Hello my friends!! We are here!!! I will update again very soon when we get the rental car squared away and on the road. We are so excited we can hardly contain ourselves!!!
CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE TO SEE HOW WE SUM UP OUR COLLECTIVE FRENCH SKILLS
We are now in one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world and will be driving for the next week in a rental car to really be able to take our time and relax….and enjoy the scenery and wines and cheeses!! YUM!!
Among our favorites are the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we have appointments with at least 3 wineries confirmed for a private tour and tasting!!! We will update every day on the blog at GRAFFITI GOSSIP and be sure to check the right sidebar for the mini updates via the Facebook insert!!! There is where I am able to post instant updates via Iphone photos!!
Provence
Provence, in the southeast and close to the Mediterranean. It is perhaps the warmest wine region of France and produces mainly rosé and red wine. It covers eight major appellations led by the Provence flagship, Bandol. Some Provence wine can be compared with the Southern Rhône wines as they share both grapes and, to some degree, style and climate Provence also has a classification of its most prestigious estates, much like Bordeaux.
Rhône
Rhone Valley, primarily a red-wine region in southeastern France, along the Rhône River. The styles and varietal composition of northern and southern Rhône differ, but both parts compete with Bordeaux as traditional producers of red wines.
Savoy
Savoy or Savoie, primarily a white-wine region in the Alps close to Switzerland, where many grapes unique to this region are cultivated.
My most used phrases in France below. Thank goodness for the French translator Iphone app.!! OMG the Iphone makes foreign travel such a different animal than it was even a year ago!!!
| Yes | Oui. (WEE) |
| No | Non. (NOHNG) |
| Please | S’il vous plaît. (seell voo PLEH) |
| Thank you | Merci. (mehr-SEE) |
| You’re welcome | De rien. (duh RYANG) |
| Excuse me (getting attention) | S’il vous plaît (seell voo PLEH) |
| Excuse me (you’re in my way) | Pardon. (pahr-DOHNG) |
| Excuse me (begging pardon) | Excusez-moi. (ehks-kuu-zay MWAH) |
| I’m sorry | Désolé(e). (day-zoh-LAY) |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas. (ZHUH nuh kohm-PRAHNG pah) |
| I can’t speak French [well]. | Je ne parle pas [bien] français. (zhuh nuh PAHRL pah [byahng] frahng-SEH) |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? (PAHR-lay VOOZ ahng-LEH?) |
| Is there someone here who speaks English? | Est-ce qu’il y a quelqu’un ici qui parle anglais? (ess keel-ee-AH kel-KUHNG ee-SEE kee PAHRL ahng-LEH?) |
| Where’s the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ? (OOH sohng lay twa-LEHT?) |
| Help! | Au secours ! (os-KOOR!) |
| Look out! | (ah-TAHNG-see-ohng) |
elise says
October 3, 2009 at 5:10 amOk this is the place I am MOST jealous. LOVE everything French. How could I not with the surname NEY? LOL
Never gotten to Provence. Smell some lavender fields for me
Patricia Norman says
October 3, 2009 at 6:34 amThough I do love parts of France my heart remains where you were in Egypt and Turkey. You will be in places I have not been so thank you for all of your pictures and great descriptions. It does make it all real
Diana says
October 3, 2009 at 7:31 amFoux De Fa Fa–very catchy tune!!! Made me laugh. Have a great time in France, although I think I agree with Patricia-I think I would love Istanbul & the Turkey area. How is Steve’s driving??? Do you have a GPS or do you get to navigate Sandra? TEEHEE. We’ve had a few of those-“Which way do we go?’ moments haven’t we?
Say a little prayer for me when you go to Vinnie’s Place.
Hugs
Diana
Marius says
October 3, 2009 at 8:47 amGreat Fun !
You In London at all this trip ?
Rebecca says
October 3, 2009 at 8:57 amSandy, How in the heck do you find all the youtube videos??? Man, you sure have the knack!!! I am so jealous now of the wines and cheeses! Enjoy!!!
HotFlashFusion says
October 3, 2009 at 9:19 amOh la la!!!! C’est la vie, n’est pas??? I am now soooooooo very jealous!!! I ate my way through France, the food is absolutement delicious!!!! Enjoy that bread, cheese and wine, c;est marveleaux!!! Bon appetit, mes amies!! A bientot!
Jan Reed says
October 3, 2009 at 12:00 pmso glad you are having fun… MING says BLING should upload to the site too….have a video msg I will try to email you from my phone
Dana says
October 3, 2009 at 7:33 pmI just have to tell you that I am a lurker. I so enjoy your photos, your glass work, all of your artwork. And I have LOVED watching and reading about your travels. You have quite a gift for the way you see things in the world. It may make me strange to be a lurker, but you must know that I really enjoy the beauty you see, photograph, and create in this world! Thanks for sharing with me!
Lois says
October 3, 2009 at 8:21 pmHi Sandra and Steve, It sounds as if your taste buds are in for quite the thrill! Enjoy France 🙂
Lots of Love, Lois 🙂
Nan McGee says
October 3, 2009 at 9:13 pmWine, cheese and France!! Can it get any better? Can’t wait to tour with y ou guys. NM
KATHLEEN says
October 3, 2009 at 10:14 pmI think if i could only go to one area of France….it would have to be Provence! for the Provenence!! such History here!!! hehehe. i hope you go to Arles and feel the presence of Van Gogh at one of his most tortured times….and a time when his art showed so much emotion. sounds like you will be “wining ” your way through roads less travelled, so be safe, stay on the road…….get some rest and show us some gorgeous photos!!! I wonder if the lavender is now in bloom. my favorite fragrance of all plants…………… au revoir!!
Vonnie says
October 4, 2009 at 4:54 amEveryone pretty much summed it up, the wine, cheeese, bread ( I LOVE bread!) and all the french dishes OMG I would eat my way through France too! Love to hear the French accent too, dunno why but I do, doesn’t matter what they say I just love to hear them talk.
I have no doubt there will pic a plenty and can’t wait to see them all. Have fun and be safe
Michael says
October 4, 2009 at 10:26 pmWhat, no Luberon? It’s a beautiful region and wine too.