World Travelers

So I came back from Cannes two days ago -- my first Cannes film festival experience. I've also never been to the Riviera before , the closest being Carcasonne a bit inlands.

Sadly, there was never an opportunity to be a tourist and explore much -- most of the two weeks was spent watching films and travelling by bus between our apartment in the suburb La Bocca and downtown Cannes, where the Palais is.

An equal amount of time was spent standing in line -- humongous lines, no matter how obscure the movie. You had to be at least an hour early to get in, sometimes much more (which meant that we sometimes had to get up at 6 to catch the morning screenings). And you're not allowed to bring in drinks or food in the two main theatres -- Debussy and Lumière, where the main competition films are shown -- and there are sometimes no time to eat between screenings, so the whole experience was rather gruelling in terms of basic needs (sustenance, toilet visits, sleep etc.). I often had to drink from the toilet faucets inside the theatres to not dry out completely. Also, we had a market pass, which is better than some, but less than others, and it didn't help much in terms of the lines.

Furthermore, in addition to your badge, you have to apply for tickets for the main films (which you sometimes get, sometimes not, depending on your Cannes track record). This led to the main frustration for me during the festival. The only ticket I didn't get was for Spielberg's THE BFG. But I didn't give up. I stood in the 'last minute' queues for both screenings that day -- first the early one, and then the gala evening one where I was all dressed up. Still, the popularity surrounding this film was so immense, even hundreds of people WITH tickets were turned away. True, I got a glimpse of my favourite director on the red carpet, but the disappointment was almost overshadowing it. All those hours spent in line for nothing.

In short, everything was quite chaotic. Thousands of people, fan mayhem, glamour and gala, pinup models and rich people everywhere -- it's really the Las Vegas of France, especially during the festival days.

These are things that I don't particularly care for. I need time for relaxation and basic needs, and I'm not a "glamour" guy. In that respect, this is not a festival for me. Also, the cost. Prices on food and even beer was almost on a Norwegian level!

That being said, there were some highlights.

One was May 17th (incidentally Norway's national day) where I attended the European Film Music Day hosted by the ECSA (European Composer and Songwriter Alliance). This turned out to be a bit of a "break" for me. Several panels were held at FNAC, and I hosted one of them myself; on gender equality in the audiovisual sector with composers such as Laura Karpman present. Here's a photo:

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ … e=57E795BF

After the panels, we moved to the beach area for two consecutive mingling parties with a free bar. As you can imagine, I got quite drunk. I also chatted with other Nordic composers, like Atli Örvarsson, Olafur Arnalds and Gaute Storaas.

I also snuck in two other 'parties' during the festival. One Saturday night, where I went out alone and even ended up in a karaoke bar, and another towards the end we had to drink up all the alcohol in our apartment. I needed that to "vent" a bit; I cannot do what my colleagues do, i.e. stand in line and watch films non-stop without consideration of basic needs.

Another highlight was obviously the films I managed to see. I think about 25 in total (if I count two where I left midway). True, the quality varied from horrible to breathtaking, but it's a treat to watch all the 'buzz' movies months and sometimes years before everyone else. These were the films I saw, with rankings from 1-5 stars:

ELLE (Paul Verhoeven) *****
NERUDA (Pablo Larraín) *****
AMERICAN HONEY (Andrea Arnold) *****
THE NEON DEMON (Nicholas Winding Refn) *****
THE HANDMAIDEN (Park Chan-wook) ****
THE RED TURTLE (Michael Dudok de Wit) ****
PERSONAL SHOPPER (Olivier Assayas) ****
GRAVE/RAW (Julia Ducournau) ****
BACHALAURAT/GRADUATION (Christian Mungiu) ****
I, DANIEL BLAKE (Ken Loach) ****
JULIETA (Pedro Almodovar) ***
STAYING VERTICAL (Alain Guiraudie) ***
MEAN DREAMS (Nathan Morlando) ***
BLOOD FATHER (Jean Francois Richet) ***
ESHTEBAK/CLASH (Mohammed Diab) **
FOURSHANDE/THE SALESMAN (Asghar Farhadi) **
LOVING (Jeff Nichols) **
JUST LA FIN DE MONDE/IT'S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD (Xavier Dolan) **
THE WAILING (Na Hong-Jin) **
MA LOUTE/SLACK BAY (Bruno Dumont) *
SIERANEVADA (Cristi Puiu) *

In terms of film music, I've already mentioned my favourites elsewhere. These were my top picks, in ranked order:

1. THE NEON DEMON (Cliff Martinez) -- the best score of the year so far, no less!
2. THE RED TURTLE (Laurent Perez)
3. MEAN DREAMS (Son Lux)
4. ELLE (Anne Dudley)
5. THE HANDMAIDEN (Yeong-wook Jo)

All in all, an uneven experience, but I might return again. At least, now I know what to expect.

I wish! I don't think I ever stepped on an actual beach during my stay, so little room for boob scouting.

Plenty of gorgeous women, though. This one caught our attention -- one out of many tickets scouters who was caught on camera by one of my colleagues. Surely, if I'd had an extra ticket, I'd have given it to her (on the condition that we'd sit together):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFtHq7gJc52/

Well, this trip wasn't going to be a holiday, but it's a bit of a pity it was so busy and full with annoying business to take care off. Perhaps you should've extended the holiday and go to one of the smaller places along the coast and relax before going back to the cold North?

But I'm glad you had a great time, besides all that.

Cannes does look a bit too fancy for my taste though. I'd love to go to the Berlinale or the film festival of San Sebastian once.

