Vive la France!

Darren & I have a love affair with France. We've been there 3 times (2005, 2006, 2009) for a total of 6 weeks. There are so many wonderful things about the country- beautiful scenery, wines, coffee, churches, meals, history. We had considered travelling to France in 2003, but on a resident salary decided it was too pricy and opted for the supposedly-cheaper Spain instead. Then Mike & Sarah went to France on their honeymoon in 2004 and came back raving about the places they'd been- Paris! Burgundy! Beaune! It's gorgeous! You've got to go!
The photo above is of Mike & Darren studying the atlas of France in June 2006, Mike giving us tips for our trip there that fall. We had been to France the first time in 2005, but we actually made it to Mike & Sarah's Beaune on our trip in 2006, and we loved it. We visited the Hospices de Beaune and marveled at the medical history in the 15th-century hospital for the poor. Mike must've loved this, we thought. The murals of medical patients (like this edematous, cyanotic looking man with his 'soif excessive') and the old pharmacy (with 'poudre de digitale' - which cardiologists still give to their patients today) would be an internist's favourite history lesson.



And then there's the refined, sophisticated, artistic France that Mike loved. This would be strolling along the Seine, stopping at an outdoor cafe for delicious premium coffee at any hour of the day or night, soaking up the culture, not to mention the art museums - what artist would not be completely in his element in Paris?!


And so, on our next trip to France, whenever that is, we'll share a toast to Mike with our coffee and our wine. We'll think of him as we visit the sights and see with fresh eyes what inspired him when he travelled that country. And we'll feel more connected to Mike - through France - than ever.
Lisa & Darren