Here I am in Charles De Gaulle airport on my way home. Left Montpellier last night and spent the night here in the airport observing homeless people who seem to live here. Paid 9 euro to have wifi for 24 hours which has been super nice to help the time go by. At one point a homeless guy set up his whole kitchen on the little desk next to me and started cooking on a hot pot or something...very strange.
I am feeling quite sleep deprived....on about hour 26 right now...but still feeling good. My last days in Ganges were wonderful. Rebecca came down from London on Friday. We went right away to the beach and a crazy little town called Grand Motte where all the buildings are built in a very strange Jetons/Miami style......lots of glammy boats. I am sure the town is hopping in the summer.
That night met Che and a work friend of his in town, drink on the square and then dinner at a lovely little place, then more drinks (of course). Saturday we went to St. Guillem Le Desert, a beautiful little town not far from Ganges. We hiked up to the ridge above it where there are ruins of an old castle. We were the only ones in it....beautiful view. Home, and a lovely dinner, many bottles of wine and a scrabble game that I didn't fare so well in (wine's fault)....to bed at 4 then sleep till noon. A wonderful Sunday....french toast and mimosas, then a long, lazy walk from the house.
Monday Rebecca and I went into work with Che then took the tram into town for a bit of shopping and a beautiful lunch sitting outside in the sun. Took Rebecca to the airport then back to the beaches till it was time to get Che and a ride to the airport....such a beautiful end to my trip.
Thank you France....i'll b back.....bisous.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1 week from home....
I know, it has been forever since I have written. I guess it is as it always is, when you are about at the end of the trip that you start really appreciating the experience and filling the days more completely.
I am back in Ganges. Went up to the snow last week for 5 days. Was invited by my friends Mike and Mary who live in Paris to Alp D'Huez. I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful place. From Grenoble it is about an hour bus ride way up into the montains on a road that it occasionally the final push of the Tour de France. I cannot imagine walking up this road, much less biking.
They are pretty experienced skiiers so I pretty much spent my days alone, renting a snowboard and working on my "skills". What was pretty awesome is that they had 4 pretty long runs for beginners that were free so I spent my days there trying to get on my heel edge and falling a lot. It was a blast though and I hope to get back there some day when I am a better boarder.
I stayed up late last night hanging out with Che. He got home the day before I left for the snow. We talked movies and watched funny british animation and drank some Japanese whiskey (who knew?). The brand is Santori like the kind in "Lost in Translation" that Bill Murray is sponsering. It was yummy but made me sleep till noon....oh, well.
Walked around town hunting for gifts for people at home. Got a cute French childrens book. They asked me if it was a gift and I just said yes although it is for my collection....so it is wrapped and ready for me to tear into when i get home....well, at least it won't get banged up in transit. I think that I went onto every little shop in town which is really only 10 shops or so. I did, however, find a little junk shop (brocante) on a side street that I had never seen and scored something for my mom ans sister.
Tomorrow I am going to visit a friend of Stupi's who lives near to here. It will be fun to go on a little drive and get to meet her and her baby. Rebecca comes on Fri and I am thinking that we might go to Arles for the day on Sat, maybe into Montpellier....then Mon I am off. Have already been planning for the week I get home. Blake and I are going up the coast for a little trip and might meet up with Jodi/ Thomas in Mendo....go to a crab feed! I am excited for home and already nostolgic for this place.....strange....xoxo
I am back in Ganges. Went up to the snow last week for 5 days. Was invited by my friends Mike and Mary who live in Paris to Alp D'Huez. I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful place. From Grenoble it is about an hour bus ride way up into the montains on a road that it occasionally the final push of the Tour de France. I cannot imagine walking up this road, much less biking.
They are pretty experienced skiiers so I pretty much spent my days alone, renting a snowboard and working on my "skills". What was pretty awesome is that they had 4 pretty long runs for beginners that were free so I spent my days there trying to get on my heel edge and falling a lot. It was a blast though and I hope to get back there some day when I am a better boarder.
I stayed up late last night hanging out with Che. He got home the day before I left for the snow. We talked movies and watched funny british animation and drank some Japanese whiskey (who knew?). The brand is Santori like the kind in "Lost in Translation" that Bill Murray is sponsering. It was yummy but made me sleep till noon....oh, well.
Walked around town hunting for gifts for people at home. Got a cute French childrens book. They asked me if it was a gift and I just said yes although it is for my collection....so it is wrapped and ready for me to tear into when i get home....well, at least it won't get banged up in transit. I think that I went onto every little shop in town which is really only 10 shops or so. I did, however, find a little junk shop (brocante) on a side street that I had never seen and scored something for my mom ans sister.
