New flights via Delta from Newark to Paris

This looks interesting, since Air France no longer flies from Newark, Delta is beginning to take up the slack offering flights from Newark to Paris, leaving at 6:50 pm each night. Glad United will have some competition. Don't know if this will help pricing as it has steadily climbed for several years now, but we can hope it will help. Bon voyage! http://www.thestreet.com/story/11938492/1/delta-invades-united-hub-with-newark-paris-service.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO

Planning and dreaming

As our countdown begins to our next trip and preparations are nearly complete, little packing to do since most of our clothes are already there, I am reminded of that old Dusty Springfield song, "wishing and hoping" Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming That seems to be the story of our lives with travel, wishing and hoping to have the money and time, thinking and praying that we will and working toward that goal, then planning and working and dreaming of what can be, then truly living it when we are there. So we are still planning and dreaming, but soon again to be living, feeling more alive once again in Provence.

New editions to the French language 2014 le Petit Robert

In considering French words and terms and thinking about what translates and what does not, and what is truly French in origin and what is not, I have to admit that I have never discussed French kissing. Fortunately, the new edition of Le Petit Robert, the popular French dictionary will include the term for French kiss, galouche and galoucher, along with some other interesting words and slang for the modern era. Much of it is creeping in from English and is technology and finance related. As always, language evolution is fascinating going back to my English lit major days as an undergraduate and my introduction to the all-inclusive Oxford English Dictionary. Thank goodness for the old book clubs where one could join and get the consolidated version which required a magnifying glass to read it. My set still sits in my home library. Somehow, researching on line will never match up to that experience and joy of discovery. In the meantime, we can examine the 2014 Petit Robert and continue to evolve our French slang and conversation: sans blague! http://josephbamat.blogs.france24.com/article/2013/05/28/french-language-new-words-slang-anglicism-dictionary-petit-robert-l-0

A critique of the French education system

In a new book by British author and Time contributor Peter Gumbel. Maybe this is also what contributes to French pessimism as discussed in a prior article I posted. Also interesting discussion about how the education system funnels to three primary universities who produce most of French government officials with a limited view of the country, and the need for greater diversity in government. Sounds familiar, although in America we have diverse education, but not enough diversity of world view, understanding of how America could or should fit better in the rest of the world, and that we do not always do everything the best. We can learn from other countries, especially on climate change, energy conservation, taxes (meaning closing corporate loopholes), etc. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/05/french-schools-pupils-feel-worthless

Les Relais Routiers - nice inexpensive meal

When traveling throughout France, and looking for an inexpensive but good meal, don't forget to look for the signs saying "Les Relais Routiers". Essentially these are designated by the French government for truckers where they get a three course meal and a shower for a set price, off major autoroutes all over the country. Recently, D. ate in one near our home and had the best pizza and salad in the area for 13 euro including wine. Bon Appetite. http://www.relais-routiers.com/

Salad dressing without selection in France

As usual, we were over dinner discussing cultural differences while eating an excellent salad at a favorite restaurant. There, the salad is part of the meal and dressing comes on the salad. Naturally it got us talking about salad in France and how when ordering a salad, there is never a question about dressing, it is always vinaigrette. No one ever asks if there is a different dressing, it is a given, an assumption, like eating a baguette without butter, or cheese after the main course. In American, how many dressings do we have: honey mustard, French, ranch, thousand island, Russian, blue cheese, and on and on. Do we really need it all? Does it really add anything to the salad? Can you taste it when it is smothered in heavy dressing, or is it best enjoyed with a light vinaigrette? Although I love a good blue cheese now and again especially on spinach salad, and Russian on a sandwich, I do always trend back to basic oil and balsamic vinegar. Voila!

French pessimism

Some studies on French pessimism and the rigidity of the French school system. It is an interesting theory that the problems arise in the school system, but maybe it is just part of being French? To complain, even while having good nationalized health care, pension system, standard of living, a 35 hour work week, mandatory five weeks vacation, and so on. How nice though that working parents can have child care, free, where the children learn every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. I had to pay a lot for pre-school so I could work, after care etc. As an American, one can be pessimistic any day we turn on the news, as it is not informative and rather frightening and hostile. Maybe its just human nature to complain. It gives us something to do in between eating, sleeping, but while working. http://news.yahoo.com/maternal-worries-frances-maternelle-schools-205518891.html http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0502/Unhappy-with-your-life-You-might-be-French

Improving Arles

Arles is not usually one of our more favorite spots in Provence. Fairly urban and run down, it is not what Van Gogh experienced, although many chase that dream in touring it. The old Roman arena is not in good condition but is still used for numerous public events, concerts, etc particularly in the summer. There are a few new spots to see in Arles, the art hotel Le Cloitre, commissioned by Maja Hoffman the Swiss heir to Hoffman laboratories who was raised in Provence. She, through her Luma Foundation, is attempting to build a Frank Gehry designed art center in Arles. The design seems to be bogged down in French bureaucracy and approvals but will be worth watching for its completion. http://www.hotel-cloitre.com/

Selling Presidential French wine?

Would the White House auction wine to fund buying lesser wine? I don't think so. Yet, that is what the French President is doing. The government is selling a small portion of its wine collection, work thousands of euros, to fund buying some new wines, but lesser in price and quality, for state events. Revenue neutral. Works for me. http://www.france24.com/en/20130430-french-presidential-palace-elysee-wine-auction-paris