Several years ago, when I told my mom that I would spend a year studying abroad in Lyon, France, she had had just one question. “Why on earth would you choose Lyon?” With the romantic cityscape of Paris and the sun always shining on the south coast of France, why choose to live in a city that as long been viewed as the dirty, industrial capital of France? One reason: I wanted to live in a place that had me asking, “Where are the tourists?” not “Where are the locals ?” Lyon, the second-la
By petergreenberg.com

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The Medieval Festival in theMedieval village of Entrevauxis taking place this coming weekend, 1-2 August. We're going to try to make it there.

By Russ Collins

Spring vacation trip through parts of the Provence region in France.
baypond

No Vacation from Teh Stupid … Ever. Undeterred by a complete lack of wit, levity or any innate comic facility whatsoever, Bloggin’ Tory co-founder and aspiring partisan hack Stephen Taylor nonetheless crudely soldiers on with a mirthless exercise that might best be described as the “enhanced interrogation” of something bearing slight resemblance to a “joke” (or so one generously presumes). Being the type who would have his own passport stamped in the country of its issuance, Micha
By redtory.wordpress.com

I notice that Le Tour goes to Mont Ventoux tomorrow. Not for the fainthearted,  this is a tough climb. Even our car puffed a bit. And of course it's where British cyclist Tommy Simpson collapsed and died during the Tour 40 years ago. A pity we won't be there to see it as it will be a spectacular site. Click on the map to see the route in detail.

By cliffordrosen

Yesterday I went to Nice’s city center to shop our summer sales, then buy groceries for the week. After finding some clothes and DVDs, I went home. As I walked into our building entry, my upstairs neighbor’s middle son asked me whether I knew how to turn off the building’s water, since they had a leak. “You should have a cutoff for your apartment,” I offered helpfully, “I have one in mine.” “We don’t, or we can’t find it,” he said worriedly. “Where’s your leak?” I asked. “Inour bathroom… apipe beneath the bathtubblew out…” Suddenly I realized I was probably being inundated. I ran downstairs, opened my door, and sure enough, there was water streaming down my walls, as you can see here. I moved the stereo and computer away — luckily the wood table over my PC had protected it, and only my stereo and the tabletop were wet. Then I took the photo you see here.

The neighbor’s

By fraise

Song: Chingon, Malaguena Salerosa, Kill Bill: Volume 2 soundtrack Pictures and short films made in August 2006.
boissier

Everyone in Ottawa is starting to wonder. Unlike the Prime Minister, who has official duties representing this country at events like the G8 and at funerals for past Governors General, as Opposition leader, Michael Ignatieff doesn’t have any real obligations when the House isn’t sitting beyond representing his constituents in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Being the type who would have his own passport stamped in the country of its issuance, Michael Ignatieff has been rumoured to be clearing customs a
By stephentaylor.ca

From Recipes “My duck routine is always carried out for the sake of confit, an illustrious ritual that begins and ends with fat.” When I need a bit of fun and relaxation after a long day’s work, I’ll buy a few ducks. It’s best if they still have their heads and feet still attached, but as long as they’re fatty and plump, I’m happy. Being a bit of a control freak, I thrive on well-established routines and when it comes to ducks, I have a duck routine. In the kitchen with
By seriouseats.com