Young at heart!!!
Gramma and her grand daughters in St. Tropez.
THE GYPSY TABLE...At the head of the table and boss of everyone!... Mercedes Maria Mendez (AKA-Abuelita); to her right, standing with his hand on his hip, my precious father (Gabe Mendez); to Abuelita's left, her husband-Francisco Mendez (AKA-Abuelito); Uncle Steve on his own; left-front,Joe and Mary Costa. Mary-the only one living-is in her late 90's!
Thursday, November 3
Two Wonderful Weeks in France with Mom!
Sitting at the kitchen table in front of the sea and waiting to see mom's plane fly over the house on her way back to Paris. It had been over a year since she had seen little Coco and Louis. They are at school this morning and will come home to the quiet house without Gramma. This week will be a sad one, realizing that sometimes in life the "different" path isn't all it is cracked up to be! I won't write anymore for today...cause it will just be pathetic. But I will post some of the wonderful photo's of our reunion with Gramma when I stop feeling sorry for myself! May God bless her journey back home and keep her safe with all her new memories of the Deconinck grandkids.
Friday, September 23
It's Officially A Year In Provence...
We did it! We celebrated our one year anniversary in Provence. We left California on Sept. 5th, 2010- our oldest daughter's birthday.
Ines had the misfortune to turn seventeen in an airport with 15 suitcases, 5 brothers and sisters, and two exhausted and confused parents. This year as we celebrated her 18th, we thought back on the hundreds of first images and impressions that seemed so dramatic and took us so much by surprise. And though we are far from settled and cannot considered ourselves "installed" in the french way of life, we are starting to live like a family that belongs in two lands.
There are many things that can be said about moving to a foreign land and living in a new and different culture. If there is one thing that stands out to us (Marc and I), as almost miraculous, it is watching the evolution of our two younger children become bilingual. Louis was seven and Claudie was three when we arrived. Neither of them spoke french-nothing more than a few vocabulary words. They could not make a sentence. They did not know how to say, "My name is Louis", or "I do not speak french", or "I am American". They both started school a few days after we arrived. Louis had never been in school before, as we had homeschooled most of our children for most of their education.
From day one, Louis went to school from 9am to 4:30pm four days a week. ( In france, there is no school on wednesday, for the elementary children) Claudie went only occasionally, as I felt she was still young, and she is not a morning person. Most of the time she was not ready and Louis was screaming from the gate that he was going to be late. (He is not like his mother...I love to be late!) Claudie missed alot of school. And when she went, she did not say a word. Being stubborn and steadfast in her ways, she even refused all snacks, cakes and treats, as she would not give the required "Merci", after receiving her goodie.
So she had no marks on her progress report all year, because she did not seem to be making progress. Then one day I was sitting on the couch reading and she was playing and talking to herself in the corner. It caught my attention because she was scolding her doll. So I moved a little closer and kept on reading. Sure enough...she was playing school and scolding her doll in french! "Va au coin, maintenant, et met les choses en place tout de suite"! Out of the mouths of babes.."Go to the corner, right now!" And "Pick up your toys, immediately".
I stopped worrying about her progress. She was definately listening and learning everything her teacher was saying! And I can't say I blame her for not wanting to talk. I might even shut up if Marc made me pick up my toys and sit in the corner!
I don't tell that story with any judgement on the teacher. She is a very nice young lady and a good teacher as well. And in the little village school, she is really teaching two grades in the same class 3 to 7 yrs. old-a big difference in skills. So frustration is a given and order is a neccessity.
