Packing day

Not much time to visit Rome as we leave this evening. Packed up and then lunched with Tiéno (merci encore).

Mid-afternoon we were able to get out and around a bit - but never quite found that "special, popular, laid-back but lively, non-touristy" neighborhood! Maybe next time. We sort of stumbled upon Basilica de Santa Maria Maggiore and an interesting shop next to it called Casa del Rosario - their motto might be "if we can put the Pope's face on it, we WILL!" - medallions, rosaries, statues, etc. Far out!

Any ideas form you all, Dear Readers, will be added to my list of things to see and do next time in the Eternal City.

Today is Monday ...

Up, not too late today, but a bit stiff . We arranged to meet Gianni at the Piramide metro station then took a bus to Mercato di Testaccio, a fantastic covered market, which is a foodie's paradise.

We picked up some items (cheeses, local veggies, etc.) and then headed out to find a near-by bar I'd read about (nameless, I had only a numberless street name). The place had been described as an authentic Roman "old man bar" and, indeed, as we approached there were quite a few geezers out in front. Turns out the place is called "Sora Rosa" and we all truly enjoyed the couple of hours we ended up spending there. We started with red wine (sold at an amazing 1.50€ per half liter) which comes from the owner's own vineyards (see their website here). Then I noticed some old fellows drinking what looked like Coke and white wine. We tried out one half-liter (OK, we had TWO) of what turned out to be a refreshing mix of white wine with Chinotto Neri. Topped all this off with some excellent cheese there (and was tempted by the barkeep's sandwiches made on Rosetta bread).

Tottered on back to the apartment to have lunch (including the excellently well prepared - and presented -"barba di frate"- grazie Odile) with a couple of cold Moretti beers and some afumacato cheese with a wonderfully rustic loaf of bread. Then a short nap and out again towards the Trastevere.

Odile had spied out the Libreria del Cinema (where I bought a fun book entitled "Film Posters - Science Fiction") - the bookstore has an adjoining caffé where we waited for Francesca and Tiéno (each getting off from their respective jobs) while imbibing fine wine and listening to oldies, such as Fred Buscaglione (a childhood favorite of Gianni's).

Afterwards we headed out to a vegetarian restaurant nearby called Jaya Sai Ma (whose name in Sanskrit means "Victory of the Great Mother") run by followers of Guru Sai Baba.

Maratona di Roma 2009

Feel free to cheer (really or virtually) for me - I am wearing bib number: 9296 ... and THANKS to many of you who have already dropped me messages via e-mail, facebook, SMS, etc. - I really appreciate it!

NOTES: As a participant in the City of Rome Marathon, one gets to drink in the city’s historic atmosphere right from the beginning. The start line is placed in front of the 2,000 year old Coliseum, and from there the course is a veritable festival of magnificent sights. Among other things, runners go past Saint Peter’s, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and through a lot of picturesque, narrow streets in the old part of the city. No PB aspirations (I'll break 4 hours next time) – one needs time to appreciate all the breathtaking landmarks and to conquer the cobblestones, that cover about half the route. The course, they say, is surprisingly flat for a city built on seven hills, but the sometimes uneven cobblestone streets, which in the narrowest places can feel quite crowded, may add a few extra minutes to finish times.

UPDATE: And, indeed, the cobblestones did add an interesting dimension (and 5 minutes to my last marathon time) ... I crossed the finish line at 4h44m49s after having staved off calf cramps (for the last 10km). A video of my shuffling arrival is here - about half-way through the segment, watch for me to "shake out" my hands. A close-up version is here. And, to see me in finer form, take a look here (towards the end of the video) filmed at 21.1km, the half-way point, where you'll see me with enough energy to run backwards (!) showing off the flag of Puerto Rico.

Dinner time saw us back at the "White Chicken" (see Friday March 20 blog post).

Walkabout

We met Gianni and Francesa at the Policlinico subway station then took the tram to the Coppedè neighborhood. According to one guide book: "If Gaudí and the Grimm Brothers had gone into town-planning together, suburbia would probably look like this." Totally wacky!

Afterwards we walked about (perhaps a bit too much for me pre-marathon): Piazza di Spagna, Piazza del Popolo (for a SUNNY sidewalk café lunch at Canova), then finally back to cafe Cinque in Trastevere for tea and coffee (OK, we ended up with beer). Finally dinner (again) at the excellent La Villetta for a final carbo-load!

