yes....4 more sleeps

[Gabes-Apg]

yes, only four more sleeps till i leave for france for the work trip.



it is seriously on the other side of the world and i am still a bit nervous about the 30 + hours of transit time (flying and sitting in airport time)

I have hunted and gathered all my supplies. (foods, meds, mc friendly clothes, etc)
started some in depth investigations and research on the weekend, the delightful news is, the location i am going to is amazingly beautiful. the township started in 122BC (for a gal who lives in a country that is only 220 years old this is gobsmacking!)


the other interesting component is that i am going to a region that the main food types are pastries, bread, cheese and deserts. Not the ideal place for a GF/YF/DF eating plan!
but i am not one to back down from a challenge!!

my digestion has been quite happy this week, havent had to take any loperamide just small dose of the questran every 2nd or 3rd night.
if i can maintain this during this week then i fingers crossed i wont have to take too many meds to survive the trip.

a friend has loaned me the French for dummies book and have gained some good information from that...

[Linda in BC]

Wow! 30 plus hours of transit time.. sure hope you bring a lot of food! or at least that they have something you can eat on the plane... You could be kind hungry after a trip like that!
I am a gal like you, from a country that is just a little over a hundred years old, so a township that started in 122 BC is... yup! gobsmacking for me too! I love old buildings and cities.. Hopefully you will have to drive from hotel to where you are meeting each day and will get to see the architecture and a bit of the city.
Will you be able to check in on here at all while on your trip? If so, I look forward to hearing how it's going. Good luck with the food, Gabes.
Linda

[ant]

Gabes,

What is the name of the place you are staying? Years and years ago I had holidays down in the south of France and have fond (very fond!) memories. If I recall correctly it should not all patisseries, bread and cheese. There should also be great seafood, olive oil and wine vinegar....

Best, ant

[harma]

Gabes, also I would like to know what is the name of the place you are going? At the moment I am studying the greek and the Romans (yesterday, today an tomorrow will all be in sign of the roman empire). I almost wanted to say for sure it must be a roman city. But (originally) ti could also be a greek city or a city founded by the Cartharen (hope it's the same in English as in Dutch). If you give the name I will try to provide you with some history knowledge before you go.

Sounds like you are very well prepared. And a 30 hrs travel, poeh that is really a long time (well at least you have a toilet available all the time). Is it only business or will you also have time to actually something of the south of France?

[Gabes-Apg]

Our office is in Marignane which is near Marseille airport.
The accommodation where we stay is in Aix en Province

http://en.aixenprovencetourism.com/

Yes there will be lots of seafood. and our head office complex has 3 restaurants. french work colleagues that have been helping me prepare, (they are here in oz on a job swap type arrangement) have assured me i will be fine.

further research of the blogs etc has revealed quite a few options regarding sourcing gluten free foods, so I am feeling ok about the adventure.

[Joefnh]

Sounds like the GF issue should be easier than thought

Good luck Gabes

--Joe

[ant]

Gabes,

It is an idyllic part of the world. It is full of art and you are not for from St Tropez, some beautiful islands and hills.

Bon voyage!

Ant

[Joefnh]

Good luck Gabes, I hope the food and ticketing all works out OK

--Joe

[MaggieRedwings]

Hi Gabe,

I truly hope your trip is fantastic and you get some time to enjoy the area and not just work. Make it a trip of a lifetime. Do not envy you the 30 hours of transit.

Love, Maggie

[Liz]

Have a great trip Gabes. Our eldest daughters husband comes from the north of France. They have not long ago been over for a visit to his parents & family. Rob, our 21yearold grandson is in awe of the old buildings. He just loves them & cant get enough of them. To think that we knock so many of our old buildings down. It is a crying shame. They are doing it even if they are heritage listed.

Love

Liz

[Gabes-Apg]

Liz
thanks for that - how did you go with the transit???

[harma]

So leaving today?? or already on your way probably on your 30 hour trip

[Gabes-Apg]

the flights got changed, so i leave 11pm bris time sat night (so in 39hrs time), and the transit is now 36hrs. They have given me a day off at the other end to recover. A colleague already there has found two health food shops with gf stuff. Just about to have acupunture.
Health has been really good this week, so feeling ok bout the transit

[Stanz]

I hope you have good health and good movies on your flight, Gabes. You will have a great time, you are prepared, we all await your adventures there, knowing full well that you likely have NO free time to be a tourist.

[Gabes-Apg]

dont worry - i am an early bird and the french dont start work till 9am. My plan is to go for a 30min walk each morning and make sure i capture some of the wonderment. so i should be able to get some nice shots in the morning sun.

i am not going to go through a 36hr transit and work all the time - i will definately make room in the schedule for Gabes stuff ......