Although blogging may already be on a downward spiral in the popularity stakes, I figure there is no harm in starting one, even at the risk of being so five minutes ago. This will be one way to keep in touch with people, as Julia and I take the next six months to discover new things about the world, and hopefully about ourselves.
I am starting this blog on an atypically quiet day at the chalet we rent here in Montriond, France. The town is beside Morzine, technically in the French “pre” Alps about 1 hour 15 minute drive from Geneva. The chalet is perched in a little community called “la Bouverie” – and it is mainly old chalets (which is really just a word for house), still owned by families who have lived here, I’m guessing, for generations.
This house is about 150 years old – it is an original farmhouse.
Most days, we get up earliesh to read the news, then head out for snowboarding or walking.
Today, it is snowing, the visibility is very bad, and the fireplace in the chalet is terribly inviting. I’m reading “15 days” by Christie Blatchford. Having been away from Canada for a long time, and, being from Edmonton, it’s been a very instructive read so far. To date I have only followed the Canadian work in Afghanistan through the online papers. Having the time to focus on this very gritty account is opening my eyes to the real people engaged in Afghanistan. I can’t decide whether I truly love the book, but I am learning something.
Taking this time off of work has been tough at times – but I have appreciated every moment so far. So far, I recommend a career break to anyone who is thinking about one. We are lucky. During these six months, we will have until September to travel around and see family and friends in many countries. We have a rough plan until then.
Well, I suppose blogs are meant to be instructive and insightful. Hopefully that will come. But for now I’m going back to the fireplace and my book.
