Never let the inability to speak a language interfere with your travel plans. Although, my husband and I do not speak Spanish, we blithely set off for a month’s stay in Seville, Spain. Even though we had worked through a few on-line language programs before we went, somehow, we never managed to learn the phrases […]
…… Well, maybe some people can do it, but for us, it takes a few months of preparation. Let me explain. My husband is easing into retirement by trying to – travel a bit more, see his extended family a bit more and generally have more purposeful “time off.” This all takes a bit of
The other day I wrote about the L’Arche community and their commitment to mentally disabled adults. I wrote about my experiences with Cameron and friends and neighbours who are involved with the Vanier institute. However, I had forgotten to mention something that happened a few days ago on the subway. I was coming home from
In a puerile way, I have always been interested in the term “vowel movement” – not just because it rhymes with bowel movement – but that’s part of it. Yes, a lot of s**t comes out of people’s mouths, mine included, and people seem to use grunts, groans and “duhs” more than they do words
I read an article yesterday in the Globe and Mail about a person I have known for a long time, but have never met. The article, written by Ian Brown, was about Jean Vanier who started L’Arche. I had first heard of L’Arche from my neighbour, who often spends Christmas in France, at one of
It’s all about the words. This is the inspiration I read in the Globe the other day. It was Russell Smith’s column on art, poetry and blogging. It begins by saying: A blog is a hobby; a blog is a notebook; a blog is a forum; a blog is a piece of art. A blog is
OK, we didn’t use an Uber taxi for our ride from Arles to the airport in Marseilles. Our quote for the 50 mile trip was €150.00. We decided on a taxi, though, because train schedules can change and we needed to catch that plane!! As it turned out our driver was quite amazing. He had
To visit the Camargue, that huge delta of the Rhone river which stretches ever further into the Mediterranean, has always been on my hit list. It’s not just because there is a Rolls Royce named after it, but it is also because, many years ago I “missed it,” while hitch hiking through the south of
The entire city of Arles is a museum unto itself. Yes, there is commerce and village life, but citizens and visitors alike live carefully among the ruins. The ruins, that is, of what was once a great Roman city. A magnificent colosseum, for example, dominates a rise in the centre of the old town, while
Unfortunately holidays come to an end – a necessary evil. For as Shakespeare said – If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work; I never want my “sport,” vacationing, to become tedious work, so I have holidays that end. However, you can ease the pain, by having
