Friday, June 29, 2007

Provence, here I come

I never thought I’d be so depressed going to Provence. We’ve been talking going with our friends Albin and Agnes for years and finally made the booking in February. Both Albin and Agnes are food lovers and avid cooks so the idea is to go for two weeks, rent a villa, go to the market in the morning, lay by the pool during the day and cook and eat and be merry. Agnes is bringing all her food recipes and I am in charge of desserts. We have also talked our friends Gaurang and Christine into joining us for the first week. It promises to be a great vacation for all.

Then three days ago something happened at work and Jason had to cancel. My first reaction was to cancel my trip too, but we have two other couples expecting us there and it just wouldn’t be nice to not show up. So now I’m going solo. While poor Jason’s stuck at work, I have to figure out how to get myself from CDG airport to Gare Lyod, use the rail pass to catch the TGV to Avignon, find the rental car office and drive myself to our villa in a little village called Murs, which is 30km away. I feel like I’m in a nightmare where I’m a contestant in the Amazing Race, except I don’t have a partner to read the map while I drive. Albin and Agnes are nice enough to come and meet me at the train station so I can just follow their car back to Murs. I hope I can remember the roads because two days later I am going back to pick up Gaurang and Christine.

We are hoping that Jason can come and join me for the second week, but there’s a chance that he might not make it at all. So there I was, going to the supermarket before I leave to stock up for Jason, and somehow I found myself shopping for clothes. This is what I do when I get depressed, I shop. A shirt, a pair of pants, a skirt, a necklace and a pair of earrings later, I don’t feel any better. That’s the thing about depression shopping, it rarely makes you feel better but you just can’t help yourself. I’m hoping the beautiful scenery in Provence and the company of good friends will do the trick.

Provence, here I come, alone =o(

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear! Well, any help you need before going or while there, let me know!

Karen said...

oh dear, know how depressing it can be! Cheer up and look on the bright side! Your husband would want you to enjoy yourself and have a whale of a time. Send him some great pictures and you'll be his guide when he's there or when you go together in future!!! There is always the next time.

^______________^

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. Keeping my fingers crossed that Jason can join you after all.

SteamyKitchen said...

Take me! Take me! I'll read the map!

Anonymous said...

Wait, take me instead! I'm an ace map-reader!! And I know Albin. Sort of, in a vague we've-crossed-paths-in-the-office way. Sorry to hear Jason can't go with you. I feel for you (I'd be petrified to make the journey on my own), and it would be a real bummer to have to be the odd one out without a spouse. Fingers crossed he can make it for the second week. Provence is really too good to pass up - friends, a villa, the French countryside... *sigh*

-hsin

Ales said...

so sorry to hear about this : (
I hope you will feel better once there and go back home with lots of pictures and stories for Jason...and us : )
btw: your jams have arrived yesterday!!!!!! thank you so so so much. I haven't try them yet but I did try the mango snack and I love it (the dry mango I tried before was very dry but yours is wonderfully moist : )). thank you again and I do hope you will enjoy your stay in Provence despite Jason won't be there

Anita said...

Sorry to hear about this! But look at this like a wonderful adventure you will able to share with your husband when you return! I know you have a fabulous time in Provence!

Unknown said...

I am discovering your blog for the 1st time... and would just like to help you for your French expedition. You could more easily catch a train at the CDG airport, as they head straight south. and do bring some hot clothes too as per now the weather in France is quite dreadful...

Unknown said...

Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Jason did make it out there for the second half and I managed to not get lost in Avignon or drive off a cliff in the big 4x4 SUV I ended up with. Provence was so beautiful and we ate soooo much!

Ales, glad you liked the dry mangoes. It's one of my favorite "healthy" snacks =o)

alittledrop-of-love said...

Lynn, where you at Starbucks on Sunday evening? I saw your dogs outside with your hubby and got that gut feeling. I knew I saw those two dogs somewhere before.

Unknown said...

haha, yup, that's them! I must've gone to Tanglin market to pick up dinner at the time =o) small world, huh!

Christine said...

Hey! I've found you, yay another link for my blog! Thanks for leaving the comment, and I wanted to tell you at the cupcake class .... GREAT taste in shoes dahling, I have the same ones!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

dear lynne

so how did your provence trip go..... oh did you see the hills all purple with lavender and air all scented with lavender too.

Anonymous said...

Where'd the new entries go? I was looking forward to reading about your trip in Provence. Unfortunately you haven't been posting in almost two months. Whats going on? Not even a short sorry I'm busy like usual can't talk got to much work. My trip was_______. Why do I even both checking to see if you posted anything new.