So we arrived last night after an massive travel day, much of it spent in the air. We are happy to be home but very tired and already missing our beloved France. After a few days of processing (both for us and for the computer) we will hopefully be able to upload some more photos of the trip.

I will leave you however with this question.

Which of the following words/phrases were used by the Hippie Couple sitting next to us on our 11 hour flight from London?

a. Amsterdam

b. War in Iraq

c. Vegetarian

d. I don’t trust apples that don’t turn brown

e. I’m going to miss out tent

f. Big Business

g. You could probably get a job in Humboldt

h. Refined Sugar

i. We need to declare our Barley Grains and Drinking Yogourt

j. All of the Above.

Well.

We are currently in Sarlat, at a beautiful outdoor plein air market. We showed up, already excited to visit the market, and who do we run in to but ol’ Rick Steves, travel-show host extraordinaire and all around good guy. He was filming an upcoming special about this region (Perigord), which makes sense, because it is fantastic.

We’re staying up the road in a small (and I mean small) town called La Forge, in an old Manor. We spent much of the first day relaxing, reading, taking walks through the countryside, watching the sheep graze and fleeing from the angry geese that chased us. (Perigord is the Goose, Pork and Walnut capital of France).

Yesterday we took a road trip and visited Rocamadour, amazing, and the Gouffre de Padirac, absolutely breathtaking. We picknicked on the side of the road like all good French people seem to do, and had an all around fantastic time.

It looks like we going to be heading up to Normandy after we leave here to visit Giverny, Mont St. Michel, and the D-Day landings. We’re sad that our days here are coming to a close, but are excited to be coming home. (Mainly because L. seems to becoming more and more homesick for the kitties). Love you all!

Just a quick update. We’re still in Le Flotte and having an amazing time; L had oysters for the first time, and agrees with me that their place as one of the greatest foods of all time should never be disputed. Tomorrow we leave for Souilac. More to come then!

So here we are in Il de Re, a beautiful island of the west coast of France. This place is amazing. We’re staying in the town of La Flotte, an ancient fishing village, complete with pirate bars, yachts, and men with serious beards smoking pipes.

The night we arrived we went for a walk on a compressed salt sand path on the coast and marveled at the way the tide goes completely out, leaving hundreds of boats marooned on the sand. As we came back in to town, we heard the sounds of accordian playing in a small tent to celebrate the annual fishing festival. A small crowd congregated stomping their feet, clapping, and yelling at all the appropriate ti,es.

My heart about burst.

We’ve been having a wonderful time, and would love to show you pictures to prove the point, but Mr. Computer has decided yet again to bid us au revoir. He will work for stretches at a time, but only after much pleading and bribary on our part, and we have decided it is beneath us. So, until we get back, you’ll have to take our word for it.

Now, did someone say poissons?

Ah Paris! Ah Computer! It arises from the dead to supply pictures. Miracles do happen. Life is beautiful. Here we go.

L in front of Notre Dame.

Such a wonderful place. We spent a few hours inside on Saturday morning while it rained taking pictures of various beautiful moments. The way the light reflected off of certain surfaces. The shadow of grill work on a tile floor. This is taken from behind the apse.

I bought a fantastic new French pipe from a small store in the Latin quarter. Here I am in front of the fountain of St. Michel right around the corner.

Sunday was free day for all of the museums in Paris. We hit every one we could and painted the town Pantone 292. (Jokes for graphic design nerds)

Much of our time is spent reading, talking, and relaxing at various cafes and parks around town. Here I am reading at the fountain in the Louvre’s park. Notice the little French children in the background pushing their rented wooden sailboat with a stick. Yes, they are that adorable.

It wouldn’t be a true Mouse & the Billionaire trip without a little Ice Cream. Here we are on the top of Montmarte enjoying life.

Thanks for all of your comments and emails. We have been missing you all terribly and can’t wait to see you soon. Tomorrow we head to Versailles to explore L’s new favourite subject: French royalty, especially Marie Antoinette. Maybe we will bring a bottle of Champagne with us and try to relive her endless parties.

We love you all,

M and L

We have made it safe to France and are having a fantastic time.

We sit in cafes and read novels after satisfying meals. We lounge by fountains after espressos and chocolat chaud in the park. We speak only French to those we meet. We look very much like the couple on the left, except way cooler.

We would upload many excellent pictures if it weren’t that our computer decided it hated France during its flight over the English channel and now refuses to work while on French soil. I like to pretend that it will decide to start functioning again soon (perhaps by the repeated start-ups I attempt), but I am not holiding my breath.

Suffice it to say, we are doing quite well, having the time of our lives (all of us, that is, except the computer, who is pouting like a little diaper baby). We wish you were all here to share a glass of wine with us. Pray for monsuer computer and we may be able to provide photos soon. Au revoir!

I mentioned earlier that we have been eating delicious food. Well, I know how some of the more “foodie” of you feel about the lack of adequate description.

So, In the vein of Gloyd and Hamilton they are, in order, as follows:

• coffee from the corner Deli in Greenpoint
• hot dogs with delicious spicy brown mustard in Central Park
• ice cream cones on the steps of the Met
• coffee and a croissant at a coffee shop in Greenwich Village
• French 75s (ah, drew!), French onion soups (with just the right amount of onions) and a peach cobbler at a lovely little restaurant in Greenwich Village
• bourbon and sodas with J Carey
• coffee and a bagel from the corner deli (again)
• pizza and ginger ale in Greenwich Village
• ice cream cones on the steps of the Met (again, again)
• a beer at the Greenpoint Tavern
• a phenomenal dinner at Marlow & Sons which included
  • a mint julep
  • a ramp-infused vodka martini
  • rabbit rillettes
  • an oyster
  • sorrel soup
  • marinated mushroom crostini
  • herbed gnocchi… and
  • a chocolate caramel tart with grey sea salt on top (to the moon!!!)

My mouth is still watering. We’re off to do it all again!

Greetings from New York. We’re having a great time visiting our soon-to-be-new-home-town. We have been exploring new areas. We have also been eating fantastic food, and drinking amazing new cocktails.

We visited Parson’s and instantly fell in love. It is an amazing place, and I am thrilled to have accepted their offer to attend the Graduate department of Design & Technology. Thank you all for your support through this process!

Anyway. Enough of all that yapping, on to what you all came to see. Pictures!

L in Central Park

She met a new friend. They’re thinking about starting a book club.

The official subway stop of the Brooklyn Billionaires.

Tomorrow we’re off to France, and the open road lays ahead, but not before we visit the grave site of Ebbet’s Field. May she rest in peace. We miss you all terribly, and wish you were all here now. Make your next drink a double on our behalf. A bientot!

Chill!