Hotel Le Tivoli Sisteron

... that wasnt co,ing back untill 4 am, to go to the discoteque.
None of us had any cash flow, and they didnt seem to understand that it was completely impossible. We tried to find a solution, but the dissapointed oned went to sulk in the hotel and three of us went out for a walk.
We stumbled upon a "Miss Italia" competition, watched in astonishment and confusion for quite some time, then left to wander at 1am. A little while later we heard some music and stumbled upon something ...

... far as French-language ability goes, I clearly had the least proficiency.

Designated for protection as a national park, the wilderness area of the Gorges du Verdons and the surrounding Lake St. Croix region boasted brilliant, almost-unreal colors. For instance, apart from the violent Provence storms that passed by quite quickly and ferquently, the sky was as blue as it can get. Most blue skies have little wisps of cloud or haziness, even if just a little. But not ...

... had a good menu selection (a little pricey, but the food was good), and we all enjoyed a hearty lunch before driving the remaining distance to St. Martin Castillon. The closer we got, the more excited Michael became to be able to walk the grounds that his ancestors once owned.  Castillon is a beautiful hillside area with small villages built into the mountains, and sprawling green acres for miles and miles. One thing I have found peculiar, yet ...

... and grumpy by the time we finally reached the turnoff for our gorgeous Provencal farmhouse, and all got out of the car with a sigh of relief. We were greeted by the most beautiful outdoor dining courtyard and our friendly host Bernard just at the stage of bringing home-made pizzas out of the brick wood-fired oven. The sun set over the hills, we sat down on the chairs and chatted to the other guests (a couple from Austria on their motor bike) and assorted ...

... our frigid winter visit, this town was hopping) where all we could do was circle around the top of the town due to the huge crowds and lack of parking, so we headed for Apt. We found parking in Apt, about 6 miles up the road. Apt turned out to be a nothing stop except for a good lunch marred with an exceptionally rude waitress - - We are finding more of this aloof attitude the further South we go in France. Quite frankly, Ryan has had his share of ...

... politically neutral...Geneva Best Italian food; Cleanest canal city; Most expensive public transportation...Venice Best ice-skating rink; Most social hostel; Coolest Australians; Most nuts about the Austro-Hungarian Empire (tie with Budapest)...Vienna Best temporary museum exhibit; Most nuts about the Austro-Hungarian Empire (tie with Vienna)...Budapest ...

... opted to take a nice long nap instead. Upon disembarking at the station in Aix, I still had a gnawing feeling that Darlene would not be there. "Oh well," I thought to myself, "If not, hopefully she'll have the sense to call the hotel here in Aix and leave a message for me." I figured that if she didn't make it onto the same train as me, she would be on one arriving later that day/evening. However, as I walked outside of the station, who did I see, but Darlene ...

... to meet up with a college friend and her friends for the first couple of days of our break, then for Christmas itself, I'll find Holly, a friend of hers, and her family. So I'll at least be with a family for Christmas, even if it's not my own. Good news! I've recently heard that my sister and her husband are going to come visit me right after Christmas! I always have a really good time with them, so I expect that the only thing that will have changed this time will be the scenery!

... 150 km. Got lost twice (both times in towns). Internet is sketchy here at best so may not be able to post much more. No pictures for blog at the moment. Have found the supermarkets so we are eating well. Hope to travel to Cannes next week, and also Torino in Italy. Thats it for now

... Many who picked me up offered to let me stay with them. People told me female hitchhikers find France safe. Yes, it was a great place. And, there's more! Once you've finished reading this story, you can print it off, glue it to your stomach, and tomorrow you'll have a story glued to your stomach! HM offers: DARK FEATURES ON GIRLS (who also wear black clothes); LITERATURE; SHORT PATIENCE FOR THINGS DONE WRONGLY (the over-passionate French can be funny at ...