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Published: April 13th 2010
Eiffel Tower
I couldn't let Jasper down. Honestly, if she asks you to do something with her sweet voice and big eyes, I dare Rush Limbaugh to deny her.All right, so my last entry I believe I left off giving a brief description of the farm, but I have pictures this time. It was quite a simplistic old farmhouse, but it was
so simple and peaceful, even Anne Coulter could become a more pleasant person if she stayed there. After working long hours of pulling up weeds, I would grab a glass of vin rouge and watch the sun set behind a curtain of weeping willow branches. Then we would eat a large delicious meal that Joyce cooked (we ate very late) and drag ourselves to bed, only to do it again the next day. I loved doing everything 'the old fashioned way' even down to feeding the goats and hanging the laundry on the clothes line (I take great pleasure in the simplest of things). It was quite wonderful and I enjoyed having sort of a 'second family' for comfort reasons. In fact the family that was staying on the farm (friends of Joyce's) had two girls who were 7 and 10 which is the same ages as my future niece and nephew (My brother's fiance's kids, (Gavin and Jasper) whom I spend a lot of time with
camping
My camp site in La Fleche in Idaho). That reminds me; before I left, Jasper asked me with her puppy dog eyes to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower, to which I sorrowfully answered that I didn't think I was going to get the chance to see it. Ah, but while I was sprinting from one train station to another in Paris, I did get the chance to see the tip, so I took a picture just for you Jasper. 😉
On Saturday, we drove to the nearest large city called Saumur (it isn't too large) and I got to visit a sparkling wine house called Ackerman and explore their wine caves (Apparently it is a pretty big name here, but I had never heard of it). Aside from the wine caves, I also got to see Troglodyte houses! The soil here makes it possible to carve caves into cliffs, which is how a lot of the wineries made their caves, and many people even have houses right inside of a cliff (Someday, I will have a cliff house, and it will be amazing!). Then we also visited Le Chateau de Saumur which was built in the 11th century! The history in Europe is
sunrise
the river running through La Fleche simply mind-boggling.
I left Fougere on Monday morning planning to go somewhere between there and Cognac, but the trains are on strike so there are not as many time options. Having no clue where to go, I just chose the random city of Poitiers because it was leaving earlier than other trains. However, as soon as I got to Poitiers, I decided to just go onto cognac because I figured there would be better chances of finding a camping spot there. Fortunately, I was correct and found a lovely park to camp in. It is quite exhilarating to have no plans whatsoever and truly live in the moment. Even though I have certain things planned out in the trip, everything I do is pretty much unplanned and spontaneous which I love. Some people might call this crazy, stupid, or irresponsible (my mom and grandma namely) Others might simply call it badass (Chuck Norris namely). I on the other hand prefer to use the word adventurous. My thoughtful definition of adventure is: to venture into the unknown (my simple definition is: Paul Hinscbherger's middle name); and when you venture into the unknown, you venture into better knowing yourself (I have
a lot of time to think about this crap while I'm walking long lengths). Anyways, I feel like if I can inspire someone to venture out of their comfort zone and thus know themselves better, then I feel like I have accomplished something, maybe even made the world a better place.
So, my 25th birthday started relatively uneventful: just freezing cold and sleep deprived, but at least I didn't spend any money on a hotel, which means I can spend more on dinner tonight. 😉 I'm now at my couchsurfing destination which is a very nice guy named Richard. Richard works for Camus, the 5th biggest producer of Cognac (friends in high places!) and he is originally from Colorado. I travelled around Cognac this morning, and Richard is taking me out to dinner for my birthday tonight. However, I will be doing more sightseeing in Cognac and will post more pictures later. Cognac is a really cool little city with a lot of history and culture and Brandy. I love being in these places that I have merely read about before now. I dig it.
I want to part with some words of wisdom from Thomas
Fougere church
Tiny town, chuch built in 1068 or something crazy like that. Jefferson (his birthday is today as well):
"There exists a false aristocracy based on family name, property, and inherited wealth. But there likewise exists a true aristocracy based on intelligence, talent, and virtue". I don't think that quote has anything to do with anything I have just been writing, but I do find it intriguing that two brilliant, talented, and virtuous people were born on the same day. hehe.
I wish I could have a birthday drink with all of you, but then I would be really drunk, so I'll just have a little Cognac instead.
Farewell.
paul.
P.S. Thank you to all who have commented on my blogs and given me support. It means a lot to me.
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Morgan the Great
non-member comment
Happy Birthday! Saweeeet!
I forgot you're an April Baby! Happiest of birthdays friend. And how cool to be dining with a fellow connoisseur of wine and food. Wonderful. Go Rich baby go! Let's just hope this couch surfing thing works and that after the meal of your life, Richard doesn't do creepy things to you in the middle of the night... I really do hope it's legit because it does give me anxiety thinking about sleeping on the couch of a stranger. Kudos! Okay, again, happy birthday Paul! Love the blog (Nick and Suze's pictures fail in comparison to the actual blog- love you guys if you read that... whoops...).