This time last year we were in a Tunick lull. All our poses were behind us (no pun intended) and we had picked up the Buffalo photo on the ninth of January, amazed we could drive to Buffalo and back with no snow. We then found out there would be an exhibit/party in May. We had yet to pick up our Milford print, scheduled at first for Superbowl weekend, but moved to February 13 th. We thought that it would be unlikely we could go to the far side of Pennsylvania and back with no snow, and so plans were sort of on hold. And we had not yet received our private pose photo. But February was snowless on the weekend and we picked up our prints and met friends ; the private photo came in March-just before my birthday. And in May we went to Buffalo again for the party and exhibit and again met friends. I was happy but also a little down as I then anticipated no more participation for a long while. Then came August and the chance to go to Lyon.

As some of you have been to the Baltic to see the results of your July efforts, and some have a chance to go back to Brugge, I sit and wait for my Lyon photos and my thoughts drift back.........

Betsy had said I could go to Lyon in August. I was worried I didn't speak French, worried about where my hotel would be in relation to where the shoot was. Then I learned the location of my hotel. Hotel Elysee was in the middle of the Presquile, near Place Bellecour. Where was that to be in relation to the shoot? How could I get a cab? Then instructions came. "The Spencer Tunick installation will take place

on Sunday, Sept 11, 2005 at Edouard Herriot Harbour." That was great news. My hotel was on rue Pres. Edouard Herriot. This had to be close, right? But what else is there? A nude picnic! That sounds like fun. But where will I find food for a picnic? I check the maps provided. The site for the installation is not near the hotel. So it's a taxi and food I need. And the weather was going to be cold and rainy. All the internet weather services said so. Ah well, I was committed to go.

My flight from Akron-Canto to Detroit on Friday the 9th of September and then on to Amsterdam was long and, while not bad, was boring. When I landed in Amsterdam early Saturday morning I was amazed and pleased the sun was coming out. It had obviously rained but was clearing. When I landed in Lyon it was a partly cloudy late summer day. Not overly warm, but by no means cold. I took a taxi to my hotel and checked in. Then off to do some sightseeing before it was time to meet up with my MSN friends at Place Bellecour by the Louis the IV statue.

I went to the Place Bellecour, a short walk from my hotel. I had crepes. I bought a tee-shirt and I took a tour bus. For a little over an hour and 15 minutes I rode in the upper deck unashamedly gawking at the sights and taking photos in an occasional light rain shower. I was an American tourist in Lyon! ( For photos of this vacation email me and I will send a link to Yahoo photos) Tour over, I went to find the bistro I was to have dinner at, only to discover it was closed till 1900. It was only a little after 1600 so I returned to my hotel as I had two hours before I was to meet my friends. I fell asleep almost at once I think. I awoke with a start at 1800 exactly. I zipped out of my hotel and up the street. I arrived about 1810, just in time to get caught up in a political demonstration that was a bit noisy but in good spirits. (The rioting did not take place till later in the next month ) They were headed for Louis too. But as I wandered about I was rescued by Craig and Diane and taken to the rest of the group at the base of the statue. We quickly moved to a little cafe nearby and made introductions. Big Bad Jane, Simon,The Bernard, LJ, Kris from Belgium, Robert, Craig and Diane and little Emily. I was made to feel as welcome as if I had known these people for years instead of just a little over a year online. We talked for an hour or so, posed for a group photo taken by the cafe manager. We talked but an hour and folks had to get back to their hotels and dinner. Kris, Robert and Phillip were willing to try the bistro with me. We made our way to Le Bistrot De Lyon where we had a terrific dinner and conversation for about 3 hours. It rained lightly but we were fine under an awning, and Kris was acting a translator for us to staff and our fellow diners. Then off to bed for a good, albeit short, night's sleep.