Finally getting a few minutes to talk about my trip. It was great! I love southern France. Landed in Toulouse, then on to Montpellier, Nimes, Saint Tropez, Nice, Monaco, Saint Paul de Vence, Aix en Provence, Carcassonne, Roncal (now Spain), Roncesvalles, Saint Jean Pied de Port, Sailes de Bearn, Tarbes, Toulouse. Lots of driving, but the roads are so good and organized, one hardly has to speak French to get around. Gotta read fast in the roundabout though.

It was all very lovely, still green and all the grapes still on the vines. I didn't like Monaco at all, but loved the countryside, and definitely want to go back to the Pyranees for a hike. It was freaky driving from France into Spain in the evening, into some major fog, almost hitting a very large pig and deciding to turn around and stop at the ski resort at the highest point just on the border. Luckily, the door was open and we went in looking for someone. Along came the maintanance man and we got a room opened for the night. The next morning, clear skies showed us the incredible cliffs we might have tumbled down had we continued on the road into Spain, the night before in the fog. Well, here are some photos. Too many to put on the site, but I'll change the selection once in a while. I tried to take more photos of people and moods this time, instead of all buildings. Would love to go back!

Well, it looks like Gustav is heading into the Gulf without causing damage to the Yucatan. Terrible that it seems to be going straight to N.O.
I do leave in the morning, 5 a.m. ride out of Akumal to the Cancun airport, then trough Atlanta, Paris and then Toulouse. Got the car rented and ready to go. I'll take lots of photos and post them when I get back.
Hugs to all

Maybe I won't be going to France after all, we'll have to see about Huricane Gustov, whether it comes close enough to Cancun to cancel flights. I am supposed to leave saturday morning at 8, just when Gustov is passing the penninsula!

Good time to let you know I'll be in France from 30 August to 10 September. Going to the south this time. I've never been to Southern France, except on the train to Barcelona, at about 4 in the morning. I'm going with some friends and we'll arrive in Toulouse, rent a car and go all the way to Monaco, have a look around (no spending any money anywhere near Monaco), then through Aix en Provence and over to the French Pyrenees, then into Spain. The idea is to go to the origins of the SN and D'Olive families. Mom and Daddy went in 1995. I'll keep you posted when I can, from the trip.

Hey Family and Friends,

Well, I finally decided to set up a personal blog, to be able to send news and communicate with you on a regular basis. I know I should be sending out personal e-mails to you on a regular basis, but my days are crazy and long and I am usually very tired or almost blind by the time I can get to personal things. I'm doing this in English because I can reach more people this way, so please forgive me all my friends and family of the Spanish-speaking world. Maybe it'll be bilingual, depending on my mood or message. I'm just lucky I got this thing set up, as anyting related to a computer or internet is not my strength. Hang on, let's see where this goes.

Hugs, Paul