Jeanne blogging: I want to add that on our last feast on the boat, we also had some of the delicious olives of the region. Also, because we all feel very thankful for this wonderful trip, Chuck gave thanks before we started on our final boat gourmet meal.
And my thought to reassure Jon's and my family is what a great job Jon did in piloting our boat and mooring it so competently (after the first time or two!). Chuck was Captain, Jon Co-captain, and Carol and I were the crew. It was more involved than I had expected, but great fun. I loved it!
It's very difficult not to eat excessively. There are so many wonderful desserts, every where is delicious and very varied kinds of ice cream, yummy croissants and pastry shops in every block.
Oh, and one other surprise is that Crocs are very popular and we see them everywhere. And the styles of clothes make mine look VERY conservative! All for now from Jeanne.
Chuck: We have had a lot of fun with Jon imitating Steven Martin playing Inspector Clouseau. Click on the arrow just below the picture to play a short movie. Jeanne says to Tammy, "Make sure Truman sees this."
Chuck: When we travelled from Carcassonne to Girona (only about 100 miles), there was a huge change in culture. Obviously the language changed. But, other, more subtle, things changed as well. In France, there is almost a mandatory "bon jour" when you encounter someone in a shop, or deal with anyone. In Spain, you might hear "hola", but it is not as automatic. There seem to be more children in Spain with their parents. That may have been because of the holiday that was happening in Spain. Still, it seems like parents take their children out with them more in Spain than in France. Food changed as well. Eating is still, in general, a very relaxed, social time. It is rare indeed to be rushed in a restaurant or when having a cup of coffee in an outdoor cafe. Admittedly, my sample is one town in Spain where we were in the old city which is a tourist attraction.
Carol: Well, it is unfortunate that my precious Mom did not speak Spanish at home while I was growing up. I am, as my children will attest to, language challenged. Yesterday, after I made a purchase in one of the shops, the clerk said "Merci" to me. I had not spoken at that point, I was just paying for the pottery sugar bowls. Guess she thought I was French.
Yes, indeed, the duties of a wife continue, even on vacation. Here I am, sitting with my feet (they were clean) in the tub washing Chuck's clothes, and a few of mine too. The hotel shampoo works quite well on the clothes :-).
Girona is full of ancient history. I am fascinated by the very narrow streets, and the buildings with quaint windows that usually have flower pots and vines hanging down. Today is market day in the village square, so after breakfast that is where we are heading.
