Internet

I am dependent on the internet for communication ... when I do not have access (like yesterday) I have an inkling, a small reminder of life twenty years ago.  In France, I have taken note of pay phone booths; at home in the U.S. these are no longer easy to find.  Since my cell phone does not work in Europe, I appreciate knowing that I could call home even though international fees would be high. 

As I visit medieval castles, I am struck with how people from this time period had to keep their family and friends in their heart and minds eye ... life was short and difficult.  For the average person, there would not be the ability or the joy to travel  (artifacts that I am observing hold a message of fear and superstition represented by walled cities, the frightening weapons, the gargoyles on the facade of the church and downspouts of buildings).  Making broad conclusions from my perspective may not be accurate; I wonder how the future generations will view me from what is left behind?

Last Full Day in Provence

Today I am heading for a remote village, Les Baux, in the Provence region.  The planning of these excursions cause me to think of living.  Let me use a drawing that my grandson made for me a few months back to make the point.  The plan was sketched out in several colors on an oversized piece of white paper. This vivid multihued labyrinth was a map to a predetermined finish.  To be triumphant, a player had to take the correct route following hidden secret passageways. 
"How will I know when I find one?" I asked after he excitedly explained the game.
"You'll know because the topsecret passageways get you to the finish," he states with a slight "duh" in his tone.
"But, you've also built in booby traps - as the designer, you have the upperhand; this knowledge makes the odds terrible for me." 
Judging from his expression, I know that he is delighted with this.

Living is like that elaborate drawing, or like the tunnels under the ancient castles I am exploring now.  I enter each passage selecting what I believe is the secret correct path sensing that I am avoiding the booby traps concealed at dead ends.  I want to play the game ... I feel that I have entered the corrrect corridor but I won't know unless I walk through to the other end.

Money

The discovery about money exhange has been interesting for me.  In the past, I have only traveled in Canada and Mexico, this very limited worldview took place at times when the value of the U.S. dollar was considerably more than the currency of the place I was visiting.  As I journey in Europe, I am attempting to live regular life - buy groceries at the market, take buses when possible, renting gites instead of hoteling it.  These are familar tasks that give me a better understanding of the day to day existence for the people of the region where I am a guest.  France to Germany to Switzerland in one day of travel brought home the truth to me that the American dollar is worth less.  (Worth less has the potential to evolve to worthless.)  I realize this point as I view the ruins of powers obliterated - Rome - the Ancient Church - the Crusades.  Historically, no one power has stayed on top of the mountain ... the castle walls will crumble and people in the future will speculate without truly understanding that this breakdown can happen again.

Nano World

I've reflected as I study the ancient buildings in France, on the lost skills of the talented craftsman.  All greatness demonstrated in built achievement (greatness as perceived by the world) is created by the back breaking work of people (enslaved or paid).  There are monuments in Aix en Provence attesting to the artistic ability, skilled brilliance with stained glass and architectural design of a time gone.  As I view these shrines, I feel a sense of continuity, a bridge stretching backwards to touch what I learned as a young student from pictures ... these facades, mortar tributes stand. 

I wander through streets observing historical monuments juxtaposd against our nanotechnological world of contemporary times, refusing to be plugged in, refusing to have a brain controlled by a chip because of my desire to have a meaningful life.  As I contemplate the past and the unknown future ... I question if there was meaning in constructing an edifice to the church or the government that one is born into?  I will never know ... I can only feel what is the right experience and hope that I have the courage to be aware of how lucky I am.

Aix en Provence - Parlez vous Francais?

Today we chose to follow the Cezanne walking route through the historic district often depicted in the artists' paintings of Aix en Provence.  Catching a bus from the rented apartment in Pont de l'Arc into Aix en Provence centerville was stressfree.  We started at the tourist office and their assistance is invaluable, both in the offering of free brochures and their willingness to answer our questions.  All of the employees have been multi-lingual in each information center thus far and this assessment includes the small villages of the Alsace region. I am annoyed that I do not speak their language because the ability to converse in the native tongue would enrich my experience.  I find the French to be helpful as I stumble through my pronunciations - slaughtering the beauty of their romantic language. An important note:  on 9/11 I was offered reflected sympathy by each French person encountered.  For example, at check-in the Annecy hotel owner expressed her sadness that we had such an event to remember.  This thoughtfulness was appreciated.

Alsace without the Internet

I invited you to travel with me and then I do not make any entries; please forgive me.  I was in the Voges Mountains staying in a gite without internet access.  Hopefully, I can catch up with pictures and thoughts.  Today is a day to regroup ... doing laundry (yes, the simple facts of living : ).  At this moment, I am sitting outside in Aix en Provence with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of a nearby pear tree. 

What have I learned?  There is the amazing fact that there is so much to the world than I have not experienced.  Visiting sights that I have read about has been meaningful.  Although, I have discovered about myself that I cannot "go, go, go" ... no matter where I am geographically, it is good to rest and reflect.  One of the highlights of the trip has been to go into ancient churches (église) and study the beauty of the stained glass windows.  I love color; studying the contrast, depth  and detail of this artform has been meditative ... and for me, opens a window of understanding into the soul of past artists; they had a need to mark the beauty of what they felt and saw through the perspective of the eye of the mind. 

Ten Miles of Walking

I was happy but tired last night after walking through Paris taking in as much as possible (which isn't easy - I could spend months in this city).  The stroll was amazing; often we would stop at other buildings taking in the details of French history.  I found the French to be friendly and helpful as I struggled to express myself using limited French.  We spent considerable time outside the Musee du Louvre taking in the details of this incredible building and enjoying the sculptures along the promonade.  I have decided that Napoleon is worth further study on my part - what an incredible ego!