This year Claudie has a new teacher. One of the moms warned me about her. She has a very loud voice and yells alot. She didn't think Claudie would do well and wanted me to know in case I wanted to change schools. The first day Claudie cried because she didn't want to have a new teacher. But when I picked her up for lunch, she was fine and has not cried since. Actually, she has been speaking french everyday for the last two weeks. So Marc and I asked her about the teacher, kind of expecting some dramatic reponse. "Do you like your teacher, Coco? Is she nice?" "I don't know", she tells us. "Well does she have a loud voice? " "I don't know". "Does she yell in class?" "Oh yeah, she yells alot!" Well doesn't that bother you?" "No". she laughs. "She's nice". Then it dawns on me. Well of course it doesn't bother her. She lives with me, Louis, and three teenage sisters. She feels right at home with all the yelling and now she feels comfortable- not like with strangers- so she doesn't mind speaking french. I think it says a lot about frustration. If you try to hide it, it just makes people uncomfortable. Let it out! Yell if you need to, then give a big hug and keep on teaching!
Just a funny story, I don't really condone yelling. It is actually one of my faults that I pray often to be freed from. I know yelling is so abrupt and can be hurtful. Once I even told God to just take my voice away so I would never yell again. Luckily he was not listening to me.
So the children are becoming bilingual but I must admit, it is much easier to make the transition before 12 or 13 years old. Santi was 11 when we arrived. She cried the first day after school and said she was never going back again. By the third week she was in the swing of things as well. Like Louis, she had never been in a traditional school setting. She had some lazy habits and was behind in math and spelling. But she finished the year with high marks, a good foundation of the language, and excellent study habits. She is well on her way to being fluent and is now very inerested in language. She is thinking about learning spanish and chinese! Probably two good choices. The older girls, 16yrs. and 18yrs. old have struggled. Let me just say that teenagers are special. I don't think I have much advice and remain open to any and all suggestions. I think I will save the "teenage" story for another post. It deserves special treatment! Abientot, Monica
Snapshot of the children visiting the village Le Barroux in the Dentelles mountains.
Lots of stones...walls, steps, streets, houses, castles!
Ines had the misfortune to turn seventeen in an airport with 15 suitcases, 5 brothers and sisters, and two exhausted and confused parents. This year as we celebrated her 18th, we thought back on the hundreds of first images and impressions that seemed so dramatic and took us so much by surprise. And though we are far from settled and cannot considered ourselves "installed" in the french way of life, we are starting to live like a family that belongs in two lands.
There are many things that can be said about moving to a foreign land and living in a new and different culture. If there is one thing that stands out to us (Marc and I), as almost miraculous, it is watching the evolution of our two younger children become bilingual. Louis was seven and Claudie was three when we arrived. Neither of them spoke french-nothing more than a few vocabulary words. They could not make a sentence. They did not know how to say, "My name is Louis", or "I do not speak french", or "I am American". They both started school a few days after we arrived. Louis had never been in school before, as we had homeschooled most of our children for most of their education.
From day one, Louis went to school from 9am to 4:30pm four days a week. ( In france, there is no school on wednesday, for the elementary children) Claudie went only occasionally, as I felt she was still young, and she is not a morning person. Most of the time she was not ready and Louis was screaming from the gate that he was going to be late. (He is not like his mother...I love to be late!) Claudie missed alot of school. And when she went, she did not say a word. Being stubborn and steadfast in her ways, she even refused all snacks, cakes and treats, as she would not give the required "Merci", after receiving her goodie.
So she had no marks on her progress report all year, because she did not seem to be making progress. Then one day I was sitting on the couch reading and she was playing and talking to herself in the corner. It caught my attention because she was scolding her doll. So I moved a little closer and kept on reading. Sure enough...she was playing school and scolding her doll in french! "Va au coin, maintenant, et met les choses en place tout de suite"! Out of the mouths of babes.."Go to the corner, right now!" And "Pick up your toys, immediately".
I stopped worrying about her progress. She was definately listening and learning everything her teacher was saying! And I can't say I blame her for not wanting to talk. I might even shut up if Marc made me pick up my toys and sit in the corner!
I don't tell that story with any judgement on the teacher. She is a very nice young lady and a good teacher as well. And in the little village school, she is really teaching two grades in the same class 3 to 7 yrs. old-a big difference in skills. So frustration is a given and order is a neccessity.
