A brief respite from the travelog

If you aren’t outraged, you aren’t paying attention.

Two news articles I read today.

“In the Gulf, where beaches and livelihoods have been marred by oil for three months, the joke among unemployed fishermen was the estimated $18 million in exit compensation BP CEO Tony Hayward was expected to receive.” USA Today.

“BP said Tuesday that it plans to cut its U.S. tax bill by $9.9 billion, or about half the amount pledged to aid victims of the disaster, by deducting costs related to the oil spill.” Washington Post.

I don’t believe there is any polite way to say it.

FUCK YOU, BP!!!

Le Sud de France – Le Pont d’Avignon

Le Pont d’Avignon (the bridge of Avignon) is a really old bridge made famous by an old folk song. (L'on y danse, l'on y danse… there they dance, there they dance.)

While it is really picturesque and quite cute, some of you may have noticed a problem with the bridge. Despite the 4€50 toll, the bridge never quite makes it to the other side of the Rhône River. It is a commuter’s nightmare.


So to all of you Washingtonian’s who complain about paying 75¢ to cross the Hood River Bridge, quit your whining. At least you get to the other side of the river!

And I think it is fairly obvious why they felt they could dance on the bridge. If nothing else, it killed the time.

Le Sud de France – Avignon

The old city of Avignon is absolutely amazing.

Le Palais des Papes – the Palace of the Popes. Avignon was the seat of the Catholic Church during the 15th century. Le Palais des Papes is the best preserved gothic castles in Europe (which I am pretty sure would make it the best preserved gothic castle in the world.) The elephant statue is a bit newer. For me, it was probably the single most amazing sight I saw.

Barbed wire in the middle ages was pretty neat.

Avignon’s old town is still completely walled in. This stretch appears to be pretty much unscathed by the years. (Other parts had quite obviously been repaired.)
And yes, I was there. This picture is taken from the other side of the Rhône River facing Avignon.

Jardin du Luxembourg.

A High School band from New Mexico: it made me think of my sister. Did the Tyee High School band play a concert at the Jardin du Luxembourg? Did the Jardin du Luxembourg even exist back then? Did Trudy meet Marie de Medicis?

So many questions!

Les Chats de France.

Or “Les Chats de la France.” I’ve never known exactly what the French do with those little words like “the” and “of”.

Anyway, that is neither here nor there. These are pictures that only Max could love.







He is now expecting a monument to built in his honor. Please send your donations. Do it now, he is getting grumpy. Do it because no one likes a grumpy Max!

Versailles.

There are a number of adjectives that could be used to describe the Château de Versailles. “Subtle”, “understated” and “modest” are not among those adjectives.

Whether it is the view of the estate as a whole, with its gilded roof jumping up to greet you,

Or visiting the Hall of Mirrors with thousands of your closest friend,

Or the basic gold-crusted fencing,

Or a visit to Marie-Antoinette’s simple country hovel,


Versailles will remind you that you are poor as hell and will never live a lifestyle even close to that of Louis!

Reims

Sadly, Reims was under construction while we were there.

I’ve been told that the main drag is really quite lovely, when the barricades are down.

Of course, Reims has its obligatory Roman ruins. But I love what they did with the multiple style road blocks.

And the cathedral. This is where all the French kings were crowned.