One last blog from France
We are off on new adventures this weekend so I thought I should send out a few pictures of France before we go. We have had a fantastic time here in Mouxy - the skiing has been great. We have skied every last trail what feels like hundreds of times; the trails are all one-way so you don't have lots of choice. This past week alone we have skied in a thunder and lightning snow storm, rain, hail and blinding sun. As a new skate skier, I like the fresh corduroy but they don't groom as much as they do in Whitehorse.
We have all had our goals... we have met some of them and others will remain on our bucket list. Kate is just shy of meeting her goal of racing down the largest hill at Féclaz at 50km/h (0.4 off).... I snow plow the smallest hills and she loves to have the speed - crazy kid. Paul has paid off his pass almost 5 times now. He is also enjoying (right?) making the climbs in the area on his bike. I have a achieved my goal of hiking the Revard Cremailliere Trail. It took me 5.5 hours to do it... Takes me from our house to the top of the Revard.
Left: At the start... Right - destination - tippy top of that mountain.
The trail starts down where the weather is spring.
Bridges....
Great views
Crazy tunnel on a bend which means you can't see a thing. I had a stick and used it as a cane to make sure I didn't fall into any big scary holes. The tunnel is 165m long.... that is a long way to walk in the dark my friends.
Last hour, my feet kept punching through the snow pack. Crazy!
View from the summit
Original Hotel at the top
Revard Station - made it. Mission accomplished.
Kate in front of the church doors at Méry (town nearby)
Skiing in the sun.... La Féclaz
Kate's last race - individual classic. She is smiling... Go Yukon Go!
Everything is in bloom right now
Enjoying France
Opinion Piece: So after three months in France, I have to voice some opinions, with full understanding I am doing so with serious cultural biases. When I walk, which I do for hours, up hills, through villages and down to the city, everyone who passes says Bonjour. It is really wonderful. Paul says every cyclist either gives a nod or a wave. I truly appreciate that. Once day, Kate and I were out hiking and we passed on a small country trail by a large group of Sisters from the local monastery. They were all fairly elderly, dressed in their habits but each and every Sister said Bonjour to us as we passed.
This leads me to my rant.
This being said, some of the French don't tend to care about others around them. Coming from Japan where the national philosophy is one of concern for the whole population - don't talk on the trains, as you will disturb others; wear a mask if you don't feel well, so as to infect others; give your seat and on and on....Here, in France, the opposite. I saw it on the first day of skiing. Everyone just stops when they want to stop and doesn't move aside. Large groups form at the bottom of hills, part way up a climb or at the crest to chat, take a drink... forcing skiers to awkwardly maneuver around to continue on their way. Worse, the ski races. The course are full of competitors but also racers warming up, recreational skiers, spectators all using the same track. I actually cheer sometimes just to get folks to move out of the way of the athletes. It drives me nuts but the French don't even notice. Even driving.... yes, everyone drives inches off the back bumper of the next car but I actually saw a woman park, block a whole street so that she could drop off her garbage and recycling. Drivers where out and yelling at her but she didn't move until she was done. Hilarious. So I guess the French find it tough too.
Fashion
The second observation is French focus on athletic wear. Everyone dresses the part. I have never seen so many skiers wearing race suits. I guess in their defence, it isn't cold here (the suits just wouldn't work in the cold for very obvious reasons) but here - old and young alike wear tights or race suits for every ski. It doesn't matter the skill level, age, body type or fitness. I love the old guys... they wear their race suits from their glory days typically the 80s and the suits wear like they do on the young ones. all wrinkly and saggy - like elephant legs. Heck, people even wear full, matching tights and jackets when out walking their dogs. I find it all hilarious and fascinating. BTW: White race suits should be banned!
Well that is all for now. .... until next time. Au Revoir from France.
