Bonjour, Chefonz here!Why are you here and what should you expect...let me tell you.
In December of 2009, I made the decision to take a journey off the beaten path.
I would travel to France.
I would travel alone.
Alas, eight months later, the day, July 12th, had arrived for my departure to the Loire Valley!
Newark to Cinncy to Paris to St. Pierre de Corps to Saumur and finally to the village of Linieres Bouton, the home of Le Moulin Bregeon.
The flight over was rather uneventful. I decided to re-visit Jack Kerouac's "On The Road" and listened to lots of Charlie Parker.
After landing at Charles De Gaule in Paris, I found my way to the TGV Gare Station to purchase my ticket to Saumur. I step up to the counter, "Bonjour madame" (in a very cliche american-french accent)." Naturally, she responds in french...I stare at her for about 15 seconds, shrug my shoulders and say "English?"
No wonder the rest of the world thinks we're idiots and I'm certainly not helping the cause here.
I tell the lady that I need a roundtrip ticket to Saumur (i'm pronouncing it as it is spelled). She says, "pardon, I don't understand." I say Saumur again. She shakes her head. I take out my itinerary and point to the name of the train station listed as Saumur. She looks at me and smiles, "Oh, you want to go to Saumur (pronounced Saw-Muuuuure)!"
Welcome to France buddy boy.
