China by train

June 2018 - May 2024
By train with two teenagers from the South of France to China Read more
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  • Marciac

    June 19, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Sat in a cafe testing this app in preparation for our trip
    "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?""But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?""But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?""But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?""But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?""But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?"Read more

  • Chez 'Tic, Bassoues

    June 24, 2018 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The last day before we leave and the last opportunity to be by myself for I don't know how long. Picking up a few bits for lunch at the Sunday market, a regular ritual for me. I'm trying to keep it together, although I feel pretty freaked out. The list of last minute details seems to grow faster than I can cross things off it. The logistics of organising this trip have been a daily concern for months now and, in spite of all the planning and reservations there is still much to be organised,even en route. Some of the tickets need to be picked up in various cities, some have yet to be issued because we are leaving home so far in advance of the return journey. I'm very glad I have this tablet, but a little worried about being overly reliant on it.
    Being responsible for the kids on this adventure gives an entirely different complexion to the planning from when I used to travel as a youth. In those days I would do little more than pack a rucksack and trust everything would work out. I would have a tent and a stove though and fully expect to get stuck by the side of the road occasionally.
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  • Day 1

    Rue Magenta

    June 25, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Lila was in her element on the walk to Monmartre. We were staggered by how a city even the size of Paris could spport so many wedding outfitters in one area; there were dozens upon dozens. Lila has persistently voowed never to marry but walking along the rue Magenta has given her the idea that marrying well and often might be more to her taste.Read more

  • Day 1

    10th arrondissement

    June 25, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The most expensive hotel on the trip and a bit of dive to be honest. You know the type, five flights of narrow stairs to a room that smells faintly of mould. Still just about the cheapest thing in spitting distance of the Gare d'Est for an early train to Berlin tomorrow. On the plus side you can at least score a decent falafel and it's walking distance from
    Montmartre.
    Read more

  • Day 1

    Montmartre

    June 25, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
  • Day 2

    Frankfurt station

    June 26, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    I reserved our tickets for this train two months ago and THE PLATFORM NUMBER IS ON THE TICKET!!! We are now definitely in Germany.