and so it begins

Inspired by my friend Shannon and looking forward to sharing my experiences with friends, family, and random surfers, I begin this blog. I'm currently planning a two month trip to the south of France and am so excited by the prospect that logging my plans and eventually the trip itself, seems like a reasonable proposition.

What I know so far:

I leave on April 2 from Boston. I'm hoping Delta airlines will take some of my 700,000 or so random frequent flyer miles to book me in business class on one of their direct flights. If Delta won't take me, I'll have to fly some circuitous route on United or pay actual money.

I spend the first two weeks in an intensive language program in Provence. Though I've been studying French for about nine months, on and off, I'm definitely elementary so I hope I'm not getting in over my head. The logic here is that two weeks of being stationary will allow me to get my bearings and anything that aids my language skills makes the rest of the trip more enjoyable. There is also a glimmer of hope that I'll actually acquire a second language.

I'm leasing a 307 Peugeot Cabriolet. Apparently if you're traveling for more than two weeks, leasing allows you to avoid rental tax of 17%, a significant savings. The logic of renting a convertible has something to do with an image of driving the narrow, twisting roads from Nice to Monaco wearing large black plastic sunglasses, a head scarf, and lipstick a la Grace Kelly. That's Grace Kelly's drive in _To Catch a Thief_, not the other one. I know German cars but not French, so this one took some research.

I'm staying until the end of May and will probably end my week at a yoga retreat.

The rest of it is up in the air. As long as I have a car to throw my stuff in, I'm not inclined to make too many reservations as I have no idea what to expect and I'd rather follow my instincts than a predefined itinerary. I'm continuing to research the area and may make plans around the places I determine are not to be missed.

Comments

[Shannon]

Welcome to the blogosphere Lib. It is now a better place.

[penny]

I have computer envy! Interested in your opinion of the guide books. I have preferred Lonely Planet as well and have found Fodor's to be a bit to MOR.

[Sarah]

You write so well.

[libby]

hi sarah!

thanks. i have very good role models ;).

and hi pen!

so far, i'm reading the eyewitness guide which gives a very good sense of the place, i canned fodor's, ordered lonley planet and am trying to get through the french versions of gault millau and michelin.

[Dad]

Libby,
It will be exciting to follow your travels. It really adds a new dimension.

I might look in to the five star hotels in Botswana or Nambia.

The digital camera is difficult for me to learn. It seems the excellent memory that I once had has turned to mush. I forget the material (instructions, etc.) that I read
just as soon as my eyes leave the page.

Yesterday's Wall Street Journal will be a big help to you, based on your first journal entry.

Love,
Dad

[becky]

in the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities

[dAD]

It's Monday morning here. Becky just called to tell me the paper today reports that Adobe is buying Macromedia. I looked in the Wall Street Journal and sure enough, it's true.

I hope that you are having a wonderful time.
Love,
Dad

[libby]

Big news, huh? I called San Francisco and so far, that's all we know. More to come, I'm sure. Wow.