Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A few words
After a month and a half one would think an area would get old. One would think that the mind would start to ponder the idea of moving to a new region to try new things and meet new people. This is not so. People say that time flies when you’re having fun. Never has this been more accurate than the last month I’ve spent here. In the blink of an eye I’m forced to begin thinking about moving to new places.
Our time here has been filled with amazing people, good times, and plenty of rock scaling. We’re living in a six person gite with 11 people. After climbing we stop at the store, buy food for the night, and hurry home to eat. The corks are pulled, the cans are cracked, and bottles are opened. We sit around the table and tell stories of the day, the past, and of our friends and family. I relate to others not just through climbing, but also through situations that other climbers tend to get themselves in. Everyone has their epic stories, their trump card, and it never gets old to hear them.
If you ever travel to the Bleau to climb be forewarned that weather is the issue. It is fairly hit or miss. The first part of the trip was loaded with snow, rain, and clouds. Then the heinous cold came. A week of perfect weather then commenced, enough time to go to a new area everyday and get projects all over the forest. Then came the heat. Not hot enough to not climb, but enough to make you long for the cold. It’s good though… If you like excuses, Font never ceases to supply them.
Alex and I have begun to think about what is next. We seem to have settled on going to Spain, and enjoying the company of our new found friends Doug and Andrea. We’ll find new language there, a new culture, and many new experiences.
This is my trip. A once and a lifetime excursion where I can lay it all out on the line, and see what happens. I can’t wait for the next four and a half months. I love waking up excited, spending all day excited, and going to bed ecstatic for the next day.
Our time here has been filled with amazing people, good times, and plenty of rock scaling. We’re living in a six person gite with 11 people. After climbing we stop at the store, buy food for the night, and hurry home to eat. The corks are pulled, the cans are cracked, and bottles are opened. We sit around the table and tell stories of the day, the past, and of our friends and family. I relate to others not just through climbing, but also through situations that other climbers tend to get themselves in. Everyone has their epic stories, their trump card, and it never gets old to hear them.
If you ever travel to the Bleau to climb be forewarned that weather is the issue. It is fairly hit or miss. The first part of the trip was loaded with snow, rain, and clouds. Then the heinous cold came. A week of perfect weather then commenced, enough time to go to a new area everyday and get projects all over the forest. Then came the heat. Not hot enough to not climb, but enough to make you long for the cold. It’s good though… If you like excuses, Font never ceases to supply them.
Alex and I have begun to think about what is next. We seem to have settled on going to Spain, and enjoying the company of our new found friends Doug and Andrea. We’ll find new language there, a new culture, and many new experiences.
This is my trip. A once and a lifetime excursion where I can lay it all out on the line, and see what happens. I can’t wait for the next four and a half months. I love waking up excited, spending all day excited, and going to bed ecstatic for the next day.
Pictures to come.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
More Photos
The rain is taking over. Pastries, beer, and photos are the result.
We saw an amazing old bombed church in Larchant, and I've had plenty of time to play with my new camera.
Hope you enjoy.
2 of Everything
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Things to note.
Once again I sit in good ole Mac Donalds. It seems to have become our American embassy. I mean honestly, being American, I reckon we pretty much own this place.
Things I've noticed about France...
1. No fat people... it's amazing to walk around in a country full of people that actually respect their bodies.
2. No big cars... The law of demand is real. When gas is $7 a gallon and streets are tight, there is a need for small, fuel efficient cars. Think your Prius has good gas mileage? Think again my friend... the Peugeot 207 SW gets 60 MPG on diesel, and it actually has unbelievable "get up and go". I guess there is the problem of windows that aren't sufficiently large enough to support those 3' x 3' Mossy Oak stickers....
3. Beer at McDonalds... enough said.
4. The wine is cheap and amazing, and so is the bread.
5. French people are not snooty, stuck up, or pompous. At least not any more than Americans. Are there a few d-bags around? Sure... But where aren't there?
6. Fontainebleau is enormous. 50+ areas, and a lot of them are comparable to HP40 in size and quality.
7. It's really cool how international Fontainebleau is. While sitting in one of the main areas at Font (Bas Cuvier) it's not unusual to hear 4 or 5 different languages around you... and none of them English.
We've been staying in a cozy 6 person gite (house), that is completely full with people excited to go rock climbing. We wake up, discuss where to go climbing, and go. A good life to say the least. We've been blessed with a few (NOTE: FEW) good climbing days, but things are looking up. The snow has finally melted, and things might start drying up.
I love Europe. I like the pace, the scenery, the people walking down the streets in their little towns holding giant baguettes. I like wearing bright colors here, and feeling peoples eyes as they look at my strongly colored attire. I like driving a small car, on small streets, through towns older than America.
I like this place.
Seems like Spain is next in line.
Until next time,
Les
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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