Blogs from Lasalle, Nîmes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Europe

Today we left Millau for Nîmes via the Gorge de Tarn (the gorge cut by the river Tarn). This is definitely the long way round, but we had heard great things about the gorge so we thought it was worth checking out. As it turns out, we were right. The drive itself was incredibly fun and really made Mike wish he still owned his roadster. The road was full of hairpin turns, tunnels, cliffs and curves. Oh, and it was narrow- very narrow. There were sections that were definitely no wider than a single lane ... And these would go on for miles! Then, you would see a 'road narrows' sign, then another, and another. The funny thing was that the whole time there was a line marking the centre of the road - for dividing ... read more

How the French do Brunch...or Rather...How We do Brunch The day was overcast but even with the threat of rain the town was bustling with activity. This past Sunday was a traditional fete! Not only was the market open with fresh cheeses, wines, olives, breads, flowers, and crafts but the villagers were out selling their personal goods. It is best described as a French garage sale yet it was collective and far more charming. Susana had told me of the celebration and invited me out with her and Robert while Atoussa prepared for a Sunday brunch for the rest of us, Paul and his group. It was to be a leisurely get together and reminded me of lazy Sundays in Richmond when friends would get up after a long night of drinking and go out for ... read more

My first few days on the farm Today was the second day that I spent on the farm, Bel Air. My first day I potted young yellow tomatoes, planted comfrey, and cleared land around the chestnut trees. Later this week the trees will be grafted so as to produce more fruit. Chestnut trees were cultivated by the monks in this region in the middle ages but they were eventually abandoned once a blight struck and silk worms became a preferred business (a blight also struck in the US which is why chestnut wood is so rare, luckily the sickness here is controllable). The farm house in which Paul lives had in fact housed silk worms at one point, as they made their valuable cocoons. Paul and his family settled here fourteen years ago and he has ... read more

I awoke late in the afternoon to Atoussa poking her head into my room. “Hello Atoussa.” “Hello. You don’t want to sleep in much too late or you won’t be able to get to sleep tonight.” “I know I’ve been up an hour or so but haven’t gotten out of bed because of shear laziness.” I stood as Atoussa exited and proceeded to go in search of sustenance. Up the winding white staircase and into the bright kitchen filled with paintings, Sudanese baskets, Moroccan tiles, Turkish amulets, Thai mirrors, Indian prints, and a calendar of transvestites in various poses and garb from her friend in California. The one tall window looks out onto a hillside, a magnolia dominates the view followed by wisteria creeping up the neighbor’s wall. Cheyene, Atoussa’s son, stood with fluffy slippers on ... read more

Before the ship sails This is how I begin again. I set off into the unknown with only a destination in mind until my feet send me searching for new places to find. My flight leaves Dulles airport in D.C. Monday, April 6th around 7p.m. I will arrive in Dublin for a lay over before going on to Paris. After I reach Paris I will continue by train to Nimes where my friend will pick be up for about an hour drive to the small medieval village of Lasalle. A total of 20 hours of travel are involved in reaching my destination and what awaits me is a warm home, beautiful arid landscapes and an organic farm to tend to beside friends. I will be staying with Atoussa whom I befriended in Peru a year and ... read more