Marathon Village

This morning we're heading down to the EUR neighborhood. EUR was designed for the 1942 World's fair which never took place. Fascist inspired buildings include the Palazzo della Civita del Lavoro and the Palazzo dei congressi. We'll meet François, Odile's cousin, at the Palazzo dei congressi and then visit the Marathon Village to pick up our race packets.

UPDATE: François' wife Brigitte, and their friends from Aix, Didier & Margueritte; joined us for the race packet pickup - including cool ASICS backpack and black 15th Rome Marathon t-shirt plus tons of promtional stuff (including a frisbee). Metro-ed back up to near the Coliseum for a constitutional walk prior to lunch at the Caffe Aventino (just down from the Circo Massimo).

UPDATE2: We returned "home" to drop off the 4 kilos (!) of promotional materials I picked up at the Marathin Village and then headed out again - just us two - to the Trastevere (which we'd zapped last night). Few tourists out due to fairly cold and windy weather - we stopped at a few places for warm-up bracers, such as: La Casetta di Trastevere, Bar Le Cinque. Even got pious and stopped in at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere (see photo below).

Early evening saw us rushing over to Termini train station to meet our friends: Gianni coming in from Milan and Francesca coming in from Florence. We all walked over to a nearby place for dinner: La Gallina Bianca (where I continued my carbo-loading with an excellent spaghetti alla carbonara). Tomorrow some walking about (but not too much - as to remain fresh for Sunday's big run).

My first Eternal City

We've arrived safely at Tieno's (thanks for putting us up) in Rome - near Piramide (see photo on left). My first time ever here in this beautiful city and already I am feeling soooo Italian - 5 kilos lighter, slim and sauve, with a touch of furious gesticulation thrown in, for good measure.

Odile and I eager to go out walking in the neighborhood so, dear Reader, catch you later; any suggestions for things to do, places to see, bars to go drinking at ... just add your comments here or facebook/twitter/e-mail me!

UPDATE: (Planned) This evening we're heading "across the Tiber" (Trastevere) for dinner with Tiéno.

UPDATE2 : Actually we ended up not far from the apartment at La Villetta for a wonderful Roman dinner, a top ten place!

Amour, Raspail, Vavin ...

Flo tipped us off to Jacques Bullot's book-signing at L'Arbe à Lettres (14 rue Boulard) at 7pm tonight.

His new whodunnit, this time, takes place in the depths of the Parisian subway, and, in particular, in certain stations of the Montparnasse district. Grim… and erotic Métro!

See you there, dear Readers?

Neuilly Night

Off to dinner tonight at Sophie's home in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Book recommendation

I can't recommend enough Lev's book (see video below) - I was lucky enough to meet him in Paris some years ago - and hope you'll buy yourself a copy (it comes out TODAY). I'm heading out myself to score me one.

Change and Innovation

For the next few days I am in Drogheda (Droichead Átha in Irish, meaning "Bridge of the Ford"),an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km (35 mi) north of Dublin.

I'll be doing the keynote speech for Enterprise Week 2009 run by the Louth County Enterprise Board.

Past glories

It's been a while, but we've gone back to a fine resto, les Caves Solignac, thanks to our friends Jean-Marie and Sylvie. Excellent value, très français and delicious "cuisine du marché"in a sort of 30's atmosphere.

"Cabaret Latin" au Dansoir

NO time to translate ... we went to see this piece tonight and I cen tell you it was VERY enjoyable (including seeing our friend Juanca dance besides sing and play guitar). I recommend it ... so GO, you have a few days left.

See more info here at the entry "Cabaret Latin au Dansoir"

12th Annual "Carnaval de Paris"

This afternoon, Pimprenelle, the cow - queen of "la Promenade du Bœuf Gras", kicks off the traditional procession of the Carnaval de Paris. Rendez-vous at 3pm rue Le Vau, behind the square Séverine in the 20th arrondissement.

UPDATE: Got my 30km training run sandwiched in between lunch and a later afternoon foray to City Hall (the endpoint) of the Carnaval procession ... got to see Pimprenelle, herself, and scads of batucada groups drumming up a frenzy. Bravo to Macaq, the organization that puts on this fine, fun event.

Drinks at Le Pick Clops afterwards and then dinner at a new place, Le Chant des Voyelles, with Odile and Denis.

