A short, sincere and saddened post

Posted on March 22, 2016 by lbcake452

I’m not going to dive into my plans of preparation tonight. I’m just wanting to speak of my sadness and support of the people of Belguim tonight. This terrorism has got to stop and my heart breaks for the victims and their families….but as I see it, we are a global family and we feel such desperation and helplessness. With that being said, we can’t allow fear to run our lives….I’m thinking that’s their intention. The question was asked if it will be changing my plans…..absolutely not! Will I move forward with just a bit more caution….heightened awareness of my surroundings? Absolutely. Will I try to be a good steward toward the land and it’s people? I will try to do my best.

I don’t think I’m alone, but I do believe there are consequences when someone is wrong but just who and how those consequences are played out are where many of us come into disagreement. I have a tendency to fall into the group that thinks that love and peace should prevail and that karma will play out but I have caught myself contradicting that philosophy when I get angry and want this faction to be taken out of the equation. So, in times like these I’m torn. I have no answers and I look to some that might have a better solution…not seeing much potential right now, but I have faith in humanity and the higher power that oversee us all. I don’t think the answer comes from one leader or another but in a cooperative, cohesive, global, community plan. We have still so much to learn as a human race. But I do feel it all starts individually….and with this I bid you all, good night.

How does one choose a place to call home?

Posted on March 21, 2016 by lbcake452

Ma maison…throwing in that bit of French flair to get this post going…how in the world do you start? Thank goodness for that World Wide Web! It has opened up so much to my traveling spirit….how had we lived without it?? No need to ponder this because even starting this task is a challenge with the Internet….lots of options to choose from and I find hours going by as I am searching…literally HOURS!

I maneuvered through the maze of options and websites…letting the ones go that were in French….that would have increased the hours involved ten-fold. I couldn’t rely on my rusty translation to determine an adequate place so I first searched rental companies based out of New York. I was even trying my luck with word of mouth and possible suggestions/networking but to no avail. I then got serious about 4 months ago and discovered the world of Airbnb! My preference was to find a furnished studio…don’t need much to start. Well, it opened up a whole new and exciting process. You type in the city and dates needed and a map is displayed with a variety of option/prices, photos, descriptions and the ever important reviews! Let me say the reviews are paramount when considering a place…you discover what previous clients/tourists experienced. They are honest….sometimes brutally but then it’s often taken as constructive criticism as I believe the hosts/hostess managing the places are truly wanting to make your stay enjoyable. I might be naive but I’m trusting that it will all work out.

Originally I was thinking I’d stay in Aix en Provence for the 6 months….using it as a home base. I changed that mode of thinking for now. The apartment I’ve secured will take me through June. So, my thought process is to continue once I’m unpacked in Aix to consider once again an accommodation in another French town for a couple of weeks at a time through Airbnb! These places still need to have those requirements for my needs and comfort and possibly new adventures that I haven’t even imagined yet. I’m thinking the sharing and exchanging of information from other travelers will help determine my next move. The train station locales will be a determining factor also….I haven’t even tackled that challenge but I’m up for it.

We shall just have to be trusting that this will turn out as I am hoping it will. 6 weeks and counting….just wait until you hear all that I’m needing to prep for….here and abroad!

Aix en Provence…it’s decided

Posted on March 20, 2016March 23, 2016 by lbcake452

My first entry of hopefully many more to come. This is truly done by trial and error, but I shall enlist my son, Kyle’s help when he’s around (which won’t be for much longer…wanderlust is in his veins too….heading to Argentina in just a matter of weeks). I shall be put to the test as to my “quick learning”.

So, back to the beginning of the creation of this first entry of said blog…perhaps an explanation of where and why I’ve chosen my starting destination. I’m feeling the need to get my feet “grounded” and possibly turn on that “button” beginning to parle un peu de francais.

As I have referred to before, my older brother Kyle, KB (not to be confused with my son, Kyle), suggested that I consider a long-term stay in France as opposed to a 2-week vacation. This was mentioned as he was assisting me during the dismantling of my dear and loved, recently departed Mum’s apartment. In our grief, the idea began to grow as I had dedicated years to staying close, watching over both she and my step-dad…pretty devoted and I was truly wondering what I was going to do with my life now that they had passed. Perhaps, now was the time to start on that bucket list. The notion was planted and started to grow into becoming a reality…with the possibility of healing, growth and utter excitement! I realize also that there is a tad bit of anxiety thrown into the mix because I was going to be a solo traveler!

Provence, I am drawn to Provence just because I want to get more familiar with “The French Life” before I step into Paris. This is totally unfamiliar territory, I have traveled to many destinations of this world….France had never been on a previous itinerary. Aix en Provence was suggested (thanks, Anne), and it was conveyed as being a pedestrian-friendly city. This is an important requirement that checks off on my needs and comfort list…I do not want to depend on a car too often. Aix is a university city, so I am assuming it’s more forgiving to those who come to learn (even though I might be considered a “senior” learner…if only in chronological age). Cezanne”s birthplace was another factor in the plus column. The inner, but repressed, artist has been stirring – hiking the same trails with a sketch pad as some of the masters…OMG!

So, Aix en Provence is it…and since that decision, I’ve never considered otherwise. I hear many positive comments from friends and strangers that they are overjoyed with my selection thus far!

Next…where will I live? How long?