The Longest Day Ever (flashback - France)

My first impression of Europe is cloudy. That is not to say I have not formulated an opinion yet but that there are a lot of clouds here. Phenomenal clouds. Somehow I managed to catch a few Z's over Ireland. I looked out the window this morning, even though the fasten seat bealts light was on to try to get a glimpse of England but there were too many clouds in the way.



The flight was long and the people next to me talked a lot. I slept maybe two hours last night on the plane and another on the plane to Bordeaux this afternoon. I arrived in France safe and sound and am safely tucked in my hotel room at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux Sud - Pessac. It has been a very long journey. And it's only just begun.

(originally written at 8:06AM Mountain Standard Time -- That's Midnight in France!)

Forget Paris? Not for a long while.

For those of you who have been dying to know how Paris was, here are a few shots from my very brief stint in "The City of Lights." Life is back to normal now (which here means it's totally crazy and hectic) I thought a slideshow might be the best option. Let me just say you should all go to Paris at least once).

Paris...

I was without the internet for the last two days of my travels, so be patient, Paris is yet to come.

France - Day 3 or "So much to Blog, So Little Time"

This morning we met Pierre (yes, a french man named Pierre) who informed us that he could not train us because he was very busy and he does not want to share his microbes (he says pinching his nose to indicate he has a cold). This after he has shaken our hands. Nice Pierre! The bulk of day three was spent inside the orange and yellow office building. We were introduced to a new scanner, which was a very cool machine...a little too complicated for our project, but cool nonetheless.

For lunch we took an excurision 2 kilometers (1.242 miles) to the town center of Pessac, a lovely little place. Upon entering the square I was overwhelmed by the wonderful fragrance of countless flowers, the fresh rainy air and the overall atmosphere of the moment. I only wish there was some way to capture the smells as well as the sights of Europe. Why doesn't home smell this good?

We ate at a small bistro, where once again, the bulk of the menu included only slightly cooked or raw meat. What is with the French and there fascination with raw meat? I find it interesting that the men we are traveling are fearful of branching out and trying something new. They just order the usual beef steak...someone should shake them and remind them this is France! I tried salad with duck...not the best. But there is always dessert to redeem the meal. Ah, Pastries.

After lunch we visited a little pastry shop called Paul. These shops are all over Europe. I splured and spent 1,25 Euro on a Viennese pastry dotted with chocolate. I could not resist! (Even after the apple tart for dessert).

We did not make it to the town center of Bordeaux, however. Our more than gracious hosts had other pressing plans and the weather had turned to rain, it was good to rest in the hotel and get a good nights sleep.

Tianna and I are off to Paris tomorrow. I still can't believe it.

France - Day 2 or "Dining on Duck, Desserts and Dunes"

Have you ever wondered why they say "French Women Don't Get Fat?" I'm starting to understand. It's because they are very happy and because they eat very well. Today I will enlighten you on the finer points of French cuisine. Let's just say the French word of the day is Fois Gras (I hope I spelled that right) : which here means, Duck liver = delicious, who knew!?

I also enjoyed a delicious Sea Bass, what can only be referred to as a King Prawn and an escargot. Yes, you heard me right, I ate a snail...dip them in mayonaisse and you can eat just about anything.

This delicious seafood (did I just say that?!?) was enjoyed by the seaside at a restaurant called Chez Diego. I would recommend it if you ever make it to the South of France.

We also visited a beautiful place called "Dune da Pyla" which is an enourmous sand dune (150 meters) which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Words cannot describe how beuatiful it was there. Walking barefoot with soft sand on my feet was a welcome relief from the hours of sitting I had to do this week. I'd like to go back there right now to take in the fresh air and just breathe. It was amazing. One other reason French women don't get fat -- breathtaking beauty all around them. One minute your in a dense forest, the next you are looking out as far as the eye can see, with Spain to the left of you and London to the right. Amazing stuff. I'm considering becoming an ex-patriot like Hemingway.

I give you the Dune:

Me at the Base of the Dune -- (the stairs rival the escalators at Universal Studios)

Looking West from the Top

The View Back and to the Left (toward Spain)

Tonight after "work" which here is used to mean, stuff I pretty much already know, delivered with a French accent while sitting in a funkt yellow and orange building, we will visit downtown Bordeaux and most likely eat more French food. Yay! I neglected to mention, counting breakfast and lunch I spent a total of FOUR hours eating! Dinner literally took two hours, but it was SO enjoyable that it didn't matter...yet another reason, French Women don't get Fat!