This year Claudie has a new teacher. One of the moms warned me about her. She has a very loud voice and yells alot. She didn't think Claudie would do well and wanted me to know in case I wanted to change schools. The first day Claudie cried because she didn't want to have a new teacher. But when I picked her up for lunch, she was fine and has not cried since. Actually, she has been speaking french everyday for the last two weeks. So Marc and I asked her about the teacher, kind of expecting some dramatic reponse. "Do you like your teacher, Coco? Is she nice?" "I don't know", she tells us. "Well does she have a loud voice? " "I don't know". "Does she yell in class?" "Oh yeah, she yells alot!" Well doesn't that bother you?" "No". she laughs. "She's nice". Then it dawns on me. Well of course it doesn't bother her. She lives with me, Louis, and three teenage sisters. She feels right at home with all the yelling and now she feels comfortable- not like with strangers- so she doesn't mind speaking french. I think it says a lot about frustration. If you try to hide it, it just makes people uncomfortable. Let it out! Yell if you need to, then give a big hug and keep on teaching!
Just a funny story, I don't really condone yelling. It is actually one of my faults that I pray often to be freed from. I know yelling is so abrupt and can be hurtful. Once I even told God to just take my voice away so I would never yell again. Luckily he was not listening to me.
So the children are becoming bilingual but I must admit, it is much easier to make the transition before 12 or 13 years old. Santi was 11 when we arrived. She cried the first day after school and said she was never going back again. By the third week she was in the swing of things as well. Like Louis, she had never been in a traditional school setting. She had some lazy habits and was behind in math and spelling. But she finished the year with high marks, a good foundation of the language, and excellent study habits. She is well on her way to being fluent and is now very inerested in language. She is thinking about learning spanish and chinese! Probably two good choices. The older girls, 16yrs. and 18yrs. old have struggled. Let me just say that teenagers are special. I don't think I have much advice and remain open to any and all suggestions. I think I will save the "teenage" story for another post. It deserves special treatment! Abientot, Monica
Snapshot of the children visiting the village Le Barroux in the Dentelles mountains.
Lots of stones...walls, steps, streets, houses, castles!
Thursday, August 4
Happy 16th to Elise...
Made a quick trip to Paris yesterday to send the three older girls off to America for three weeks with Gramma. Elise is lucky to have spent her 16th birthday on two continents. This morning breakfast at Starbucks in Paris and this evening, dessert at the Cheesecake Factory in Roseville! Not a bad way to turn sixteen.
We had a very sweet birthday-day shopping and visiting in Paris. Quick trip to Sacre Couer and Notre Dame...I guess we could call that a "church" trip! We also did some fun things...bought makeup at Mac at the Place St. Michel, found great august sales at Pimkie and the train station, had a swim and hot tub at the Hyatt and Ceasar salad, Turkey club, and Peperoni pizza from room service! Then beddie by for the big travel adventure...first time overseas on their own! Iam not even sure they have arrived yet. Took a few silly videos to share, but not sure if I know how to down load them. So here goes...
We had a very sweet birthday-day shopping and visiting in Paris. Quick trip to Sacre Couer and Notre Dame...I guess we could call that a "church" trip! We also did some fun things...bought makeup at Mac at the Place St. Michel, found great august sales at Pimkie and the train station, had a swim and hot tub at the Hyatt and Ceasar salad, Turkey club, and Peperoni pizza from room service! Then beddie by for the big travel adventure...first time overseas on their own! Iam not even sure they have arrived yet. Took a few silly videos to share, but not sure if I know how to down load them. So here goes...
Friday, June 24
Guess who's back???
I am temporarily borrowing my daughters computer to get back current on all the crazy happenings in this french adventure. My last post was in April...so much has happened, of course I won't bore you with all the details. I did, however, loss some weight! That is only worth mentioning, as it was one of my father's last requests for his children. At christmas, my sister asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted his four children to lose weight! "Ask and you shall receive" So to you dad, I offer 20 ugly pounds...and more to come!
