We next did a little exploring into the hills south of Calvi. Corisca, by the way, if very hilly and we did more of that winding and turning which we ended up doing just about every place we drove in Corsica. In fact, we seldom made it past third gear. We took highway D 151 which took us to Calenzana where we had lunch, then to Zilia, Lunghignano where there was an olive press turned by a friendly mule named Charley where we bought some olive oil and a t-shirt.

Charley

You see this sign alot in Corsica. They are known for their charcuterie-sausages and the like, along with olive oil. It isn’t unusual to see pigs cross the road. These are not wild pigs but ones that farmers let graze upon the nuts and grasses of Corsica giving the meat of these pigs a wonderful flavor.

Corsica has its own beer too-and its own Cola which wasn’t very good.

The road kept curving up and up until we reached the summit full of some vegetation but mostly rocks and boulders and, I bet, snow in the winter. We finally made it to our village called Speloncato which turned out to be charming with two unusual churches and interesting streets winding up to a view of a lake far down below.

Views of the towers of the two towers there.

Our hotel, A Spelunca, was made from the former summer palace of Cardinal Savelli, a minister of Pope Pius IX. There were no elevators or air conditioning (or WiFi or TV) but it was very charming with antiques all around. Our room had a strange little cubicle and a plastic curtain for the toilet but there was a nice shower in our room. The hotel was totally full and we understand that after the 15th of July it is almost impossible to get a room anywhere in Corsica, especially in August when most of Europe and especially France take vacations. We had a nice meal at the cafe across from our hotel in Speloncato with lots of Corsican rose. When the sun set the temperatures cooled off and with the open window in our room we had a cool night. By the way, there were signs all over the hotel warning clients to close the windows and shutters when they were there or left the rooms due to violent winds. I’m sure the wind must really blow around here with the village on such a high mountain. When we went into our room for the night there was a wonderful crescent moon in the sky that we could see from our window. Such a nice stop.

A strangely painted house in the village. There were also paintings of cards too, mostly pairs of 21, which made me wonder if the house was won in a card game.

High above Corisca upa really bumpy, pot holed road, is Notre Dame della Serra. You often find chapels like this in inaccessable places but with fantastic views.

The view from below as you approach.

Mary from behind.

From below, in front.

A view as you approach the chapel.

Here is Mary’s view of Calvi down below.

PS-I didn’t mention this in my first entry but, yes, Napoleon was born in Corsica. While he was serving in the army in France, Corsica, which up to this point was running as France was with the rules and regulations of the new regime of the Revolution, became a different political animal due to the return of a very influential leader who disagreed with what was going on in mainland France. Napoleon’s family had to basically flee for their lives and ended up in Toulon. Napoleon only returned to Corsica once which was on his return from Egypt.

Sideroads of Europe

We’ve been away for a week visiting Corsica although it looked like we were in Paris if you were reading my blog. Almost every American when I mention Corsica wants to know where it is. It is a French island in the Mediterranian between France and Italy. Directly south of it is Sardenia which is Italian. Being so strategically located it has been invaded and settled by many nations and invaders. It was once occupied by Genoa in Italy back when various cities there had there own little kingdoms and navies and there are signs of their occupation here in towers overlooking the sea and some of the architecture. Most French people said, when I told then we were going to Corisica, “We are too!” It is a very popular place for both French and Italians for vacations especially along the beach.
Anyway, we loved Corsica. It is a delightful place which reminded me a lot of Provence but with many of the villages overlooking the sea plus, it hasn’t been overbuilt like most places with ocean views and beaches so it has a nice feeling.

We took our car across on a huge ferry from Toulong to Ajaccio. It was an overnight trip.

They put these stickers on the back window every car that takes the ferry and you see cars bearing them all over the island. We’ve left ours on the car-sort of a nice souviner.

Here is a view from the harbor of the city of Calvi, the first place we stayed, which we really liked.

A sculpture of Christopher Columbus. There are some who believe that he might have been born in Calvi. It is true that he was Italian and his parents were from Genoa so it is possible but not likely from what I read.

A pretty church in Calvi.

There was music and dancing in the evenings on the beach. Here is a view of a young guy wearing those low pants that I just don’t understand. And, by the way, Maurice and I were probably the oldest people on that beach but we had fun anyway.

A view from a cafe where we ate on the beach. I loved the pink against the blue of the water.

More to come on our trip.

Sideroads of Europe

It is really interesting to see Paris from a boat on the river. It gives you a different perspective and you can see things you might miss on foot at the same level. There is a boat called the Batobus which you can take from site to site along the river.

The Orsay Museum which started life as a train station. I’m glad it wasn’t torn down when they stopped using it. They just cleaned it too so it looks all spotless in the sun.

As we pass under this bridge you can see all of the other bridges lined up further down the river.

The Louvre Museum

Notre Dame

Probably some of the most expensive real estate in Paris-a place on Ile St Louis.

Paris is famous for its food, especially its pastries so here are a few photos of some things that looked really good to me, most on rue Montorguile.

I think this is some sort of apple tart (photo through a window). 12 Euros-not a bad price for a whole tart.

A little something to take home for lunch or dinner so you don’t have to cook-found at Stoher’s.

All you need for a dish of ratatouille. I like that all of them are perfect, without one blemish.

I love merengues but they sure are messy.

Rose flavored merengues with tiny roses on top.

I have got to find out what these are. I love the cute little piggy shapes. They are a pastry. Maybe you just feel like a cochon if you eat one.

A few things seen strolling along Rue de Rivoli.

The garbage men are staging a strike in front of the Hotel de Ville. It looks pretty messy there, the strikers seem to be drinking quite a bit and the police are keeping an eye on things.

There are always free exhibits given at the Hotel de Ville. I tried to get in to see the one on Grace Kelly only to find that it was temporarily closed.

Once past the Hotel de Ville you can turn into the Marais area. This is the view from the end of Rue du Rosiers, the main street of the Jewish quarter.

A door that I like -the shape, carvings and color.

An especially lovely turret in the Marais.

There are two of these handsome fellows on what was once a residence in the Marais. I think they were supposed to scare away evil spirits.