The French Riviera (my holiday 4)

Well, Christmas is over and I'm still writing about my summer holiday! It is a little silly, but I have started the story so I should finish it.

In my last post I was leaving a small beach town just east of Genova in northwestern Italy. I drove west on the autostada (freeway) for about three hours until I reached the French border. A few minutes later I was in the region known as the Alpes Maritimes, or the Cote D'Azur, or the French Riviera. I started following the signs for Monte Carlo, which I visited for about three hours.

The main casino at Monte Carlo. Full of tourists!

The harbour at Monte Carlo, full of very expensive yachts!

Monte Carlo is a little disappointing. It was very hot and very crowded and really, there's not much to see. So I jumped back into my (airconditioned!) car and headed west for the town of Cannes, where I had a room reserved in a small hotel.

When I got to Cannes, I got lost trying to find my hotel, so I drove around for an hour or so looking for it. No navigation system for me! After I found it, I walked down to the beautiful promenade along the harbour. Cannes is the home of the famous film festival every May, and the festival palace is right on the pretty harbour. I had a pleasant evening exploring the old town.

I spent the next day exploring the arriere pays (back country) behind Cannes and Nice. Long ago and far away, when I was a young hippie type, I lived in the small back country towns for about nine months. I had not visited the area since then, so I wanted to go back and see them.

The countryside is absolutely beautiful. There are many old villages perchees (perched villages) that were built on hilltops so that the people could protect themselves from invaders. I passed through Gourdon and La Tourette sur Loup on my way to the old chateau, Notre Dame des Fleurs, where I had lived a long time ago.

A restaurant hanging over the cliff in the "village perchee" of Gourdon. It's a long way down!

Another beautiful "village perchee," Tourette sur Loups. Many of these villages are 700 --800 years old.

To my surprise, the old chateau was empty. It is too expensive to live in. However, the caretaker allowed me to go in and take photos and visit the little cottage where I had lived a long long time ago. Not much had changed -- except me! It was a funny feeling!

The front of the Chateau Notre Dame des Fleurs, where I lived for six months long ago. In French, "chateau" means "castle" or big fancy house where noble people used to live. "Notre Dames des Fleurs" means "Our Lady of the Flowers." This refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

France used to be a very Catholic country, and Catholics give a lot of honour and respect to Mary, so many places are named "Notre Dame de..." This chateau used to have many beautiful gardens, and that is how it got its name.

When I lived there, I worked as a gardener. The owner said that my friends and I could live there for free if we worked in the garden for three hours a day.

The little cottage beside the chateau, where I lived with my friends a long time ago. Very little has changed!

After leaving the chateau, I visited the two beautiful towns of Vence and St Paul de Vence. St Paul de Vence is very trendy -- full of art galleries and expensive boutiques and restaurants.

One of the many beautiful fountains in St Paul de Vence. Southern France is full of beautiful fountains.

The narrow streets of St Paul de Vence are full of fashionable art galleries and expensive boutiques.

St Paul de Vence is an excellent example of a "village perchee." It is built on a hill and has a wall around it to protect from invaders. From a distance it looks almost the same as it did several hundred years ago.

I then made my way back to my hotel along the windy narrow country roads. Thankfully French drivers are not quite as crazy as Italian drivers!

Two men playing "boules" in the town square in Vence. Boules (balls) is a simple game played with steel balls. It is easy to learn and can be played anywhere. Wherever you go in France, you will see people playing, often with a glass of "pastis" in their hand!

I was so happy to see some old "deux chevaux" cars. When I lived in the south of France I owned one, but it eventually "died." They are very simple and are air-cooled. "Deux chevaux" means "two horses, " the size of the motor. The windows fold open, and if the car is too hot, you roll back the roof, which is simply a rubber mat! Very simple, but fun to drive and not very expensive. Nowadays they are considered to be antiques. But I have fond memories of my old deux chevaux!

I had an amusing experience in Cannes the day before, when I was lost. I was on a narrow street and a city bus cut in front of me, blocking me and almost hitting my car. Then he stopped. Behind me was another car, so I couldn't move. The French are very impatient, and so everyone started honking their horns and yelling at me.

Well, I couldn't do anything so I became French and yelled out the window, then closed the window and turned the air con on and waited! After a minute or two of honking and yelling, the bus driver backed up very slowly so that finally I could go forward. Problem solved!

I enjoyed my time on the French Riviera, but it was really crowded -- too crowded. I was looking forward to spending the next two days driving further west and exploring Aix en Provence and Avignon.

Christmas at Gladwin

It's been a long time since I last posted -- my apologies. One of the students told me the other day that he thought my blog was "dead." I realised that I better try and bring it back to life!

We have just finished the autumn term at Gladwin, and we will not have any more classes until January 5. At the end of each term, especially around Christmas, we often have parties and celebrations, which I always enjoy, and I think the students do as well.

This year my morning intermediate class combined with the advanced class to have a party on December 4 at the home of the teacher of the advanced class, Donnie. Donnie and her husband are very gracious, kind hosts. More importantly, they have a large house, so there is room for everyone. Many of our students have children, so they brought the kids and everyone had fun. It was a potluck meal, so we were able to enjoy food from many countries. Yum yum!

