Tom & Roberta's Adventures

Roberta speaking from Barcelona
At last entry we were in Avignon where among other things we visited a church dating from 1111. What I didn´t have time to mention is the ambiance of the church. Though not close to the grandeur of others we´ve seen, it had a deeply moving atmosphere, aided no doubt by the live religious music being played. For the first time on the trip, I found myself overcome and began weeping. I lit a candle for Dad and prayed.

Our last night in Avigonon was fantastic. Our gay ex-Texan innkeeper recommended his favorite restaurant, owned by Maria who entertained us with stories of the many places she´s lived, including San Diego. She has a tiny restaurant, really funky (pictures to follow) and cooks fusion Mediterranean food (among other things, ricotta curry stuffed in a zucchini) as she says, with love. The restaurant is called Lepice & Love´.

Another aside to Mike in particular: one of the really cool aspects of this trip is experiencing history, ranging from 11 th century to present. I especially liked the Chrchill War Rooms (thanks to Marcy for recommending it). It is a tour of the actual bunker where Chruchill and his staff actually conducted the war. It´s not a recreation. At the end of the war, they simply closed the doors and left exactly as it was and that´s what you see.

So, on to the present. WE left Avignon for Barcelona by train, a very very long train ride: 8 hours. We stopped in every hamlet that had more than 4 residents. Along the way, we amused ourselves counting how many churches Tom dragged me to and how many museums I dragged him to. Museums exceeded churches by a couple -- something like 10 vs 8.

Arriving in Barcelona was culture shock after historical Avignon. Bustling, loud, lots of street activity (not prostitutes , mimes). Our hotel is right on La Rambla (the big strolling boulevard) and we have a balcony overlooking it. After the requisite tapas and wine and a long stroll, we retired to the balcony to watch (we´re getting a bit long in the tooth after all) the throngs well after 11 pm.

I can definitely say that this trip has easily exceeded all my hopes. We´ve done much and enjoyed just about every minute (with the possible exception of those hours lost in industrial suburban Dijon -- don´t ask).

We´ve decided to end our trip with a day at the beach in Barcelona tomorrow. We figured it would ease our re-entry to southern Cal.

Will be stateside at next communication.
Love, Roberta

Ok, Tom will do another blog entry.......

Roberta is tqking over
the day is best summed up qs , saw lots of really old plqces
actually really cool::: a church that was rebuilt in 1111!!!
then hqd the most spectqacular dinner in a tiny place owned by a woman who used to live in San Diego:::really homey and cost a fraction of what we spend at happy hour
now back to tom

Enough said..... seen enough churches, cathedrals, museums, tomorroow tapis & wine;;;;; in Barcelona

forgot to add that Tom tried both carpiaccio raw bef & rabbit.....
both great.....yes Tom eat the Easter Bunny

hello all: havent written because the point of travelling is to see, experience; meet people and not sit at a computer: today though we;re a bit bored and at wits end: we,re in avignon and i havent gotten the hqng of french computers so those of you who think ive lost my editing skills, non! we are at a tiny ancient hotel manned by a former texan who hqs an endless bunch of bush bon mots: otherwise; not the highlight of our trip:
tom was seduced by the notion of q medievql walled city but after london, paris -- the louvre, eiffel tower, even dijon, the wine region of beune; guess were getting a bit jaded: the thought of ventura blvd, is simply too awful to contemplate
on to barcelona tuesday, then home friday: looking foward to not living out of a suitcase, seeing lindsay and the dogs and our friends but would much rather all of you and us were transplanted here
roberta

Went shopping for mustard gifts...... Sent those off

Went to pick up car.......I didn,t like the stick & Roberta scared of driving.....Will go by train;;;;;

Great dinner last night......better than any in Los Angeles......we have have....

Running out of time bye

What a wonderful day..........

• Went to the Louvre......definately overwhelming.......we kept getting lost & both had a blood sugar attack at sazme time & wanted to kill eqch other in the Louvre.......got some food & things were better.....

• Went for a stroll to Place de Vossage.......nice little park......

• end up for our version of a happy hour @ Georges on top of the Pompadu Center......great view of the city & great appetitizers

- crab meat on avacado musse, Thai spring rolls & asparagus w/mouselline

• Now in dijon....in 1700 century hotel.........

TH