Day one in Montpellier, France. Notes from my recent trip to the lovely south west part of France in the Languedoc region.

Silly me. I thought the fact that my parking space at Indy Park Ride Fly was 34C was a GOOD sign. (Heck yeah I can remember that number!) But then again it WAS Friday 13th and Mother Nature was having a thundering party in Chicago.

So after 3 hours of delays and cancellations the awesome Elliott of SR Travel rebooked my trip to Saturday afternoon via Newark.

And NO TRAIN ride from Charles de Gaulle either. The original plan included a 4 hour train trip to Montpellier.

So- back to IPRF to get my car (they give you a voucher with the parking space so I didn't have to check my tag to remember my space-ha) then to the shoppe where Steve Hall rocked the house. Was glad I was there to help.

Indy to Newark not a hitch. Even had time to peruse the gift shops and wonder if the Barack and Michelle Obama Snow Globe would be a good stocking stuffer for my brother.

Charles de Gaulle airport is HUGE. And too many people, too small spaces. I just made like a sheep and followed the crowd thru tunnels and trams and tunnels and steps till I found a seat to wait the next 3 hours for the plane to Montpellier.

Lets see, what time is it now? Going on 20 hours plus awake...

Arrive in sunny Montpellier. WINDY and sunny. White caps on the waves of the Mediterranean but oh so gorgeous. The color of our stained glass piece at the shoppe. The cab that was supposed to be there wasn't so had to get another. And only had 15 Euro but fare was 35 so Mr Cabbie marched me into the hotel and made me charge the hotel for the fare and give him cash. At this point I was a few moments away from tears. BUT-- I sucked it up, smiled and went to my room. Which is about the size of the kitchen at MAWS but there is a window and hot water and wi-fi and a comfy bed in which I took a one hour nap before heading out to see what I could see thru my blurry eyes.

Wound up in a fabulous plaza with gardens and sidewalks and old gorgeous buildings and lots of happy people. It's Sunday in Paris and that means everyone goes to the park. With their kids. Or their lovers. Or their friends. The numbers of "two"'s walking hand in hand, arm in arm, kissing while sitting on the grass, kissing while walking along the avenue..young couples, gay couples, older couples. NOT a great place to mend a broken heart. But then again maybe it is. Love is alive in this country.

But back to the reason everyone from the US comes to France- the cafe's. And this small area was chock full of them. On cue the French musicians struck up "Somewhere over the Rainbow" as I watched people watch people and soak in the sunshine, blue skies, wine, food and cigarettes. In the park I found a "Seuss-like" playground for the kids. The structures looked like musical instruments and trees and houses from a Dr Seuss book. Several feet away a dozen older men gathered around two tables watching pairs of their colleagues play chess. You could walk, run, ride a bike or a skateboard...or a pony! Shetland Ponies for rent. But they didn't come with a pooper scooper, and as I walked thru the esplanade I had to dodge a few piles.

I wandered along the skinny streets with tall buildings and signs for Sicily Pizza...and one with a picture of Gandhi and Indian dishes, "new" it said. Of course there was a McDonalds and a cafe named "Quick". Come on, would you travel for 14 hours to find some place called "Quick"??

Near the hotel is a Gallerie de Lafayette--the awesome multi level department store with a triangle of other shops nearby. Everything is closed though as its Sunday. A day of rest and relaxation and hand holding if you can find it. The front desk guy is kinda cute after all.

Dinner tonite along the Mediterranean Sea at a cozy bistro called Le New Marine. Ed, Michelle, Tia and Chris started with glasses of Heineken since they had spent the day tasting wines. It had been at least 48 hours since a glass had touched mine so I ordered the 2010 Picpoul de Pinet- a local white. Delish! Crisp, lots of minerality, subtle hints of pineapple, lemon cream, banana. Chris ( our Languedoc specialist) ordered another for the table to go with our meals and the first course: Local oysters. WOW-- I have never tasted them like this. Briny, salty, clean mineral finish. Perfect with the wine. I chose the "Poelle de St Jacques et Moules a la prancha" for dinner. Succulent, tender juicy sea scallops and tiny, meaty, mineral like mussels. Amazing. Perfectly cooked. Melted in my mouth. A side of fresh haricot verts with chopped garlic and sea salt was superb. And a salad of endive, tomatoes, cucumbers, red leaf lettuce and a crouton covered with baked tangy, gooey goat cheese. Fresh, lush and light.

We ordered the specials from the dessert list and 5 spoons. The creme brulee was rich and creamy with a crisp toffee like topping. A baked apple was fresh with no added sugar but the thick, warm, buttery caramel on top made up for that. Then a light flaky pastry crust with sliced apples and doppled with real fresh whipped cream. Just the right ending for a scrumptious meal.

My travel mates are a delight. Very smart, witty and well seasoned in the world of wine. It is going to be a great adventure.

And wake up call comes sooner than later. A Bien-Tot!