In addition, other things worth mentioning, Marc and I both got jobs in May. Guess what we are doing? That's right!!!! We are both working in restaurants! Funny how life goes. Marc and I are now "competitors". Venasque has two restaurants right next door to each other- Les Ramparts (traditional/regional provencal menu) and La Cote Fontaine ( gastronomic menu with a touch of japanese accents). I am at the gastronomic and Marc is the provencal. Our dear friends Bill and Kris Moore were here last week visiting and they ate at both restaurants. I will ask them to write a review for me.
Working is great! Working in a kitchen for someone else is also great. But I have to admit that being back in the kitchen is not a dream come true. It was a matter of neccessity. Money is the name of the game sometimes and you do what you know. We know the restaurant business. And when the job opportunities presented themselves, the circumstances were almost Providencial. Two restaurant jobs right next door to each other and a house available three doors up the street and across the parking lot from Louis and Claudie's school... "Ask and you shall receive"!
So for the moment, we are both expanding our knowledge of food, learning many new things that we would not have taught ourselves otherwise and most importantly, paying our debts.
Tomorrow we will welcome longtime, dear customers from Le Bilig Kitchen. Gary and Peggy Gubitz and their young men will be stopping by on their "Reunion Tour". You can check out their adventure on their blog www.gubitzeuropereuniontour.blogspot.com .
I will have some pictures posted of our visit with friends from California soon. We had some real adventures with the Moores. I am sure they will remember this trip to france as much as the other nine they have had. Filled with family adventures...trials and tribulations of life at the Gypsy Table! Be back soon...
In addition, other things worth mentioning, Marc and I both got jobs in May. Guess what we are doing? That's right!!!! We are both working in restaurants! Funny how life goes. Marc and I are now "competitors". Venasque has two restaurants right next door to each other- Les Ramparts (traditional/regional provencal menu) and La Cote Fontaine ( gastronomic menu with a touch of japanese accents). I am at the gastronomic and Marc is the provencal. Our dear friends Bill and Kris Moore were here last week visiting and they ate at both restaurants. I will ask them to write a review for me.
Working is great! Working in a kitchen for someone else is also great. But I have to admit that being back in the kitchen is not a dream come true. It was a matter of neccessity. Money is the name of the game sometimes and you do what you know. We know the restaurant business. And when the job opportunities presented themselves, the circumstances were almost Providencial. Two restaurant jobs right next door to each other and a house available three doors up the street and across the parking lot from Louis and Claudie's school... "Ask and you shall receive"!
So for the moment, we are both expanding our knowledge of food, learning many new things that we would not have taught ourselves otherwise and most importantly, paying our debts.
Tomorrow we will welcome longtime, dear customers from Le Bilig Kitchen. Gary and Peggy Gubitz and their young men will be stopping by on their "Reunion Tour". You can check out their adventure on their blog www.gubitzeuropereuniontour.blogspot.com .
I will have some pictures posted of our visit with friends from California soon. We had some real adventures with the Moores. I am sure they will remember this trip to france as much as the other nine they have had. Filled with family adventures...trials and tribulations of life at the Gypsy Table! Be back soon...
Wednesday, May 4
Temporarily out of commission!
It has been a long while since my last post and I have so much to share. However, my dear little "notebook" has a big crack across the screen and I am forced to pile all my ideas, research, photos, videos, and beautiful visits around provence into a box and paitently wait for a practical solution that costs less than 25 Euros! Be back in business soon...thank you for your patience.
The weather in provence has been beautiful. The cherries are turning red and almost ready to eat. Asparagus and strawberries are everywhere-even though they are expensive-and the streets are coming alive with visitors! I think we are about to see the evolution of the region into the world destination that we have been hearing about. The death of winter and the ressurection of spring.... stay tuned for the rise and fall of the Sorgue river, the Cherry Festival of Venasque, Spring visit to the Riviera (Monaco, Cannes, Nice, Antibes), and a special feature of the Fete du Transhumance in St. Remy. Abientot...
