Summer Camp

Well, the days are flying off the little page-a-day calendar in my head as the big trip approaches. I'm still finding it hard to believe that in less than two weeks I'll be strolling down the Rue De Rivoli with my darling wife. Tonight I plan to go through some of my favourite photo books of France to get myself all excited. I also need to organise my shopping list. Thus far, it consists of:

• Medieval-style spiced wine from Provins
• Cidre from Normandy
• A CD or two of traditional music from Normandy
• Antique fencing weapons from Maitre Jacques Castinet
• Fencing odds and sods from the Prieur store
• Something cool from the Louvre Gift Shop
• Something goofy from the Parc Asterix Gift Shop

I'll admit, I'm a shopper when I go on vacation. I like to buy myself things I can't get at home. I try to stay away from most of the tacky souvenirs (although I do own a miniature Eiffel Tower from my first trip over). Mostly I look for stuff that will evoke the place for me once I get home. There's the Laguiole pocket knife, bought last time I went, that I carry everywhere with me. A fair amount of fencing gear has come home with me from the Prieur store, and kept me happily armed and dressed on the piste. Then there's the CD of medieval music I picked up my first time over, on a day it happened to rain. The liner notes in the CD got wet, and warped and puckered as a result. It reminds me of rainy Paris every time I open the case.

As much as I like shopping, I think my first delight in travel is sending postcards. I'm hoping to wrap up my list of postcard recipients in the next few days. If past trips are any indication, a significant amount of my spending money will be used on cards and stamps. I've promised to do my best to find fencing specific postcards or stamps for my friends at the club, except for the one or two who will receive cards with naughty photos on them. Can't say I don't know some interesting people!

If I haven't already offered, and you know me well enough to have my email address, drop me a line and I'll send you a postcard too. Please specify if you prefer naughty or not ;D

On a completely different subject, in case any of you are wondering, my parents have made an offer, which has been accepted, on a house in Nova Scotia. They will be listing their Calgary home shortly, and my sister will also list her apartment.

Did you ever have that dream as a kid, where you went away to summer camp, and returned home to find your family had moved away without you?

See you all when I get back, I think. . .