We're back from an awesome trip! Abruzzo is delightful and offers quite spectacular scenery, especially the Gran Sasso National Park with Campo Imperatore (and Corno Grande) and the area around Rocco Calascio and Santo Stefano.

We absolutely would recommand the latter as a base. Even though a lot of the town is in reparations from the earth quake (it is living history), this didn't disturb me at all. It's quite lively even though it was still off season I had the impression. It's a really cosy and little place with friendly people and such a cool alleys and stairs and little squares (the place where the gelateria is, just incredibly cute). It makes as an ideal base to do walks and drives in the area.

We drove a few times through Campo Imperatore ("the Tibet of Italy") because it is so vast and easy to drive through. One time Corno Grande suddenly doomed up after a bend and I was seriously impressed. The castle at Rocco Calascio is a must do, a very impressive and cool castle with great views on the barren/naked mountains surrounding it.

Kokopelli camping at Serramonasesca was our favourite place. It's the best camping we ever stayed at. Cooking facilities outside, amazing sunset views every day, great walks in the neighbourhood, facilities for lazy days (badminton, hammocks, vegetable car passing by, cheap but fine local wine, ...) and we were so lucky with the people staying there. My girlfriend baked a cake for my birthday and we shared with all of them. The owners were so helpful and I'm a bit jaelous of their life up there. They created a unique place. Fabulous hiking and rivers there.

Scanno was our next destination, but was a bit of a downer, not because of the place, which is an incredible village where people are so firnedly and literally are on the streets the whole day, but because we had to leave Kokopelli. I also bruised my ankle moments before we left Kokopelli so a big walk in the Abruzzo NP was not going to be possible for a few days. Scanno is famous because a lot of photographers (including Cartier Bresson!) tried to capture it.

On the way to Scanno, we visited Sulmona, which was lovely too, and a great setting (the mountains dooming up in the background when you're on the big square is impressive). Cosy streets and confetti all over the place.

Due to the connection that Belgium has with this region, we were able to communicate a lot with the people. Our Italian is very bad but our French is fine, and that helps too, even to recongize words. We met many people who had grand parents or family who worked in Belgium (in the mines or Brussels) and thus we also had a rather social experience on many places. The European Championship also brought us to some local bars were we were able to express and communicate and talk a little. Great!

ANature, towns, food, people, ... It was all we wanted and more. Kokopelli is an amazing place and would recommend. We stayed in one of their bell tents and that was just ideal.

After that we went to Rome, which I had visited before, but Kaat didn't. It was extremely hot. We biked Via Appia, which was desolate and no tourist to be found compared to the madness of some of the places in Rome. Also Gianicolo was a terrific and atmospheric place to enjoy Rome. The drive from Abruzzo to the airport (to return the car) was madness when we entered the ring road. Some Italians really cannot drive!

Oh and of course the food and wine. It's nothing extraordinary but all pure and simple. It's very untouristy, and mostly only Italians travel here. Since the camping was owned by British people, that was the only place we saw non-Italian tourists.

Have a great trip Tim. Looking forward to the photos!

Good luck Timmer! Sounds like an amazing adventure. Have you not been there yet?

Ben Nevis is a doable 4 hour hike to the top. Bring good shoes and very warm clothing. Do not expect a great view. Even if the weather is good in Scotland, the summit is most of the time in the clouds. The descent was a bit tricky. The path really need some maintenance on that part. But it was worth it

Proof I was there: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5idkszx1dm5if … 0.JPG?dl=0

and psst if you are a geocacher, there is a nice cache on the top.

Yes, way back in 1991 but didn't hike Ben Nevis because the weather was appalling, we went further North to Torridon and eventually Skye where the weather was utterly glorious.

Spectacular!

You seemed to be very active with the hiking in the 90s, Timmer. When did you wind down?

Come and join us old bean, I'll bring a cake plus you'll be happy to know Port will be transported to the top as well as Rum

I recommend staying awake. You'll find the right chance to sleep.

So just returned from a super-brief trip to Scotland and a wedding.

We flew down to Aberdeen on Friday, then hung around in the city core -- a pub crawl, basically (little time for sightseeing). Very odd city structure. A few pubs scattered about, and then there's the shopping of Union Street. But long stretches of nothing. Just pale brick surfaces, some industry and lots of residential areas. But again, I probably missed a lot of sights due to limited time (and beer).

Saturday was the highlight. A big bus picked up all the wedding guests and took us for a one-hour drive into the country, to a small place called Glen Tanar, just by the edge of the big Highlands national park in the centre of Scotland. I was very hung over at this point. But then we arrived at the estate -- a fantastic spot like out of Highlander or something. A huge hall scattered with animal antlers(?). A warm welcome from a kilt-dressed guy playing bagpipes. Then the wedding reception with the traditional 'hand fasting'. She has Scottish roots, he's Norwegian (and my friend). After the reception was when I finally woke, as they served free sparkling wine and ale non-stop. The hangover was being repaired. On to a brilliant 3-course dinner inside the huge hall, followed by live bands and dancing -- both traditional folk music and old-school rock and pop. Had a push-up contest with the female handball keeper of Norway's national team, and lost miserably. At midnight, we took the bus into town and contined the party at a night club in Aberdeen untill 5 in the morning.

Sunday was spent EXTREMELY hung over for 5 hours at the Aberdeen airport (flight delayed), and still feeling it today. But what a wild weekend!

I really want to return to this part of Scotland, as I didn't really get the time to see the castles and the Highlands proper. Many of the other guests extended their stay, and I should have too. But oh well.