It was a year of monumental change for us. We sold our lovely home in the Luberon hills of Provence in record time (2 days), did some serious downsizing and moved to an apartment on the French Riviera. Emptying that house of at least 75% of the contents at flea markets, online sales and more was a demanding challenge. So was finding a new roost. But, we did it all and here we are. The apartment is spacious with a to-die-for view of the Med and mountains. At night, it is magic. Life is less complicated. We are closer to commerce. And, a beach where I look forward to Med swims when the weather warms. And Italy, just 20 minutes away where we love to shop. Benissimo!
Four mainly outdoor cats accompanied us. We could not abandon them. Pets are a
lifetime commitment, not to be tossed out if inconvenient. That, too, has been challenging, but now we are down to three felines. My precious boy Adam was peacefully euthanized on 1 Dec. (age 14, cancer). We miss him. He was special.
Not monumental, but a milestone. I am now a French citizen — and an EU citizen. (lots of paperwork, perseverance and patience) I will not relinquish my American passport, but have dual citizenship. Vive la France!
Before the stress of the move preparation, we had two wonderful trips in 2018, Egypt and India. See previous posts for more: Drifting Up- and Down-the Nile, Apr 2018; Indiaās Big Cats, June 2018; Alok and Ankitaās Wedding, Jul. 2018.
Part II of our Egypt adventure was a beach holiday following the Nile cruise. Interesting.
I booked an all-inclusive package at a French travel agency and expected we would be at a mainly French hotel. Surprise. Instead of speaking French, I needed my German. Ninety percent of the hotel guests were German. The huge hotel (505 rooms) was sold to a German company in 2017, I learned.
Hurghada on the Red Sea is a popular beach vacation destination. Until the 2015 crash of a Russian passenger jet brought down by a bomb over the Sinai, Russians were the primary clientele. No longer, and due to this and other terrorist incidents in Egypt,
international travel took a hit. Those intrepid Germans were the first to return, but last year many others followed. Tourism was bouncing back. However, the recent attack on a tour bus near the Gaza pyramids will not help which is tragic. Egypt needs tourists. We felt very safe during our travels.
Our hotel was not in Hurghada, but on a section of beach about 45 minutes from the town. Large hotel after large hotel, all with mainly German guests, line the shore. Deutschland can be bleak with too little sun as we know from the many years we lived there. It is no surprise that Germans are known to seek the sun on holiday.
Having had a cancerous bump (basal cell carcinoma) removed from my nose, I try to avoid those tanning rays. I was surprised. Most hotel guests had no fears of the sun. They bake, hour after hour. Some of the tans outdid those old Coppertone ads.
What to do if you donāt want to broil all day? There are organized beach games, a variety of excursions, scuba diving. On a previous trip to Dubai, we had done a desert tour. During our cruise, we visited the sights of Luxor. No need to repeat those. I signed up for a snorkel trip with the intention of moving on to scuba. But, the snorkeling was not that exciting. I feared a beginnerās scuba trip would be about the same. I passed.
We also passed on a visit to Hurghada since we had heard it did not offer much ā mainly more hotels. We did take a taxi to a shopping center which was much like a shopping center anywhere, but had a genuine Egyptian restaurant.
That was a plus. One day we went for a long walk along the beach, the hotel strip, assuming we would come to a restaurant for lunch. Nothing. All the restaurants are part of hotels, for hotel guests only.
There is no shortage of food on these all inclusive package tours. Copious buffets are offered three times per day. All kinds of food. It is astonishing how much some folks put away, plate after plate. Snacks are available between meals. Beverages, including wine, beer and cocktails, are also included. Caipirinha were popular at the bar in the middle of the swimming pool
Our hotel had two main restaurants, a huge hall with a terrace and a large outdoor beach restaurant. And, a courtyard with specialty restaurants (Chinese, Italian, Burger etc.) which you could book ahead for dinner. We tried them all. Overall the food was not bad, but not great. Our shopping center lunch was our favorite. It seemed like real Egypt.
I talked to a couple from Niedersachsen, Germany, on their fifth winter visit to Hurghada. āItās reasonable. Itās warm. We are happy here.ā So are thousands of other tourists who fill the 175 hotels in Hurghada which provide jobs for some 200,000. Average salary is about 70 euro per month.
