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4/30/2008

Day 30

April 26, Saturday

Return to the US!

Up at 5 am in order to be downstairs at 5:45. Our hosts had the van ready to take us (Kristin, Thomas, and me) and our luggage to the airport for our 7:35 am flight from Nice to Frankfurt. We were very grateful for the assistance in getting us and our luggage (plus one bag from Mike) to the airport. After check in, had time for a spot of coffee and hot chocolat with our hosts before going through the security check.

Once we arrived in Charlotte and cleared passport control and customs, Kristin and Thomas headed for the Burger King! I settled for an ice cream cone.

All flights were on time--even a half hour early arriving in Charlotte from Frankfurt! All luggage arrived safely.

Met in Pensacola by Ingrid, Jan, and Kristin's friend. After one fantastic trip to District 1730--the Côte d'Azur, it was good to be back home again.

Posted at 11:30 PM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Day 29

April 25, Friday

For three of us, our last full day in France. (The other two are staying another week so they can visit Paris.)

This morning's excursion included a visit to Emphoux Carrelages & Céramiques in Salernes. Owned by the Emphoux family for several generations, this tile works mines and refines its own clay (argile) and makes floor and other decorative tiles (carrelage). The tour included the facility in which the raw clay is processed and the facility where the clay is fashioned into tiles and finished through firing and glazing. Once the tile capital of France, tile production has dropped dramatically because of competition from less expensive importants. Salerne was the ideal place for these tile works owing to the abundance of clay, abundance of wood to fire the ovens, abundance of water used in the production of tiles, and availability of labor coming in from Italy.

For lunch, our host families had prepared food for a pique-nique which we had in the St. Bartolémy park not far from Salerne. A lovely park with large trees, a stream with small pond made by damming the stream, and a small chapel situated on a rock outcrop. I climbed the stairs to the chapel; Mike and Thomas scaled the rocks! According to legend, the red stones found in the stream are the blood of St. Bartolémy. (There is no obvious source of the red rocks in the surrounding area.)

Lunch included a home-made meatloaf, pâté, tomatoes, bread, brie, fruit, and assorted beverages. Toward the end of lunch, Mike and Thomas did some "mountain climbing"on the cliff above the picnic area.

In the afternoon, we drove to the Gorges du Verdon national park region with our first stop at Lac du St. Croix. Thomas found the pétanque balls for which he had been looking since we first saw the game being played at Haut de Cagnes. Officially put the pétanque balls into use with a few games along the lake shore. Fantastically beautiful afternoon with abundant sunshine and beautiful blue skies.

After a very brief visit to the town of Moustieres-Ste.-Marie where the artisans are known for their creations in faience.

From there we drove along the west side of the Gorges du Verdun stopping frequently to view and take pictures of the magnificent scenery. Spectacular! Words cannot describe the beauty and grandeur of this location.

On the way back to Draguignan, made a brief stop aat the gate of Camp Canjuers, a military facility where my host had worked for 12 years.

Drove back to my host's home to pick up my luggage and for a refreshing beverage in my host's wine cellar. Then on to Draguignan to pick up the luggage of the other team members.

Joined by our hosts for dinner at the pizza restaurant around 7:30 pm, we ordered and ate our pizza knowing that we had to depart at 8:30 pm in order to be at our hotel in Nice by 9:30 pm. I ordered Carpaccio thinking it was pizza, but it turned out to be very thin slices of very fine raw beef served with herbed olive oil, tomatoes, and cheese. A very interesting last meal in France!

Departed at 8:30 pm for our rendez-vous in Nice at the Campanille Hotel. We got to Nice in good time, but it took a while to figure how actually to get to the hotel. To bed around midnight only to have to wake again at 5 am.

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Day 28

April 24, Thursday

Mon anniversaire!

Early morning birthday wishes from my hosts--a most special couple.

