The Ryndex

Before my parents, I had a pair of oh-la-la visitors. I would like you to meet Verlane and Jude.

Read more…

Q: What’s black and white and red all over?

Read more…

Pharoahs and pyramids, hieroglyphics and gods,extravagant tombs of kings, the Luxor and the lush Nile. Monuments of incredible proportion and age, ancient technological marvels and wonders that have captivated the world for centuries…

I wouldn’t be seeing any of that.

Read more…

In September, Deanna and Keri finally made it out to Paris. They are fun and charming and wonderful guests, and they take wonderful pictures. I went through their photos and took the most brilliant — but then I couldn’t make myself pick the top ten. So I’m warning you before looking inside, especially all my backwater relatives without broadband (hi Mom and Dad!), this is a big one.

Read more…

I just put together a little hors d’oeuvre of a travel log to remember my dive trip to Trebeurden, Bretagne.

Read more…

I had left all my packing for Ireland until the last minute, and was in a panic. There was camping gear all over my place, and Sylvain swore when he saw how much stuff I had. We shoved it all into his back seat of his little grey Clio — we would have to repack when we reached Véronique’s house anyway. At her house, we both swore again. The Clio’s back seats can fold down individually, but there was no way we were going to fit all of our gear. We had to start trimming.

Read more…

Sandra did a good job, didn’t she? I can’t top that, and I’m not going to even try. Here’s the summary for some other stuff and things.

Read more…

When Ryan up and moved to Paris, I admit I had some worries. If I can’t picture someone in their home, doing regular things, I feel a bit lost. It was 19 long months until I could confirm that Ryan was fine and Paris wasn’t corrupting him. So for all those who have not yet had the privilege, this log is devoted to Ryan’s daily life and odd things I noticed about how life differs in Paris.

Read more…

For a traveller with allergies, Paris in the late spring is very powerful. During this season it is lilacs, roses and millions of wildflowers that invade the nose and creep into the deep sinuses of your head that you otherwise take no notice of.

Read more…

I already know one of the things that I will miss the most when I finally pack up my bags and leave France: the Hippocampe dive club. The French organize clubs around nearly any activity, and the dive club offers the opportunity to train for the next levels of certification throughout the year. The teachers are well-trained volunteers, passionate and informed about the sport. In my case, I go to the pool nearly every Tuesday for swimming and practice for my Niveau 2 certificate. I passed the theoretical exam in March, and I signed up for the practical exam — to be held over a week in the south of France. Fourteen technical dives over nine days.

Read more…