We arrived home around 7:30 last night, exhausted from a trip that included an unexpected layover. We left Charles de Gaulle airport late due to conditions that found us standing in continuous lines for over four hours; those lines that go back and forth endlessly, exhibiting faces that became more familiar with each turning of the corner, faces just as bored and tired as ours undoubtedly were. If we hadn't been exposed to Covid before, we certainly were there, as only about 25% wore masks. One line stretched across a vast space only to turn back on itself before entering the maze that took us eventually to passport control. Naturally the plane leaving Paris was delayed, which meant we missed our Calgary connection where more lines, almost as chaotic, awaited. It was a numbing end to a wonderful trip.
And today is the 4th of July, a day of celebration of our nation's history and our hopes for the future. It feels strange coming from France into this holiday, France being a key in the founding of our country, helping us win our first war.
After we left Paris we were in Perigord, in the Dordogne region where for thousands of years prehistoric people hunted and lived in caves sculpted into the cliffs above the river. Many of them are decorated with drawings and paintings. The famous Lascaux cave is closed to the public but we saw others and visited a massive one, taken in by a little train to a vast room where the ceiling was decorated with drawings of horses, mammoths, rhinos and more. The artists had climbed into a chamber far from the opening, carrying fire to light their way, and laid on their backs to create hundreds of beautiful, inspiring drawings. Why? There are many theories but no definitive answers.
The floor of that part of the cave was dug out so that we, 40,000 years or millennia later, can gaze in awe at their artistry. Our ancestors were no slouches.
Over the centuries rough dwellings were added to the cliff openings, and eventually some became fortresses and then castles providing shelter and protection for their people. These castles too are now visited by tourists but they were once engaged in battles, especially during the 100-years war when the French and English fought over who should rule here. France now benefits from their beauty.
We spent our days visiting charming old villages, seeing bucolic scenes, and eating excellent food. As is usual for me I didn't want to leave. But here I am, with lots more memories to fill my mind and my dreams, and almost ready to return to what passes for normal life.
Wishing you a Happy 4th! Hang on, and welcome the good that's surely waiting for you.
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