Did you know that the death rate for bees is up by a factor of 8? That is why this queen looks so worried. Her looks makes you wonder why the drones are so willing to sacrifice so much.

So Montpellier invited 10,000 scientists to spend four days sharing their research. The clowns were out in full force (we are pretty sure that they were not part of the scientific community but who knows),

as was Montpellier’s international flavor. Beekeepers from Kurdistan, Iraq, New Caledonia, Gabon, etc and all had booths. At least one Polish beekeeper brought 20 exquisitely carved statues, each with its own hive.

Saturday we went to Montpellier’s School of Medicine’s library with its 200 year old dissertations.

The Museum of Anatomy— open only one day a year—with displaying hundreds of lungs, kidneys, embryos and bones. Can you imagine the Body World exhibit 200 years from now without any liquid preservatives? You’ve got the picture. The Museum of Anatomy is one of the oldest parts of the Montpellier school of Medicine, advertised as the oldest continuing operating medical school in Europe and maybe the World.

A spontaneous play featuring the king and his recalcitrant physician provided the humor we needed after the museum.

Tonight there is a free reenactment of the French Revolution in a section of town called Beux Arts. If we live, this blog will go out.

Well we made through the revolution without harm in spite of the mob in the streets and the revolutionaries encouraging the mob to riot. That is the way the king might have described our escape from a mob but in reality was just the citizens recognizing the oppressive nature of rulers too long in power that lost a connection with the common man who allowed them the privilege of being of service.

The king and queen were not so lucky in escaping the revelotionaries and were forced to return their power to the people.

Sunday we shared soufflé, salad, cheese, cake, medieval chants and a play.

with our extended family in Montferrier.

Monday I started a fabulous weekly one-hour gym class a 5 minute walk from our apartment, and participated in two “flashmobs” for Climate Change with 4 minutes of noise makers before dispersing. Tuesdays and Thursdays we both have French lessons; Wednesday, a walk with a new French friend made through Onvasortir, Friday, aqua gym and another walk. Saturday, the day for new Montpellierians and Sunday Bob bikes 60 miles with his new bike club.

Our life together and apart is starting to have a rhythm!