Although we missed the Paris Airshow, we did get to tour the Toulouse Airbus facility, *and* saw bits and pieces of the Airshow on French TV (can we get a little enthusiasm here?)
:-D
Here's a link to the Paris Airshow 2011 in Pictures.
29 June 2011
28 June 2011
Perpignan - Catalan Concert Video
This video is from the concert in Perpignan, during the Festival of Saint John.
I definitely wish I had captured more than just this one song by this group - Jasmina has an amazing voice!
You can view all the videos from this concert by clicking here.
I definitely wish I had captured more than just this one song by this group - Jasmina has an amazing voice!
You can view all the videos from this concert by clicking here.
27 June 2011
Nîmes - bullfight videos
I uploaded the videos from the bullfight at the Féria de Nîmes
NOTE: despite what Rick Steves has to say about the bullfighting in France, these bullfights are Spanish-style, and the bull *is* killed.
To see them all, click here
NOTE: despite what Rick Steves has to say about the bullfighting in France, these bullfights are Spanish-style, and the bull *is* killed.
To see them all, click here
Home!
Sunday, June 26
Ahhhhhh....
It is now almost 24 hours from the time we woke up this morning in France, and we're home!
And off to bed :-)
Ahhhhhh....
It is now almost 24 hours from the time we woke up this morning in France, and we're home!
And off to bed :-)
26 June 2011
Toulouse - Airbus Tour
Saturday, June 25 ~~ Sunny and warm
This morning (*early* this morning), we took a tour of the Airbus A380 program - in French! While I didn't absorb everything, it was still pretty interesting.
It lasted an hour and a half, and consisted of three parts - an overview with telemetry during the test flights, a view of the factory floor where the planes are assembled, and a walk-through of a section of the passenger area. We also got to see a mock-up of the cockpit of the A320.
Interestingly, just the day before, Airbus was in the news - they had just won a *huge* contract to supply Air Asia with 200 planes. Earlier in the week, government officials were pressuring Air France to buy their planes only from Airbus, in the name of "economic patriotism."
Details:
This morning (*early* this morning), we took a tour of the Airbus A380 program - in French! While I didn't absorb everything, it was still pretty interesting.
It lasted an hour and a half, and consisted of three parts - an overview with telemetry during the test flights, a view of the factory floor where the planes are assembled, and a walk-through of a section of the passenger area. We also got to see a mock-up of the cockpit of the A320.
Interestingly, just the day before, Airbus was in the news - they had just won a *huge* contract to supply Air Asia with 200 planes. Earlier in the week, government officials were pressuring Air France to buy their planes only from Airbus, in the name of "economic patriotism."
Details:
- We had to order our tour at least 2 weeks in advance, so we did that when we first got to Toulouse.
- Our tour started at 9 am, but we were required to be there by 8:30 for check-in.
- From our hotel, to get to the Airbus plant, we first walked to the train station (5 minutes), then took the Metro across town (10 minutes), then took the tramway (light rail) to the nearest stop (30 minutes), then walked (20 minutes). We gave ourselves and hour and a half, and we got there 10 minutes early :-)
25 June 2011
Sète to Toulouse
Friday, June 24 ~~ Sunny and Breezy
We kept thinking about a way to stop off in Carcassonne for a half-day tour of the old city, but finally decided that we hadn't quite relaxed enough :-). So, we waved to Carcassonne as we rode the train past, eating our picnic lunch.
We spent the afternoon catching up on our internet (we had no connection at all in our hostel at Sète), and figuring out how to get to the Airbus tour tomorrow :-D.
We kept thinking about a way to stop off in Carcassonne for a half-day tour of the old city, but finally decided that we hadn't quite relaxed enough :-). So, we waved to Carcassonne as we rode the train past, eating our picnic lunch.
We spent the afternoon catching up on our internet (we had no connection at all in our hostel at Sète), and figuring out how to get to the Airbus tour tomorrow :-D.
24 June 2011
Sète - Beach? or Museum?
Thursday, June 23 ~~ Early morning sun, mid-morning light rain...
The weather made up its mind, and a soft warm breeze blew us down to the beach :-)
The weather made up its mind, and a soft warm breeze blew us down to the beach :-)
23 June 2011
Sète - Stormy Weather
Wednesday, June 22 ~~ Morning Thunderstorm, rain, fog
Original plans called for a trip to the beach - hah! We woke to thunder, lightning, and rain falling through fog. So, we had a lazy morning and then a lazy afternoon :-).
Original plans called for a trip to the beach - hah! We woke to thunder, lightning, and rain falling through fog. So, we had a lazy morning and then a lazy afternoon :-).