The weather in provence has been beautiful. The cherries are turning red and almost ready to eat. Asparagus and strawberries are everywhere-even though they are expensive-and the streets are coming alive with visitors! I think we are about to see the evolution of the region into the world destination that we have been hearing about. The death of winter and the ressurection of spring.... stay tuned for the rise and fall of the Sorgue river, the Cherry Festival of Venasque, Spring visit to the Riviera (Monaco, Cannes, Nice, Antibes), and a special feature of the Fete du Transhumance in St. Remy. Abientot...
Thursday, March 31
Le Marche...L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Thursday morning, two double espressos at the Cafe de France in L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue 2.60 E... that is something to smile about!
Our farmer friend from the market...I asked him this morning if I could take his picture because his San Francisco hat was where I was from. He was happy to get the attention and as we walked away, we heard his friend laugh and ask him why he was wearing Francisco's hat? He took the hat off, looked at it, and kinda puzzled said, "I don't know where I got this, I didn't know it was Francisco's!" Two cute old farmers, having a good time.
Typical French Market
Thursday morning market in the heart of the old part of town. What a great way to spend the morning. A curiosity at every corner-folklore, tradition, the colors of provence, the sharp smell of the sea, the earthy smell of the farm, people gathering and departing from every direction. The world is a very strange, yet beautiful place and the market reminds us that technology can never replace that which the heart longs for...community!
Sunday, March 27
Road trip-Getting to know Arles
PART I
Three minutes in the Place de la Republique...
When the sun shines in provence the streets come to life.
A gypsy on a park bench, playing his accordian,
Young people "hanging out" on bikes, skates and boards- gathered in groups- sitting on steps,
An ancient "Scottish highlander" lost in time.
The delicate carved stone of a romanesque cathedral facade,
The pleasures of art: recycled plastic phantoms, paintings of celestial light and stone men gazing at a cross, steel wool scouring pads stretched to the shapes of man clinging to each other and hanging from space.
This is just the begining of Arles, the land Van Gogh, bullfights and gypsys, Roman ruins and Romanesque monuments. Arles is a UNESCO World Heritage City. So much to see and so little time! On friday we will return to Arles and for part II ...
Thursday, March 17
A Birthday in Dad's Memory!
No more neckties, soap on a rope or packages of golf balls to wrap.
No more looking for a good book or an interesting video about history, airplanes or anything mechanical, construction, or a good old fashion western he hadn't already seen.
No more crosswords or puzzles to fill up the cupboards.
No more last- minute framing pictures of grand kids to put on your desk.
No more gift certificates or gadgets...cause what do you get for the man who needs so little and wants only to spend time with his family and friends.
No more bottles of spanish wine to try and compare.
No more silly "Best Grampa in the World" t-shirts and hats.
The only present left to give is our eternal love and gratification for all you left us...the wonderful memory of a life well lived!
Tuesday, March 8
Words of Wisdom...Again!
Six Month Anniversary
It has been six months since we arrived in Provence and I decided to re-post this poem. It has been a dear, old friend to Marc and I ever since my sister Cindy gave it to us years ago.
Cindy was my first traveling partner. In 1983, she and I set out to discover Europe. She had just graduated from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and was 24 yrs. old. I was 18, and had not a care in the world. Cindy, with all her beauty and knowledge, led us in a spectacular, six month adventure around Europe. Actually, I led in the adventure department-she kept us safe and guided us to discover all the culture, history, art, antiquity, and charm I would have passed up to "check out guys and lay on the beach". We were perfect traveling companions. I got us back stage passes at Rod Stewart concerts in Madrid and Lisbon, a room at the Palace Hotel Madrid-four doors down from Rod, and pushed us to keep on walking when we didn't want to take another step. She took care of logistics and got us from the Artic circle in Scandinavia to the Bavarian Forest, down the Rhine river, through the Alps, to the Vatican, castles in Austria and Switzerland, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, hours of art at the Prado, running of the Bulls in Pamplona, and much more. I never imagined the how that trip would change my life. Until I met Marc, she was my best buddy and I love her for "babysitting" me on that journey that gave me a taste of the old world.
Merci... My Sister Cindy...
