Feb 2009

I had a wonderful and très typical day in France au'jourdhui.

I awoke to fresh croissants and un bol de cafè au lait, then was off to the open air markets with the family Caizergues.

And boy oh boy was it fun. Jean Caizergues knows everyone in town, everyone! And I got to meet them all. We walked from stall to stall as Manon helped me learn all the important French vocabulary: carote, orange, kiwi. Ok, ok I know they all look the same, but they are pronounced quite differently/difficultly, ok?

Then I had a wonderful afternoon with my new French little sisters. Meet Fanny:

et Manon:

They are both so sweet and took me on a little tour of the town. We went shopping, got our haircut, and Fanny even did a bit of makeup for me... one eye green, and one eye...pink. Thanks Fanny!

We had so much fun, and though language is still an obstacle, those girls sure are great at helping me learn. Though they still have a giggle or two when I try to pronounce Rrruuee. Rue. Street. That "u" sound is just not natural!

And they even told me I could be the trois soeur (third sister). How cute! Two little sisters?!? My dream has come true :-P

Bisous,
Cristina

I have arrived!

25 hours later, I landed in Barcelona, where I met this fine young gentleman:

And we stopped off first in the glourious Lloret Del Mar in Costa Brava, to have yummy tapas of mejilliones y tortilla de patatas.

Next we were off to Dalis famous museum in Figueras, Spain.

We thought we were lost when I looked to my right and spotted this:

Giant eggs, giant eggs, I shouted. To which P responded "thats it!"

Finally we arrived at this lovely house:

With a beautiful garden:

And fresh and delicious pommes:

On day 2, we hopped onto Pierres fabulous red moto and set off for the famous Carcassonne castle, which makes the city the oldest Medevil city in all of Europe!

And I even got to hold it in the palm of my hand...

As we entered through the castle walls, I was wowed by the plehtora of little cafes, bars, and small wondering streets before us. P informed me that this little closed-in-city, though it houses no permanent inhabitants, is the heart and soul of Carcassone day and night life come spring. I, clearly hope, that will begin...tomorrow.

After doing what the French do best - eating crepes and drinking cafe- we headed back for an end to a perfect French day: a three-course hand-cooked meal with a delicious glass of Shiraz-Viognier.

Et voila! My first day in France was complete!

Bisous from Carcassonne,

Cristina

it is between Toulouse qand Montpellier...

For the second time in less than a year, I sit here in the Singapore Airport typing away on their graciously provided free internet terminals.

However, no peanut butter sandwich this time. A. I am still sick from the "food" they gave us on the plane, and B. well, Aussieland has it's fair share of my favorite afternoon treat.

But yes, I digress, I am on my way to France! I still can't even believe it. I never thought when I began this trip that I would end up flying in to Barcelona International by end of Februrary. On the - get this- exact date I flew there 3 years ago. I guess Europe truly does call my name.

Sadly, I am leaving Australia earlier than planned. I will miss their beautiful weather and friendly faces. The 117 degree weather days and the "g'day mates", and "goodonyas" of yester-year. (is that two words?)

I will, however, NOT miss their complete lack of toilets. I mean seriously, not even cafes that serve tea and coffee can give ya a restroom?! And perhaps the slight oversight that Australians do not have half-size feet. Apparently everyone is a size 8 shoe or 9, born to perfection.

So 15 hours from now, I am due to arrive in Barcelona, God willing. Then it's off to Carcassonne to apprendre le francais and meet the lovely Caizergues famille. I truly couldn't be more excited. Je suis tres contente!

I promise that with free internet galore, I will be writing more often yet again. And I hope to post some old and new pictures very soon.

Until then, a bientot! et bisous from Asia,
Cristina

So people have told me Melbourne has some crazy weather, but I only just believed them last week.

Last Saturday reached a quite smoking -and I mean that literally- hot 117 degrees. It was, in fact, the hottest place in the world that day. The WHOLE WORLD. Nutso.

Of course, me being the smartest girl to have lived, decided nothing was too hot for a displaced Cuban girl, and opted to WALK one hour to work. Yes, yes, turns out, I was the only person walking beside the river. And I must say, I was none the better for it. My hands actually started to go numb. I didn't even know that was possible! And the wind, that was the worst. It was like a hot steam engine blowing endlessly on your face. Ugh

But I am glad I lived to see it, and happy I survived through it. Without even a drop of sweat. Oh right, thats because it evaporates when it's that hot.

And true to form, Melbourne's ever changing climactical mind, the next day dropped over 40 degrees. Sunday night was uh, ya know 70 degrees. 117 to 70...Crazy.

love,
Cristina

Hey everyone!
So sorry for the long delay, but I am in fact alive and well in the wonderful city of Melbourne. The girls and I have had an eventful month.

First and foremost...Coconut has returned!! After returning home for Christmas to recount tales of negative 20 degree weather, she has finally come back to her real 'home' :-P And none to soon. We are all so happy to have our blonde ball of curls back, and I think she is oh so happy to sleep on the couch everynight. hehe

Another momentous occasion has passed in my absence. OBAMA baby! We couldn't be happier over here on the other side of the world. People ask non-stop about him and our hopes for him. I tell them, over and over again, that there are many. I couldn't be more proud of our country! Go America...we are popular again! YES.

I should also mention NADAL. Oh yeah baby. He has taken home the Australian Open title to Coconut's dismay. But Caitlin and I were all to proud of our young Spainard. The whole lot of us spent a wonderful day at the games. And even got to see James Blake's first win. Que chulo! I kept yelling that I went to JamesBlake High School. But he didn't seem to notice me much. I mean come on! He has his own high school. Basically.

Internet is quite slow here and a little bit expensive, but I promise to upload some new pictures soon. Until then, besos from DOWN UNDER...

love,
Cristina