22 June 2011
Sète - Fête de la Musique
Tuesday, June 21 ~~ Foggy and cool
Today was the world-wide Fête de la Musique, and Sète was not left out! Most events were in the evening, and included a parade and a flash mob. We caught faint strains of music from the town at the hostel into the wee hours.
21 June 2011
Sète
Monday, June 20 ~~ Sunny and warm
Our train pulled into Sète in the late afternoon, and we picked up a *very* sparse map at the train station information office. After comparing it to the more extensive wall map, we decided on a route, and headed out. Along the way, we picked up some groceries.
As we followed our route, we looked up at a hilltop - non non non! Please, not another mountain-top hostel! Yes... Fortunately, I remembered my backpacker climbing - step, breathe in, step, breathe out, repeat until you reach the top.
Note for future: remember to print out a map and hotel information for places that aren't spelled out in the guide book...
Our train pulled into Sète in the late afternoon, and we picked up a *very* sparse map at the train station information office. After comparing it to the more extensive wall map, we decided on a route, and headed out. Along the way, we picked up some groceries.
As we followed our route, we looked up at a hilltop - non non non! Please, not another mountain-top hostel! Yes... Fortunately, I remembered my backpacker climbing - step, breathe in, step, breathe out, repeat until you reach the top.
Perpignan - Palais des Rois de Majorque
Monday, June 20 ~~ Sunny, warm (25 C), with a nice breeze
As we had yet to tour an old building in Perpignan, we spent our last morning here at the palace of the kings of Mallorca - built in 1276, it definitely qualifies as "old."
So many of the roads and courtyards, including this Palace, are paved in these flat rocks set on edge, I just had to get a picture...
The hike up to the top of the tower was well worth it
I thought the Pyrenees made a great background for the rainbow-colored Gare (train station) :-)
Back down from the tower, we visited first the upper chapel (used by the king). The entrance is faced in marble
Then the lower chapel, used by the queen.
The hike up to the top of the tower was well worth it
20 June 2011
Perpignan - Collioure Day Trip
Sunday, June 19 ~~ Sunny, warm (25 C), with a nice breeze; cool morning
Today, we took a day trip via train to Collioure, a very pleasant town on the coast, known as "The City of Painters." There, they were also celebrating the festival of St. John! We got there mid-morning, and found a wine-tasting going on in the park. The tourism office was open, and provided us with a town map, a listing of the day's events, and a map of the Chemin du Fauvisme.
Since we had only had a coffee and some left-over snacks on the train, we stopped for another coffee and croissant, then walked around the town, looking out for the Fauviste paintings and "viewing frames."
We also stopped in at the Notre Dame des Anges
and this chapel
The Fauvist paintings (Matisse and Derain) are posted along the route (the Chemin du Fauvisme), where the artists had painted them - we could see both the painting and the inspiration for it :-).
The "viewing frames" are metal "picture frames" set up so the view through them corresponds to a painting (not shown, but referenced) - we found 3 of these around the village - so exciting each time :-D
We had lunch, then headed around to the other side of the bay.
We got back to the center of town in time to see some folk dancing to traditional music!
Ice cream called, so we got a cone each of *very* rich coffee and dark chocolate, then caught the 4pm train back to Perpignan to *rest!*
Today, we took a day trip via train to Collioure, a very pleasant town on the coast, known as "The City of Painters." There, they were also celebrating the festival of St. John! We got there mid-morning, and found a wine-tasting going on in the park. The tourism office was open, and provided us with a town map, a listing of the day's events, and a map of the Chemin du Fauvisme.
Since we had only had a coffee and some left-over snacks on the train, we stopped for another coffee and croissant, then walked around the town, looking out for the Fauviste paintings and "viewing frames."
We also stopped in at the Notre Dame des Anges
The "viewing frames" are metal "picture frames" set up so the view through them corresponds to a painting (not shown, but referenced) - we found 3 of these around the village - so exciting each time :-D
Ice cream called, so we got a cone each of *very* rich coffee and dark chocolate, then caught the 4pm train back to Perpignan to *rest!*
19 June 2011
Perpignan - Catalan Festival of St. John
Saturday, June 18 ~~ Overcast, Cold (high of 18 C), and WINDY!
The festival continued today - Rick was smart, and wore his jacket; I somehow expected summer to continue, and left mine behind. Our events kicked off with troubadors and giant "puppets."
The festival continued with more Catalan music and traditional dancing - the Sardana.
In the middle of all this, we discovered an *amazing* restaurant! Morrocan food to die for - Restaurant La Suite at 8 Rue de la Fusterie.
You can see more about where this all happened on our trip map: Julie and Rick in France 2011.
The festival continued today - Rick was smart, and wore his jacket; I somehow expected summer to continue, and left mine behind. Our events kicked off with troubadors and giant "puppets." 
