Just a little late for Mardi Gras!

Bonjour tout le monde!
I know, I know...we are now into Lent, and I am just talking about Mardi Gras.  I have sort of an excuse this year because Mardi Gras and my husband's birthday were on the same day this year.  Do you know about Mardi Gras?  It is the last day before Ash Wednesday, which starts the 40 days of Lent and what most people think of as the Easter season.  It was early this year, because Easter will fall on Sunday, March 31. (if you are interested in why Easter is never on the same date, see here)  There are many celebrations of Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, but the main reason is that Lent is starting the next day, and historically, this was the time to get rid of the eggs, milk, flour and fat that one gives up for Lent.  So, pancakes are popular, as well as meat (hence Fat Tuesday) and generally all the good stuff.  Besides New Orleans and Mobile, AL, there are famous Mardi Gras celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nice, France; and Venice, Italy.  At many parties, there is a cake that has a token inside.  This token can be a bean (fève) or even a small plastic baby.  When I had parties at school, the plastic baby Jesus was very popular.  I ended up with several, however I only used one at a time in a cake!
So, I hope that you had a great Mardi Gras, wearing green, gold and purple beads and having a wonderful time.
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Update:
Mardi Gras 2017 is tomorrow.  The party has been going on in New Orleans, also fueled by the NBA All-Star weekend just a couple of weeks ago.
Although New Orleans has the most well known Mardi Gras celebration in the US, Mobile, Alabama also lays claim to having the first celebration of Mardi Gras in the Americas. But historians often point to March 3, 1699, when French explorers Iberville and Bieville landed at a point near the future site of New Orleans, dubbed it Point du Mardi Gras, and promptly had a party.
Mardi Gras celebrations include parades, balls, socials, and eating.  As previously stated, the day before Ash Wednesday is the one in which folks partied like crazy and ate lots of fatty things to get rid of the eggs, millk, yeast before the stark days of Lent.
There will be no King's cake for us this year, mostly because I was distracted and couldn't remember the exact date of Mardi Gras.  But you can be sure that we will "laissez les bons temps rouler" here at chez Jones.

To find out more about King's Cakes, click here (remember to smash your piece before consuming, just in case you're the winner of the plastic baby Jesus!)

Mardi Gras in Mobile, AL

Don't miss out and be sad in June!

Ever sing the song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon"? Well, here is the real bridge, which lost half during a flood hundreds of years ago. However, you can indeed walk out and dance on what is there. Want to do that? Go to jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com, and join me in a wonderful adventure this summer. Visit Paris, stroll through the streets in the South of France, marvel in the beauty of the Pont du Gard, then enjoy the cities of Cinque Terre, Siena, and Florence in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Enjoy comfortable hotels and ride through the countryside in our own air-conditioned coach. You won't even have to lug your suitcase to your room! All breakfasts and some dinners are included in the price, as is your round-trip airfare.
Alors, I look forward to wandering the streets of Paris, enjoying 'people watching' in a cafe in Nice, and relishing a gelato in Florence!

La Chandeleur

Today in the US,it is Groundhog Day; however in France it is la Chandeleur.  Are you making crêpes today?
French Candlemas - La Chandeleur - Crêpe Day

Bonjour tout le monde!

Today I am posting some of my pictures of Arles, where Vincent van Gogh painted.  Arles is located in the region where there are a lot of Roman ruins, including the wonderful arena that is in this town.  Also in Arles is an amphitheatre, and the café where van Gogh painted the Yellow Room, and Starry Night Over the Rhône.  What I like about Arles is that it is an intimate area, and if you are traveling with students, you can feel free letting them roam for a couple of minutes.
During our trip this summer, we will be in the Arles region, and might get the opportunity to visit this beautiful town.  If we are lucky, there will be time to visit the arena, and take some awesome photos.  Want to come with me on this great summer trip?  Check out http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com/ and enroll before all the spaces are gone!

The old hospital where van Gogh went twice when  his mental issues got to be too much for him.  Current belief is that the lead in his oil paints affected an already fragile psyche.

Here is the Roman arena in Arles.  There is an equally impressive one in the town of Nimes, where bullfights are still held.










The corridor of the arena in Arles. Just imagine how many people have gone through these archways, which date from Roman times.

The magical City of Lights

Bonjour tout le monde!

I spent several days in Paris just before New Year's Day.  It was cold, sometimes damp, the days were short, and I loved every minute.  The town was dressed up with lights, trees, ribbons, and bows.  Walking through the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter, we chanced upon a very small square that had three Christmas trees decorated with gold and red bows.  Just a random square made even more wonderful with the holiday spirit.  I understand that many Parisians leave town during this time, but of course the void is filled with tourists (like me).

The evenings were just as magical.  The Champs Elysées was lined with light fill trees, and the lower part was one long festival.  The streets were filled with families strolling, looking at all the items for sale, and enjoying all the rides for the children.  Besides that, almost every 20 feet there was a kiosk that sold crêpes, gaufres, barbe à papa (cotton candy) and other sweet treats.  I managed to pass them all!

If you have only done the major touristy things like the Champs Elysées, the Louvre, major museums and Montmartre, then it is time to get "off the beaten path".  Our hotel was in the 12th, very near Bercy Village, a little section of Paris that consists of small restaurants and shops that remind you of a small village. Walk down the cobbled street (oh, my ankles!), through one of the arch ways, and you are at the Parc Bercy, a green spot for parents, children, and lovers of open spaces.  (for more information on this area: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/bercy-village.htm )  We had such fun visiting the little shops, and enjoying all the food options available.  More on that later.
Remember, you can make your own memories of Paris, the Riviera and Italy this summer with me (http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com/)  I am so excited about sharing my love for travel with you.  Check it out, and put down your deposit!  Space is limited, so don't wait...

Village Bercy

Wee-fee in Paree! (wifi in Paris)

Bonjour tout le monde!
I have lots to talk about, especially since I did spend New Year's eve in Paris.  But I came across this blog post, which I find so interesting and very helpful.  So, while I am still basking in the glow of Paris, read this, and take advantage next time you're in Paris!
Merci, David Lebovitz!
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2010/08/how-to-find-and-use-free-wifi-in/

Bonne Annee de Paris!

Happy New Year to everyone!
Michael and I were blessed to spend a few days in Paris, including New Year's Eve, or le Saint Sylvestre as it is known in France.  We had a magical time, and I have so much to talk about.  However, here is just an "amuse bouche" photo to get you thinking about this magical city.