Work in France is slow and can feel lonely at times. That’s why we love it when we have visitors over the summer season. So far, we’ve had some friends from Wales two Sundays in a row. Some more will come on the third of August. The family that was with us last Sunday may come again this coming Weekend. It’s great. We can enjoy fellowship, make the most of the sun, rest.
Month: July 2014
The best of both: World Cup final and fireworks
Today is the 14th of July, Bastille day. Each year, French people celebrate the revolution, and there are usually fireworks on the 13th. This year, like many people we had a dilemma: fireworks or football. We decided we’d watch part of the football and leave before the end to have a good spot to watch the fireworks in Guingamp.
Off we went to the town centre. We found a great spot and waited. I had my smartphone, so we decided to continue to watch the game on it. Then I realised that many people were doing this, gathering around smartphone screens as we were waiting.
One lady thought that football fans wouldn’t be at the fireworks. Obviously she was wrong. Thanks to technology, we were able to have the best of both. Except that I lost my connection at some point during the prolongations and we missed the German goal.
“Remember the time, protecting Michael Jackson in His Final days”, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard
I have never really listened to Michael Jackson. I was never a fan. I can’t say I didn’t like his music. I was not interested. When he died, I was surprised at how young he was. I was sad for him and his family. But I wasn’t devastated.
Nevertheless, when I came across an extract from the book “Remember the time”, I thought it could make an interesting read. And it was. It is not great literature, but it opens the door to the fascinating world of the King of Pop. It sheds a different light on the man. It shows that he was just that: an ordinary man, struggling to live a normal family life. But he couldn’t go out without being recognised.
There is a funny episode when Michael wants to visit a shop in Las Vegas. He disguises himself, covering his head to look like a mummy. Obviously, it is a big fail. Not only people in the shopping mall keep on looking at this odd bod walking around as a mummy, but also, he has kept his traditional black trousers and white socks. It doesn’t take long for people to recognise him, and the shopping trip ends up with a riot. Only once was he able to walk incognito. His bodyguards made him wear a bikers suit and helmet so that he could walk through the town. And it worked. Most of the time, the man had to avoid being seen in public, always going through the back door, living in hiding.
This is Michael Jackson’s story from the point of view of his last bodyguards. Two men who lived with him almost daily for the last few years of his life. They came to know him. He never trusted anyone, but he started trusting them. They give a different point of view in the man. They may be a bit too positive at times. But they do not hide some of his faults.
I discovered that Michael had been raised a JW and that he remained faithful to the Watchtower society for many years until he left the movement in the eighties. Nevertheless, he was often reading the Bible, and knew it well.
If you are looking for light reading for the summer, that book will open up a new world to you: the crazy world of the King of Pop.
The quietness of French trains
I am on the TGV, travelling at high speed through France.
As always, I am amazed by the comfort and cleanliness. But what is most amazing is the quietness. No one is talking, or if their are, they are quietly whispering to their neighbours. Some people are sleeping. No mobile phone has rung so far. And if one would, the guilty person would have everyone starring at them.
Through the window, the green countryside is rolling, while we speed away towards Paris, the central hub where most TGVs go to.
At the fair
Last weekend was the annual “pardon” in Guingamp. It still has a religious dimension, with a procession on the Saturday night. But it has been secularized, and each year, there is a fair in the centre of town. We took the children on Sunday afternoon. It was their first visit. They were excited to go; We went on a few rides, had some candy floss. It was great fun. It was busy, very busy because the sun was shining.
We saw a lot of people we knew: neighbours, school friends… The children enjoyed it and we all went home very tired, with a bit less money than with started with. But we didn’t spend all the budget I had assigned to the afternoon.
I am back
I am back. The last few months have been hectic, but we’re back on track it seems. If you’re one of our supporters, you’ll get some news soon, watch your inbox in the coming days.