Amitié franco-chinoise

August 2010. We crossed the not so distant border between France and Spain. Claudine and I wanted to hear some Spanish and try to speak it in anticipation of our tavel to Bolivia next summer. The frontier is naturally drawn by the Pyrenees mountains. A short stay to improve our ability to climb, dreaming of the Andes cordillera...

We drove to Burgos, big sunny city inside the country. Strolls between refreshing gardens and cobbled places, tapas bars and churches on every street corner. 

After this pleasant and warm stop in the heart of history and life of Spain, we went back to take some rest by the seaside near Bilbao.

To have a swim here is easier than in France ! We could stay hours on these ideal beaches...

 Now, we are back in our town of Angers. Claudine carries on learning Spanish in municipal Institute. But we'll return soon in sunny Spain to share the joy of life and the infectious enthusiasm of its people !

Foshan, May the 17th, in the ultramodern Honda's factory. It's seven o'clock in the morning. A young worker, 23 years old, named Tan Guocheng pushes the button stopping the assembly line and shouts :" On strike ! " 

Listen to his words : " It's impossible for us, workers earning so little money to find somewhere to live, to get married and raise children and to have future plans. I accepted to lead this strike, knowing I shall be fired so that all my workmates get decent salaries. "

From that time forward, many workers stand up to follow his example : 1800 else in Foshan and so many others in Shenzen, in Zhongshan, in Xi'an... I wish you all good luck on your road, brothers. You're not alone, your names are reaching our ears. Keep on fighting, until the cynical masters of this world recognize each of your rights and give you back the dignity you deserve. 

Four generations under one roof : Lao Che wrote it long ago, we did it last week-end !

My old parents, their children and our niece Tifenn who gave birth to her first baby, Adèle.

It was hot and we sat together under a shady tree instead of a roof !

I don't know the way you feel our presence around you but hold my words little Adèle :  we may seem big now to you but really, we're so small. May seem strong but really we're so lost...

Welcome to this roof, Adèle. Welcome to this world, your only smile already makes it shine brighter.

Each time we go to Paris, it's a real pleasure to spend some time walking in the streets, strolling in the parks and even this time having a picnic on the lawn beside a refreshing fountain. Sun was beating and shady places beneath the trees were highly prized !

Farmers have set up free markets and displaid their products right on the Elysian Fields. For the very first time, we saw the famous big avenue free of cars !

We visited exhibitions of painting in the great parisian museums, the Great Palace, the Pompidou Center ( see the picture above )... Works of the english painter Turner, of the spanish masters Murillo, Goya, Picasso, Miro, Dali...