Christmas party for the morning class. Students from Mexico, Korea, Japan, Ukraine, Spain, and India!

This term the students in my evening class are all from Mexico. They are young adults who are living here for a year, working as nannies, or au pairs, in Canadian families. We've had a lot of fun together and they say their English is getting better. We decided to celebrate the end of the term with a party at my home, a small apartment.

They told me not to worry, they would bring all the food, and they did! Lots of food! Krystel made some spaghetti and Paola baked some cupcakes and eveyone else brought pizza and "cheeps," as Linneth would say! Some of their friends showed up and we had a great time. Lots of energy! We're looking forward to the new term, but remember everyone, we gotta cut back on the Spanish in class. "No se habla espanol aqui."

Party at my place! Mexican "nanny" class (and friends) enjoying all the good company and food.

Students showing off their certificates. Good job everyone, you worked hard!

On the last day of classes at Gladwin, some of the other classes held parties at the school where they had a special guest -- Santa! He talked to lots of the students to make sure they were had been good -- learned lots of English. He also encouraged them to try and learn lots of English during the holiday break. Santa seems to know about learning English and some people say that he works as an ESL teacher when he is not Santa!

I wonder who he could be?

Samuel tells Santa what he wants for Christmas.

Isobel having a good laugh with Santa.

Shin thinks that Santa is very funny!

So I hope you all have a wonderful time during the Christmas break. And may this coming year bring us more peace on earth and goodwill to each other.

Hiking with Dan and Phil

Last Tuesday I took a wonderful hike on Mount Baker with my good friend Dan. It has actually become a tradition with us -- each year we take a hike together for two or three days. This was our third year and certainly one of our best hikes.

I have known Dan since we were 18. We were hippies in Vancouver for a year, and then our paths parted for about 30 years. Sadly, Dan became an alcoholic for many years and suffered a lot. But then he became a Christian and stopped drinking and went back to school and earned a Masters degree! Pretty smart guy.

Now he is married and has a daughter and lives in Vancouver, where he is an addictions counsellor -- he helps people who have problems with drugs and alcohol. He has a lot of empathy -- a big heart -- because he has experienced those problems himself.

Anyway, Dan and I both like to hike, so each year we go somewhere different. We enjoy the peace of the mountains, far away from our busy modern lives. No computers, no pollution, and no cell phones.

In 2006 we hiked up into Garibaldi Park, on the way to Whistler. We camped there overnight and then spent the next day hiking up a mountain overlooking Garibaldi Lake. Wow! Double wow! That is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen.

Some of the Alpine meadows in beautiful Garibaldi Provincial Park

We climbed to the top of a mountain overlooking Garibaldi Lake. Isn't it gorgeous? Mount Garibaldi is behind the lake, covered in snow.

I am standing in front of the Black Tusk, a famous mountain in Garibaldi Park. It is very difficult to climb.

On the way down the mountain, we skied on our boots on this snowfield. We went down the mountain very quickly!

In 2007 we went to Cathedral Provincial Park, on the U.S. - Canada border near the Okanagen. We camped for two nights in a campground that was quite high in the mountains -- about 2,000 metres. We spent the days taking some wonderful hikes and climbs.

Cathedral Provincial Park is about 2,000 metres high, so we got a ride up the mountain in this van thing. It was bumpy and dusty, and the narrow road was very windy and always up up up! But it was easier than climbing up!

One of the beautiful lakes we hiked around. Later in the day we climbed to the top of the mountain behind the lake

Dan hiking across the alpine meadow. There are no trees because we are above the tree line.

We met a friendly mountain goat. We were very polite!

Dan enjoying the beautiful view. We could see almost 100 kilometers.

We are looking down on the lake that we passed earlier

At our campsite, Dan made friends with a bird by feeding it.

One morning I got up at sunrise -- it was very cold -- to take a photograph of the lake as the sun came up.

Last week we took our 2008 hike. We decided to climb part way up Mount Baker, the big volcano just across the border. We were both quite busy, so we decided to only do a day hike -- no camping. Dan stayed the night at my apartment and the next day we left early. By 8 a.m. we were hiking and we climbed up the trail until about 10.30 a.m., when we reached the ice (glacier) and snowfields.

We are just getting to the beginning of the glacier and snowfields.

Stopping for a rest on the snowfield. Behind Dan you can see the top (summit) of Mount Baker

Dan is looking at the glacier, which is very dangerous to hike on.

The glaciers are dangerous, as they have crevasses (deep holes). The snowfields are safer, and so for the next three hours we climbed up the snowfields until we could go no further. Then we sat on some rocks and ate lunch and took photographs.

Dan seems to be thinking about something very serious!

Everything was beautiful! The wealther was sunny and warm, without a cloud in the sky. Actually, we were above the clouds! We could see a long way in every direction. Mount Baker is very majestic when you are close to it.

Dan is a small speck in this photo, which shows the glaciers and the summit of Mount Baker. What a glorious day!

