Ginny: Fleuveau

Another view of Les Tapies. Oh, and please take note that these...

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:48:00 -0400

Another view of Les Tapies. Oh, and please take note that these are pre-trip internet pictures. I did not take them. http://www.lestapies.com/index.htm

It’s a “hamlet.” Very pretty

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:46:16 -0400

It’s a “hamlet.” Very pretty

This is the supposed location of Les Tapies, where I will be

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:45:06 -0400

This is the supposed location of Les Tapies, where I will be

Leaving for France

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:43:01 -0400

Ok, so I’m leaving for France today. I also just realized that Tucker always posts to his tumblr. I’ll possibly start checking it now :). Anyway, going to France and I decided it might be fun to try to keep a blog again (think China last year) so that my family and possibly some friends can keep up with what’s going on. This will be much less of a challenge because there is no government supervision like the Great Firewall of China. And while I’m not sure that Russia’ll be able to get on this site, the rest of y’all probably won’t have too much trouble accessing it.

So here’s the plan. Auntie Merv drives me to the airport in a matter of minutes. I have one small bag (same one I brought to China) and a backpack. My first flight takes me to NY JFK airport then from there I fly into Lyon, arriving promptly at 7:05 am. Hopefully from there I get picked up by the TASIS program and driven to the supposedly beautiful and remote Les Tapies. After being there for about 3 weeks (the program starts this Monday the 22nd and ends July 11), I’ll hopefully head to Paris for a few days. I may even be there for Bastille day! Then on to the Daguet’s for about 5 days. YAY! Anyway, hopefully this will be somewhat interesting. I’m sure it won’t be as much fun as last summer. Let’s review why-

1) No firewall to get around

2) No horrible illness the entire trip

3) Probably will have SOME free time

4) Just me, the family was very entertaining in China

5) Not so much traveling around

6) Not as many cultural differences

I’m sure my friends who are in China this summer will have a lot of fun though! I’ll let you know if any of them have blogs and maybe you can see how positive their experiences there are! And see if they find chocolate.

Day 21- Wednesday June 11

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:47:15 -0400

We’ve had a great time in China, but there are some
Things I Miss and Can’t Wait to have when I get back

Ginny- My Family, My friends, Not feeling sick, Chocolate, Cereal, Cake, Sandwiches, Potty (not squatty), Toilet paper and Soap everywhere, people who speak English, Atlanta, Seeing movies in theaters, Going into shops and not having people attack you to buy things, all my friends being awake at the same time as me, Atlanta sunshine waking me up on a golden morning, my bed, my shower, granola bars, Our cars, the neighborhood, AMERICAN FOOD, leisure time, netflix, chocolate, choosing my own food, my family, my friends.

Tucker (in no specific order)- Non-government controlled Internet access everywhere, milkshakes, ELON!, American food (didn’t realize how much I enjoy hamburgers), my own bed, family / friends, not gorging myself at every meal (all our meals have had WAY too much food), running water and soap in every bathroom, hourly wages for workers (instead of having them attack you to buy things), free time, the eastern time zone, and the United States of America!

Day 19- Monday June 9 Cont.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:35:19 -0400

YAY! Photos have uploaded with the internet here. This is wonderful! Sorry it has been so hard for them to upload!

Buy a horse?

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:33:00 -0400

Buy a horse?

In Kashgar

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:08:50 -0400

In Kashgar

Ruins again!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:33:21 -0400

Ruins again!

At the Ancient City Ruins

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:28:37 -0400

At the Ancient City Ruins

Finally current! Today at the Irrigation Museum

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:27:11 -0400

Finally current! Today at the Irrigation Museum

Tucker and Dad with Huan-Huan at the hotel in Urumqi

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:25:31 -0400

Tucker and Dad with Huan-Huan at the hotel in Urumqi

We had dinner “at” a Uyghar family

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:23:22 -0400

We had dinner “at” a Uyghar family

A woman at the Sunday Market selling veggies from the back of...

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:20:33 -0400

A woman at the Sunday Market selling veggies from the back of her donkey cart

The Sunday Market in Kashgar

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:18:37 -0400

The Sunday Market in Kashgar

Proof that Tucker was around animals

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:15:24 -0400

Proof that Tucker was around animals

Sheep at the Animal Market yesterday in Kashgar. Just look!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:57:11 -0400

Sheep at the Animal Market yesterday in Kashgar. Just look!

The outside of the Mosque in Kashgar

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:50:09 -0400

The outside of the Mosque in Kashgar

Kashgar Mosque

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:46:54 -0400

Kashgar Mosque

The mountains near Urumqi a couple of days ago

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:43:35 -0400

The mountains near Urumqi a couple of days ago