Halfway Point
Day 15

We've reached the halfway point for our trip...

To start, AKT and I finally figured out how to post videos.

Video Post #1: Day 01
AKT + Porto + Xanax = Sleep

AKT and I went out the other night in Arles and met two English chicks. Their names were Hannah and Frankie. They live near Stonehenge.

The following day we drove into Les Baux de Provence. It's hot but the wind keeps it cool; the cicadas talk all day and night. Our hotel is located in the mountains and hills of Provence. Lots of greenery at the hotel as well.


Video Post #2: Day 12
Life in Les Baux de Provence

We arrived yesterday in Mandelieu, which is about one block from Cannes.



-John-Laurent

Arles by night
Day 12

Our location, to be exact.

Que Calor!
Day 08

"Oh my, my, my! I do believe I'm feelin' the vapors."

It's hot and humid in France. It's the kind of weather that keeps you drenched in sweat all hours of the day. You sleep on top of the bed in your underwear trying to catch all of the breeze the tiny fan in the corner of the room will produce. No amount of Perrier, Orangina and beer will quench this thirst.

This kind of weather calls for a special kind of attire. (Details to follow...)

-John-Laurent

The First Four Days
Day 01
Mesdames et Messieurs,

On est arrive en France et tout se passe bien. After a drive from Paris, we arrived at the Chateau De L'Isle Marie Photo #2, located in the bustling metropolis that is Picauville, France. After changing clothes quickly and setting our luggage in our rooms, we drove 20 minutes to Grandcamp-Maisy for dinner at Bar de la Maree. Dinner included aperitifs and crisp white wine, fresh seafood, brut cider, more crisp white wine, dessert, Calvados and, finally, espresso.

Alexander did some office work for a bit.

As if the booze at dinner wasn't enough, Alexander and I drank port and took Xanax to seal the deal and ensure a good night of uninterupted sleep. We slept like comatose babies.

Day 02

The view from our room is incredible; the air is cool and crisp and as the minutes pass and the temperature increases the morning fog rolls back before disappearing completely.

We drove deep into Normandy and stopped along the way to eat lunch. By mid-afternoon we arrived at Le Mont-St.-Michel. It's big. Bigger than you think. A credible source (Alexander) told me it's the most popular tourist destination in France. I asked him why it wasn't the Eiffel Tower or Le Louvre but he didn't have an answer. Photo#2 Photo #3

On the way back to the Chateau, Alexander and I noticed this classy spot. If you don't get it, you're probably not a dude.

Alexander drank J&B on the rocks and I enjoyed a gin and tonic before dinner at some so-so restaurant 10 minutes down the road. A good glass of port rounded out the night and ensured a solid night of sleep.

Day 03

We woke up early and drove back to Paris to retrieve some luggage my mother had forgotten; such is life. Once said luggage was retrieved my father and I figured we might as well drive into Paris and eat lunch at Pizza Vesuvio, located in Saint-Germain-de-Pres. I ate there once two and a half years ago and knew immediately I'd never find a better pizza. It's the damn truth.

We left Paris mid-afternoon for the loooong haul down to Libourne. It took damn near 5 hours but we made it and, big surprise, ate dinner.

Day 04

BASTILLE DAY!!!1!!

We watched some fireworks. Photo #2 Alexander and I went to a bunch of "night boxes" and stumbled home drunk at 2am, I think.


-John-Laurent