In the middle of all this, we discovered an *amazing* restaurant! Morrocan food to die for - Restaurant La Suite at 8 Rue de la Fusterie.
You can see more about where this all happened on our trip map: Julie and Rick in France 2011.
18 June 2011
Perpignan - Catalan Concert
June 17 ~~ Sunny and warm, breezy
We considered taking a day trip to Villefranche-de-Conflent, and the Yellow Train (link) from there. This idea was doomed! When we walked to the bus station, we found there was no information center, so we continued on to the tourist center. We did find all sorts of bus schedules there, but no timetable that would work for us (much later, we found that there is also a train to the village). The good news is that we got a very nice schedule of events for the Festival of Saint John that had just started :-).
The rest of the day was given over to wandering the old town, getting our bearings, and finding a laverie to do laundry. Speaking of laundry... The automated (not staffed) one we found had the directions all spelled out, and it was fundamentally easy. But as with all things done the first time, a little show and tell from someone who knows the ropes always helps. A lovely woman did just that! Then she even showed us where the good grocery store was :-D.
After a little rest back at the hotel, we headed out to Place de la Republique - there was a *great* concert full of Catalan music - four groups took turns performing, and we loaded up on local sounds. I took some short videos, which may or may not be worth uploading - stay tuned ;-)
We considered taking a day trip to Villefranche-de-Conflent, and the Yellow Train (link) from there. This idea was doomed! When we walked to the bus station, we found there was no information center, so we continued on to the tourist center. We did find all sorts of bus schedules there, but no timetable that would work for us (much later, we found that there is also a train to the village). The good news is that we got a very nice schedule of events for the Festival of Saint John that had just started :-).The rest of the day was given over to wandering the old town, getting our bearings, and finding a laverie to do laundry. Speaking of laundry... The automated (not staffed) one we found had the directions all spelled out, and it was fundamentally easy. But as with all things done the first time, a little show and tell from someone who knows the ropes always helps. A lovely woman did just that! Then she even showed us where the good grocery store was :-D.
After a little rest back at the hotel, we headed out to Place de la Republique - there was a *great* concert full of Catalan music - four groups took turns performing, and we loaded up on local sounds. I took some short videos, which may or may not be worth uploading - stay tuned ;-)
17 June 2011
Avignon to Perpignan
Thursday, June 16
We caught a late afternoon train to Perpignan, and 3 1/2 hours later, we were confused for the first time in a French train station! This station had two major exits, and neither side mentioned the main street we were expecting :-(. We picked one, went outside, and asked for help - and promptly turned around as directed, went to the other side, and out...
Several blocks later, we collapsed at our hotel, and had a light dinner of cheese, bread, fruit, and veggies.
We caught a late afternoon train to Perpignan, and 3 1/2 hours later, we were confused for the first time in a French train station! This station had two major exits, and neither side mentioned the main street we were expecting :-(. We picked one, went outside, and asked for help - and promptly turned around as directed, went to the other side, and out...
Several blocks later, we collapsed at our hotel, and had a light dinner of cheese, bread, fruit, and veggies.
16 June 2011
Avignon - Musée Calvet
June 16 ~~ Sunny and Hot...
This morning, we packed up and went to the Musée Calvet - again, no camera. There were two statues that I added to my wish list - one of a faun, and one of a reclining woman with a snake...
As usual, we spent several hours ogling paintings and sculpture - we found one in particular that reminded us of the works of our friend Donna (Nu Bleu). And I was especially proud of myself when I correctly connected two works by the same painter, previously unknown to me :-).
This morning, we packed up and went to the Musée Calvet - again, no camera. There were two statues that I added to my wish list - one of a faun, and one of a reclining woman with a snake...
As usual, we spent several hours ogling paintings and sculpture - we found one in particular that reminded us of the works of our friend Donna (Nu Bleu). And I was especially proud of myself when I correctly connected two works by the same painter, previously unknown to me :-).
Avignon - Pont Saint Bénezet
June 15
On the ramparts near the Pope's Palace was the very nice Jardins des Doms, with a view of the old bridge partially spanning the Rhône river. The Pont Saint Bénezet (aka Pont d'Avignon) was built in 1185, and most of it was washed away for the last time in the 1600's
On the ramparts near the Pope's Palace was the very nice Jardins des Doms, with a view of the old bridge partially spanning the Rhône river. The Pont Saint Bénezet (aka Pont d'Avignon) was built in 1185, and most of it was washed away for the last time in the 1600's
Avignon - Palais des Papes
Wednesday, June 15 ~~ Sunny and Hot!
Today was dedicated to seeing the Palace of the Popes
and the oldest religious building in Avignon, the Cathedrale Notre Dame des Doms next to the palace
Today was dedicated to seeing the Palace of the Popes
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