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Everything you always wanted to know about France |
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All Saints, Ramadan and Diwali
Interestingly, the first week in November this year has three religions celebrating a time to remember and contemplate. I was once in Saudi Arabia when Ramadan was in July - that was very hard but Eid al-Fitr was a happy time. I have also celebrated Diwali with Hindu friends in Wembley and am now in the South of France where our neighbours plant the graves of family with flowers and memories. With so much in common, it is sad the small differences cause so much misery. November 1st, - Toussaint - The festival of All Saints, also sometimes known as "All Hallows," or "Hallowmas," is a day to remember and pray to the saints for various helps. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2005 occurs on November 4. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast". It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties. Charity and good deeds are always important in Islam and they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques. November 1st 2005 is also the start of the Hindu festival of Diwali. The festival marks the end of ignorance and beginning of knowledge that enlightens all. Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. === Haiku attempt #5 "Rows of lighted lamps Flowers lovingly planted Eid mubarak" ======= Google Flights Google flights is working - not perfect yet but it does give more options for flights and shows some interesting websites - just type in your airports as a simple search term, such as - London to Montpellier - ======= I have made our websites clairvoyant - try this card trick and tell me how it is done. http://www.francevoila.com/cardtrick/ http://www.francevoila.com/cardtrick/ ======= Crime I have had a huge mailbag about crime and theft against tourists and second homes in Europe. I will be making some special forums about this, and other important topics. I have heard of a lot of incidents of "knockout gas". Here is a new twist on highway robbery in Spain sent in by a reader. I have not heard about this in France. === Travelling home on the motorway heading towards Tarragona, we had a puncture. I rang the emergency services who were extremely helpful. The puncture repairman arrived but extra tools were needed so he arranged for a vehicle-loader to transport us to a garage. The "about ten minutes" turned into nearly 35 when a suitable vehicle marked "Services" arrived with two men who prepared to load our car. Whereupon another "Services" vehicle arrived with just one man who immediately harangued the other two and sent them packing, and then he rang the police. Subsequently he explained to us that they were pirates who spirit stranded tourists and their breakdowns off the motorway to a secluded spot and rob them. Our problem was swiftly and efficiently dealt with at the garage and we drove home. But had not the 'real' driver turned up when he did, I dread to think what might have happened to us. ======= There are over 1,200 articles in our archives at... http://francevoila.com/archives/ Archives Some Recent Articles http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/268 Cost of Living in France (and anywhere) http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/267 Long term rental Agreements http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/266 Robbery at service stations and parking areas http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/265 Using your Pension Fund for buying overseas property - problems ahead http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/264 Advice on Treating Lead Paint http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/263 More on Car Registration http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/259 Lead, Termites and Asbestos in French Homes http://www.fblog.com/?q=node/view/258 Inheritance in France - this can affect you === Our holiday/vacation rental site is at... http://rentalsfrance.com/ RentalsFrance We advertise holiday villa and gite rentals in most parts of France, established in 1998 we are one of the most prominent and successful villa rentals sites on the Internet - and aim to stay that way. Do browse through our websites and please use the advertising links, they help pay for the site. I do try to reply to all mail, most is about property or living in France. I publish comments in this newsletter which I believe are of interest and may help find answers for people wanting to come to France. By linking the points I make to our weblog at http://www.fblog.com FBlog I hope readers will go to the adverts which help support our overheads. Our business is our advertising sites for property and rentals at http://rentalsfrance.com/ RentalsFrance http://francevoila.com/ France voila Please make use of these sites (and do visit the adverts). What's New, Comments and News http://Fblog.com/ The France Weblog I really do try to reply to all mail, most are questions about property or living in France. I publish comments in this newsletter which I believe are of interest and may help find answers to questions put by others wanting to come to France. By linking the points I make to our weblog at http://www.fblog.com FBlog I hope readers will go to the adverts which help support our overheads. Our business is our advertising sites for property and rentals at http://rentalsfrance.com/ RentalsFrance http://francevoila.com/ France voila Please make use of these sites for rentals and sales (and do visit the adverts). |
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