Memory lane takes an unexpected Northern turn

Fan of the lovely New York Times? Hate that Lib news rag? Doesn't matter. Check out this travel story slideshow about little, traditional restaurants in Northern France. While the food and beer is definitely not-so-French, the atmosphere and decor of the buildings (right down to all the fake flowers hanging on the wall) and towns remind me so much of my time in the mountains of Southern France. I almost teared up! Even the people, often older and not terribly skinny, are well-groomed, yet relaxed in that specifically French way. I can just see them digging into that shared slab of pate and cracking jokes with the waiters. While I have never been to Paris, I can tell you French small town folks know how to live. The food I had there was not unexpected or really original, but it was exquisitely prepared. The mushroom omelette I had was the creamiest, best one ever. Enjoy!

Also, I leave for Tokyo next week for the show. I'll have about 48 hours in the city, ten of them solely dedicated to the concert. Any thoughts on what are the must-see-and-do things are that I can cram into the rest of my time?

The Center of The World

Another stop on the road trip, Perpignan, France. The center of the universe, according to Dalí. (Those are my boyfriend's inexcusable feet, BTW.)

Dalí trusted the train station there more than the one in his hometown, and even honored it with a painting.

We were there in April, during the worst of the ash cloud travel crunch, and the place was packed with stranded European tourists trying to get home, while still looking freaking fantastic. It's part of the fashion mystique us Americans are still trying to figure out.

The weather was hot, which we Southerners are used to, but dry, which meant your hair still looked good, which was nice.

There was much in Catalonia and France that made me homesick. I'd catch a whiff of Jasmine or spot a blooming Crepe Myrtle and be transported to springtime back home. It turns out a lot plants that are popular in South Carolina were brought there by the French, and originally come from Asia! So perhaps my new home will have much that is familiar as well.

One fashion trend I did not see in person, but I dearly hope is not catching on. (Now try not to get "Future Sailors" stuck in your head!)

Cerbère, France

Pictures from a roadtrip the boyfriend and I took around Catalonia and France at the end of April. These are from the Mediterranean town of Cerbère. The water was as clear as glass. (I did not Photoshop the bird. Just a touch of luck!)