TOULOUSE: Au revoir, not goodbye

Before we left Toulouse for six months, I wanted to capture and remember the spectacular view from our 19th floor loft apartment during the morning, afternoon, and evening (24/7). Google + enhanced this photo for me:

More daytime views:

Sunset view:

And, night views:

During the three months I was in Toulouse, I kept trying to schedule a bike ride over the Garonne River, with either Eric or a friend. For one reason or another, it didn't happen until the last weekend before our move. Eric and I rented some bikes, ride over the river, and played tennis at a local outdoor public tennis court. It was great!

VERSAILLES

Years ago, we tried to go to Versailles but it was closed; I think it was a Monday. We ended up seeing the gardens which were wonderful! This trip, we made it into the Palace of Versailles. I enjoyed the Hall of Mirrors.

                                         

  I think I might like a library like this one belonging to one of the princesses!

Now, this is a bedroom!

Another beautiful organ:

Even the train leaving Versailles was amazing. I kept looking at the ceiling.

PARIS!

In order to move to the UK in November, we HAD to go to Paris to turn in our paperwork for our 6-month visa. Of course, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We walked by the gardens at the Louvre and walked across the Seine with love locks attached to the sides of the bridge.

Of course, we had to walk by the Eiffel Tower...

And we went out for a wonderful dinner (French food, of course) and enjoyed the view of the Eiffel Tower at night.

MADRID

When Eric had to go to Madrid for a short Monday morning meeting, I jumped at the chance to join him. We added a full weekend to our trip to enjoy a little of Spain. Thanks to Rick Steve's travel advice, we found a hotel in a great location overlooking the Puerta del Sol, the Times Square of Spain. It was a little noisy having a balcony overlooking this famous square, but it was well worth it to be in the center of the action.

In addition to finding some delicious new food, we went to a flamenco dance, took a bus tour, went to the Prado Museum, and walked to the Royal Palace.

Did I mention the food? The first night, we had a sampler meal, and it included a dish that I later found out was thinly sliced, fried eggplant with honey generously drizzled all over it. It was so good, I had to go back to the restaurant the next day. It was a struggle to describe it to the waiter since I didn't know what it was, but it was well worth it! I also had some hot chocolate (very thick!) and churros (not as sweet as in the US). It was delicious!

French class completion!

Here are some of my class-mates from my French class. We are a varied group from Brazil, China, Italy, Chile, Japan, and of course, France (our teacher). Others are from Kenya and Spain.

Back to School

I am half-way through my intensive 4-week French class. After our 3 1/2 hour daily class, I come home and spend the rest of the day trying to figure out what I was supposed to learn during class. I am the only American (Americaine) in our class, and everyone else seems to catch on fast. I guess it helps to have experience learning a language.

This is what I see as I exit my class each day; it is the Capitole. It is quiet in the morning, but by afternoon, the area is filled with people and activities. I enjoy my walk home after class each day!

CARCASSONNE: Our neighborhood Castle

We stepped back in time as we visited Carcassonne. Part of the wall was built in the Roman era, and other additions and renovations came later.

Carcassonne is actually about an hour away from where we live, but I consider it "in the neighborhood."

The church within Carcassonne City. We heard another organist there. I am thoroughly enjoying all of the good organists in France.

Madame Carcas: The story is told is that during a seige, she fed the last of the food to a pig to fatten him up. The people then threw the pig over the wall. The invading army decided the seige was not working and gave up. The city became Carcassonne in her honor.

There were no guard-rails and some pretty step drops. The signs said something about entering at your own risk. Beautiful, but a little scary.

We stopped for a little afternoon refreshment. The Coke bottles have individual names on them, but I haven't seen Marci or Eric yet.

A view through the roof of the train that took us around the outside of Carcassonne.

We exited through one of the gates of Carcassonne and said goodbye to the city for now. I'm sure we will be back.