She's a bit naughty but beautiful and goes like a little plane...
I always enjoy my Sunday morning ride because of the tranquility of the countryside, even if it is raining.
MATHIEU - FRANCE - CPE
Hello,
one more will be sent later...
Scotland Highlands
Hello Maria, and Alexander,
This is the last album...
I am back in England but with a smile on my face. I went to Italy with a friend of mine. She's Italian but works in England. Last year she came to France with me so this year it was my turn.
We spent the first three days in Calcata, where her mother lives. It's a charming village one hour from Rome. We enjoyed trips to the sea side, the lakes, and the restaurants. For the next two days, we drove to Rome and, although I'm not a city man, it's amazing. For my last three days, we went to Paciano, where she knows some friends and has some family.
I don't know how to thank her enough; I had a warm welcome. Her parents are very nice people and her friends are lovely. The weather was great and I liked the life style; it's a bit like Spain where I can enjoy the early morning freshness and then go for lunch. When it gets warm, around 2-3 p.m., I like a bit of a sleep and spend the rest of the evening until having dinner around 10 p.m.
Italy has definitely a place in my heart and I'll go there when I have the opportunity. I want to improve my Italian but I have to say that I ate like a glutton, so Alexander, according to my experience and Mia's too, this is not a good place for your diet...?
Mat
Album
I visited a friend of my father's friend in Panicale, Perugia, Umbria, in Italy, close to the mountains of Toscana. I wish I could have visited all the villages around... later on, I'll send you some pictures of Roma.
Italia Umbria
Hello,
This is where my mother's friend lives, we spent 3 days over there. 2 more albums will be sent tomorrow...
Mat
Italia Calcata and
surroundings
Hello Maria and Alexander,
In order to make you listen to what the Basque language sounds like I have attached some music, but you should appreciate more the one without voice.
Benito in his last album, "Lertxundi hitaz oroit".
I have recently watched a documentary about the use of Ayahuasca. I cannot forget this film maker I meet one day; he shared a bit of his experience and history with me saying that he was making a documentary about horse racing for the Arte channel and it was a pleasure to meet him and talk about this over a dink.
This guy told me about a plant he'd discovered during a trip. When he was young, he went to Brazil with his camera and lived for 6 months with the indigenous people of the Amazon, the ones with the large ears). He was initiated to this ritual...
Ayahuasca
Finally, I've attached a musical story in French by Didier Squiban and Yann-Franch Kemener called Kontadenn (Fisherman's recipe).
If it occurs to you to go for a walk on the headland of this country, be careful!!! ......."
I hope that you are both keeping well,
Take care,
Mathieu
Hello, Maria and Alexander!
I am sending you some pictures from the Czech Republic and 2 songs of Raduza, a famous artist over there.
It was a bit short (five days) but we saw quite a lot and without rushing either. I know lots of people from Czech Republic and I went to my friend's place Ostrava, near Slovakia.
We spent one day there and drove to Prague, avoiding the motorway. We had a quick look around and visited the national museum in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, we walked across a lovely park at the top of the city.
I saw one side of it as there was a live acoustic, so we spent a good part of the night there. The following day we drove up to the mountains where we enjoyed a bit a swimming and sailing in the morning but, unfortunately, after lunch it started to rain and subsequent storms broke out; we had to postpone the visit to a couple of castles.
In the end, we spent the afternoon and night at the local pub, drinking, eating, and drinking again. On the last day, we drove back home quietly, as we had to deal with a bad hangover, and we had another party.
I really enjoyed this few days off, I was glad to meet my friend's family, his friends, and families, and friends of the ones who could not come with us; and I saw some who returned from England last year and the year before. The beers are very nice, the landscapes beautiful, and I love the food, especially that of my mother's friend; Alexander, you shall love it too. I would not mind going there a couple of times a year in order to learn the language, if any good opportunity occurs. I have appreciated, at first sight, the people's attitude, and it gives a feeling of freedom similar to that I had in Spain. I'll go back there when possible, and it will be better.
I hope that you are keeping well,
Best regards,
Mathieu
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