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We had a spiffy time in Brittany (Bretagne, Breizh)... this was the first time that I've ever rented a car in Europe, and I must say it is certainly difficult going back to trains and walking, in a way, because of the freedom having a vehicle affords the traveller. We would have been thwarted significantly without our Peugot Partner to help get us around... it was a bit nerve-wracking, at first, what with the unfamiliar signage, etc., but it soon became relatively easy to zip around. While we were driving around, Melinda discovered the radio station of her French dreams, Radio Bonheur, which plays all oldies, all the time (100% Chansons Francaises!); I haven't heard that much accordion since the Walter Ostanek vs. Frankie Yankovic battle for polka supremacy.
We managed to get as far as Carnac to see the menhirs... we also saw Kermaria an Insquit, with the marvelous Dance of Death... we went to Guingamp (home of Radio Bonheur), Quimper, Roscoff, St. Pol de Leon, Morlaix, and many more places. I will update the list when I get home... after the 16th. Brittany was delightful, and I recommend it as a holiday destination for anyone wanting a chance to visit an authentic region of France.
We give thanks to the Cudennec family, without whose generosity our trip would have been impossible... Nicole, for suggesting the possibility in the first place; Josy, for making it happen; and Joel, for welcoming us to Locquirec so warmly.
Now, we are in Aix, preparing to take in some of the delights; today, we are going to get a tour of Cezanne's studio, ane, later, we are going to a ballet. A full enough day, I think.
I need to sign off; the time is ticking down on this computer... until the next time...
I am taking this opportunity to pen a quick note to my reader [whoever you are!]... Melinda has gone off shopping with her new friend, Thuy... they seem like peas in a pod, especially considering Thuy's bright green coat. I have an hour before meeting Martin at the Gare de l'Est; he's coming in on the ICE train for a visit, from Frankfurt.
The wedding went off with a hitch; the church, l'Eglise Saint Augustin, is dandy... evidently a good example of ecclectic architecture [Romanesque, Byzantine, Baroque...], and a spiffy spot for the nuptials. Rosemary and Frederic did a good job; no one fainted or ran away or any of that stuff, and they appeared delighted to be getting married, as they should be... they make a lovely couple and, if they do succumb to the rather intense and sometimes cringe-worthy family pressure [from both the Taiwanese and French sides!] to reproduce, they will make beautiful babies and, I am sure, spectacularly nice parents... but, I get ahead of the game... and I'm not even related.
The reception was on a rather luxurious boat on the Seine; it was moored at the pont d'Iena, most notable for being right across from the Eiffel Tower! Talk about a money shot! The first picture of your wedding reception having the big, famous pointy-thing of Paris in the background certainly speaks of a romantic ideal. The meal was delicious, with fine food and fine wine... there was dancing and the ship made the trip from the mooring to approximately where the Canal St. Martin meets the Seine, and back again. The best part was how nice everyone was and how much of a good time was had by all. There were 55 people attending, and this seemed like an optimal size. We sat next to Richard, Melinda's other childhood friend who attended [other than Rosemary]. He had arrived that morning from Philadelphia... I am sure he was quite exhausted, but he gave a good show of hanging in there.
Well, I will finish off a little less abrubtly than the last post. By the way, I had a croque monsieur, il était délicieux!
It has been a while since I made a post... it is not that there's been nothing of note going on in my life, but the most noteworthy aspect of my recent being might be my colossal laziness. However, the past is just that, and now nothing says blog post like being on a trip.
We are in Paris, particularly because Melinda's [and my] friend, Rosemary [see earlier posts... she's the one in the middle!] is getting married to Frederic, here. Today is Thursday [I think] and the wedding is on Saturday, in the 8th arrondissement... this should be fun. We're here for 10 days, staying at the Hotel Montpensier, in the 1st arrondissement... right near the Louvre and easy to get to and from.
This morning, after a delightful breakfast, we walked around, looking in windows [and popping in to a couple of stores... I bought some underwear and a shirt at Celio, and Melinda bought a scarf at Carole], past the Opera Garnier, to Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, the big department stores on Boulevard Haussmann, where Melinda purchased a spiffy blue jacket. We also went to a nearby jewelry store, and Melinda got a necklace and a ring to match the dress she brought for the wedding.
Right now, Melinda is at a bridal shower, a cooking class for the ladies... it looked like fun, but no boys were allowed, so here I am in the cybercafe on Boulevard St. Michel, across from the Jardin du Luxembourg, reporting to you. Later, we are going to meet for drinks and then have dinner... which reminds me that it has been a while since breakfast, and dinner won't be any too early, so I should head for a non-cyber cafe for a bite to eat to sustain myself... the good thing about thinking about having lunch is that it will be lunch IN PARIS, which makes everything better; eating a cheese sandwich at home is nothing compared with eating a cheese sandwich IN PARIS! Hmmm, thinking about a cheese sandwich has me thinking that
