A Day of Contrasts

July 10
Den reminded me at breakfast that it was 4 years ago today that I was diagnosed. We talked about how our lives changed then, and about the uncertainty of a long life. His advice? Fill up the life you have.

And we are. Today was one of extreme contrasts. It began in Lyon, the third largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille. We took the funicular (tram) up the hill above old Lyon to see the Basilica. It was one of those things we thought we should see, since we were here, but Catholic houses of worship are not high on Den's list of must-do's. However, we were sure glad we did. It was the most impressive structure imaginable. It took 200 years to build and the interior is entirely decorated in tiny mosaics, all in tribute to Mary. Extremely interesting, both from a historic and architectural point of view. We stopped off at the Saturday market to watch the locals in action and bought a loaf of pain complet.

Our GPS was not in our good books today--but I believe our troubles had more to do with the directions we were give than the technology. We had to tell her to shut up a few times. After a lot of driving, mostly in the wrong direction, we arrived here at this little out-of-the-way spot deep in the heart of Provence. We have an apartment here on a vineyard for a week. It is way out in the country, at the end of a dirt road.I think we are going to like it. It has a nice pool, lounge chairs, everything we could possible need to cook our own meals, and a resident cat. Den got directions to get to a local market in the morning, a half hour walk through the countryside to the nearest village, and a chance to stock up on bread, goat cheese, and local produce.

So--definitely a day of contrasts-- from the urban morning rush in Lyon to an evening listening to the insects in the trees. By the way, Andrea, what are those buzzing things?