Wow! Where the French spend Aug. It is wonderfully warm and breezy…the sea not quite as warm as Hawaii. Great to see it again. The sweet Med!
Along the mediterranean
Thanks to Nicolas & iPhone, I can post! I arrived in marseille at dark last night. Took an early tour this morning then decided to go on to Nice! Will arrive there at 3pm and will post a photo later tonight. Life is beautiful! I felt a little unsafe in M. More later!
A few observations…
I got a nice letter of inquiry from my dear friend Violet, so thought I’d share a little more information that I’ve gotten from the son of my exchange friends and my walks round towns. Can you believe that university is free here? For everyone! Toulouse university is the third largest in France. Founded in 1229 (yes!) it now has more than 97,000 students. Apparently the requirement is high school graduation. It’s no wonder that there are so many Pizza and crepes cafes. They seem to be very common fair for the younger generation. There is a McDonald’s nestled discretely on the square, and it’s very popular too. A very common sight in all of France is seeing someone walking down the street with a couple of bagettes under his/her arm. The common breakfast is light: cafe/tea, orange juice, 2 pieces of bread (a croissant and a small bagette), butter and jam. That’s quite a difference from our ham and eggs! There might be a connection between their slim bodies and their low fat diets. Their fashions are wonderful. I’ve seen almost no jeans. The quality of cotton is remarkably light and fine in texture.
There is also an extensive subway system, and as in all of the larger towns and cities, rental stations for bikes. In fact, biking is not only a means of transportation, but also a national passion here. All of the cities have the rental bike stations. You simply put in a coin, take the bike, ride to your destination, and return the bike to a locked space. In addition, there are bike rental companies for those who want to ride the countryside. It seems to be the sport of the nation. Everyone can ride the rolling hills and valleys and imagine that they are training for the tour de france!
Bonjour!
This is the kitchen of the home I’ve exchanged. The neighborhood is very quiet. I’ll post occasional photos for a feel. As I write this, there is a pigeon celebrating the sun. I leave the bedroom door open and feel very safe and can see a few stars. All of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor and I must be feeling at home, as I was looking for the light switch at the head of the stairs. (In the Echo Lake home we had a switch at the top and bottom.) Deja vu! My friend Ber arrived yesterday so the house doesn’t feel so empty!
Do you see why I get a little nervous when I don’t know where I’m going or where I’ve been? Getting out of the parking lot was an experience. I now know how to get the card, pay the money, but at the exit stall I inserted the ticket and nothing. So I jump out, ring the bell and say, “No sortie! No sortie! Help!” Push the white button the kind man said in his slow, but very clear English. Voila! Up goes the gate. And off to Toulouse I did go!
About me
Images captured during travel locally, nationally and internationally that capture something sensible; that is, relevant to thought, sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, or on rare occasions, something beyond.
