Ales Hotel Orly

... across the street – La Palette Gourmande (29 Rue Roussy), but we thought we would wander around and see what else was on offer. However, while we were doing our washing in the nearby launderette, it started to rain. At first it was just a gentle refreshing shower, but became a thunderstorm lasting for hours. By dinner time it was still lashing down, so we ran the 5 metres across the road.

We were rewarded by one of those ...

... of the most intact coliseums in the world (La Arenes) and a temple that is also in exceptional condition, Maison Carree, which was modeled after the Temple of Apollo in Rome and dedicated to two of Augustus' grandsons. Across from the temple is an art museum that was modeled loosely in its form on the temple. Wandering around nearby we found some interesting fountains lined up in a row, some of which actually held water. We also ...

At the Chateau de Malerargues, surrounded by trees everywhere, Sebastian has voice training for the next couple months. The work consists of a mixture of breath, movement, and massage, as well as singing, sounds, and group work. It's hard to describe exactly what goes on, and each day is different. But the isolation, beautiful weather, and delicious fresh foods make for a great place to work, relax, and reflect. So why do so many people have so many nightmares here?

... to Rome's. Once entering, the inside was almost fully covered by a modern seating system. Wood and steel obscured what might otherwise be a fascinating site. I was also hoping that the town would reflect more of this history. The town just did not give me a good vibe. Not a bad experience just not coming close to my high expectations.

That night, I return to the hostel whose courtyard is packed. Hostels seem to have 2 types of people: those that use them as a convenient ...

... and how I dont think I will return to Australia very soon, how at some point in time you accept things as they are and stop trying to change them. Only then can you find some kind of peace. .. I admire this young guy, his directness and his relaxed philosopy on life ....I sleep soundly ...and if the ghosts appeared i never heard them...

The next morning i chat to his mum as she arranges flowers for the market - she calls them Zoe's flowers - she ...

... voor enkele fotos..bleek dat zijn hele familie ineens kwam aangesneld. Ze hingen allemaal wat rond op het midden van de baan. Ergens kunnen we stellen dat we het leven gered hebben van enkelen, want er kwam een dikke Audi aangescheurd (op deze baantjes in de bergen kunt je harder rijden dan bij ons op de autostrade...niet dat we dat doen hoor!) en maanden we hem van ver aan om te stoppen voor de geiten op de baan. Het was echt een vakantiedag! xx

... and headed 60 miles up into the mountains of the Cevennes National Park to reach my family's ancestral village of Genolhac, France. The population is about 800 and it is a clean, tidy village set in a spectacular mountain setting. There was still snow on the tops of some of the mountains and it was quite cool. My family lived in the area from 1300 to 1700. They lived in a nice three story stone house in the center of the village from about ...

... off (on Thursday) for a long driving day, planning to get 300 miles into the heart of France. I confess, I was more than a little disappointed when only 30km into our journey, a wheel fell off the van. I'm not exaggerating. We suddenly smelt burning and the brakes stopped working. I pulled in and we realised the van was full of smoke, so we got out to inspect it. The rear left tyre ...

... antiquities and brocante market one morning with an array of artwork, furniture and general bric a brac (slightly classier than the australian concept of bric a brac) with old vendors claiming everything to be done by the cousin or next door neighbour of Cézanne. There was a Cézanne exhibition on in Aix at the time but it was near impossible to get tickets to it, one would have to lose their gold teeth and perhaps sell their grandmother to get tickets that werent booked ...

... We then journeyed on to Uzès. That night we had to call home to our parents and tell them what happened. My mom didn't want me sent back early, but I think she was just happy to hear the trip was going good. Afterward most places in the town were closed so we walked around a little bit and then just hung out back at the hotel.