Tomorrow I am going to visit a friend of Stupi's who lives near to here. It will be fun to go on a little drive and get to meet her and her baby. Rebecca comes on Fri and I am thinking that we might go to Arles for the day on Sat, maybe into Montpellier....then Mon I am off. Have already been planning for the week I get home. Blake and I are going up the coast for a little trip and might meet up with Jodi/ Thomas in Mendo....go to a crab feed! I am excited for home and already nostolgic for this place.....strange....xoxo
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
headed to the snow
Back in Ganges after a tour to the south. We visited the Viaduct de Millau, the tallest bridge in the world. It was very impressive. We saw it from a distance, from underneath, from up above and then from on it....all angles were fabulous.
Then skirted down south to Carcassonne, an amazing Castle city that I auctually wrote a report on in French class in 8th grade. We stayed inside the castle walls for 2 nights and during the day toured around, tried to make it to Andorra but it was too far, so went and walked around some more castle ruins instead.
I am about to head out the door to pick Che up at the airport then tomorrow I head to the Alps for 5 days. Got invited by friends to stay with them in Alpe D'Huez and am looking forward to it. Will prob do some snowboarding, snowshoeing but also hanging out and reading in the outdoor spas....after all this cold weather I am looking forward to that most.
My time is winding down here. In 2 weeks from now I will be up in the air on my way home. Sounds like a long time from now but I know it is going to go fast. I will have to enjoy every moment....see you after the snow....
Then skirted down south to Carcassonne, an amazing Castle city that I auctually wrote a report on in French class in 8th grade. We stayed inside the castle walls for 2 nights and during the day toured around, tried to make it to Andorra but it was too far, so went and walked around some more castle ruins instead.
I am about to head out the door to pick Che up at the airport then tomorrow I head to the Alps for 5 days. Got invited by friends to stay with them in Alpe D'Huez and am looking forward to it. Will prob do some snowboarding, snowshoeing but also hanging out and reading in the outdoor spas....after all this cold weather I am looking forward to that most.
My time is winding down here. In 2 weeks from now I will be up in the air on my way home. Sounds like a long time from now but I know it is going to go fast. I will have to enjoy every moment....see you after the snow....
Monday, December 28, 2009
back in the south
Got "home" today. Took a night train from Paris but couldn't sleep so got into Montpellier feeling quite cracked out at 6 a.m. Had very good luck getting to the bus back to Ganges, though, which was awesome. The busses are not that often and I caught the 6:45 with zero minutes to spare (had to take a tram from the train to the bus station) and was sooo happy cuz the next bus was at 11:30 and I would have had to wait out in the cold or head back to central Mont. to kill the time.
Threw up in my water bottle on the bus. Sorry to throw that in but it was kind of sudden and strange. I think maybe the fumes on the bus or the lack if sleep or something. But fortunately I didn't have anything in my stomache because my h2o bottle is tiny....
Was home by 8 and skyped with Blake and my sister who was at our house, then really thought about going to bed but powered through and went on a walk/grocery run. Since then I have been seriously chilling...mostly trying to stay warm in bed and trying to find something on youtube worth watching. I did find "Andy University" clips that are shorts with the brother on Weeds (Justin Kirk, I think). pretty funny...but only 12 of them or so and only 2-3 minutes long. I would love to veg and watch a movie but they take way too long to load and my attempts at fooling Hulu are not working.
Speaking of entertaining things though.....I have been obsessing on podcasts since being here. At home I already had 10 or so that I listened to regularly but out of need for entertainment I have expanded my downloading and am such a fan! Totally hooked on "the sound of young America" and "Jodan, Jessee, Go!" and always try out a few new randoms when on. Props to my girls Becca and Dev for giving me my ipod....I never knew how much I would love using it.
Well, I meant to write more. My last dys in Paris were fabulous. On Sunday the roads on either side of the Seine are closed to cars so I followed Mike and Mary (them running, me biking) from their neighborhood all the way to the Tulleries. We dropped the bike and they took the metro home and I spent my last afternoon in Paris strolling the streets, soaking in the sun at the Tilleries, and walking the Seine home...it was wonderful.
I have to go to bed now. Tomorrow I drive into Montpellier to pick Mary up and tour around a bit. Maybe we will go see the flamingos that are supposedly in the wetlands there, although they might be migrating south now....we will see.....xoxo...t
Threw up in my water bottle on the bus. Sorry to throw that in but it was kind of sudden and strange. I think maybe the fumes on the bus or the lack if sleep or something. But fortunately I didn't have anything in my stomache because my h2o bottle is tiny....