Dreaming of warmer climes

Odile heard from our dear friend Gianni, in Milan, and tried to convince him to take a break and come visit us (a hint to you, dear Reader - you know who you are). Of course when you have a place in Brazil, as he does, perhaps "sunny Paris" (which it certainly it has not been) is not the first place you'd go in late February!

If YOU are looking for place to stay in Brazil then consider Gianni's place (this is shamless huckstering since I've never been there - but I trust him with my life) - take a look at: http://www.casadaareia.com/

24 heures de la vie d'une femme

We're off to the Théâtre Le Petit Montparnasse tonight to see this play by Stefan Zweig.

Crim'expo

Whodunnit? ---Leave it to science!
The museum director has been found murdered – and you have to identify the killer. To complete your investigation you'll need to visit each department of the forensic science lab, from forensic medicine and fingerprints to odontology, DNA, microfibre analysis, entomology and ballistics. After this fascinating experience, you'll watch CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with twice as much interest!

Tonight at la Villette we're attending the vernissage of this expo (for which we did some of the translation from French to English/Spanish) - it runs until 2010, so if you're a fan of CSI, NCIS, Bones, Crossing Jordon, RSI (France) or any one of those German sci-pol series then get on over to the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.

Where is this statue?

Some of you have asked (OK, it was only me) where the statue, that appear on our 2009 New Year's Well Wishes Card (NYWWC - I *guess* that what one calls it), is located in Paris. On the left-hand side of this text you have another photo of the work.

It took me a while and some CSI photo work, but I've located the placement, if not the name, of the statue.

So, here's the challenge to YOU ... tell me the name given to this work (extra points for who sculpted it)! Just add it as a comment. First correct answer wins ... what? My gratitude. Hmm, not enough? Well, let's say I'll stand the winner to a drink in a bistro near this park.

And, to warm up just try to tell me where it is located ... if you "give the cat your tongue" then click here.

Switzerland - France training run

Below is the map of the route I ran today. I guess I could call it a bi-national, inter-faith run, as I ran from the synagogue (rue de la ...) in Porrentruy, Switzerland to the church in Vieux-Ferrette, France. About 2h40m ... and a daunting hill climb about two kilometers before the border. But a truly nice run, with the sun coming out in the latter half, and snow everywhere. Odile caught up with me (by car, easier) about 5 km from the end - and had lovingly thought to bring me a croissant. Quick energy!

The photo just above is the city center of Porrentruy this morning - click on the image to see it larger.

The towns on this run were: Porrentruy, Alle, Miécourt, Liebsdorf, Durlinsdorf, Moernach, Koestlach and, finally, Vieux-Ferrette.

View Larger Map

Café-théâtre par la Compagnie Labile

We've come to Porrentury, in the Swiss Jura, to see Odile's cousin, Françoise. She's acting in a theater piece entitled "Elles & Eux". You can hear an interview and excerpts here (en français, bien sûr).

UPDATE: We all had a wonderful time - the actors were all top-notch, the direction (Danièle) was impeccable for timing and rhythm, the tech crew did very well. And the texts! Laugh-out-loud funny (touching, incisive, even biting at times).
Afterwards about a dozen of us met for dinner at the Buffet de la Gare, where Danièle's cousin, Didier, is the head chef.

Bonne Année ! (under the wire)

According to tradition in France, one can send one's wishes for a happy new year right up until the last day of January. What a break for us procrastinators!

So here, from both Odile and myself, we send (finally) all our BEST WISHES to you, faithful Readers and dear Friends.

May 2009 be full of love, peace and fun for you and yours.

新年好

Happy (Chinese)New Year!

I missed this year's parade in Chinatown, but will hope to make it up tomorrow. Best wishes to all.

Truffles are a kind of manna...

It's my party! Well, in any case we're celebrating (with a little c) my birthday today by having a really nice meal "en tête à tête", just me and my Odilta ... and when I say really nice I mean really nice because we're having truffles (like those beauties on the left).

Thanks to our friends Jean-Philippe and Virginie who gave us this marvelous gift of truffles. Stay tuned for what we did with them (and send me your recipes).

UPDATE: Finally the truffles are still unused as we ended up going out for lunch at La Commedia and then dinner at Le Godet d'Or (also called the Godet d'Art - but which we refer to as "Jimmy La Watt" - the name of the highly original owner).

