The Salon de la Chasse in Rambouillet will be held March 27 to 30 in 2009. If anyone plans on attending please let me know and we can organize a cocktail or dinner for the attending AR members. Here's a link to their web site:

http://www.salondelachassederambouillet.com/

Wink,

Sure would love to be able to get there and share a glass of good chilled wine with you and some of my former clients who are from France!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Under the 2008 photos, near the bottom there is a pic of a guy seeming to help a young lady in muonting a big shotgun. On closer look however his right hand is not even close to the gun! Is that acceptable in France???

I hadn't really looked closely at the photos. In photo number 48 there's a glimpse of my waterbuck, and some guy scratching his ear and blocking the view.

oupa that guy is holding on to the shotgun for the young girl shooting...

Wink, sorry won't make it...

Mike

I realize that visiting France, for the non-French speaker, may be perceived as a daunting experience. But some basic information will allow you to get through the cultural gap. Some helpful hints to convince the skeptical:


GUIDE TO FRANCE


Language

In France they have a different word for almost everything. Still, the people are genetically programmed to speak English naturally, as is most of humanity, and in fact they know how to speak English! The reason they refuse to speak English is steeped in history. It started as a vast program about nine hundred years ago to confuse, infuriate and insult the English (who live on an island of the coast), whom they have hated for about 800 of the last 900 years. The hatred of the English is now reduced to extreme mistrust and many French now cross the Channel to buy alcohol because it is cheaper (resulting in the construction of a tunnel under the Channel). Speaking French has become a tradition although, I repeat, they do speak English. Even Edmond makes fewer spelling errors in English than the majority of people who post on the AR forum.

Philosophy

The French know in their heart of hearts that it is logical to think that people are illogical or, said otherwise, that it is illogical to think that they will think logically. Given that, the French have decided to be “rational”. This means being able to think like Rene Descartes and Karl Marx, at the same time with the same brain! Some of the brightest people in France are actually able to do this, although for only brief periods of time because it is not only exhausting but may lead to brain lesions. Those who battle most with this issue usually join the Socialist Party to be among people like themselves. Americans are considered irrational; other nationalities are usually the subject of speeches about non-existent national health care systems, foreign aid or social dumping.

Climate

In France there is an alcoholic beverage for every temperature and humidity micro-climate variable known to man so it would be simplistic to speak of seasons. So, suffice to say that you will be served from a range of “correct” libations whatever the situation. Many are unknown outside of France and most side-effects can be treated once you return to your home country, except for perhaps Green Chartreuse.

Religion

The true Catholics almost all live in France. When The Vatican gets out of line a French Pope is named and there has been more than one. This being the case, there are magnificent churches and cathedrals everywhere. Being pragmatic when it comes to their superiority, and in order to allow a maximum of tourists the possibility of visiting these architectural wonders, most Catholics no longer consider it a requirement to be “physically present” in church which leaves a little more room inside for the tourist. Waiting lines at Notre Dame de Paris are sometimes less than a one hour wait, which is better than Space Mountain. One uppity bishop, Monsignor Lefevre, decided that Catholics should indeed go to church, and hear mass in Latin, and a few people who have nothing to do with the tourist trade started to follow his teachings. He was excommunicated so waiting times should remain reasonable. The French press keeps the population regularly informed about dangerous “sects” connected with the vast but subversive plan to Americanize Europe.

Well I'm planning to fly out of london on the 27th but the ticket is not paid for yet maybe I should change it.

What will be the easiet way to get there from London ? If it's not too difficult I could maybe make a plan.

I think the Chunnel should be re-open by then so you might prefer the Eurostar TGV train.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari-Hunt:
Well I'm planning to fly out of london on the 27th but the ticket is not paid for yet maybe I should change it.

What will be the easiet way to get there from London ? If it's not too difficult I could maybe make a plan.

If you do go, and if you do not speak any French, here is somethingthat you may find useful: If you want to ask directions or anything from a man in the street, just speak Afrikaans. No he will in all likelihood not understand you at all, but he will not associate you with an Englishman, which they all seem to hate. Then, repeat your question in broken, poorly pronounced and gramatically incorrect English. Chances are that you will be directed or helped in fluent English; by the same man who would have just shaken his head if you started asking the same question in English!

It sure worked for me.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Andrew,

Mon francais ne pa si bien me ca travailles!

In other words my french is rusty but it will get me by. Yes the french are quite use to Belgian and Hollanders coming into France speaking Dutch, very good tip.

BTW I'm here with KarlS in Windhoek watching him clean is good looking rifles.

So, are you coming by train or by plane?

What organization runs this show? Are they contributing enough to African outfitters? Please don't kill me.

quote:

help a young lady in muonting a big shotgun.

I KNEW they did weird things in France, and this just reinforces that view.
Just an update Wink:
One uppity bishop, Monsignor Lefevre, decided that Catholics should indeed go to church, and hear mass in Latin, and a few people who have nothing to do with the tourist trade started to follow his teachings. He was excommunicated so waiting times should remain reasonable.
Seems like the Vatican has succeeded in putting it's foot in it's mouth again!
I liked your write up! I know this is the traditional view, but quite a few Brtis have bought "vacation homes" in frog country. Has this done anything to change the view of the Brits?
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:

quote:

help a young lady in muonting a big shotgun.

I KNEW they did weird things in France, and this just reinforces that view.
Just an update Wink:
One uppity bishop, Monsignor Lefevre, decided that Catholics should indeed go to church, and hear mass in Latin, and a few people who have nothing to do with the tourist trade started to follow his teachings. He was excommunicated so waiting times should remain reasonable.
Seems like the Vatican has succeeded in putting it's foot in it's mouth again!
I liked your write up! I know this is the traditional view, but quite a few Brtis have bought "vacation homes" in frog country. Has this done anything to change the view of the Brits?
Peter.

For those of you who don't get instant on-line updates, in a very recent reversal by Pope Benedict, Monsignor Lefevre and 4 other bishops have been reinstated.

The Rambouillet Game Show is, as far as I know, a for profit operation with no pretentions of helping anybody whomsoever other than those who organize it. I like going, even if I have to walk the 1 km distance from my house because parking isn't easy.

Well, they still should give back to the outfitters, don't ask me why they just should!

Wink, that was what I was referring to in my post above (Vatican puts foot in mouth again). Bishop Williamson was one of those reinstated into communion with the Church. This bright spark denies that any Jews were killed in gas chambers, but admits that a few might have been kiled in concentration camps! A Bishop has teaching authority in his diocese. Fortunately, Williamson does not have one.
Peter.

Also, how much is booth space and do you have to make an additional donation if you want to exhibit there?

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Well, they still should give back to the outfitters, don't ask me why they just should!

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Also, how much is booth space and do you have to make an additional donation if you want to exhibit there?

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
Well, they still should give back to the outfitters, don't ask me why they just should!

Larry, I don't know how much booth space costs for this event, and I don't exhibit anything. But a taxidermist who has done work for me is always there and I will ask him when he comes about total costs. I think he'll give me a straight answer.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
So, are you coming by train or by plane?

Wink don't hold any hopes as it seems that the airfare suddenly jumps up if I'm over for over a month. Maybe next time.

OK gentlemen, it looks like I'll have to drink all the champagne myself. The dollar is looking a little better versus the Euro at present so March be the right time to schedule that long delayed business trip to Paris.

It's a pitty things didnt work out so we could meet up have good fun though.