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Mountains

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When I lived in Northern France, I was not far from the sea near Boulogne
and Dunkirk. I swam in it but it is mostly cold. There is a beautiful song "La mer" by Yves Montand and it goes "it rock your soul near the waves of your heart." The only trouble is, gee whiz, you can't walk on the sea unless you are Leonardo Da Vinci or Jesus. Leonardo invented some walking shoes that float on water.

At age twenty three,I had enough of the north region and took off without looking back. I did not have much money and hitchhiked my way to Collonges sous Saleve, to live on a mountain near Geneva. I was so happy to see the real mountains, with green trees and valleys. Forget my black coal mountains around Lens. I felt right a home there driving in snaky roads and up and down with breathtaking views. The inspiration is incredible to have lived high without getting high. On the trails, I could walk and enjoy solitude and peace.

If you ever go to Annecy, you would understand the beauty of the lake and an old medieval city cupped around the lake. In the second century, Anniciaca was a small town at the crossroads of Italy and Switzerland. In 1107, it becomes Annecy le Neuf. 1n 1792, the Savoyards become French for the first time and an integral part of the new republic of France. Annecy -le - Vieux is now an old medieval town. zYou can take a virtual tour on www.savoie-mont-blanc.com and www.lac-annecy.com

It is where I told my wife Suzanne I loved her and wished to marry her. The painter Cezanne loved the lake's blue waters and painted some of his paintings on Annecy. I used to go and rent a pedal boat and near the island or the canal, you can now see topless ladies enjoying the sunshine. I took my friend Barry Snider and he said to me: "Michel, did you..did you see? "What Barry"? the ladies don't have much on." It is simply part of the beautiful landscape. This year with his biking pals, Barry went again to Annecy. You can't forget the St Francois church and the paved cobbled stone winding streets. A good meal and a stroll admiring the beautiful scenery is very satisfying for your well-being.

Like Gilbert de la Motte, Marquis de LaFayette, I felt called to live in the USA. I could tell Suzanne was homesick and wanted to go back to the USA. I forgot all about mountains when I lived along the shores of lake Michigan in Wisconsin for twenty years. One day, traveling to Baltimore I stopped in Greeneville, TN. The smokies and it is said in a song that if you ever lay your eyes on the Smokies, you will be hooked for ever. I was and just moved back from Lookout MTN Georgia near Chattanooga. I could resist again to drop everything and go to live on one. This time, my wife has had enough with me and I signed the divorce papers. "What's wrong with living in Wisconsin?" Well, take a look. www.lookoutmtnga.com and www.lulalake.org. You will understand and now the bug is taking me again. I will go back and live on one somewhere in France. A bientot et bon voyage!

Learn more about this author, Michel Kordas.
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