"Je voudrais cinq billets pour Lourdes"...inside joke-you had to be there!!!
GOETHE
Until one is committed,
It has been six months since we arrived in Provence and I decided to re-post this poem. It has been a dear, old friend to Marc and I ever since my sister Cindy gave it to us years ago.
Cindy was my first traveling partner. In 1983, she and I set out to discover Europe. She had just graduated from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and was 24 yrs. old. I was 18, and had not a care in the world. Cindy, with all her beauty and knowledge, led us in a spectacular, six month adventure around Europe. Actually, I led in the adventure department-she kept us safe and guided us to discover all the culture, history, art, antiquity, and charm I would have passed up to "check out guys and lay on the beach". We were perfect traveling companions. I got us back stage passes at Rod Stewart concerts in Madrid and Lisbon, a room at the Palace Hotel Madrid-four doors down from Rod, and pushed us to keep on walking when we didn't want to take another step. She took care of logistics and got us from the Artic circle in Scandinavia to the Bavarian Forest, down the Rhine river, through the Alps, to the Vatican, castles in Austria and Switzerland, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, hours of art at the Prado, running of the Bulls in Pamplona, and much more. I never imagined the how that trip would change my life. Until I met Marc, she was my best buddy and I love her for "babysitting" me on that journey that gave me a taste of the old world.
Merci... My Sister Cindy...
"Je voudrais cinq billets pour Lourdes"...inside joke-you had to be there!!!
GOETHE
Until one is committed,
there is hesitancy,
the chance to drawback,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative
there is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which kills
countless ideas and endless plans:
That the moment one definately commits oneself,
then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of
unforseen incidence and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do,
or dream you can, begin it!
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
...Goethe
Monday, March 7
SIGNS...
Everybody's got there thing: birdwatchers, window shoppers, museum enthusiasts, paparazzi, facebook fanatics, bloggers,
even heavy equipment freaks (my pop-the late, great Gabe Mendez and my brother).
Mon truc right now is SIGNS.
It may be somekind of strange by-product of being "lost" in a foreign land and needing direction. Whatever the case, I am obsessed with signs and find myself taking photos of everything, everywhere! I will try to contain myself, and if I get out of hand, please feel free to "comment" and tell me "enough signs already"! I was thinking of doing a weekly post to share some of my favorite "Signs"...enjoy!
PRETTY OBVIOUS
No Parking Zone or Towing away Zone
...but I love the french wording...
google translate: PARKING EMBARRASSING
Literal translation would be something like...
STATIONNEMENT: stationing, parking
GENANT: inconvenient, nuisance, unwelcome, annoying
PRESSE: Sells news papers, magazines etc.
(it is not where you get your shirts pressed!)
TABAC: Sells cigarettes
PMU: Bet on horseraces
Other miscellaneous: Lotto tickets, candies, gum, stamps
The official post office with expanded services to include banking transactions.
Typical Festival Poster
Announcing winter activities... notice the time 14h30-always in military!
I can not get used to it...always having to subtract 12!
Tarif of Consommations...That sounds personal!
However, it is just the pricing of food and drinks.
ROAD WITHOUT ISSUE!
or...DEAD END...
MY FAVORITE OF THE WEEK
Finally, a campaign to rid the streets of obnoxious DOG DODO!
TROTTOIR OU CROTTOIR ?
A play on words...
TROITTOIR: Sidewalk
CROTTOIR: Does not exist...it is a made up word to rhyme with troittoir, however,
it comes from the verb
CROTTER: To dirty or the slang would be "droppings", a dog or cats "business" or as we say in America "crap"
Therefore...
SIDEWALK OR CRAPWALK?
Monday, February 28
Transhumance passing through Venasque...
TRANSHUMANCE
.
Sometimes a word comes into your vocabulary and although it doesn't have a clear meaning, it lingers in your thoughts and secretly works in your subconscious, waiting for its opportunity to be more than defined-waiting to take a special place in your heart- to imprint it's definition in a way that the dictionary can only be envious of.
