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Post by gabriele on Dec 24, 2012 15:00:21 GMT
I received a spam email...but the address was @lonelyplanet.com....I deleted it without reading much (enough to know it was spam) but I wondered how LP would handle the problem Next time I tried to access TT I found out. I know on the Western Europe forum various members had been getting PMs from attractive women wanting to get to know them (I even got one myself!) but getting a direct email is something else again...told me they had gotten hacked big time...and I would think it's going to take some time to not just get rid of the hackers but to put better firewalls in place.
Of course perhaps everyone at LP/TT decided to hare off to Bugarach to meet the aliens and since that didn't happen they're ashamed to come back and admit they were taken in by the hoax.
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Post by gabriele on Aug 17, 2012 0:23:59 GMT
Don't usually check out the Germany section but this is a fantastic find! I envy (in a good way) those who can go explore the place. Thanks so much!
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Post by gabriele on Jul 31, 2012 20:03:37 GMT
If you like strange carnivals and have time off early in the year, check out the carnival in Limoux (Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon): en.sunfrance.com/made_in_languedoc_roussillon/traditions/carnivals/the_limoux_carnivalI've never managed to be there when it was on (always came later in the spring) but I do like the town and there's lots more in the area to enjoy as well... If I can ever afford to come back to France I want to come and enjoy one of the Indian festivals you've written about...(I'm aware that I could plan a 20 or 30 day stay in Paris and busy myself with just following up on your Paris posts...since I can't be there, I still enjoy them second hand, as with this post). Thanks for all your wonderful contributions..
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Post by gabriele on Jul 22, 2012 23:19:45 GMT
I've seen the bouquet spike vases here in the US but don't know where they originated. Of course in the graveyards I've seen in France (not military) the momentos represent a cross section of sincerity, piety and sometimes bad taste. (I say that having seen too many cheaply made "I prayed for you at Lourdes" (in French of course) and either poorly rendered/painted flowers on the ceramic or an enameled picture on a stone marker and who can forget the plastic flowers, dutifully replaced on a grave but the weeds still growing. By chance one visit to France I found myself on the Chemin des Dames and was caught up in the history. I've since bought a set of books on the Great War, with contemporary accounts being written during the war. It covers all the areas, not just France/Belgium and a study I plan on undertaking...having read bits and pieces so far. So many Americans have little or no perspective on wars once they're over. Quite the opposite in France; I can't think of a town or village that doesn't have it memorial to those who fought and fell for France...
The church....I didn't see a bunker, I saw the simplest form of a cross without being specific to one 'cult' or another (I love the way the French call every religious practice a cult...really equalises things). Thank you for everything
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Post by gabriele on Apr 12, 2012 7:32:40 GMT
I follow English language blogs from places I've stayed (primarily in the Languedoc) in visits to France. It keeps me in touch with what friends are doing, what favorite areas are doing and just to get a sense of what is happening in France. A woman who lives in Provence has a blog where she posts reviews on books, worth reading, but she also recently posted on Is English a Friendly Language which might offer insight into language usage.. clairemca.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/teaching-friendly-language/She might also want to check out lestuffblog.com/and the venerable www.beyond.fr/index.htmlMore than a blog but good reading: www.provencepost.com/and most of the sites have links to other blogs (and so on). If I had any advice to give about getting along in France (if one speaks French, esp) it is to have a generous spirit. One cannot go wrong by confirming to a French person(s) what they already know: They are most fortunate to live in France, most fortunate indeed. Whatever problems the French nation may have at (whatever time), to be French in France is worthy of respect and admiration. And for the non-native, how fortunate they feel to be able to visit/live there...and for me, as a visiter, it was and always will be true. My life is fuller and richer and for the most part in ways I can't describe. Which is in part why I come to the French board to revisit places, get to know new ones, On one travel advice forum it is often suggested to travel less, live life more slowly, and see more. I think that could apply to the daughter as well. I hope it's a wonderful time for her..
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