UPDATE2: I want to thank Levni Yilmaz for posting an entry on facebook , and for allowing me to embed his work here on my blog. It is called "Youth & Aging" from his continuing Tales Of Mere Existence. That it showed up on my birthday is just more of a kick! Enjoy...

Lift that bale...

We spent a good part of this afternoon (in two sessions on either side of my 20K training run) "repatriating" boxes of (heavy) books from Virginie's basement to our apartment. About 40 boxes (thanks for the help Benj!) ... now Odile needs to unpack and arrange them (almost 99% her books).

And how was YOUR Sunday? Day of rest? Humbug!

Heading home

After teaching all morning (a quite fast-paced EIS workshop with 17 B2B students of the Lyon IAE - all very participative) I am now posting from the Bibliothèque de la Part-Dieu (just across the street from the train station) - a modern, accessible facility where I have been able to work comfortably this afternoon - and also take in a fine expo, of photos by Raymond Depardon, entitled "Villes" (Cities - 12 worldwide, from Tokyo to Paris, from Dubaï to Addis Abbaba) . I'm taking the TGV at 7pm for "ma ville" - quiet dinner at home with Odile around 9:30pm. I'll be back for session 2 with these same students next Wednesday.

Lyon 1 - 2009

I'm off to Lyon from noon today until 9pm Thursday - teaching a class on Change Management at the IAE of the Université Lyon III (my fourth year). More news as things unfold. A prize to the first reader to add a comment correctly identifying the photo at left!

Back in the saddle again

Dear Readers - Happy New Year 2009 (we're been away at Montigny, busy celebrating and handling the cold [that's a photo at left of the Lion at Denfert-Rocherau shivering in our Siberian weather of late] - so blogging less).

I'm back to training for a marathon (Rome on March 22) - more news about that later. I have some translation projects coming up and will also be teaching at Lyon this month and next - plus sandwiching in a week-long trip to Switzerland late this month. More about all that too in good time.

Hopefully I'll see more of those of you who are far-flung (at least flung far from me) - don't know how, don't know when ... but got the feeling 2009 will pick up in the visits to Paris category (hey, a good way to escape the crisis).

Like I said: mo' later.

HBB & PP

Happy bithday to Benj (we got him the book you see at left - shhhh, don't tell him as we don't go over to his place until later tonight - LOL). The book includes a fascinating account of the language (and culture) of the tribe of the Pirahã in Brazil. An overview article is here.

Also, one of our favorite local indie musicians, Pauline Paris, is asking folks to rate which one, of three songs, should be released as a single. You can hear the 3 tunes (which are : Corrida, Suzie d. and X.) by clicking here. Then just post your choice here and I'll summarize them and get them over to Ms. Paris. Thanks for interacting!

Uzès Attacks!

Francis & Iva, our dear friends (photographer, artist) from Uzès, are arriving in Paris tonight before flying out tomorrow for the holidays in the Czech Republic (Iva's family). They be bunking with us at Mouton - with their 3 children! That makes 7 under our little roof ...and we're busy cooking for all. We'll be leading with a slew of tortilla española (see recipe here). More news later.

Ma tête, partout

http://www.photofunia.com

Happy birthday, Arlette

We're off to celebrate Arlette's 4x20th birthday on the Péniche Aabysse.

Dare-Dare

Come on over, dear Reader, to hear our buddy, Alain (and his buddy, Eric), play tonight at la Commedia. Hurry over "on the double" ... music starts at 8:30pm.

UPDATE: It is now 4:04am ... and the beat goes on (well, at our apartment as la Commedia turned us out around 1am).

Book-signing

Actually it is more of a "DVD signing" as today marks the official release of this boxed-set of films by director Jacques Rozier. Odile's cousin, Bernard Menez, who has appeared in some of these films (including the cult "Maine-océan") will also be on hand to sign.

We'll be there (chez Potemkine, 30 rue Beaurepaire, 75010) from 7pm onwards. See you there, dear Reader?
More details at: www.bernardmenez.net

Lights ON!

The christmas season is getting into full swing - we went up to Denis' place (near the place du Tertre shown in the photo on the left) and enjoyed seeing all the decorations on the walk up to his apartment - especially near the Métro station Abbesses. We had a great dinner and got home around 7am!

More holiday "lights" here.

