Oo la la
Took a mini Spring break back to the first-world a few weeks back. The agenda was initial set by a wedding in the Gex region of France, but got scaled back to a normal vacation, after some visa issues postponed that ceremony for American soil. Not really gung ho on Europe, especially with the craptacularly weak dollar, but paging through the LP it seemed like France was still a worthy time. OK it was mostly reading about the food that convinced me.
Always fun connections in Africa, Lusaka linked through Addis Ababa, overnight to CDG on Ethiopian Airways. No baggage or logistical adventures, but becoming oriented to new country on 3 hours of sleep is always fun. Plopped my stuff down at the Eldorado, and wandered around the clouded drizzling morning. I was fairly useless that first day but managed to get scammed by a gypsy, figure out the subway, and feast on some orange-glazed duck downed with the first of many glasses of fine French wine.
By day 2 was relatively adjusted. Going into highlight mode…
-Paris, museum and art mania. Had to love the sheer density and variety, culture oozing from every boulevard. A few of the many, the Musee d’ Orsay, Musee Rodin and the Centre Pompidou were tops in my book. For its architecture the Quai Branley. The Paris Musuem Pass helped save the bucks. Sure the big touristed sites like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower etc were cool, but I found just chillaxing to the view of Paris from the top of Montmartre, or having a beer at a local café next to my hotel, put me more in touch with the feel of the city.
-Annecy, quaint mountain town, thankfully not yet over-run by tourists. Took some pleasant lakeside strolls, explored the twisty canal-truncated old town, and dined on tasty budget food at Chez Barnabe. Not a ton to see or do, but Alpine.
-Gex, the mini-reception for the rescheduled wedding. Met up with folks in Geneva, and then drove over to the bride’s family house, beautifully situated in the traditional countryside and bedecked with African crafts (her father had worked on the Continent before his passing). Hiked up to the mini-reception at a converted farmhouse (le Ferme du Mont Mussy) overlooking the Geneva valley. No electricity, appetized with regional dishes until a thunderstorm rolled and the dinner commenced. Ate more wonderful things, while finally the clouds cleared for a stunning mountain vista, and even a brief glimpse of Mont Blanc. Despite the postponement a lot of people had still made the trip, and it was awesome to hang with the gang, with France, Britain, and Alaska represented.
-Nice, vibrant colors of the Mediterranean. Passed down from Gex with a scenic train-ride cutting through the Alps/Bellegarde. Felt like I was back on the Pacific Surfliner as we hugged the coast over to Nice. More interesting budget accommodation was provided at Hotel Wilson, a Frida Kahlo themed room, with a balcony, score. The vibe of Nice was wonderful, more great art (modern, Chagall and Matisse), pebbly beach but crystal blue water, relaxed parks and plazas, and another twisty old town to lose oneself in. And of course obscenely good food, deals off the daily “menus” offered full course goodness inclusive of wine, appetizer, main course, and dessert. Also day-tripped to Monte Carlo, Monaco, big-bwana style, beautiful views, beautiful aquarium.
-Avignon, polished the trip off behind medieval walls, and stumbled upon an Aikido dojo. Avignon was the seat of Papal power for a brief schism, and is home to the grand Palais des Papes. The city is also a cultural center of the region and was crammed chock-full of smaller wonders. My brain was getting ready for home, but did my duty and swung around to the majors, and downed some final gastronomical indulgences. Au revoir France, avoided a crazy shouting man in the Avignon TGV station, and whisked up to CDG where Ethiopian airlines awaited the haul back to Lusaka. Spectacular trip...will be back.
posted by Brent at 6/23/2008 09:27:00 AM | permalink |
Comments:
Post a Comment
Unsatisfied Customers