Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year

The Holidays rocked. SO many festivities and good times crammed into one month! A highlight of our Christmas was having a globe-trotting couple from France visit with us for Christmas dinner. My dear friend Melanie of Musingly Melanie was hosting the couple, Marc and Gwendolyn, at the time. She met them through "couch surfing" online and we thought it would be fun to combine our Christmas plans. I'm so glad she shared them with us!


Marc and Gwendolyn are serious travelers. They've been all over the world--to every country in South and Central America, across Africa, all over Europe and North America-- I was amazed by their journeys. I felt privelaged to help host them on their very first Christmas in North America.

We made a few classic French dishes in their honor to go with the feast--and they were very gracious. (Even though we only had Martinellis and not wine to go with the cheese plate!)

It was so fun to have them in my home and to hear about the places and people they've had experiences with. They played games with us and the kids and were such a wonderful addition to the party.

When we said goodbye, they welcomed us to visit them anytime and it was one of those cheesy moments when you have a glance at the heart of humanity and realize that we're all the same. Warm fuzzies. And boy did it ever wake up my Sagitarius travel bug. Time for a trip! Adventure! New cultures and the unexplored!

Marc writes for a couple of magazines and Gwendolyn takes pictures. Many of their adventures have been taken in a custom made car that they ship with them when they have to cross water. Otherwise... they just drive there.Check out their website,  Les Bourlingueurs-- it is fascinating! (you will need to use translation).

Anyway, Happy New Year to you all. I hope we can think personally and globally this year...get things straight at home and make the world our home. (=


7 comments:

Andrea Coulter said...

Happy New Year! I want to travel now too :)

Patricia A. Timms-McGehee said...

Happy New Year!

Sounds like you had wonderful time with such interesting visitors. Makes me want to run out and force someone interesing to come over to my house for dinner. ;)

Elana Johnson said...

Awesome pictures! And I would love to travel the world someday. :)

Write Chick said...

That wakes up my travel bug as well. Remember, you can always take me with you on your worldwide adventures. :-)

Heidi Jarvis said...

I wish I could have been there to sample your cheese plate! :) I had that same sense of connection with humanity in Chicago once. Traveling is the best. Sisters European Tour 2020! Woohooo!!!

Unknown said...

They look so French. Reminds me of good times. I'm sure they loved your French food. You're an amazing cook.

Phoenix said...

I'm such a sucker for French Food - I'm glad you had such a good New Year's celebration! (And a cheese plate? YUM!)