Geoffrey the cook

Rosie and Sophie, hair stylists, Uzes

Michel, Uzes

Christophe, brocante dealer, Uzes

Nandine

Jim from England (with Unity)

English-speaking friends

Bee-Bop, Uzes

Angus, Musician, Uzes

Nicholas from London, in Uzes

Beaufort buddies

Jean Claude, brocante dealer , Uzes

Claude the “cheese man”, Nimes

Geoffrey the Butler

Maria and Steve from Australia (with Nandine) in Uzes

Cafe patron, St. Jean du Gard

Andy, Montaren

Cafe owner, Blauzak

Wine merchant, Uzes

Nicholas, Blauzak

Cafe server, Blauzak

Nicholai. Uzes

Geoffrey, the Little Man

Jewelry vendors in Costa Rica

Couple from California beside me on flight to France in June

Australian friends and fashion advisors in Uzes

Shopkeeper in Uzes

Owner of Petite Casino in Uzes

Jewery designer Uzes

Jewelry designer, Uzes

“Cat man” waiter, Uzes

Wine merchant, Uzes

Geoffrey the Guru

Winemaker, outside Sete

Cafe owners Monteren

Unity the artist

Bar lady, Nimes

Bike shop, Uzes

Bernard, vacation in Uzes

English couple living in Uzes

Restaurant owners, Sete

Geoffrey the photographer

Aperitif in Sete

Nancy, hostess and tour guide in Sete

Geoffrey in the blue van

Potter in San Quentin la Poterie

Servers at Tapis Cafe in Barcelona

Fishermen, Costa Rica

Pat Conroy, author, Beaufort, SC

Geoffrey the Low Lander

Party friends, Sete

Bride, Uzes

Michel, Uzes

Matthew and Jerry

Geoffrey the hatchet man

Unity’s husband, Tom

Jewelry designer, Pezenas

Toy man in Cafe, Nimes

Les Pieton bar owner popping another cork of Beaujolais Nouveau

“Teddy Bear”, Uzes

Arnold, Brocante dealer, Uzes

Geoffrey the Truck Driver

Provence Cafe owner, Uzes

Thanksgiving has new meaning to me this year.  It’s not a holiday in France. Never mind,  I’m making it my personal day to give thanks to all the new people who have come into my world this year.

November road scene, Uzes

I drove out into the countryside near Uzes yesterday to take pictures of the Autumn views. As spectacular as it is, I couldn’t help comparing the colors and scenery of France with my Carolina home. Rather than getting all mope-y eyed and sad that I won’t be spending the holiday with my family and friends in the US, I thought about my new friends.

How lucky I am to have them in my life!

Pictured in this photo gallery are just a few of the many, many people I have “run into” in 2013. You’ve read about them in the posts of Barefoot Blogger. Some are destined to be lifelong friends. Others will be acquaintances.  Some are “people in the crowd” who allowed me to take their photograph. And others didn’t know they were in the sights of my lens.

Geoffrey is shown more than once. See if you can pick him out. His flamboyant style makes it hard to appreciate only one of his “many faces”. 

Stay tuned … Thanksgiving in France … Live turkey … Tomorrow I will be celebrating an American-style holiday dinner with my new friends in France. It will be a Thanksgiving to remember, for sure. Yet it will bring back memories of all those Thanksgivings in the past.