Reunited

After 10 long years, my bestie from college came to Maine for a brief visit with her husband (Adam) and children (Ria, 16; Brandon, 13).  Probhita and I were housemates at a dorm in Baltimore when she arrived during the 2nd semester of our freshman year.  Unbeknowst to her (and me!), I was ousted from my room during Christmas break and relocated to accommodate her (my original roommate was also from India and people felt that the two would be more comfortable together).  Hard feelings may have abounded for a bit, and initially our different personalities further drove us apart.  But during a time of crisis for us both, we found common ground in prayer and fellowship - and a meaningful lifelong friendship was forged.

The last time we saw each other, Ria was 6 and Brandon was almost 3.  Annabel was 6 months old, and Thane wasn't even a gleam in Jordan's eye.  Despite the distance and differences in age, these 4 became friends much quicker than their mothers did.

Ria & Annabel were definitely kindred spirits, and Brandon & Thane bonded over their love of hunting and fishing.

We enjoyed a wonderful 3 days exploring Downeast, including a frigid swim in the ice cold waters of the Atlantic where Brandon & Ria learned that they definitely prefer the warmer water of the Indian Ocean near their home in coastal Goa.

It was more wonderful to reconnect with this family than I could adequately express, and I suspect that a few more lifelong friendships have been made.

P.S.  I told you Maine is the BEST!

Grand Paris

At the end of our time in Burgundy, Annabel and I headed to Paris for a few days of sightseeing.  This was Annabel's first time in this wonderful city, and she was super excited to see the sites (Ste Chapelle, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, etc.)

We also visited the Louvre (specifically the ancient civilization section and the "Mona Lisa"), and the amazing Impressionist collection at the Musee d'Orsay.

To bolster our lagging energy afterward, we helped ourselves to an absolutely delightful cup of drinking chocolate at Angelina's:

 

We took an evening boat ride down the Seine River, and visited various sections of the city including Montmartre where we met up with Karina and Marie-Helen, dear friends from my college days.

One day we traveled to Normandy, where I finally got to tour the scenic Mont St. Michel.  I've wanted to visit this gorgeous little island since I was 14 years old, and it was well worth the wait.

On our last night in Paris, we were delighted to have dinner with Liz, a family friend from Baltimore who lives in France now.  I watched Liz grow up, and I am so very proud of the young woman that she has become. 

Until we meet again - au revoir Paris!

La Musique

The chorus was in France, of course, to share their music.  And share they did!  The group sang impromptu tunes in city streets, Beatles ballads with new French school friends, their standard concert repertoire at small village churches, and lively spirituals with a couple of adult choirs.

Despite the grueling schedule, the kids rose to each occasion and sang their hearts out to the delight of all who came to listen.  The bigger, more organized concerts were amazing, but we also enjoyed casual singing with neighbors and new friends.

 

On one such occasion, we were treated to a dinner, dance and bonfire - french style.

Music truly has no borders.

Resistance

The history of which Burgundians are most proud is fairly recent.  Burgundy, with its immense forests and rolling fields of tall grass, served as the backdrop for the heart of the Resistance during World War II.  Many of the local population are direct descendants of brave men and women who valiantly stood against tyranny:

We learned about the Resistance at a local museum, and the kids participated in a memorial ceremony held annually for a group of men who were massacred by desperate German soldiers at the end of the war.  Those killed were chosen for their affiliation to a village with ties to the Resistance.  At the ceremony, the choir sang the french national anthem.  After the service, the kids joined local villagers as they walked by each grave and gave thanks for their sacrifice.

Perhaps most touching of all was the morning the choir spent with Agnes, a Dutch woman who grew up on the Dutch/French border.  She was in early elementary school when the Nazi's invaded Holland, and she remembers clearly the day when 5 of her Jewish schoolmates were removed from her classroom and were never seen or heard from again.  Agnes shared what it was like to live in an occupied country at war, and for a few hours I think that the kids caught a glimpse of the hardship and hopelessness that comes with war.

At the end of her story, the kids sang to her an old slave-era spiritual entitled "Freedom Is Coming."  It was an incredibly moving experience for all, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room.  We can only hope that this was an experience that will stay in the hearts and minds of the children for a long, long time.

Burgundy, France

Annabel and I just got back from a 2 week stay in France, most of which was spent in the Burgundy region.  We were there on tour with the Washington County Children's Chorus (more on that in a later post).  Burgundy is bucolic, and much of the region is home to Charolais cattle farms and an immense national forest.

While there we visited ruins left from the Roman occupation of France

and neighboring Guedelon Castle, which is being built by a team using only medieval  building tools and materials.  What an amazing feat!

 

We also toured the Chateau de Bazoches, home of one of Louis XIV's closest advisors.  The castle boasts a reception room with a gorgeous wall painting tracing the direct lineage of the french royal family. 

We managed to fit in several cities as well, including Dijon with it's enormous, fountain-filled central square.

Burgundy has such a rich, varied history which is so evident in its architecture.  This is most evident in the cities, where the old and new are close companions.

Hot and Cold

 

Several weekends ago, the four of us climbed up Schoodic Mountain.  Of course we chose one of the hottest days of the year to go on our hike, but the view was totally worth it in the end.  This is a pic of Gouldsboro with Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain in the background:

The trail up Schoodic Mountain is pretty steep in spots, and we were really happy to find a pond at the bottom of the trail. 

The water at Donnell Pond was cold, but it sure was refreshing!