This morning we were recieved by the Mayor of Figanières--a wonderful little town of about 2500. We were greeted by the flag of the USA flying beside the flag of France over the door to the Mairie (mayor's office building). Greeted by the mayor, his assistants, and many members of the town council, we were treated to croissants and coffee. The Mayor had prepared a speech in French which was translated on the spot by an American exhange student with the help of one of the towns people and me. A personal guided tour of the Mairie by the Mayor with opportunity for photographs with him arrayed in his mayoral sash. From the Mairie we went to the town's new Mediathèque (used to be the Bibliothèque) where we had a quick tour of the facility. We gave the librarian one of our special gift books. Back to the Mairie for a light snack before departing. This was a special morning indeed. In addition to flying the US flag in the front of the office building, the Mayor had displayed a large US flag on the railing of the balcony outside his own office.

Lunch was to have been at a pizza restaurant, but because the establishment was full and we were pressed for time, we ate at McDonald's (pronounced McDonos).

In the afternoon, Thomas was able to spend some quality time at the Ecole Primaire in Figanières. He had the opportunity to interact with the students and to teach them a little English.

Our next visit was to the American Cemetery in Draguignan. The grounds are immaculate with the white grave markers precisely aligned against the rich green of the lawns. On the grounds is a lovely chapel with exquisite mosaics. A very moving experience and reminder of the tremendous sacrifices made by so many to ensure the freedom of Europe from tyranny.

Quick drive through the old section of Draguignan with a stop at the bell-less bell tower on the highest prominence in the city of Draguignan.

A visit to the SommesPP enterprise owned by a local Rotarian. Makes precision molding machines including a machine that makes one of the parts for the nozzle of atomizers used with fine perfumes.

Then a drive to the top of Malmont--the highest "mountain" in the immediate vicinity of Draguignan. The Rotary clubs of Draguignan have been involved in service projects on the mountain including planting 1000 cedars of Lebanon trees and maintaining the table d'orientation.

Back to my host's home for a surprise birthday celebration. Beverages were served outside until my hosts decided it was too cool. We moved inside whether there was a fire going in the fireplace. Tarte de pomme birthday cakes made by my host and decored with the appropriate 6 and 7. Received a very nice gift book about Provence from my hosts and a chocolate-featured birthday card from the team. The occasion was also used for the exchange of fanions since there was no opportunity for a regular club meeting during our visit with the Draguignan Templiers.

After the other team members and their hosts left, we had a very nice dinner with quiche au jambon, jambon espanol, salade, fromages, pain, and fruits.

Later that evening did the packing for the return trip to the US. As is said, je suis desolé!

Posted at 10:23 PM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Day 27

April 23, Wednesday

Up and dressed by 8 am for a walk around the garden. Took pictures of the house and the revetment walls. A very lovely setting for a home.

Breakfast at 9 am.

My host drove me around Draguignan since we were early for the 10:30 am meeting at the Artillerie. At the Artillerie, we were briefed by Captain Durif on the mission of the base and later joined by General Ollivier, the commanding officer.

A very fine lunch was in one of the dining halls on the base: Entrée--saucisson in a croissant; Le plat--chicken and rice; cheese and bread; Dessert--fresh strawberries over yogurt.

In the afternoon we were treated to a visit to the Artillerie Museum with its very comprensive collection of field artillery pieces dating from the 1700s to the present era. We learned about the importance of the Allies landing at San Rafael and paratrooper landing near Draguignan as a companion to the better known landing of the Allies at Normandie. Gave us a good perspective for our later visit to the American Cemetery in Draguignan.

In the late afternoon we went to Domaine Roseline and the Chapelle which houses the remains of Sainte Roseline and boasts of a magnificent mosaic by Chagall.

Then off to Draguignan for a little shopping. Unfortunately, did not find the wonderful chocolates that I would have liked to take with me home.

In the evening we meet with the Rotaract club sponsored by the Draguignan Templiers Rotary Club. In addition to the exchange of fanions, our team members had a chance to interact with other young adults such as they.

Very late supper back at our host's homes. At myhome: Entrée--soupe de courgette; Le plat--pork and carrots; Dessert--cheese and more of the mixed cut fresh fruits.

Another packed but very interesting day.

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Day 26

April 22, Tuesday

Transfer Day. My host took me to the home of one of the other host families from whence we went to a restaurant for lunch with the full team and some of hosts. Had the pâte speciale avec viande et tomates fraîches. No dessert this time! Had to leave in order to meet the representatives from our next location--Draguignan.