« A… comme Alice »

The dance creation by Karine Saporta of "A ... like Alice” (based on Lewis Carrol's eponymous work, Alice in Wonderland) was presented tonight at Le Dansoir (an incredible space - well worth a visit). There are two versions - one for children and another for adults - we went to the adult version, natch.

The adult version is enriched by metaphysical comments on being and nothingness... between which Alice oscillates. Insights on the giddiness induced by the phantasm of her own disappearance.

There are also some daring passages, evoking the turbid depths of incestuous desire, also the relational ambiguity between adults and children. Yes, all that, without diminishing the fairy-like dimension of the show. We left at the intermission (enough said).

Déjeuner chez Wittgenstein

Tonight dinner at the newly opened Columbian restaurant Bochica (formerly La Piragua) then "Lunch at Wittgenstein's" at the Akéton Théâtre.

Happy Birthday, Bill .. and congrats to Luis-Miguel

Land Art in the Gard

Arthur, Jean-Yves' son, has recently been getting into "land art" and also doing some stone scupltures that show a certain promise.

In the photo at left is a piece he has entitled "Now I'm Waiting".

Let us know what you think - it will surely encourage him to have feedback. Also, when he has finished creating his website, I will post a link here.

Marseille²

One of the benefits of traveling is coming across new people, places and events. This includes friends sharing insights into their favorites - such as music. Here is a sample - thanks to Béatrice for introducing me to the Romanian singer Maria Tănase.

She also introduced us to the works of Alfons Alt (photographer/painter). You can visit his site here.

M & M

The highpoints of today are the Market at Uzès and our trip down to Marseille.

First thing this morning, however, we headed over to the château Bérard to help a neighbor move some (heavy) furniture.

Afterwards, noonish, we headed over to the marché (where a wicked and frigid wind was blowing) ... if you've never been to the Saturday market in Uzès you can see the video below.

We'll head down to Marseille, about 2 hour's drive, later this afternoon and I'll write an update from down there.

UPDATE: Happy birthday, Béatrice. The party for her XXth (well, you didn't expect I'd actually say!) was a great success! We all had a ball (and me a tad too much champagne perhaps). Béa had made enough to feed over a hundred people (we were only 80+) - a fantastic Cake au foie gras et figues, Vol-au-vent blanquette de veau avec sauce suprême, and more. Everything absolutely delicious!

Tapas-a-thon

Back to the train station tonight, but up one floor at Barbara's apartment, for tapas by Bébert.

UPDATE (02:06am): And the beat goes on! We've come down to ground level, the better to rise higher ... deep into sharing favorite music from all our diverse (and disparate) backgrounds - below listen to a wonderful song (thanks to Martin).

Nîmes, Uzès

In less than 3 hours the TGV whisked us from Paris to Nîmes this morning. From the slate-grey skies of Lutetia to the sun-filled azure of (almost) Provence.

We waited for Jean-Yves to meet us at our "regular" cafe near the train station then walked over to pick up Sylvia near the Nîmes amphitheatre - then we drove up to Uzès. Tonight out for some music by friends of Francis (that's him, here, playing guitar last summer).

UPDATE (6:18pm): Over to the old train station of Uzès - click on the postcard to the right to see it bigger (as you may remember it is now a private home - and pretty much has kept its original allure - and was bought years ago by our friend Nicolas). We're doing some prep for dinner here tonight with a dozen friends - after the concert at Café Muscade.

UPDATE (11:58pm): After an EXCELLENT dinner here at the "gare" (merci Anne-Marie for the filet mignon) we've ended up dancing to Paul Simon's "Born in Puerto Rico" (see video below and lyrics here). Dancing with Odile and surrounded by dear friends. Life can't get much better!
And thanks to Iva for a wonderful introduction to the music of her country (Slovakia), you can start, as we did, with this video and then this other video. Enjoy ... we have!



The song above from the play "The Capeman" - a review here.

Just needed a place to "park" these photos for other uses (plus you, dear Readers, get to enjoy on here, too).

Schlaf dich

Tonight Myriam and I (to be joined by Odile & Flo) are off to the Centre Culturel Suisse (CCSP), over in the colorful Marais district, to hear Janet Haufler, Myriam's friend, and other actors read from the play "Dors toi" - see more info here.

« Où allez-vous jeunes gens »

"Whither goest thou, young people ...."

