegas is so crazy !!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T19:18:00.002Z

Halloween parties are amazing in the US: people are dressing up crazy and you can see incredible costumes. It's definitely a must!

Basketball: Phoenix Suns vs Lakers

2010-10-30T03:39:00.002Z

Hi five ;-)

After a long and tiring week and to start the week end the best way, Dan, Rahul and I have to attend the first basketball game of the season. The two teams are Phoenix Suns against Los Angeles Lakers. The two stars playing are Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. Awesome!

My first pumpkin carving party!

2010-10-28T04:12:00.001Z

Hi there,
Halloween is approaching really fast! The tradition in the United States is to carve pumpkins to scare evil spirits. Mine looks scary, doesn't it?
Do not hesitate to vote for the scariest one...

Francois Castaing driving an old Chevron

2010-10-25T02:00:00.004Z

Hi all,

This weekend I have had the chance to meet my uncle Francois Castaing in Phoenix international raceway. He was driving an old Chevron at high speed (135 miles per hour). The race was absolutely spectacular. I also had the chance to go in the pace car during a second race, and guess what it was a Dodge Viper. Impressive !!

Bertie in Grand Canyon

2010-10-20T06:25:00.004Z

Hello everyone,

After months and months of silence, here I am, back on my blog again...

However all my French friends and all my family will have to practice their english a little more often. Anyway it can not hurt you ;-)

For the ones who don’t know yet, Google has sent me over to Phoenix, Arizona for 6 months as an onsite coach, continuing the same role as I did in Morroco and in the UK.

How weird and exciting is it to spend my first weekend in the most famous natural scenery of the US: the Grand Canyon! My colleagues and I went to Grand Canyon village and Sedona for a team building off site and I had the chance to go on an helicopter for the first time of my life. Amazing!

Hope you're going to be able to visit me in Arizona.

A bientot and more to follow...

Bye Bye Leeds and Ventura

2010-09-30T20:08:00.001Z

Thank you to all lads from Leeds.

I'm going to miss you !

Nouvel An à Marrakech

2010-01-04T23:17:00.001Z

Après quelques jours passés en France, je suis revenu au Maroc pour fêter le jour de l’an avec Anna et Lorraine, qui se trouvaient déjà à Marrakech. Nous sommes partis en direction du Moyen Atlas, avons visité le pont naturel d’Imi n Ifri (mille et une frites) avec comme destination finale les somptueuses cascades d’Ouzoud, auréolées d’un arc-en-ciel quasi permanent.

Le soir du Nouvel An, nous l’avons passé au Riad, avec une dizaine d’Anglais: Lorraine, Anna et moi étions cernés par un couple de policiers assez rigollots… Pour les 5-4-3-2-1-Bonne Année nous étions sur la terrasse du Riad et attendions le feu d’artifice: il n’est jamais venu (zai-zai-zai, comme dirait notre ami Jo Dassin). Le lendemain nous avons visité la médina de Marrakech et fait quelque peu de shopping. J’ai eu également la chance de croiser mon cousin Grégoire et son amie Mélina qui, eux aussi étaient de passage. C’est pour moi l’occasion de vous souhaiter tous mes vœux pour une passionnante année 2010, pleine de réalisations et d’aventures :-)

(voir toutes les photos)

Mariage Stéphane et Aurore Castaing

2009-12-19T23:39:00.001Z

Le 19 décembre 2009, j'ai assisté au 9éme de l'année, celui de mon cousin Stéphane Castaing avec Aurore. Ils ont tous les deux voulu un mariage original, faire de leur mariage une grande fête et cela a été réussi. Encore bravo et félicitations à Stéphane et Aurore ! Ce que j'adore dans les mariages, c'est qu'à chaque fois, ils me permettent de revoir toute ma famille ! 2009 = 9 mariages, 2010 = 10 mariages ?

Fête de l'Aïd el-Kebir

2009-11-28T22:20:00.004Z

J'ai célébré ce WE la plus importante fête du calendrier musulman, celle de l'Aïd el-Kebir. Elle est la fête par excellence du partage et de la convivialité. De nombreuses familles musulmanes sacrifient un mouton selon des traditions et des rites bien précis: le mouton est couché sur le flanc gauche, la tête doit être dirigée vers la Mecque et le mouton doit être égorgé. C'est vraiment impressionnant, surtout á 10H du matin et n'ayant pas petit-déjeuné... cela peut facilement vous retourner un estomac ;-)

Sa réputation n'est plus à faire, connue désormais internationalement et très certainement future étoilée du guide Michelin, je vous présente Malika ! C'est elle qui me prépare avec soins les fameux couscous et tagines. Merci Malika pour tous ces bons plats. A cause de toi, je n'ose plus me peser sur une balance ;-)

