My days in Provence- thank you GPS

Sorry, unable to back this up with photos...but trust me Paris was everything I ever imagined, but better. We (Gene) and I are now in Bormes de Mimosas on the Cote dazur. Luckily, Gene brought our trusty GPS which we purchased to get us around Mexico. It has kept us off the freeways allowing us to see the small towns. We have had to change to 3star accommodation but it`s worth it. Now if only I had paid attention in my French classes. Gene has been using his Espagnol in all the wrong places, but the people seem to understand, especially when we say we are Canadian. The air smells like lavender and the rose wines are the best...will try swimming in the Mediterranean tomorrow. 2 days until I meet up with Dawn, my Camino amiga. Bon soir.

If it`s Tuesday this must be Paris

I feel like I am on a myth busting journey - Paris is clean, French people are pleasant; I can learn how to get around here quite easily; and staying in a 2 star hotel is not only okay; it`s fun.
Wine is the best bargain, coffee is delicious; and the River Seine is this wonderful direction finder that keeps me on track anywhere in the city, almost as easily as the ocean does at home...off to Montmartre to track down another perfect cafe in the rain.

Getting Ready to Go

This is the start of a story about how 3 women, who at this point don't all know each other (I'm the only one who knows everyone) prepared for and hopefully accomplished walking the final third of the Camino Frances (Camino de Santiago) from Leon Spain to Santiago de Compostela. The distance is a little over 300 kms. (200 + miles) and we expect to be walking for 12-14 days. Our journey begins on September 2nd when we are all meeting, but for now we are all in the final stages of preparation.

It's a beautiful day in Victoria. Gene and I are getting our home (garden, animals and house) ready for his 2 week absence on the first part of our vacation which begins in Paris, France on Sunday . I know it's a beautiful day in Paris where Dawn is vacationing with Yves. Jo is still basking in the heat of Prospect Oregon with her husband Mike, and we are all in various stages of packing. We've had lists, we've been sent websites, we've read books and we've bought, returned, tried on, tried out and packed and repacked. This is all in an attempt to minimize weight, have the "right stuff", stay healthy, be prepared for emergencies, stay safe, stay hydrated and look presentable because after all we are going to Europe.

Many of the books I've read (or should say skimmed) have referred to this as a spiritual pilgrimmage. At this point, I feel I've worshipped the travel/shopping "gods" more than anything else, but I want to be open to what this journey will create, because I have a funny feeling that like everything else in my life so far, I won't really know what I'm getting myself into, until I'm already there! So for now, finishing packing and reserving a few days in Provence for Gene and I is my goal for today.

I hope that maintaining a blog while enroute is possible and if so, we promise to keep it brief and

hopefully interesting! See you all later......