Several years ago, our son Vincent spent time with a family in Bordeaux. Thierry, the father, was very dynamic and looked forward to sharing many experiences with Vincent. Thierry is a wine maker for the well known winery Chateau Estrille. Of his many plans were to take Vincent fishing, mushroom hunting, harvesting grapes, and the one that perked my interest, a hike up the mountains in the Pyrenees for the "transhumance".
Of course, I went to the dictionary to demystify this term. Transhumance: The seasonal moving of livestock from regions of different climates. "Sounds interesting", I thought.
"I am sure our 14 yr. old son will have a blast".
The day after Vincent arrived in France they left on their excursion up the mountain to follow the path of the livestock.
Vincent called home after the weekend and I eagerly awaited his description of his first adventure. I don't remember any mention of livestock just a typical teenage explaination; a full days hike, exhausted with jetlag, and an incredible view from the summit of France to the east and Spain to the west.
So the visions of transhumance went to sleep in my conscience until a few days ago, when on our way up the hill to Venasque, traffic stopped; up ahead a flock of goats and sheep, a mix of dogs, a man on a donkey, several shabby looking characters and a rickity old van with a sign on the back reading "Transhumance". Louis and I jumped out of the car. I grabbed my Flip video camera and we tried to capture the beauty of the primitive and traditional practice of shepherds herding their flocks to new pastures.
This particular group were on a ten day journey from the Vaucluse to the Drome region. The Drome region hosts a festival in the village of Die. You can check out more videos on You Tube and visit the website http://www.diois-tourisme.com/ or look for other festivals under: Fetes de la Transhumance.
The following is a beautiful description from Alphonse Daudet, "Letters from My Mill" that I found in Louisa Jones book, PROVENCE A country Almanac.
"The road itself seemed on the march...the old rams first, leading with their horns, with a wild look to them; behind came the bulk of the sheep, the mothers somewhat weary with their suckling lambs underfoot; the mules, with red pompons, carried the newborn in baskets on their backs that rocked like cradles by the slow rhythm of the march; then the dogs, all in a sweat, their tongues hanging to the ground, and two shepherds, great rogues draped in homespun russet coats that reached to their feet like great capes."
Ps...I just asked Vincent (19 yrs old now) to tell me again about that trip up the Pyrenees...yes!!! there were sheeps and goats, even a carcass that was being devoured by hungry voltures. It was a 30 mile hike to the summit and they stayed four days in the shepherds humble abode. Glad I asked again...
Thursday, February 24
Sunday Paella with "contra band" sausages from...
Flying Mule Farm
Basque style chorizo sausages
FROM AMERICA!!!
ready for the barbeque
step 1. Freeze overnight
step 2. Wrap well in plastic freezer bags with an ice pack, in an ice chest & at the last minute before checking bags, transfer to your luggage (pack in the center-insulated with lots of clothes). Carry on an extra plastic baggie.
step 3. Before landing ask stewardess for two cups of ice and save in plastic baggie.
step 4. At baggage claim, remove sausages from plastic with ice pack, and replace them in the baggie with ice cubes from stewardess.
step 5. Put them in your purse, because no one at customs in France cares what you bring in.
step 6. Pass through customs and head for the train.
step 7. Repack the ice again after a two hour layover in the train station and get on the TGV for a three and a half hour journey.
step 8. Arrive in Avignon 27 hours later with your Flying Mule Farm basque chorizo perfectly thawed and ready to BBQ!
http://www.flyingmulefarm.com/
Foothill Agrarian
http://www.flyingmulefarm.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 23
Last look at Uzes...
Thank you to Jeff Hamilton and his family for making the trip to Uzes and sharing their experience in a blog...It would have otherwise gone unknown to us & what fun it is to
unexpectedly discover such a treasure.
unexpectedly discover such a treasure.
A brief video:
A quick look around the historic center of the city. Starting in the Place aux Herbes where the market place is held wednesday and saturday mornings, then heading a short walk to the grand boulevard that circles the city and is the main route for circulating traffic, finishing at Place Albert 1er...where one would find the Office de Tourisme.