Was home by 8 and skyped with Blake and my sister who was at our house, then really thought about going to bed but powered through and went on a walk/grocery run. Since then I have been seriously chilling...mostly trying to stay warm in bed and trying to find something on youtube worth watching. I did find "Andy University" clips that are shorts with the brother on Weeds (Justin Kirk, I think). pretty funny...but only 12 of them or so and only 2-3 minutes long. I would love to veg and watch a movie but they take way too long to load and my attempts at fooling Hulu are not working.
Speaking of entertaining things though.....I have been obsessing on podcasts since being here. At home I already had 10 or so that I listened to regularly but out of need for entertainment I have expanded my downloading and am such a fan! Totally hooked on "the sound of young America" and "Jodan, Jessee, Go!" and always try out a few new randoms when on. Props to my girls Becca and Dev for giving me my ipod....I never knew how much I would love using it.
Well, I meant to write more. My last dys in Paris were fabulous. On Sunday the roads on either side of the Seine are closed to cars so I followed Mike and Mary (them running, me biking) from their neighborhood all the way to the Tulleries. We dropped the bike and they took the metro home and I spent my last afternoon in Paris strolling the streets, soaking in the sun at the Tilleries, and walking the Seine home...it was wonderful.
I have to go to bed now. Tomorrow I drive into Montpellier to pick Mary up and tour around a bit. Maybe we will go see the flamingos that are supposedly in the wetlands there, although they might be migrating south now....we will see.....xoxo...t
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas eve...
Hi people, sorry it has been so long. I have been wandering the rues of Paris, trying to stay warm and generally haveing a fabulous time. Mary and I are at home making x-mas cookies after running around this morning getting treats for the next couple days because everything will be closed up.
The flea market was a flop. I have been hunting for linens and things for my sister but have not found a single one. Either I am looking in the wrong places or the people who have the french shabby-chic stall at the Alameda flea market have come and taken them all. I am still on the hunt though Jodi, promise.
On Tuesday Mary, a friend of hers and I went on a chocolate shop tour of Paris...mainly just an excuse to walk around with some kind of purpose. One shop had a window display made entirely of chocolate. Most impressive was the birch trees that looked so real I wanted to miniaturize myself and walk around in the little chocolate forest....yum! We saw many other things on our way, a mosque, a roman ampitheater that was excavated not so long ago....and lots of cute boutiques. As our last stop we went food shopping at a big market near Mike's work and I went a bit crazy at the olive bar which was very impressive.
Yesterday I went to the Centre Pompidou (the modern art museum here in Paris) thinking I could go there and then do a few more things in the day. It was amazing! They have a wonderful premanent collection full of artists that I love as well as two floors of special exhibits. One of the highlights was a slideshow of Nan Golding photos of couples set to music by Bjork and an orchestra. I have seen and really enjoyed her photos before but seeing them this was was heartbreakingly beautiful. It was 5 couples in total and each had 25 or so photos of them just doing normal everday things (some a bit x-rated). She has an amazing gift to capture peoples love for eachother. I was at the museum for 6 hours total and got to catch a view of the Tour Eiffel sparkling at 6 p.m. from one of the decks of the museum. Apparently there is another light show that starts on the hour at 8 p.m. so we are going to try to catch it tonight I think.
After the museum I walked around the Marsais. It is the jewish/gay district of town that is hopping with people and full of fun little shops and restaurants. Luckily the weather has eased off a bit so for the first time since I've been here it wasn't painful to walk around. Home by 10 and then a late dinner with Mary and Mike. Went to bed at 1 and started reading my book..."the corrections" by Jonathan Franzen, which I am auctually not enjoying that much but it is the only english book I have up here that is not a guidebook, and somehow it was suddenly 3 a.m. and I forced myself to go to sleep.
Tonight we are going to midnight mass at Notre Dame which I am sure is going to bo quite impressive. Then tomorrow is Christmas and I think our plans are to relax, drink some champgne and probably go for a stroll in the park or something. I am sure I will be missing my family but am lucky to have this extended family here making me feel very much at home. Merry Christmas to everyone. gros bisous!
The flea market was a flop. I have been hunting for linens and things for my sister but have not found a single one. Either I am looking in the wrong places or the people who have the french shabby-chic stall at the Alameda flea market have come and taken them all. I am still on the hunt though Jodi, promise.