Maroc - Taghazout

2009-11-16T19:02:00.002Z

Vous n'êtes pas sans savoir que je suis parti en vacances le 11 novembre à Taghazout, aux Nord d'Agadir, rejoindre un copain de Dublin, Daniel, qui faisait du surf là-bas. Cette région, appelée la vallée du miel, est l'un des meilleurs spots au monde pour faire du surf, du coup j'ai pris 3 jours de leçons avec le triple champion du Maroc. Grâce à lui, j'arrive déjà à me mettre debout sur la planche et.... je tombe, hihihihiihi (je dois donc continuer mes efforts pour réussir à surfer...). Vous trouverez une photo de moi en pleine souffrance: sous la pluie, dans le froid, avec un mouton local...

Le boulot se passe très bien: il est vraiment prenant mais hyper intéressant et, la bonne nouvelle est que je serai reconduit sur la mission du Maroc ! A priori, je ne serai plus 100% de mon temps à Casa (pour des raisons obscures de taxes) mais plutôt 50/50 entre Dublin et Casa. Cela étant je serai tout de même 100% dédié au projet du Maroc encore 3 mois. Je vous tiendrai informé de la suite des évènements.

(voir toutes les photos)

Maroc - Marrakech

2009-11-09T22:53:00.000Z

Ce WE je suis parti à Marrakech en compagnie de Réussite, un collègue de bureau alias Abdé, visiter la capitale touristique du Maroc mais surtout assister au mariage de sa cousine.

Chose incroyable que je n’ai jamais vue en Europe, la mariée s’est changée 7 fois de tenue, je dis bien 7 fois ! Fait marquant, le repas de mariage n’est pas servi avec un certain nombre de couverts mais plutôt chaque table est servie de plusieurs gros plats à couscous et tagines et, c’est une première pour moi, j’ai mangé avec les doigts dans le même plat que mes convives. J’ai trouvé ça rigolo… Le mariage était ensuite animé de chants berbères et danses marrakchi. Le mariage a duré jusqu’au lever de soleil et, bien entendu, il est sans alcool !

Le lendemain nous avons visité la « ville rouge » et notamment sa place Jamaa El Fna avec ses fameux charmeurs de serpents. Ayant une phobie prononcée, je n’ai pas réussi à m’en approcher et les toucher, beurk… Un peu crevés, nous avons fini notre balade de Marrakech au pavillon de la Ménara.

Le lendemain, avant de rentrer sur Casablanca, nous nous sommes promenés dans l’ancienne demeure et le jardin de feu Yves Saint-Laurent. Même les Marocains le disent, Marrakech est vraiment la ville touristique par excellence, la ville à l’européenne où il fait bon passer un week-end et y faire la fête. Je remercie la famille de Réussite qui m’a gentiment accueilli, pour leur hospitalité et pour m’avoir fait découvrir les authentiques coutumes marocaines.

(voir toutes les photos)

Maroc - Fes

2009-10-26T19:59:00.001Z

Salam Alikoum,

mes parents sont venus au Maroc fêter leurs 35 ans de mariage au Maroc et pour l’occasion nous sommes partis visiter Fès, la plus impériale des villes marocaines, située au pied de l’Atlas marocain. Nous sommes arrivés en début de soirée où le soleil répandait sur les toits et les minarets une lumière ocre et rougeâtre.

Nous avons pleinement profité de notre périple en séjournant au Riad Myra, digne des "1001 nuits" situé en plein cœur du quartier Fès Jdid. A l’intérieur de la vieille médina, se succèdent des palais, des riads discrets, des mosquées réservées aux musulmans ainsi que des milliers d’étals de marchandises qui paraissent invendables. Sans guide, il est d’ailleurs très facile de s’y perdre, de se faire proposer toute sorte d’épices ou bien de se faire bousculer par un âne.

Au Maroc et particulièrement à Fès, certains des vieux métiers de l’artisanat traditionnel ont survécu: orfèvres, chaudronniers, ferblantier, tisserands, teinturiers, bourreliers et tanneurs de peaux…Si vos finances ne sont pas extensibles, je vous conseille de travailler vos techniques pour refuser les 25 tapis marocains « faits main » ainsi que les 30 vestes en cuir véritable ou bien encore les 15 fontaines en mosaïques que les marchands vont essayer de vous vendre.

Sur le chemin du retour pour Casablanca, nous nous sommes arrêtés à Volubilis, cité du Maroc antique dont les ruines témoignent de la civilisation romaine présente au 3éme siècle après J-C. J’ai été heureux de revoir mes parents, de passer du temps avec eux, de leur faire découvrir un nouveau pays, de nouveaux paysages ainsi qu’une nouvelle culture. Pour moi la route continue et la prochaine destination sera Marrakech…

(voir toutes les photos)