France - Day 2 or "Pessac (Sud Bordeaux - Day 1) - Before Breakfast"

This morning I woke up to 3 wake up calls. One I set on the tele. One from a computerized phone call and lastly the lilting French tones of the congierge "zis iz your wake up call. Good Morning."

I caught a quick shower, in what I might add is the cleanest hotel bathroom I've ever had the pleasure of showering. I'd like to bring the bathtub home with me.

Blew my hair dry with the reverse vacuum hose the Frenchies call a hair dryer and now I have very fluffy hair, much like a French poodle. Perhaps its the top secret ingredient R3007 that is listed first on the Germany manufactured shampoo (sounds like something left over from the Nazi regime if you ask me).

First on the list, find some breakfast before 9:00 when our ride is coming to take us to i2s, which is the place where our scanners are made. There's a continental breakfast buffet downstairs that cost 14.50 Euros...I'm going to try to eat my money's worth in chocolate filled pastries.

France - Day 1 or "An American in Paris"

You are hereby forewarned that this is the lenghtiest blog ever

Upon arrival at the gate yesterday I discovered that there was a big party in celebration of the first direct flight to Paris. I was greeted by a balloon arch, very friendly stewardesses and the Accoridan lady who was playing french tunes in the waiting area. I cannot tell a lie, I got the giggles when I saw her and had to walk away for several minutes. How could I not share? (She played non-stop while we waited to board the plane).

There were dignitaries (the Governor and his entourage), French ambassadors and a mulitude of new people. Tianna (my work friend and traveling companion) and I were interviewed by a guy from the Deseret News and one of the news ladies for Channel 5. We have yet to hear if we made prime time. :)

They even had hors dourves in the waiting area...

Salmon Puffs (yuck)

Duck Something or Other (not so bad)

Endive with Cheese and Apples (worst of all)

Chocolate Truffles (to die for)

The flight itself wasn't as bad as I expected, in the beginning. The first couple of hours flew by I saw an amazing sunset (sort of) from my middle row aisle seat. There was a purple stripe on the horizon the likes of which I have never seen before. We flew over the midwest, across Canada and then to the Atlantic. and when my usual sleeping time rolled around I wasn't the least bit tired and things went down hill from there. I slept maybe a total of two hours and discovered at midnight Utah time that the sun was rising. I can't sleep when it's light so I read and tried to watch the tele. It was pretty miserable. However, thanks to my hooded sweatshirt I was able to block out a little of the morning sunshine to snooze for about an hour. By this morning the map showed we were nearing the British Isles. I slept though Ireland but tried to catch a glimpse of England with no luck, too many clouds.

We arrived in Paris at about 10:45AM (local time) and went through the very strange airport..the biggest let down of the day, The Guy at the Desk didn't stamp my passport! I travelled all the way to France and didn't even get a stamp in my passport. Perhaps it had something to do with my over-tired, grumpy demeanor. I serously could have cried at that moment.

Tianna's stamp - "I got the SHAFT!"

I sold some of my US dollars for Euros. For your information 1oo US Dollars comes to 52.97 Euro when you minus the 5 Euro Commision. (Ick!) And French people assume you understand French and when you don't they give you a haughty look and snub you (it's been a rough day).

The Charles de Gaulle airport is a pretty cool structure, all glass, kind of reminds me of a caterpillar or something. I'm hoping to find a postcard or something so I can get the whole view. I think the expression about people who live in glass houses may have come from France. (They should make a book about this airport -- it's more like a mall than an airport. I hope to get more pictures on Friday when I go back up to Paris).

Charles de Gaulle Airport

After the trauma that was Charles de Gaulle we made it on the short flight to Bordeaux. I slept the whole time (about an hour) it was nice. I did get a view of the countryside as we came in for a landing in Bordeaux...it's lovely here.

Bordeaux, France

Looks like it's time for bed. I've got an early day tomorrow and need to adjust to local time.

Your french word of the day is "Sortie" it means Exit.