On Tuesday Mary, a friend of hers and I went on a chocolate shop tour of Paris...mainly just an excuse to walk around with some kind of purpose. One shop had a window display made entirely of chocolate. Most impressive was the birch trees that looked so real I wanted to miniaturize myself and walk around in the little chocolate forest....yum! We saw many other things on our way, a mosque, a roman ampitheater that was excavated not so long ago....and lots of cute boutiques. As our last stop we went food shopping at a big market near Mike's work and I went a bit crazy at the olive bar which was very impressive.
Yesterday I went to the Centre Pompidou (the modern art museum here in Paris) thinking I could go there and then do a few more things in the day. It was amazing! They have a wonderful premanent collection full of artists that I love as well as two floors of special exhibits. One of the highlights was a slideshow of Nan Golding photos of couples set to music by Bjork and an orchestra. I have seen and really enjoyed her photos before but seeing them this was was heartbreakingly beautiful. It was 5 couples in total and each had 25 or so photos of them just doing normal everday things (some a bit x-rated). She has an amazing gift to capture peoples love for eachother. I was at the museum for 6 hours total and got to catch a view of the Tour Eiffel sparkling at 6 p.m. from one of the decks of the museum. Apparently there is another light show that starts on the hour at 8 p.m. so we are going to try to catch it tonight I think.
After the museum I walked around the Marsais. It is the jewish/gay district of town that is hopping with people and full of fun little shops and restaurants. Luckily the weather has eased off a bit so for the first time since I've been here it wasn't painful to walk around. Home by 10 and then a late dinner with Mary and Mike. Went to bed at 1 and started reading my book..."the corrections" by Jonathan Franzen, which I am auctually not enjoying that much but it is the only english book I have up here that is not a guidebook, and somehow it was suddenly 3 a.m. and I forced myself to go to sleep.
Tonight we are going to midnight mass at Notre Dame which I am sure is going to bo quite impressive. Then tomorrow is Christmas and I think our plans are to relax, drink some champgne and probably go for a stroll in the park or something. I am sure I will be missing my family but am lucky to have this extended family here making me feel very much at home. Merry Christmas to everyone. gros bisous!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Staying cozy in Paris
Well, here I am in fabulous Paris. There is snow on the ground and it is freezing but it is beautiful. Spent yesterday strolling around and catching up with Mary and then headed to Mike's work X-mas party. After a few glasses of champagne I was comfortably talking with his very hip co-workers in my little french and their little english. We headed from there out to one bar and then the next with co-workers and the owner of his company, who's wife had talken a special liking to me and Mary. It was a very entertaining night. We missed the last metro so ended up taking a night bus full of very entertaining drunks...two of which were drawing penises in the fog on the window and laughing histerically...have to admit that it was making me laugh quite a bit also.
We were all very happy when we got in the door. I had worn my heels, thinking that we were just getting off and on the train, a was surprisingly not too bad off at the end of the night. At least I didn't bring them for nothing!
Since we all finally hit the pillow at 5 a.m. we slept untill 1, which was wonderful. Then up and a long walk from here to the Chateau du Vincennes and the grounds around it which were beautiful in the snow. Trees full of ravens and the beautiful light at sunset were just some of the gorgeous sites. Then home and Mary made yummy chicken mole.....a perfect day.
Tomorrow I am going solo to the Puces...flea market. Hopefully I find some scores! xoxo
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Off to Paris!
Getting ready to pack up and get out the door on my way to Paris! This week has been quiet. Little drives, walks and lots of internet time and reading. I am so lucky to have a friend in Paris who, despite having a tiny place and a husband, has invited me for all of x-mas week. Thank you Mary! I think I thanked her in an earlier blog but I really can't thank her enough.
I have been to Paris before but always with limited time and never staying with someone who lives there so I am really looking forward to this trip. She said that there are free ice skating rinks all over town and tons of holiday things to do. I am most definately not an ice skater now but maybe by the end of the week I won't be falling on my butt every 10 feet.
Also planning on going to the Louvre, of course, and back to the Orangerie. When Blake and I were there he accidently took a pic with a flash and we got many dirty looks. This time, no flash, I promise.
So, for a little while here I will not be S. of France grl....but central France grl...but something tells me my blogs might be a little more interesting.....
see you in Paris!
I have been to Paris before but always with limited time and never staying with someone who lives there so I am really looking forward to this trip. She said that there are free ice skating rinks all over town and tons of holiday things to do. I am most definately not an ice skater now but maybe by the end of the week I won't be falling on my butt every 10 feet.
Also planning on going to the Louvre, of course, and back to the Orangerie. When Blake and I were there he accidently took a pic with a flash and we got many dirty looks. This time, no flash, I promise.
So, for a little while here I will not be S. of France grl....but central France grl...but something tells me my blogs might be a little more interesting.....
see you in Paris!
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