Coming down the snowfields was fun, as we could almost ski on our boots. But it always hurts my knees! My knees hurt SO much, but I had to keep walking down down down the mountain to the car. I was VERY happy when I saw the car!

The next day my legs were sore and stiff, but I was already planning our hike for next year! Meanwhile I have to go to the gym and stay in good shape!

Italy won my heart! (My holiday 3)

I drove about 100 km from Geneva to the highest mountain in Europe -- Mount Blanc (white). Most of the freeways in Europe are toll roads, so I was always giving money to the machines!

Behind me is Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.

A tunnel goes under Mont Blanc. When you enter it, you are in France, and when you come out, you are in Italy. It is 11 km. long and costs $50.00, but it saves a lot of time and driving.

As soon as I arrived in Italy, I stopped at a cafe and had a delicious espresso coffee. The Italians make the best!

After three hours driving, I arrived at the northern Italian city of Genova, on the Mediterranean Sea. Driving on the freeway in Genova is really scary, as you are either on a big bridge, or viaduct, or in a long tunnel. And people drive SO fast!

I got to my destination, a small beach town near Rapallo. Rapallo is quite fashionable and lots of Italians go there for their holidays. The town I stayed in was very small, but just beautiful. I fell in love with it!

What a beautiful place! The weather was sunny and hot, the sea warm and a gorgeous blue.

Teenage boys jumping off the rocks -- trying to impress the girls!

The houses are so beautiful -- so much colour. And the Italians know how to live well. They are connected with their feelings. I spent a lot of time sitting in the piazza (town square) just watching the children playing and everyone enjoying themselves. I could have stayed there forever! The weather was wonderfully hot.

The centre of the small town -- the piazza (not pizza!). The children played here a lot while the adults talked to each other.

All the colours are amazing!

The next day I took a boat excursion to a famous and beautiful fishing village called Portofino. Many tourists from cruise ships were there, so I did not really enjoy it -- too crowded.

Portofino is beautiful, but too commercial and crowded with tourists. No fun!

I then took another boat to a tiny place called San Fruttuoso, where there are no roads. The only way to arrive is by boat. It is a church, about 600 years old, on the sea. Many Italians were swimming and sunbathing on the small beach there. Very pretty.

San Fruttuoso can only be reached by boat. No cars. A beautiful place to relax.

More colourful houses on the coast.

Many Italians dry their laundry by hanging it out the window. I don't think that would work in most places in Canada.

Everywhere I went, laundry was hanging out the windows!

Some of the small streets are very narrow. This one is only 2 metres wide.

I went back to my little hotel and had a swim in the sea -- so warm and blue. In the evening I went to a bar where some musicians were singing. People were quite friendly, even though I only speak a few words of Italian. When they heard that I was from Canada, they sang a few Canadian songs. I applauded loudly.

Two people relaxing on a balcony in the late afternoon sun.

A couple having a romantic time on the rocks at sunset.

I wanted to stay forever -- well, at least a month :-) BUT.... I had more places to visit. So the next morning I got on the freeway and headed west to France and Monte Carlo!

Goodbye Italy! I miss you! But I will return.

to be continued...

Richmond Night Market

In the Friday class we were talking about things to do in Vancouver, and I mentioned that the outdoor Richmond night market looked interesting. Well, some of us decided to go together that night. Fun!

The Richmond night market is in Richmond, a suburban city of Vancouver that is also home to the Vancouver airport. Many Asians live in Richmond and it is quite prosperous. The night market is held Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer months. It starts at 7 pm and goes on until about midnight. It is free, but parking costs $4.00.

For more information about the market, visit the website http://www.summernightmarket.com/

If you like shopping at Ikea, you can go early, as Ikea is right across the street from the market. :-)

We had a great time. The market is quite kid friendly. We tried the food at many different food stalls -- it is all so yummy! The area was quite crowded with lots of noise and music and a karaoke competition in Cantonese.

So, if you're bored on a nice warm summer weekend evening, go and check out the Richmond night market. You'll eat lots of good food and maybe even get some good bargains

Thousands of people come each night

There was a beautiful full moon, with no clouds

I was very hungry so I started off with some delicious lamb on a stick (skewer)

Delicious deep-fried spring rolls! Yum Yum!

These kind young ladies bought me a deep-fried spring roll. Thanks!

Then I had some spicy Korean food -- I'm not sure exactly what -- and a mouth-watering Korean sweet pancake! I was full, but I still wanted to try all the other food

This stall was VERY busy. The food must be good.

This food stall had lots of different choices

After you eat, you can take part in the Cantonese karaoke competition! Or. . .

Go shopping! Pick up a cheap pair of shades or. . .

A pair of stylish shoes . . . or

Some Vietnamese music. Something for everyone! Or. . .

A pair of "Croc" rubber sandals for $5. What a deal!

Lots of things from Korea

Lots of watches for sale. Anyone need a Rolex?

Or maybe your kids want some little fish to take home

And if you get too tired from all that eating, singing, and shopping, you can always drop by this stall and get a nice relaxing massage -- while everyone watches you!