Visit the Hamiltons blog www.tryintobefrench.blogspot.com for a sweet glimpse of life in Uzes during the summer months.
On to new things tommorow...
Tuesday, February 15
A picture paints a thousand words...
Just outside Uzes (off D981) west of Avignon, there lies an enchanted village...
CASTILLON DU GARD
pop.943
FOUR STAR HOTEL!
This looks like a real treat and retreat...
Anyone want to invest in a piece of history...
FOR SALE:
Beautiful corner location with history and charm galore.
...The price you ask?
Don't know yet...to be continued!
Saturday, February 12
Bienvenue a Uzes...
Last summer, I ran into Janice Forbes at the Foothills Farmers Market. She had heard we were leaving for the south of France with our children and suggested I check out the blog of a fellow Auburnite and local "superstar skier"...I won't mention his name, as I have not asked his permission. I visited the blog and was charmed by their adventure in Uzes, and could not wait to visit. Well, after five months, we finally made it and were so taken by the beauty of the region, we are considering a move there for the next school year.
Welcome to Uzes
Like all early civilizations and many of the early prosperous cities, water was an essential element of success and settlement. Uzes is the source of the Eure and the inspiration and vision, in the first century before Christ, to the Romans. It is here they would begin the aqueduct that would supply the precious water to their city Nimes. The most famous stretch of the aqueduct is just ten minutes outside Uzes, Le Pont du Gard, the majestic archetechtural arches that span the Gard river. We hiked to a view point from a little medival city Castillon du Gard. Unfortunately, it was too overcast for a clear view...next time!
But please enjoy the images of the
beautifully preserved medieval city Uzes.
Like all early civilizations and many of the early prosperous cities, water was an essential element of success and settlement. Uzes is the source of the Eure and the inspiration and vision, in the first century before Christ, to the Romans. It is here they would begin the aqueduct that would supply the precious water to their city Nimes. The most famous stretch of the aqueduct is just ten minutes outside Uzes, Le Pont du Gard, the majestic archetechtural arches that span the Gard river. We hiked to a view point from a little medival city Castillon du Gard. Unfortunately, it was too overcast for a clear view...next time!
beautifully preserved medieval city Uzes.
Le Tour Fenestrelle
The "window tower"
Upon entering the city from the south, Le Tour Fenestrelle greets the visitors of Uzes.
Cathedrale St. Theodorit
Inside the Cathedral
The Relics of St. Firmin
The Relics of St. Firmin
A saint, venerated for miracles in regards to the epidemic of the plague during the middle ages.
...And a prayer for all those that visit the
cathedral and the city of Uzes.
Notre Dame de la Mercicathedral and the city of Uzes.
Chapel in the cathedral
Before and After images of the restored fresco paintings
FEUDAL TOWERS
CHATEAU DU DUCHE
in the heart of the city is still inhabited by the Ducal family, but is open to the public for visits.
Through the quiet streets...
it is off season!
Signs on many businesses read:
Fermeture Annuelle -Conges!
Annually closed for season
(Be back when the tourists arrive!)
Seven doors in the City
Photographs of european doors is by no means original, yet one I could not resist to share the beauty and uniqueness of these humble masterpieces.
Promenade Racine
with a view of the surrounding environment
with a view of the surrounding environment
Uzes is in the department Gard in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon.
The population in the off season is 8,300 and jumps to approx. 25,000 during the summer months.
The market place is held every saturday in the place aux Herbes with 200 commercants and on wednesday mornings for local producers with seasonal produce.
The area is surrounded by vineyards and nature...perfect for balades, bicycles, canoe & kayak, air ballon flights, golf, swimming, and horseback riding. The city has a well developed artistic community with galeries, workshops, music and theater. Of course, gastronomy is a given...it's france after all! It is easily accessed from Avignon, Nimes, or Montpellier.
Well worth a visit and don't forget a Foie Gras burger at Bistro Burger in the place sux Herbes.
Uzes and Paris!!
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