Lavender Fields Forever!

Back in France, once again! And I'd been looking so forward to experiencing the lavender fields that are prevalent in all the pictures I have seen of Provence, France!! So the excitement this morning was once again the thrill that I experience in so many places I visit! The reality of being on the other side of the world was exciting and I was ready to see the real thing. Unfortunately, no one had ever mentioned that the lavender fields in the Provence pictures are actually all taken during the short 2 week blooming period that happens sometime in June and/or July!! Some said it was longer or can be different in different fields, but the fact remained, that no lavender remained anywhere to be seen!! Lavender fields are not forever! The best I could do was see the flowers, dried out and in the rare souvenir stores that were open. Monday is not a day to be in the little villages it turns out, most stores are closed! So the visit to Provence was not the thrill I'd expected, but as with everything, there are positives too!!

I took the full day trip that promised to show us the most beautiful villages in Provence, and they were indeed lovely! The countryside and architecture was quite different from the other parts of France that I have seen and I enjoyed the new views. The villages were on the sides of mountains and the drive was lovely. We were in the Luberon mountains and visited the villages of Luberon and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and stopped to admire and photograph other villages such as Bonnieux and LaCoste (not the shirts). We drove past a village where Albert Camus lived, the author who wrote "The Little Prince" and we were near the castle of Monte Cristo, the setting for the French author's famous book, "The Count of Monte Cristo". There was a slight problem with the tour, the guide continually mixed up her left and right, but just about the time you figured it out and when she said left, you looked right, that would be the time she was correct! Very frustrating way to try to see a place, but no one is perfect! And I did spend the day in France!! I tried to recall my French, but muy rather than tres, and Grasias rather than Merci kept coming out. At least these were some of the nicest French people I've come across and they worked with our english. We had a lovely lunch in a small village where the hot food was hot and the cold was cold, a nice meal! We had time to wander and shop and as always I enjoyed seeing the local things. The trip was the full day and after perusing the items in the shops in the terminal, I embarked back on the ship, changed and headed to dinner. Now I will be heading to bed, I'm exhausted!!

Dinner on the ship was wonderful and I was brave and went to the anytime dining alone. I sat with some nice couples and a single man from England who told the men that he was on this ship to find a woman and isn't even getting off at any of the ports! Doesn't sound like my kind of man at all, even though the age would be quite appropriate. So after an incredible dinner, I sit here reminiscing and considering the lovely rest I am facing. Interesting, I've only been in France and the word lovely is constantly in my thoughts, must say a lot about France and my love of this country!

Tomorrow we will be in Livorno, the port city for Florence and my tour will be most of the day in Florence. My first visit there promises to be quite interesting and I will see more things that I've never imagined I'd ever see in person!! A new experience awaits, and my 3rd country in as many days awaits also.

Tomorrow I will remember to take kleenex since it appears that toilet paper is not a staple in the public toilets, though with past experiences I'm just glad there are toilets, although none have seats on them! I will also remember to put in my hand santizer and my lip balm. The weather is cool and pleasant so far, but the sun is hot and my lips chapped. Travel, so much to remember, so much to experience!!

Until tomorrow...