First Time in Europe
20th May 2012 - 21st May 2012 Cannes I stay awake? Well, this is one of the strangest feelings ever. I’m sitting in our lounge in Vancouver writing this blog post. Our five-and-a-half week vacation has finished. We arrived in Canada at around midday today. I think what makes it feel so strange is the speed in which we returned. I remember the same feeling from travelling to New Zealand. You step on a plane in a foreign country, watch a few movies, snooze a little, and wake up half way around the world. It was literally only yesterday we were in Cannes wandering beside the Palais du Festival. A few days earlier we were in Barcelona. Or Paris, London, Cardiff, Berlin, Pragu, or Rome. But this afternoon I was in Vancouver wandering beside Safeway. Of course, this trip has been the highlight on our agenda for the last three or four months. But now it is finished. I remember doing a speech on “time” at high school – and how it was something that would forever mess with our minds and never be fully grasped. The coming and going of a big event tends to do that. What took four months to plan, and grow excited for is over within a day. Anyway – it’s a strange feeling right now. But a new and exciting adventure is always just around the corner. I’m extremely privileged to have had this one. I will share some more closing thoughts on my wonderful European trip in the next day or so, but first there are a couple of events I haven’t reflected on. Also – I’m desperately tired after our final day of travel, and I keep falling asleep at the keyboard. We left San Sebastian on Friday bound for a long day of travel – headed for Monaco. A RENFE train, a Vueling airline, and the high speed TGV trains. We were due to take somewhat of a dog leg from Barcelona to Valence, and back down to Cannes. It was apparently faster due to the use of high speed trains. However, after a little clever liaising with Ryan and Rebecca, we hopped off early – in Nimes – and piled our gear and our bodies into their tiny Peugeot to complete the journey to Cannes. The clown car. It was absolutely wonderful to see my Dad – as well as my brother Ryan and his wife Rebecca. Meet ups halfway around the world are always unique and special. Dad has been attending the festival for over 20 years for business, so it was also great to see where he goes, and who he meets while he’s inside the festival. Before now it’s just been a place name that we’ve heard spoken, and have seen a few photos. Ryan and Rebecca are continuing a voyage through France and Spain over the next few months. Hearing about their adventures so far was great. They have so much more ahead of them. Cannes was very impressive. It is simply buzzing during the festival. We didn’t stumble upon any superstar actors, or indeed stalk them and camp out, but the vibe of the festival makes up for that. It is so unique. There are businessmen (producers) trying to land new projects, and companies selling their films to far off lands – the “market” if you. But there are those that are simply around to schmooze and make companies, projects and people look better than they really are. We made a short day trip to Monaco. I was taken aback by the building syles. I love the back to back highrises that continue to rise from the hillside, seemingly regardless of how steep the slope. Preparation was in full swing for this weekend’s Grand Prix. It was just a few to day to Folks – there are many more reflections – but for now they’re going to have to wait. I continue to doze off in front of my computer. I’ve had just a few light snoozes over the last 24 hours according to my clock! But I’ll leave it there for now. REub
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