Some people join bereavement groups. Me, I travel. As you can see from the map, this OAT trip’s itinerary will include Paris, of course, but there’s a whole lot more, including places I’d never heard of before. The last time I was in Paris was in 1976 while Mike and I were traveling through Europe on our honeymoon, so this return will undoubtedly be bittersweet.
There are 8 of us on the pre-trip to Fontainebleau; we will meet up with the remaining 8 in 6 days when we start the main trip in Angers.
I was surprised to discover the flight cost for business class was only a couple of hundred dollars more than economy plus. I’m never going to figure out airline pricing! Booking on my own, rather than thru OAT was more than $2,000 cheaper! Sometimes that happens. Ah, the power of the internet.
It was well worth $200+ to choose business over economy plus, just to have a single seat with window on one side and aisle on the other. No climbing over, to get to the bathroom, from my lay flat bed. The additional benefit is luggage is tagged “priority”, so it is among the first to be taken off the plane. Although normally I try to do carry on only, this will be my first trip with a CPAP machine, so I decided to pack it in my duffle, take additional clothes and not worry about laundry during the trip. I couldn’t believe how quickly both my luggage and I were off the plane. We landed at 7:45 AM and I was thru passport control, in the taxi, leaving the airport by 8:30. That’s even including the time I stopped to brush my teeth!
After the 13 hour flights to and from Japan, I expected the seven and a half hour flight to be easy. And it was. Still, I’m taking it slower than I did in my younger days to adjust to the 6 hour time difference.
We started our first full day of the pre-trip in Barbizon, with a watercolor lesson. Patricia, our teacher, very kindly declared our efforts were “tres bien”. (She didn’t add “for a bunch of first graders’, but I’ll bet she thought it). But that’s okay. We all had great fun.
I’ve decided my two masterpieces are definitely refrigerator-worthy. If asked, I’ll just say my son did them when he was seven.
I found the tiny town of Barbizon completely charming— full of architecturally interesting buildings and art where you’d least expect to see it. Mounted on many of the buildings, for example, were mosaics of famous paintings, like “the Angelus” by Millet
Our post lunch stroll took us through the forest where the painters would hang out, waiting for inspiration to strike. Clearly it did, otherwise they wouldn’t have gotten this honorary plaque attached to one of the forest’s many boulders. (That’s Millet and Rousseau, in case you’re wondering).
My favorite rock formation, however, was this naturally occurring one — can you see the elephant?
We had a few minutes before our taxi picked us up to return us to our hotel in Fontainebleau, so we took a quick turn thru a nearby sculpture garden. It wasn’t as grand as Hakone’s Open Air Museum, but then, what is? Still, these pieces are pretty delightful!
After returning to the hotel, Marie, our trip leader, had a final surprise for us. We gathered in the lobby to experience the impressionists’ favorite drink, (and supposedly the cause of some of their mental problems, )Absinthe.
You don’t just dump absinthe into a glass. Oh no. There is a process. You carefully pour the liquor into an ice filled glass, next placing a sugar cube (like so) upon a specially designed spoon, then slowly pour cold water on the sugar cube so that it dissolves and seeps through the spoon’s holes into the drink. I enjoyed the experience, but red wine is still my beverage of choice.
Destination NOW 
Thanks for your travelog, Shelley! This is a trip that we’ve been talking about taking, so we are looking forward to following along on your adventures.
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thanks For your comment, Karen. I’ll be sure to provide travel tips, as I encounter them, just for you!
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I forgot to ask where you were going. I hope your trip will include Carsicconne. If so be sure to try the local cassoulet. I love Provence as did Van Gogh. But, I know Normandie the best having spent time there (mostly Rouen) a long time ago. My favourite dish there is canard au poivre vert (Duck with green pepper sauce) with Calvados although all food and wine in France is great.
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the main trip does include Carvassonne. Thanks for the food recommendation, especially the French name. I’ll watch for it on the menu.
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Oh so glad to read you are safe, sound and creating art! I loved the photos of the tiles……
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Do I ever wish you were here! The fun quotient would be doubled.
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So happy you are traveling again so soon after Japan! This year I am traveling vicariously through you. Our travel calendar is terribly bare due to a pool construction project that has been ongoing at a snails pace. I did not dare to put anything on the books to avoid additional pressure on our nerves due to a completion date that keeps on slipping into the future.
Looking forward to your adventures.
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Hi Petra, I keep hoping that you will show up on one of the trips I’m taking. I guess it will be a while till that happens.
Good luck with your pool project!
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I would love to join you on a trip. It will be sooner than later that I can tear myself away. Texas heat is always a good motivator to get on the move. Maybe we can talk Debbie Snyder-Puder to join in the fun.
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Your watercolors are well done! The murals and sculptures are so unique and interesting. I can’t wait for all the glorious details about this trip, we’ve never been to Paris so I will eagerly devour every detail. As always your insights are spot on and well spoken. Have a wonderful trip.
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Thanks, Diane
We are seeing so many beautiful places, it is going to be tough choosing which photos to include. So far, this trip is exceeding my expectations and I haven’t even been here a week yet!
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Your blogs are always so interesting. Thanks for letting us travel along with you!
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It’s good to hear from you Esther.
I’ve saved your Mexico info because you’ve inspired me to put that trip on my list
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I have jet lag…I’m still recovering from my vicarious trip with you to Japan!
Missing you here in NJ. When do you get back? Maybe we can meet for lunch on my return trip in June.
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We spent almost three weeks last spring in a little village not far from Fontainebleau. My husband’s sister and her husband (who live there) took us all around the area and I remember quite fondly the day we spent in Barbizon. The mosaics were such an unexpected treat. Your paintings show talent (I especially like the lighthouse)… I hope you continue to paint when you get home.
Have a marvelous trip! I look forward to reading more and seeing your pictures.
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You are so lucky to have a relative and such a wonderful area. We are spending the next couple of days in Bayeux, which is another totally delightful place.
Thanks for your kind comment.
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