Met some of our hosts from the Draguignan Templiers Rotary Club at the Carrefour shopping center and then took off in the van for Draguignan.

My host family lives in an stone farmhouse that is at least 200 years old. My bedroom is on the lowest of the three and a half levels in the house. I understand that this is the level on which the sheep would have been kept during the cold winter months when the farm was actually in operation. Now it is a very spacious and comfortable guest room.

Walked around the 2 hectare grounds with my host amid the young olive trees and other fruiting trees. The property is nestled in a small vale with terraced sides held in place by old stone revetment walls. Later we drove to Figanières, a very quaint old medieval village actually within walking distance of the house.

The rest of the team along with their host families arrived at my host's home around 7 pm for dinner. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments were served outdoors under a very large canopy. The serving table, which came from Guyana, was about 20' long, 18" wide, and about 2.5" thick. Have no idea how they managed to bring such a large table from Guyana to France. Entrée--small saucisson, radishes, aubergine/caviar spread, anchovy spread, bread; Le plat--homemade paella; dessert--cheese and cut mixed fresh fruits. The dinner party broke up around 10:45 pm. A very lovely beginning to our stay in Draguignan.

Posted at 9:36 PM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/21/2008

Day 25

April 21, Monday

Rainy this morning but by early afternoon it was beautiful again.

Dinner on Sunday evening at my host's home was very nice. Entrée (appetizer in France)--prawns; Le plat (main course)--beef tenderloin and roast leg of lamb with purée of carrots and sugar, mashed potatoes cooked with olive oil, and mashed potatoes cooked with spinach; cheese and bread; cut fresh fruit with a little bit of something added to the juice. My host's sister and Kristin joined us for dinner.

Monday. Our first visit this morning was to IMRA Europe (Institut Minoru de Récherche Avancée) at Sophia-Antipolis. IMRA is a Japanese research unit associated with the Toyota group. The managing director is a member of our host Rotary club. Among the several projects on which the IMRA research team is working is crystal electron microscopy. We were given a demonstration of the operation of the electron microscope. They are also working on improvements in voice recognition and extraneous noise filtering for the voice activated command feature and to the sensoring system used in the near-object warning feature available in some automobiles. We also experienced what it feels like to be stuck between floors in an elevator; not part of the planned activities, of course!

In the afternoon, we visited the CERAM (Center for Education and Research Applied to Management) Business School which is basically a graduate school. The school is in the process of seeking AACSB accreditation which it hopes to achieve next year. There were very few faculty and students on the campus because the school year is essentially over. Students don't return until August. Among the many things we learned about higher education in France are the facts that most college students in France do not have the opportunity to take classes in the summer and that college students do not work (i.e., have part-time jobs) during the school year.

This evening, Kristin and I will have dinner at her host's family's home. Her host family has gone to Monaco to attend the opera there, but their housekeeper is supposed to come and prepare dinner for us. We are told she is going to cook some Arabian food. We have also been told that she speaks no English. We'll have to see how this works out!

On Tuesday, we are headed to Draguignon, but we are not sure what time we are leaving.

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4/20/2008

Day 24

April 20, Sunday

A day for rest!

Beautiful weather in the morning but by mid afternoon the rain showers moved in. We are told that this is very unusual weather for this time of year.

After breakfast, I was dropped off by my host at Haut de Cagnes, a medieval hilltop city. Went into the old Church of St. Pierre for some meditation in lieu of being able to go to church. Walked around taking pictures of this lovely old village. Every corner turned reveals a new treasure.

Was picked up by my host's sister for transport to another location to be picked up by the incoming president of the Antibes Juan-les-Pins Rotary Club to attend the weekly Sunday luncheon meeting of his club. Sat next to a member of the club who was originally from Denmark and who now lives in France. Got to give an impromptu introduction en français.

More later.

