nouvelles de la france, no. 2

yikes. sorry it's been a while I haven't written, but many crazy things have been happening. I did the Paris scooter tour with Franck on Saturday, which was fabulous, though a bit scary at times (I will NEVER drive in Paris!!). We sped by every single monument there was to see, and spent some time in two of the coolest neighbourhoods, Le Marais and Montmartre. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday I wandered around the city -- the flea market (wow!), Saint Germain, fancy Passy, ritzy Neuilly, and icky Clichy. The Youth Hostel wasn't so great, but I met a few nice people visiting from around the world, which is always cool.

Wednesday I said bubye to Paris and dragged my sorry self and huge bag to Montparnasse. Left my bag in a locker and indulged in a quick shopping frenzy before jumping on the train. Then Angers. Herveline bought a lovely house with her husband in downtown Angers and I got my OWN ROOM! Paradise. Thursday morning when I woke up Herveline informed me that her grandmother had passed away during the night and that she was going to have to leave ASAP. So much for all our plans. Oh well, these things happen. Now I'm reorganizing my trip, trying to figure out where I want to go over the next few days. She's only leaving tomorrow, so I did have Thursday to get lost in Angers (tried to find the castle and somehow didn't get there) and today we went to Saumur. Gorgeous. We visited the castle, checked out some wacky underground
scuptures, and admired the river. A perfect day. The rain started as we were heading back to Angers so we're hanging out at home with the kidlets. Tomorrow I should be able to do some more visiting.

when I have a chance I'll put some more photos up. Most of them seem a bit fuzzy, which is probably due to my inability to figure out Sophia's camera. Well at least the memories are sharp and clear.

more news soon. I smooch you.

nouvelles de la france, no. 1

hey gang! (pls forward to whoever wants to read this crap)

keyboqrds different here ,qybe I should just go qheqd qnd type the
sq,e qnd leqve it up to you to decipher: did you get thqt?

no? ok I'll make an effort.

Arrived yesterday morning, at Charles-de-Gaulle, having not slept much at all in the plane. Pure torture. Went outside, bent over to get something out of my carry-on and toppled over from the weight of my backpack! I just sat there giggling, then a lovely couple asked me if I needed help up. I said no thank you and that I needed to get used to it. And they understood me! And I thought my accent would be so impossible that I would end up having to use sign language! Maybe it won't be that bad after all!

Franck picked me up at the Gare du nord on his scooter so I could leave my stuff at his place in Montmartre and then go out and stimulate my senses to fight the extreme fatigue. In town I wandered along the Champs elysées in a stupour, stopping occasionally to check out the various public washroom options. I encountered an interesting variety, covering the full spectrum in terms of style and cleanliness.
it was raining so I didn't do as much walking outdoors as I would have liked, but it is truly lovely nonetheless. I stopped for a coffee and entertained the locals by asking what they call a "briquet" here. (It's called a "briquet")

First French meal last night at l'Olivier in Montmartre. I held back and did not order all of the richest food on the menu, but I did spoil myself with a lovely magret de canard. The staff was adorable, charming atmosphere, a guy wandering around with a guitar singing French classics (everyone singing along except me -- just like in Mexico).

Today we're going on a scooter tour to check out a bunch of places the names of which I cannot remember. There was Saint Somebody, and then Saint Somebody Else, followed by a stop at Saint Number Three. The weather seems to be holding up for now, but the forecast says rain so I will have my raincoat with me.

I don't know why all of my pictures from day one look like garbage (maybe my camera was jetlagged too) but there you go.

mexico news part 3

Hey peeps. hope these messages aren't boring for you. I'm in Santa Cruz de Miramar with Jim. The bugs aren't after me too much. I went on a jungle boat ride today which was fabulous. We saw crocodiles and huge birds and turtles. And I made more friends. I have oodles of friends here now. Oodles, I tell you.



Turns out what I thought was mild turista a week ago was nothing but PMS. I guess it was wishful thinking, that there might be such a thing as "mild" turista. I don't think there is. And I don't think I can ever avoid it. Oh well. It's not like I have to be anywhere...

k well off for some foods. I didn't put the pictures up after all.
Maybe manana. Maybe when I get back. You can wait.

Eva