The day started off with another fabulous breakfast; this time with much more company. The Americans who ran the marathon yesterday and the Canadians joined me for our morning feast as we discussed the day’s activities. Eventually, Yusilov joined us, too. While we were dining, the Latvians were out running. This after completing the marathon yesterday. Those SOBs are nuts. What would possess them to do that? Maybe there is still a Soviet regime in charge. While the others had a fun filled day of touring the countryside and doing some tastings at the local chateaus, Yusilov and I ha [View Full Entry]

---

---

My day started off with another long training run. This time is was 18 miles. I’ve about had it with the long runs, but at least this one was through Bordeaux wine country. I set out around 7:30, heading Southeast towards a point with which I was familiar. Around the second mile, I saw some girl out for a run and paced off her for a few miles. This was a huge help. Heading mostly north, she wove us through several vineyards until she finished. Either that or she “fake finished” to get away from the perceived stalker that followed her [View Full Entry]

---

---

On my train ride to the Bordeaux region this morning, I finished reading Into the Wild. The book is a non-fictional account of the events leading up to and after the tragic death of Chris McCandless. McCandless was a brilliant young man, who, after graduating from college, abandoned his family and took on a nomadic life of his own. He eventually made his way to Alaska and attempted to live off the land in the summer of 1992. He failed. After reading the book, I couldn’t help but compare myself to McCandless. While there are many differences - McCandless was much [View Full Entry]

---

---

After more than two weeks on the road and limited ability to pack a lot of clothes, it was time to do some laundry. I really didn’t think it through when I decided to do laundry in a country where I don’t know the language. All the instructions for the machines and soaps are in French. After picking up some powder detergent at the supermarket, I went to a laundromat near the hostel. Observing the French instructions and trying to translate as much with the help of my limited Spanish and Italian lingual backgrounds, I thought I had figured it out. [View Full Entry]

---

---

I don't know what’s gonna to happen, but I'm gonna get my kicks before the whole shit house goes up in flames. Jim Morrison I remembered this semi-famous quote this morning as I was staring at the flowers at Jim Morrison’s grave. Jim and I may have disagreed on the method, but, philosophically, we’re on the same page. For me, “kicks” have been taking time away from the world we all denounce yet to which we so easily acquiesce and pursuing a passion. In my case, that passion has been exploring the world and opening my mind to something totally ne [View Full Entry]

---

---

Today was my Normandy tour day. On my way to rendezvous with the tour group, I went by Bayeux Cathedral. The only reason I mention it is because on the streets along the building were the flags of the western WWII Allied Forces - the United States, Great Britain, France and Canada. It was the first I saw our flag over here. I proudly smiled. Our first stop on the tour was the German battery at Longues sur Mer. This battery includes a well-preserved set of guns, casemates and range-finding posts and is the only one in the region to hav [View Full Entry]

---

---

Since my train wouldn’t leave until later this afternoon, I had some additional time to tour Paris. I set out with my small pack for overnight and went to the former site of the Bastille, which is no longer there. After that, I went to the nearby Place des Voges, a courtyard surrounded by large French homes. Next was a walk around the Latin Quarter, home of a number of Paris’s universities. On my way up to the train station, I decided to try the rooftop at Les Printemps again. Since the store was open today, access to the rooftop was [View Full Entry]

---

---

After a somewhat late night last night, my watch alarm rang a bit too early this morning. But it was for good reason because I’m heading to the Louvre. The Louvre opens at 9:00 am and the lines are generally pretty long. Today would likely be even worse since it’s the first Sunday of the month - all the museums are free. But I had gotten some great advice from a few people. There is a little known second entrance along a recessed wall on the south side of the Louvre. While it is clearly marked on the posted maps outside [View Full Entry]

---

---

Today was my first full day in Paris. To get acquainted with the city I decided to take a free walking tour. The tour started down at the St. Michel Fountain near the Notre Dame Cathedral. The walk down was about 2 ½ miles and was conducted by an Aussie ex pat. I figured that would be a nice way to see another part of the city. The walk was well worth it as the scents of freshly baked breads and pastries filled the air. Parisians sat in cafes, sipping coffee and eating the baked goods and quiche. I was surprised [View Full Entry]

---

---

Today was a slow day as far as sightseeing is concerned. The first half of the day was spent in Oxford, mostly working on my Normandy plan and writing last night's blog. The good news is that I did get the tour I wanted after moving around my itinerary a bit. I still need a place to stay in Bayeux but I have one in mind. It's a bit of a hike outside the city but I should be able to leave my heavy rucksack in Paris for the night. This afternoon I departed Oxford to head to Paris. I arrived [View Full Entry]

---

---