Hurghada, called a ātouristic hotspotā by one publication, is booming with more hotels under construction. For the sun and sea and all you can eat, itās a deal. But, we much preferred our week on the Nile to our week on the Red Sea.
Words of wisdom for 2019 from my hero and inspiration, the late Anthony Bourdain:
“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.”
We will get off that couch and begin 2019 with adventure: the US then Costa Rica.
Happy New Year. Happy Trails to all.
At last, a new recipe. Broccoli Parmesan Gratin is worth a try — even if broccoli is not on your favorites list. See top right.
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Please comment . Click below then scroll down. I love to hear from my readers.
Happy New Year ,Leah & Bob ,have a wonderful holiday in USA &Costa Rica
Thank you for Tales &Travel,we look forward to the next one .continue to enjoy life in your new home
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Belated happy New Year to you and Tony. The vacation was good. Details coming soon,. Thanks for the comment.
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I too had a nasal cell carcinoma removed from my face.
Congratulations on successfully moving and simplifying your life.
Happy travels in 2019!
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Good to hear from you Shelley. I need to catch up with your travels. Still catching up after the move.
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Great reading as usual. Bienvenue en France et Ć bientĆ“t sur la Riviera! Richard et Michelle
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Merci. On espere de vous voir bientot.
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Leah: Congratulations on your French/EU citizenship. Looking forward to seeing more of where you two are living now. Please keep the stories and photos coming. Happy New Year to you both, What a great start.
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Thank you Warren. Are you and Barbara headed to the Dolomites? I miss skiing.
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The US? When ;where? Youāll love Costa Rica (not a big fan of San Joseā typical third world but knowing you youāll probably love it )! More about USA. Surely you jest but Iāll hop in my Lear meet you anywhere
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Forget the Lear jet. How about your boat to Costa Rica?
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Great stories Leah. You brought back lots of memories for me as I’ve been to Egypt. I have even ridden a camel across the dessert. I can remember how hot it was and can understand the attraction for Germans. They sure love the sun and tan so easily!!
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The sun and sea are fabulous. The Red Sea is the perfect break for those Northern Europeans in winter.
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Leah – Bonne Annee! et Bienvenue au France! Thanks for the notes and the recipe – will have to try soon – it sounds wonderful. It will be good to get off the Brussels Sprouts bandwagon and back to broccoli….
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Merci George. Give the broccoli a try…I have given up on Sprouts. I just do not like them no matter how prepared.
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So fun to catch up some on you 2. Love the picture of you both. So glad the move is a good one. Congrats on your French citizenship. Happy New Year. Hope to see you in 2019. Any chance you’ll get to CO?? We’d love to see you. Let us know.
Love, Kathy and Bob
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Thank you Kathy. We won’t make Colorado, but would love to see you in France.
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I loved reading about your travels in Egypt. So sad that their tourist business is down. The photo of the generously sized bathers by the pool bar is priceless! Germans or Americans? Happy New Year to you and Bob!
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And I love hearing from you. Egypt deserves better. It offers so much. The people are great.
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Happy new year! As usual, enjoyed reading, learning, imagining being with you. Congrats on becoming a French citizen, Leah! Look forward to your US visit!!
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Thanks Susan. Sorry I won’t see you in Ohio. Bob reunites with his siblings while I have a reunion with mine in Ca. Have fun.
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Sounds great. Ā Ā May we all survire eight years of The Donald in the White House. Ā Cheers,Barney Ā Ā Ā Ā > Message du 01/01/19 19:03 > De : “Tales and Travel” > A : barney.k@orange.fr > Copie Ć : > Objet : [New post] 2018: Ā Milestones and more (Egypt) > >WordPress.com
leahlarkin posted: ” It was a year of monumental change for us. We sold our lovely home in the Luberon hills of Provence in record time (2 days), did some serious downsizing and moved to an apartment on the French Riviera. Emptying that house of at least 75% of the contents”
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Come on Barney…let’s be positive. No more than a few more months. Mueller must save the country. And, hopefully soon. Great to hear from you. Must rdv next time we are in Paris.
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What a glorious, ambitious year! Wishing you continuing tales and travel!
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Thanks, off to a good start.
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That’s the kind of New Year Planning we like, Leah. Good for you!
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