As part of the "News of the Resistance" program organized by the Florimont association , high school students from the lycée Buffon will give a theatrical representation of the youth revolt of 11 November 1940 against the occupation and the Vichy regime .

Today at 6pm, on the steps of the town hall of the 14th arrondissement.
I (JP) even get to play a small role as a torch-bearer!

Art & Planète

Thanks to Cynthia B. for inviting us to one of the most fun and convivial vernissages we've been to in a while ... and all in a new art space right in our neighborhood. Plus it's for good causes (click the link in the title above to see the cultural and ecology organizations they support).

Gracias to Sergio, of course, for his art ... and his music (he played some accordion) - and also merci to the young, dynamic people that kept everyone "well oiled" (and fed)!

Bienvenues Javi & Mori !

New friends (from our visit to Rincón last March) Javier & Moraima, owners of the beautiful and fun beachside Tamboo in Puerto Rico, are visiting us for some days. Tonight, after an excellent Odileque dinner, we headed over to Jimmy La Watt's place, Le Godet d'Or (see info here and here) for drinks, laughs and some music.

TDV Hooping

A fun evening starting at Le Théâtre de Verre where we hooked with Jaimie (see her website here) and her mom, Brianne, in Paris from Bellingham, Washington state for some days. We were also joined by Denis, Hélios and his Argentine musician friend, Mintcho (see his site here and playing a "choronga" here). Jaimie got to do some excellent hooping (accompanied by Mintcho on his tiny guitar) for the assembled people at the TDV mixer.

Afterward we all went up to Denis' place for dinner and more music/hooping (Odile practiced and got pretty good!) until around 4am.

Sweet Barack Obama

My friend, Alain, has written new lyrics to "Sweet Home Alabama" so here, in avant-première and in a celebratory spirit, is the video:



I'm sure "Alien" will appreciate your comments (so leave them here or directly on the YouTube page) and tell us what you think. Merci !

O-bama! Us-bama! You-bama!

We returned from Switzerland on Tuesday a bit before midnight and I ended up watching the election returns all night. I had thought to turn in when I heard that Obama had won Ohio but decided to see if I could hold on until Obama spoke in Chicago. "Yes, we can" and "everything is possible" and I ended up awake until 6am Paris time to hear Obama's simple but clear message - WE have CHANGED ... and there is so much more to do.

So, let us all rededicate ourselves to "perfecting" our world. And, for an hour - for a day, let us all celebrate. Then to work!

Bravo les amis !

CONGRATULATIONS to my friends, Agnès from Paris and Arnaud from Saint Malo, both finishers in this year's New York City marathon.



UPDATE: Late this morning Max, our friend from Basel, drove over to Vieux Ferrette and took us out for a tour of the area, which he knows fairly well. Beautiful fall colors and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Morimont near Oberlarg - click on the photo to the right to see it larger. We had a wonderfully bracing hike back to the car and then returned to Vieux Ferrette to have lunch with Jean-Pierre & Irène ... her excellent sürkrüt (Royal Sauerkraut).

By the way, Max has a B&B should you ever visit Basel and need a nice place to stay - it's called Atelier Holbein 79.

La Ferrettoise 2008

Nice run today from sunny Ferrette (a beautiful region as you can see from the photo above) - I managed 1h8m52s for the 11.7km course - fine course in spite of the almost 1km of hill running towards the end. Odile, her uncle and aunt - Jean-Pierre & Irène - were at the finish line where after my arrival we stayed to see the first runners of the marathon (6th running and I might want to do it next year - so running buddies just let me know if you want to come in Nov. 2009).

Afterwards in the local high school gym we all sat down to heaping plates of Baeckeoffe as race prizes were distributed.

Vieux Ferrette

More early afternoon shopping (and a nice lunch) at the Manor store (Rheinbrücke for those in the know). Then an invogorating coffee at Zum Schmale Wurf overlooking the Rhine and we had the additional pleasure of catching up with the owner "Migueli".

Late this afternoon we went to see Odile's cousin Pascale and her SO Heinz in Allschwil, aftewards we left Basel for Vieux Ferrette in the "Jura Alsacien" (the grey blob on the map here).

The photo on the left is the village seen from a ULM and Jean-Pierre's house is just across from the church and 3 houses down towards the bottom of the picture. Click on the photo to get a bigger version.