by David McGuffin | May 12, 2008 | Uncategorized
Bonnieux, France
I arrived at the very quiet and almost desolate NICE airport at 8:30 this morning. By 9:00, I was in my rental car and heading away from the sea and into the mountains. Knowing I would have a few days to explore a little on my own, I began re-reading Peter Mayle’s classic “A Year in Provence.” In it Mayle, and Englishman, details his life as he and his wife move to Southern France, buys a house, and set up housekeeping. From his descriptions I’ve learned that his home in not too far from this village of Bonnieux.
Earlier I made a stop in Aix-en-Provence for lunch and the Sunday market. Aix main street, Cour Mirabelle, is lined with shady plane trees, double width sidewalks, quintessential outdoor cafes, and today, hundreds of white tents housing every type of craft, food, oil, lotion, clothing, and souvenir known to man. Even with all this, the Cour Mirabelle is beautiful! At one end stands the Hotel de Ville and a inviting square and at the other, a large fountain that is the signature piece of the city.
After wandering around a bit I stopped for a coffee at Café Duex Garscon, which was one of Mayle’s top recommendations for Aix. People watching has never been better. Afterwards I attempted to find a restaurant that in 1986 was one of Mayle’s top choices for Aix. But alas, it must be no more. I wandered up and down rue Frederic Mistral in search of Chez Gu, jugs of wine, and amazing food.
I settled for a glass of wine, a Perrier, and some olives at Les Grillion, a perfect outdoor café on Cour Mirabelle. For the price of a drink, I could spend the afternoon here at this table, watching life happen. There is no place like a café in France, it makes you slow down and enjoy the experience. However, the mountains were calling….
It is 7:00 p.m. and I’m at the local bar at the top of town in Bonnieux. When I arrived thirty minutes ago, I was the only person here but with ten minutes, it filled with regulars. The man here next to me must have been drinking Pastis all his life! The smell of sweet licorice comes across my nose as he stirs his drink. Others are catching up on today’s news over a beer. I don’t understand too much French, but I know enough to understand a couple of the fellows are hanging out here while their wives attend Mass at the church down the hill. They all know one another. They all walk here, and if they stay too much longer, they will stagger home together.
Bonnieux is a great find. I just happen to set my GPS to it today because it was mentioned in Mayle’s book. After four hours, I’m in love with Bonnieux. Situated atop a high hill it reminded me of the village in Andalucía Spain or even the Dordogne region of France. I’ve walked the whole town top to bottom and its well worth an afternoon and a night!
Its 7:30 and I have a dinner reservation at my hotel restaurant. Catch up with you later.
David
by David McGuffin | May 12, 2008 | Essential Travel Resources
Updated: November 28, 2015
These days it is nearly impossible to travel without a credit and debit card. They make life easy…there’s no need for traveler’s checks, currency conversion, or even calculating exchange rates. You simply present your credit card to a merchant, they “run it” and print the receipt, you sign it, and you’re on your way. How much simpler can it get?
However, many a traveler has been foiled because they failed to follow the credit card provider’s rules.
I’ve just spent my entire layover in Atlanta calling credit card companies. You see, our credit cards are really not “ours” at all, they belong to the credit card companies. An important benefit of our credit card is the guarantee provided by the credit card company that we’ll not be ripped-off by con-artists and thieves should our “information” be compromised. In other words if our credit card is lost or stolen, or someone obtains the number, we are not responsible. That’s a good thing!
But there is one drawback. If you leave your area of residence, you must notify the credit card company and provide information about where you will be and where you’re likely to be making charges on your (their) card. If you don’t, you’ll get the dreaded statement from the merchant, “you card was declined.” That does not sound too nice in French!
So, if you travel outside your normal area, CALL THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY and tell them when and where you’ll be making charges.
I’m off to catch my flight to Provence. I’ll talk to you later.
-David
by David McGuffin | May 12, 2008 | Uncategorized
Well I’m on my way to Europe! I began my journey this morning by leaving my home at 8:00 a.m. It’s an hour drive from home to the the airport, but luckily I had Charlotte with me and she dropped me at the terminal. Having to park, pay, and ride a shuttle takes so much more time.
HERE IS SOME NEWS for those of you flying in the next few weeks. It appears that most of the major airlines are imposing a $25 fee for checking more than one bag! Think about it before you pack that extra piece of luggage! There was a family of four in front of me who had a flatbed cart loaded with luggage. They had a least ten bags and made me think they were going on a round-the-world trip! But no, just to California for a week. Anyway the mom freaked out when she was hit with a $150 bill for the excess baggage.
After they got out of my way, I checked-in and told the agent I was checking no bags. He smiled with relief and then took ten minutes to try to read the fine print on my passport because his “scanner” was not working! Finally he handed me my boarding passes but no ticket jacket. I didn’t care, but he felt compelled to tell me it was a new cost cutting measure just implemented this week.
Finally…to the security line and luckily no problems!
The new Terminal 1 has just opened at Jacksonville Airport (JAX). It’s fresh, open, clean, and modern. You gotta check out the sinks in the new restrooms. Amazing!
