Quick trip to Luxembourg... one stop in Colmar.

Last week I went to Luxembourg for a job interview. Couldn't believe it. I would have worked with a lady who spent 15 years in Eugene, OR. She even worked 5 years in Lebanon... I had knots in my stomach today when I decline their offer. 

Luxembourg is just way to far from home. On my long train ride, I had to stop for a couple of hours in Colmar a little town in the North East of France. The old center of this little town is lovely.  Interviews are a great way to rediscover the Old Continent!

Quick trip to London...

A week and a half ago, I spent about 24 hours in London. A job interview right between Victoria and Picadilly Circus. No worries though, my next job is in Switzerland, not Great Britain. I was in London in 1987 with Sam during our last year of Middle School. A school trip to discover the city. I really want to go back with him and explore all the great museums.

Thomas Dutronc. Concert in Marseille.

Three weeks ago, we watched and listened to Thomas Dutronc. Son of French icons Jacques Dutronc and Françoise Hardy, Thomas Dutronc fell in love with Gypsy jazz music during his teenage years, starting with Django Reinhardt's works. 

Gifted with impressive learning capacities, he began studying Gypsy guitar at the age of 18 and has since collaborated with a wide range of artists, from the jazz community with the likes of Bireli Lagrene but also including his father, mother, and Henri Salvador from the pop world.

Here is a video of him in the train with his musicians.

Happy May 1st!

May 1st is a special day in France. It's Labor Day, or "Laborer's Day," and so - ironically, in my opinion - it's a holiday, a day off from work for everyone, with one major exception: florists. May 1st is also Lily of the Valley Day, and it's traditional to offer one's loved ones a sprig of lily of the valley, symbol of spring and of good luck, especially if the sprig has 13 bellflowers. And florists are very lucky because on this day they have the right to sell lily of the valley tax-free. I took this picture at the train station in Lyon coming back from a job interview in Lausanne.

The Class

This post is more for anyone living in Corvallis, Oregon. I'm still getting the newsletter from the Darkside Cinema and I can't help but notice when they're playing a french movie and somehow feel the need to tell everyone to go check it out. 

So... if you have seen the two masterpieces Gran Torino and Slumdog Millionnaire playing at the Darkside right now, then your next choice could be the Class. It's french and it's good.  

I've heard too many people say that it's over the top and not representative and yet I can't agree or disagree since I don't know the school environment well enough. But if anything, it's a point of view worth taking a look at, especially from a foreigner standpoint. If you see it, let me know what you think! more info the movie here.

Ferry boats go by. From le Pharo. Marseille.

Five minutes from the appartment, at the end of the day we like to sit in the gardens of le Pharo to watch the ferry boats leave for Corsica or Morocco.  

La Cagole. Marseille.

On the Old Harbor last night, many sailors were ending their day with a beer... 

Firefighters on Cours Estienne d'Orves. Marseille

Special fish on the old Harbor. Marseille

It was Easter in Marseille as well this weekend. We found some special fish for the occasion. 

Chocolate fish anyone?!

Rock Climbing in les Calanques...

Saturday was perfect to go rock climbing. We met up with Raph's friends and spent the day at the bottom of a cliff, or against it, or sometime on top of it even... Breathtaking view. We just need to remember to take more water next time. Still haven't swum in the Mediterranean Sea...