Sunday's Video (and non video) Conference Call

We did it!We Skyped! Technology geniuses that we are (not!) we somehow pulled off a sometimes 6 way call on Sunday that lasted nearly 50 minutes, until the poor French children were weeping for their mothers to pay attention to them.  Barbara and Judith, Nathalie and Michel as well as bits and pieces of Amelie and Pierre-Adrien, and I were all on live web cams.  Ghislaine was a still image with good audio and Moira, live from a lacrosse game, and Mary, live from the mall, were on cell phones also with excellent sound. Here are some of the discussion points answered.

• To listen to music at the gite or in your room, bring it on a CD
• You can easily purchase a phone to use for the week once you are in France--or maybe your phone allows you to purchase a temporary international plan.  Check your phone plan. My iPhone from AT&T has a World Traveler plan and can be purchased for @ $6/month.  Talk to representative about messaging packages while you are at it, and how to track it while you are out of the country.
• There are hairdryers at the gite, but if you require any electric appliances other than that (think phone chargers, battery chargers for camera, electric curlers or flatteners, electric shavers) then you will need an adapter plug that you can purchase easily at the airport once you get there. Or beforehand at RadioShack or another electronics store.
• Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen. And a raincoat.
• Be sure to let your credit card company know that your are leaving the country and plan to use your card while you are away.
• Ghislaine prefers cash/euros for the stay at Les Buis du Chardonnet but you will be able to use your card at the hotel in Lyon and at most stores and restaurants.  You can get euros from an ATM at the airport, but expect to pay a charge each time you do that, so try not to do it too often.  Get enough out from the beginning.
• We may rent or buy a GPS system to use in one of the vans during our travels.  Not sure yet.
• You may want to bring along a collapsible bag that you can use to take stuff home with if you plan to make purchases while in France. I know I've ended up looking for an extra bag at the end of my trip most times.
• John and I plan to show two educational ppts at the gite, so you know what is in store for you in terms of wine and food during the week. We have the ppts made; working on getting appropriate computer/screen connector (VGA cable) or some such thing.

 Au revoir!  Remember--travel light!