After our trials with the central asian bureaucrats, we
decide to admit defeat and head somewhere that was more accepting of the idle
traveller.Cant go to Tashkent as we have to get visa from Almaty, cant go
to Almaty as we have to get invitation letter from Tashkent. Stalemate.You
bastards win, I'll spend my cash somewhere that wants it. Into the travel
agency, get us out of here. Bishkek is not the travel hub of the universe,
flights to St Peters burg(visa), Almaty (visa, uck), Tashkent
(visa), Azerbaijan (visa), and Frankfurt via Istanbul. Istanbul would
have been OK, but was more expensive than going on to Frankfurt so Frankfurt it
is. Besides I like schnitzel and wurst, and they do good coffee. What
better reason to visit a place.Unfortunately the fight leaves at 4.am which
means another night sleeping at the airport. After being deported from
Kazakhstan we've had plenty of practise at this lately, I'm almost getting
used to it and cant relax without bing bongs announcing flights to places I've
never heard of in the middle of the night. So several bing bongs later where of
to Istanbul.
Istanbul has a great airport. Food and
lots of things to read some of them even in English.Looking forward to getting
back here later. I buy a couple of mags with some of my spare change. You can
pay for things in just about any currency even aussie dollars, this is a place
that has it's act together. Micks been working the phone. He cant get in touch
with the krauts, but his English friends are home in France. He was going to
try and see them at the end of his trip but that meant backtracking. I'd like
to see them again. Sorted.We head off to Frankfurt. Pauls
been working his computer texting us train times and options. We could
make Normandy tonight with a flight to Paris but its a bit pricey,
so we opt for the train and a night in Paris. TGV to Paris couple of beers on
the train. Got to love this economic crisis Hotel rooms are 20% off.
Baguette and coffee next morning and back on the train for the 2 hour trip to
Flers. Paul picks us up at the station and its off to the farm.
For those of you who
thought Kyrgyzstan was a bit to much like hard work, you would like France
better. The land of Cheese eating surrender monkeys , is much more relaxed.
Monday farmers on strike, Tuesday students, Wednesday Public servants (IE
everyone) Thursday Public holiday, Friday Sickie,Le Weekend, and back to
the farmers.
We've now been
recuperating at Paul and Ritas for a couple of days.They are an English
couple living in an old barn on five hecters in Normandy. Well there not
living in the barn, there renovating it At the moment there living in the old
milking shed ,we've got the caravan. Mind you things have improved from last
time we where here. They now have an inside toilet, and Paul hopes to be in the
house by Xmas. Rita spends her days growing organic vegies and flogging them of
to the French. There is a market in a different town every day, and the french
are very loyal to there local market and sellers. You have to set up a stall
for a couple of weeks at least before the locals will even approach you. Rita
is next to an old woman who has been in the same stall for 35 years. She has
been introducing the locals to English delights like pickled eggs, and fig jam
which seems to be a good seller. Mick went along to help her the other
day but had a few problems with the language skills. He would just point
at Rita when approached, only to find out when the talked to her that
they where English any way.
Mick and I have done our bit on the
building site, helping Paul pour half a concrete floor.This was way to much
like hard work. Mick measuring the sand and stones, me working the mixer, and
putting the cement on to the hoist, and Paul laying and screeding it. The
french all knock off, and go to the pub for daily set meal known as Le
Menu.This generally comprises 3 set courses and a glass of wine for
about 8 euros ($16), and is well worth the effort.Lunch generally takes
about 2 hours after which you head back to the desk to pack up.Unfortunately we
started our concreting a bit late so couldn't fit the menu in and had to make
do with tea and bickies.We still have a smaller area to tackle on Friday so will
start a bit earlier so we can fit in the menu and not upset the locals. Paul
was a computer programmer in a past life and they have a website of there past
travels and current project. Check it out here if your intrested.
Anyhow after our toils it's time for pre
dinner drinks. Hope your all well Sante (cheers) 007