Blog Masonry
Where is everyone?
Goodness, is everyone on vacation? I’ve never seen the forum so empty. I hope we get lots of trip reports from returning vacationers in a week or two . . . hint, hint. 
hello
hello all im new to this Forums and was hopeing you can let me know how US Soldiers are treated out there.Im being sent out there in 2 Weeks and was told by some of my friends "OOO your going to france?Haahha they dont like US Soldiers out there your going to have a Tough time."I dont know if they where pulling my leg or if thay where telling the truth.Thay all ways play jokes on me so im not to sure if this is a joke or not.I have never ben out side the US,and i have all ways wanted to see france.Well thanks and have a good day.
25yo US woman teaching in Japan seeking friendly French penpals
Phew, that’s rather a long title! 
Salutations!
music CDs for Sur Mes Livres
Hello to everyone, I love the movies and music as well. In Sur Mes Livres, there are several great songs and I’d like to obtain a CD of the movie soundtrack if one is available. Here in the USA, I have been unable to find it. Can anyone help?
Powell tries to repair rift with France
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Colin Powell is reaching out again to France to try to overcome differences that were exacerbated by the U.S. war with Iraq.
“The values that pull France and the United States together are far more powerful than any problems that come along and will be surmounted,” Powell said at a ceremony.
The State Department is marking the start of a traveling exhibit of the Marshall Plan, the program that helped France and other European nations recover from World War II.
Uneasy France quick to judge
Marie-Leonie (her family name has not been released) was the 23-year-old mother whose tale of an anti-Semitic attack on Paris’ RER suburban railway system sent the nation into a paroxysm of guilt and fear.
According to her account to police at the weekend, she was set upon by a gang of six young men of Arab and African origin who took her for a Jew because she was travelling to the rich 16th arrondissement of the capital.
After ripping her clothes and cutting off a length of hair, they reportedly scratched her face with knives and drew swastikas on her body. They also overturned the pram with her 13- month old baby inside, and then robbed her.
France's Ruling Party Chief Quits
Former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe has resigned as leader of President Jacques Chirac’s ruling Union for a Popular Movement, paving the way for a party succession battle.
Juppe announced his resignation Friday, following his conviction earlier this year in a corruption case. He received a suspended prison sentence and was banned from public office for 10 years. The case is under appeal.
France’s powerful finance minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, is vying for the party leadership. He is to address party members later Friday.
Armstrong Takes Big Step Toward 6th Tour de France Crown
Lance Armstrong of the United States has taken a big step toward a record sixth Tour de France cycling crown by surging ahead of key rivals on the difficult 12th stage in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Armstrong finished just behind Friday’s stage winner Italian Ivan Basso, as both clocked 5:03:58 hours for the 198 kilometers. But fellow-American Tyler Hamilton, German Jan Ullrich and Spaniards Iban Mayo and Roberto Heras were among the pre-Tour contenders who lost time to the five-time champion.
Ullrich, the 1997 Tour winner, lost 2:30 minutes to Armstrong. Heras was 2:57 behind, and Hamilton gave up 3:27 minutes.
What part of Caen to stay in?
My husband and I are planning to spend 2 nights in Caen. We will be seeing the Normandy beaches (with a tour) on one of the two days. The only other definite thing we plan to do is see the Caen peace museum/memorial on the alternate day. I understand that the museum is on the edge of town. So my question is, would it make more sense to stay in the city center or to stay near the museum? It seems there are several options in the 30 euro/double range in either place. We are traveling by rail and will not have a car.
Thank you for your advice!
Tish