www.turtlesyoga.com
What does fear look like anyway? I suppose it is a very personal creation, each fear different, twisting inside in some dark way. My fear of water and the inability to swim taunts me. Here you are in the ocean in Australia; others jumping waves; me fearing for my life. Now here you are in the lovely public pool of Monflanquin; others whooping and laughing as they play and swim; me feeling awkward and a bit pathetic. Now here you are in another gorgeous pool, this time in Hong Kong with Bill and Daniel. As they swim laps, I hang out in the training pool behind the aqua gym class; each Chinese woman in her numbered bathing cap smiling and waving at me. Enough! I appreciate their friendliness, but it's time to take action.
Back in Portland, I resolve to start the process of learning to swim. I am now in an aqua gym class at Turtles. See web site above. The instructor is one of the kindest people I have ever met. After several months of classes, I love being in the water, can do all kinds of exercises with and without props. BUT I STILL CAN'T SWIM. I dream I can swim, but I can't. Starting in January, I am taking swimming lessons. Stay tuned.
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Thursday, December 21, 2017
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Hong Kong Fun
Above pink flamingos at the Kandoorie Farm and Botanical Garden, paradise in the New Territories just outside Hong Kong Island.
Most Beautiful Poignant Wedding Ever!
Au Revoir, Paris
See you in September! But wait!
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Back in the Village July 8 - July 22
French Dog Soap for Maggy's itches. Found at the Thursday Market. 
My friend Kik at the Brocante Shop in Monflanquin. They are actually selling an old phone booth for 1000 euros.
Giant Green Bean Salad! Haricots Verts et Haricots Beurre. I need help eating it.
Gmail
COMPOSE
 What a week!
Hi all,
I enjoyed Paris, meeting up with American and French friends, taking in a museum and enjoying the annual music festival on June 21 for the summer solstice. It was fascinating to attend a lecture on Bob Dylan in French. The topic- Did he deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize? Afterwards, a Bob Dylan impersonator, Jean Le Bois sang about 15 of Dylan's top songs. He really does look like Dylan, sings like him, and plays the guitar and harmonica simultaneously. I was impressed with how well Jean Le Bois sang all those mouthy Dylan English lyrics and how skillfully he played. Then my French friends and I went out to have a drink to discuss, analyze, criticize poetry, music, literature, life, etc. Very intellectually stimulating! This meant so much to me. I even stayed out past midnight. That never happens.
The three days in Paris passed quickly. I even went to the movies to beat the heat. Last Friday, I took a flight to Periguex with a connecting flight to Bergerac where my rental car was waiting for me. I was the only woman on the plane with four business men. A short flight with no airline host or hostess, but an invitation to grab a pastry bag with a croissant from a basket and a bottle of water. So French! After I exited the plane, an airport employee approached me to ask if I was the one going to Bergerac. She said she had called me a taxi. I looked at her in bemusement. Apparently, airline transportation to Bergerac was suspended over a year ago. So why did Twin Jet a division of Air France sell me a ticket?
Anyway, I did take the taxi to the rental car agency in Bergerac. No additional money required.
I think I have finally gotten used to the rental car, a Renault Clio. Well, most of it. It has since this weird car key system, etc etc. At least, the size works well here. I may be the only car renter ever to ask for the smallest car.
I have spent this last week catching up with friends in Monflanquin. The house looks good overall. Unfortunately, the cat Moustache left me three enormous piles of presents on the terrace. Cleaning that up was no fun. So if you think my life here in France is glam, think again. Several unreachable light bulbs burned out, one of the two fans broke, the door bell stopped working, and on and on. My new terrace set arrived, but there was no way I could get it up to the terrace. After feeling helpless and overwhelmed, I put out an SOS for help.
The village came through, and the helpers even brought me flowers. Now most of the reparations have been done, and I feel better.
Today I leave for Poland for a week. I find myself in so many different situations here in French and English, it is hard to digest. One minute I am in the French bank figuring out how to pay for cleaning services legitimately, and then, I interview house keepers, have a three hour French lunch, go out to dinner with Americans, etc etc. Every bit of who I am gets exercised here. Can't even imagine what the week in Poland will be like meeting long lost cousins from Israel, being in Lublin where my father was born, and attending a conference on the Jews of this town and what life was like for them back then. My hankie is packed.
That's it for now. Please write and tell me your news.
Miss you all.
Much love and hugs,
Giselle
Loved reading about your adventures. I would suggest just copying this letter and pasting it into your blog. Then you have a record of it. J
I have seen Bill and Maggie a few times going to Starbucks.
I got bit by a dog when I was on my neighborhood walk.
I almost feel back to normal now. Hard to believe that I was even gone now. It was great seeing you in Paris. Barbara
From: Giselle Bawnik [mailto:giselle.bawnik@gmail.
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 2:18 AM To: Giselle Bawnik <Giselle.bawnik@gmail.com> Subject: What a week! 
Hi Barbara,
I am back in Monflanquin. Sorry to hear you were bit by a dog. I can't imagine any dog in the neighborhood doing this. Are you okay?
Just posted on the blog. Missing you this morning as I walked around the lake three times. It would be fun if you and Maggy were both here. The week in Poland was very moving and fortunately fun. Loved meeting my long lost cousins. I will blog about that soon.
It has been an adjustment coming back to France. Now I can speak the language and am responsible for a house. It is tough without manpower here or even taller stronger female power so I am hiring a handyman.
I enjoyed seeing you and the gal pals in Paris.
Bill and Michael are doing the Tour de Canal. They ride 60 miles a day. Bonnie is with Maggy and loving her.
Take care. Feel free to write again.
Love,
Giselle
My dog bit is nearly healed. It was a total surprise. I don’t walk by that house any more.
Too about your house issues. What a bother. I am glad that you have hired a handyman. Do you think your new house cleaner will work out? I hope you are connecting with all your old friends.
60 miles a day bicycling does not sound like any fun at all. I hope they are having fun
Not much news around here. It is hard to get back into the routine.
I keep checking your blog.
Barbara
From: Giselle Bawnik [mailto:giselle.bawnik@gmail.
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 1:51 AM To: Barbara D. Walker <barbara.d.walker@gmail.com> Subject: Re: What a week!
Hi Barbara,
Just a quick note. I saw a French movie on Netflix which I think you would enjoy.
It is called Odette Toutlemonde based on a short story by Eric -Emmanuel Schmitt.
Hope you can find It.
Hugs,
Giselle
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