Posted at 9:36 AM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Day 23

April 19, Saturday

District 1730 Annual Conference

Main speakers included a specialist in the physiology of the brain; Simone Veil--a very prominent woman in the government of France who spoke on the role of women in France; and Jean-Pierre Dick--one member of the two-man crew from Alpes-Maritime who won the around-the-world sailboat race starting from Barcelona. Of course, the highlight of the Conference was the presentation by the Group Study Exchange team from District 6940! In addition to our remarks delivered en français, we presented District Gouverneur Bernard Attard with the District 6940 fanion and a gift from District Governor P.C. Wu. In return, we received a gift for P.C. from Gouverneur Attard. Our presentation was part of a larger presentation of youth and young adults involved in Rotary sponsered programs (youth exchange, RYLA, Rotaract, and GSE). Very impressive when all of the participants in these programs were gathered on the stage.

In the evening, Kristin and I attended a cheese dinner party hosted by the Antibes Juan-les-Pins Rotary Club for Rotarians visiting from Vicenzia Italy. Yes, the main course included only cheese and bread--at least 30 different kinds of cheeses! Fresh strawberries and tartes des fruits for dessert.

Posted at 9:21 AM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/18/2008

Day 22

April 18, Friday

Breakfast served downstairs again!

For our morning activity, we visited the village of Vallauris--a town where Picasso lived and painted. Our first stop was to a local potter where we watched him magically transform a lump of clay into a vase and watched his assistant paint the pottery with the traditional designs and colors of Provence. We then visited a museum which includes Picasso's La Guerre et La Paix painting of the walls and ceiling of a small chapel.

Lunch was at a very fine Café/Patisserie near the museum: Le Plat--P

picatta de veau with pasta; Dessert--what else but an extraordinarily fine chocolat nougatine from the patisserie.

In the afternoon, we visited at the headquarters of the Conseil Generale for the Département of Alpes-Maritime. There we met with one of the vice-presidents of the Conseil who provided for us a very interesting explanation of the responsibilities of government at the department level. Dr. Alain Frère was a general practioner before he retired--one of the old school doctors who visited you in your home if you were sick! In addition to his department-level responsibilities, he is also the Mayor of the town of Levens. A thoroughly delightful, droll, and energetic man with many, many years of experience in local and regional politics.

In the late afternoon, the team gathered at the home of Kristin's host family to review and practice for our presentation at the District 1730's Annual Conference to be held on Saturday at the Acropolis in Nice.

I will be going out to dinner with Kristin and her host family this evening. I believe we are going to Le Safari in Nice. More later!

The rest of the story! Dinner at Le Safari was excellent. Main course was St. Pierre (a flounder like fish) cooked in the oven and served on a bed of herb-laced mashed potatoes and accompanied by vegetables tempura. Dessert: tiramisu.

Posted at 11:41 AM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Day 21

April 17, Thursday

Getting very, very spoiled. At the previous home, a butler who washed and ironed my clothes. At my current home, a host who makes breakfast and brings it down to the library room on the same level as my bedroom!

The morning excursion was to Biot--a town well known for its artists, especially for glass blowing. Accompanying us for the morning was the Mayor of Antibes Juan-les-Pins, a delightfully energetic and entertaining member of Antibes Azur Riviera. We visited La Verrerie in Biot for an exceptional tour of the glass blowing operation. We were able to go behind the scene and actually enter the area where the glass blowers were working. La Verrerie specializes in bubble glass. Apparently, our guide is the daughter of the owner of the glass works.

We enjoyed lunch at the restaurant where Antibes Azur Riviera has its weekly meeting. Most of us had "lapin" as the main course with an apricot cake for dessert. You will have to look up lapin in the French dictionary--the dish was well prepared and very tasty.

In the afternoon, we had a fascinating experience at the Galimard perfumery in Grasse. We each made our own perfume by selecting different essences for the foundation, heart note, and first impression fragrance.

We made up our own names for our creation. The names are "Cinquante-quatre," "Les Trois Filles," "Snoogans," "Wham Bam, Thank You Mam," and "Amour à Ma Mari." Can you match the names to the creators: Carl, Charlotte, Kristin, Michael, and Thomas? While we were at Galimard, the Mayor of Grasse stopped by to meet us.

I ate dinner again with Kristin's host family: Entrée--salad with grapefruit sections, avocado, and crab meat; Le Plat--lasagna in which there were champignon; Dessert--items from a local patisserie and a fresh poire.

Posted at 11:18 AM by Carl Backman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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