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After approximately 7600 miles traveled, the girls and ¾ a bottle of Bordeaux Superieur there's no better time to check in with some highlights of our journey so far. Let's call it nos points forts principaux de notre notre voyage...
10. Lost in the Supermarket. Who would've thought getting things like eggs, juice, and bread could turn into an hour-long plus adventure. Wandering the aisles of supermarkets in other countries has been a great pleasure for me. Reading the labels, looking at the mix of ingredients (chorizo, olives, and anchovies pizza?) and just navigating the check out line makes for a fun time.
9. Running with the Devil. Being a former toll booth collector I know that the quickest way through the toll line is to take the outside. Well, I didn't follow that rule entering Lisbon as I was marveling at the bridge in front of me which looked a little like the Golden Gate Bridge. Needless to say I got caught in the auto-pass line and not knowing what to do drove right through. Sirens going off, beepers going off and I'm sure some outlandish charge hidden somewhere along the way.
8. Give us each day our daily bread (and champagne). Atkins has no chance in Europe. Spain, Portugal, France. Bread and more bread. And the worse part about it is I now how to fight Nina for the heel. Oh yeah, and how about gl(c)amping with a glass of champagne? Oui' oui'.
7. Teen Town. How joyous it is to have a soon-to-be teenager dropping mood swings as you're looping around the roundabout for the third time so you go the right direction and not end up in some far off place. If you don't see any pictures of Celeste this entire year it's not because we don't love her it's because she's turned into some kind of alien that's not photograph-able.
8. Hats Off (to those who speak two languages). Let's face it. Without the people who can speak multiple languages things could get really hairy. Whether it's telling you you have to pay for the grocery bag or letting you know you should not stay at the gas pump after you fill up so other people can move in, these people are my heroes.
7. Lost in Translation. Corkscrew. Just writing that makes me chuckle. Try asking the young female French assistant at the front desk you'd like one (for your wine). Well I did just that today.
6. Mass. Attending Mass in a a church built in the late 1700's with gorgeous art and architecture is really quite an experience. Couple that with sharing the pews with 90% women with grey hair who use their every last bit of strength to kneel and rise and it's quite moving. Also, in a poor country there's no sealed checks in the collection basket just a lot of change. Not much money, but plenty of believers.
5. BW3. I can't wait to pitch BW3 on the idea to have a pig leg and a shaver on NFL Sunday's. Ain't no better way to enjoy a Victor Cruz TD dance than with an Estella and some freshly shaved jambon.
4. Brave New World. s***. How did anyone ever drive through Europe or get from Portugal to the Americas without technology?! I would've loved to experience - except for the seasickness - the explorers sailing across the ocean in their rickety ships looking at the stars to determine which way to go. I marvel that as I curse our GPS for not having the last mile or so of directions as we try and find where we're staying.
3. She's Got a Ticket to Ride? While at our hostel in Bilbao some twenty something German lady was talking with Celeste angling her way to get a ride in the Peugeot to wherever we were going. Her sales pitch waned a bit when I sat down with my watery hot chocolate and toast. "Gee, Dad, she only wanted a ride to Berlin. What's the big deal"!?
2. Left is Right. The Europeans know how to use the left lane unlike us Americans. Man, you get in the left lane you better be motoring otherwise you'll have someone so far up your rear bumper you'll feel violated. Also noticeable is that German cars dominate the left-hand lane. Perhaps a metaphor for all of Europe.
1. Pass the Wine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZNVfE8-stE. Listen to this this link, preferably as you read this blog post. I've adopted the album/CD this is outake from Exile on Main Street as my soundtrack at least while we're in France. The songs remind me a lot of our trip - loose and at times jangling along seeming to fall apart, but tight at the core with a pulsing strength. For all of you out there who've been emailing and keeping in touch we really appreciate it.
AG
- comments
Russ G, listened to your Champagne soaked voicemail from Bordeaux while @ work, having just finished an hour long conference call with a bunch of my German colleagues. So in the span of a few seconds, went from meeting inertia and death by Powerpoint to "hey fellow cube monkeys - listen to this message from my manager in France", and much hilarity ensued. It's a keeper for the vault. You made my day. And, if you make it to Charleroi in Belgium, say hi to any pigeon raisers or LeFevre's you meet, they're our distant cousins.
Jonelle A true highlight of my day is finding a post from one of you on your blog. We love them all----and the photos are terrific!! Thanks for sharing your dream with us!! Be safe!! Sending love and hugs!