Our house is like a packing frenzy!

Although Megan's been mostly packed for weeks, the rest of us are trying to catch up. Last minute trips to the CVS, the mall, the book store, etc for whatever we realized we can't live without. Everyone's had hair cuts, last minute dr. appts, end-of-school performances, etc.

I've never travelled with high-tech devices before. Realizing how many things we'll be plugging in and recharging, I bought a cool power strip.

Mike's got the conversational French book out and is asking me for pronunciation. He's at the point where he can see the relaxation of a much needed vacation. I'm seeing all the details that I might have muffed up - Aaaaaah!

Mean while, Emily is working hard to try to get all her work done on time. At her school, they do not average grades, you must meet the standard for everything. (and I've pretty much ruined her life - some days - by taking her out of her wonderful life for 3 whole weeks and forcing family time on her!) Megan's not so badly off though, being in elementary school. She's excited and ready to leave NOW!

We got our cell phones - they are tiny!! But so glad to have them. Now let's see if I can figure out how to install sim cards, etc. Hey, I used to install internal modems in PCs, so maybe....

Cell phones in France!

So, I just ordered our cell phones and service for the trip. I got two basic Nokia phones and the needed sim cards to use them in France.

I get to keep the phones, so obviously I'll have to go back to France again soon to make the investment more economical!! They don't work from the States though.

It was a good price and we get free in-coming calls and $.39 for dialing most of Europe and the States.

Here's the link: www.callineurope.com

The Canal St. Martin in Paris

So, I've been thinking a lot about the Languedoc part of our trip, but I think it's time to "get" to Paris. I've asked each person in the family to pick one or two things that they'd like to do. As it is, 5 days will go extremely fast!

My one activity that I MUST do is to take a cruise on the Canals St. Martin. This is part of "hidden" Paris and is often missed by tourists. I didn't even really know about them when I lived there for 9 months!

So there are 2 big "tour" companies that do this:

http://www.pariscanal.com/

http://www.canauxrama.com/

Both have English versions of the website.


Thank you to http://www.mysydneyparislife.wordpress.com/ for these great pics of the canal:

Languedoc-Roussillon

Our Digs!

So, I just authorized payment on the villa we'll be staying at in - ok, I NEVER remember the name and have to look it up: Portiragnes.

Here are some photos of the villa and area - as listed on http://www.instant-holiday-home-rental.com. We actually rented from a different site: www.purefrance.com

The town and near by beach.




The villa with shared pool and 2 terraces. It has 2 other bedrooms for the girls.

The beach is about 5 mins away by car. I've strolled through the town using Google Maps, which is really cool!

View Larger Map

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is another amazing place we'll go. In the summer of 1986, my friend Kara and I went there - although separately - and stayed in the hostel. I remember sitting in the square of the old city, drawing. A nice, old gentleman came up to me and started talking. He told me that he was the mayor and his father and grandfather had been also. He could have been joking, but he seemed pretty genuine.

Carcassonne is the castle where some of Robinhood, Prince of Thieves was filmed.

I wish I remembered more about the hostel except I know it was within the walls. I expect we will take the train as it's a bit of a drive from Beziers where the villa is and the train will allow roaming around.

The Map is Up

We now have a Michelin Map hanging on our livingroom wall. I've put tooth picks in where our villa is and one where the Grotte de Niaux.

There are lots of things I want to do when down in the Languedoc area, but a lot of them will have to wait until Mike and I come back with out the kids. But Mama wants to see the cave drawings and so I promise to torture the kids with a long drive to La Grotte de Niaux.

This is an amazing cave system in the Pyrannees where you can still see the actual drawings. They limit the number per day and so you have to make a reservation to get in. Most prehistoric drawings are reproduced so that humans do not ruin the actual drawings.